DC day one

David's The Emperor Napoleon in His Study

We had one hour to spend at the National Gallery of Art, so three of us chose the west wing and grabbed a sheet called "Less than an hour?--West Building Highlights" So we followed this guide and all of the pictures below are from that guide. You can click on the picture for a larger version, as well. We also saw many other great works of art, like Caleb Bingham, George Caitlin, Sargent, and Bellini. It was absolutely amazing.

Raphael's The Alba Madonna was absolutely breathtaking!!!!!

de Goya's The Marquesa de Pontejos

Whistler's The White Girl

Fragonard's A Young Girl Reading Bellini & Titian's The Feast of the Gods

Jan van Eyck's Annunciation DaVinci's Ginevra de'Benci Childe Hassam's Allies Day

This is the bas relief sculpture of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment that was all black, except for the officers. It is on loan to the National Museum of Art and is amazing!! In a room all alone, except for some of the head models in the sculpture, it is incredible. And yes, pictures were allowed.

Outside of the National Archives. Inside pictures were not allowed, but it was amazing. The documents we have been studying, there to peruse and read and see (just not touch). The Magna Charta, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is just incredible and awe-inspiring. There was also the 13th amendment and Articles of Confederation. These were in the rotunda, then we went to the Vaults, where a huge collection of letters to presidents, immigration papers, arrest reports, etc. were displayed in various forms. I loved the presidential clips of speeches. Very much worth a visit and the 3 hours were spent there.

Dinner at Johnny's Half Shell.

Today was a little laid back. Tomorrow, after lectures, a dash to Arlington in the 100 degree heat:)