WASHINGTON DC, United States — The entrance to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, part of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. This subterranean museum, dedicated to ancient and contemporary Asian art, features a distinctive above-ground pavilion entrance adjacent to the Enid A. Haupt Garden and the Smithsonian Castle.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, a key component of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, presents a unique architectural approach with its primarily underground structure. The gallery's entrance, a modern pavilion rising from the Enid A. Haupt Garden, serves as a striking contrast to the adjacent 19th-century Smithsonian Castle. This pavilion, constructed of granite and glass, provides visitors with their first glimpse of the museum's blend of contemporary design and traditional Asian aesthetics. Opened in 1987, the Sackler Gallery was designed to house Dr. Arthur M. Sackler's donation of approximately 1,000 objects of Asian art, and has since expanded its collection to include a wide range of Asian art from ancient times to the present. The museum's subterranean design, with 96% of its space below ground, allows for optimal preservation conditions for sensitive artworks while maintaining the open, park-like atmosphere of the National Mall. The gallery connects underground to its sister museum, the Freer Gallery of Art, forming the National Museum of Asian Art. Together, they house one of the world's most important collections of Asian art, featuring works from China, Japan, Korea, South and Southeast Asia, and the Islamic world. The Sackler Gallery is particularly noted for its collections of Chinese jades and bronzes, ancient Near Eastern metalware, and contemporary Asian art. Its location on the National Mall, alongside other Smithsonian museums, makes it a key destination for visitors interested in exploring the breadth of Asian cultural heritage and artistic expression.
Size: 4584px × 6868px
Location: National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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