The Corcoran Gallery is worth a visit!
Written: Mar 28 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to get to, a diverse collection, lovely building, good gift shop.
Cons: One of the few museums in DC that charge, some collections may be offensive.
The Bottom Line: Corcoran Gallery of Art has some wonderful treasures, a surprising variety of styles, and at $5.00 is a good entertainment buy for a museum of this caliber.
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| bud41's Full Review: Corcoran Gallery of Art |
I had never visited the Corcoran Gallery Art on previous Washington, DC visits because usually my time was limited, and frankly- they charge an admission fee and there is so much to do in DC that's free I never had the desire to go and pay. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a cheap-skate. I've paid for lots of admissions to art museums all over the world. It's just that you don't have to do that to see good art in Washington.
When I discovered their Sunday Gospel Music Brunch (see my review of this under places to brunch in Washington, DC)I decided to attend that. Admission to the galleries was included in the price so we were happy to see it. After viewing the collection, I must say it is well worth the reasonable $5.00 admission fee anytime (brunch is 19.95 as you will see in my other review).
Corcoran has permanent exhibits and touring exhibits. It has a wide variety - from Dutch masters to controversial contemporary.Here are just a few of the fabulous artists whose works hang in the Corcoran:
Remington His beautiful images of the old west will stop you in your tracks.
Renoir, Cassatt, Monet, Manet, et al There are excellent samples of the major French and American impressionists.
Stuart His famous portrait of Washington hangs in the gallery.
You will also see an excellent porcelain and china exhibit which includes Delft pottery.
There is the Dore Salon - a wonderful ballroom from a mansion in Paris which has been transported and reconstructed. It's fabulous gildings are breathtaking - as is its ceiling. A clock on the mantle in this room bellong to Marie Antoinette.
You will find interesting sculpture and even a 13th century stained glass window from a French cathedral.
There are quite a few rooms of modern art - I have to be honest and say here I am not a great fan of much abstract work. I do appreciate the intricacy of some of it, and I enjoy the colors and patterns- but I often find the themes unenjoyable and bizarre. There is even one gallery which posts a warning that some of the photos in the exhibit may offend and contain nudity or sexual situations. The artist certainly has a right to his or her creation, and I have the right to avoid it if I so choose! So I did. I appreciate the gallery putting up the warning.
There are two floors of rooms - each floor with an east and west wing. You will need at least a couple of hours to do the art justice. Some of the paintings of the old west will simply captivate you and you will want to sit and take them in for a while. Even the architecture of the building will occupy a considerable amount of galking time! Don't forget to view some of the work of students from the Corcoran School of Art which is adjacent to the museum. Their works hang in hallways around the building.
The Corcoran is just across the street from the White House on 17th St. It can be reached via Metro at either Farragut North Station or Farragut West.
I do recommend the Corcoran Gallery of Art once you've seen all the "stuff" on the Mall.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
bud41
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Between the Waxhaws and Oklawaha
Reviews written: 198
Trusted by: 39 members
About Me:
Just me - a middle-aged teacher who works to travel.
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