Corcoran Gallery, Capital Hill, National Building Museum Hall.

 

Beautiful private gallery. In many of the rooms the paintings were displayed "salon style" rather than conventional 1-2 tier hung displays. Click here for more information on salon style hangings.

 

School children being taught how to appreciate art. Difficult to resist putting my hand up in response to teachers questions so decide to move on.

 

Rooms were also devoted to contemporary art and this is one of my favourites.

 

Very impressed with a special exhibition by David Levinthal who uses deep focus photography of plastic toy soldiers/figures to recreate historic moments. This series depicts Custers last stand.

 

Another picture of Custers last stand (with reflection of prints in background)

 

This picture of a soldier being hit with a bullet and flung into the air was recreated by suspending the plastic soldier on a pin and using puffs of flour to mimic the smoke of battle.

 

A recreation of the Nazi extermination squads going about their business

See more information about David Levinthal here.

 

Different perspectives of the Capitol. The second shows two of many Segway Human Transporters buzzing around.

 

The Great Hall of the National Building Museum. Tallest Corinthian columns in the world at 75 ft high and 8 ft diameter. Each composed of 70,000 bricks. The hall was built in 1882 and housed forces during the Civil War. Designed by Casper Buberl.

 

Attended a wonderful exhibition on one of the great building families of America. The Guastavino family from Spain perfected the vaulted ceilings seen in some of this countries greatest buildings - Grand Central Station, Penn Station, Carnegie Hall, Biltmore Hotel to name a few. Unfortunately no photography allowed.

 

For more information about the Guastavinos click here.

 

Last day in Washington and I farewell my local Metro station - U Street - which has served me well.

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