At the Renwick

I'm just doing all sorts of new things lately! Today I visited the Renwick Gallery, which is another Washington landmark that I've never been to. (I left work early to go to the eye doctor, and the Renwick is literally a block away from my doctor's office. Since I took the afternoon off, I couldn't not go to the Renwick as well.) The gallery is a branch of the Smithsonian's American Art Museum and it focuses on 19th and 20th century art.

It's a lovely building. Apparently it was in danger of being torn down in the 1960s and Jackie Kennedy saved it. I'm sure the fact that it's across the street from the White House had something to do with it.

It's rather small as far as art museums go. There are only a handful of exhibit galleries. The Grand Salon is the largest and most famous room in the museum.

The staircase is also quite lovely. Even the handrails are covered in velvet.

I kind of like this picture. It's like the security guards were posing for me.

And finally, I was really struck by this piece, which is made entirely of glass. It's kind of haunting.

After leaving the Renwick, I popped over to Schakolad Chocolate Factory. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon!