The National Gallery of Art was established in 1937 thanks to a generous endowment made to Congress by Andrew W. Mellon, along with the donation of his extensive private art collection. The West and East Buildings, along with the Sculpture Garden, provide elegant sanctuaries for viewing many of the world?s great works of art.

In 2014, the National Gallery formed a special relationship with GW when both institutions joined in preserving and growing the legacy of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Corcoran College of Art and Design. Through this arrangement, the National Gallery gained custody of the majority of the Corcoran?s art collection. The National Gallery has incorporated Corcoran works into displays at their primary location, and is involved in organizing and presenting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art within the historic Corcoran building.