painting History, Artists, Elements, Techniques, Types, & Facts
Some acquisitions are made through purchase, based on the expert advice of Gallery curators, but it is important to note that such purchases are made with funds specifically designated for acquiring works of art. Although the federal government is responsible for the maintenance and basic operation of the Gallery, the art acquisitions are supported by the private sector. The success of this partnership is reflected in the National Gallery’s large and superlative paintings collection that spans the time between the late 14th and the 21st centuries. The National Gallery of Art’s painting collection, like the museum itself, began with Andrew W. Mellon (1855–1937). Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted or modified with acrylic gels, media, or pastes, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolor or an oil painting, or have its own unique characteristics not attainable with other media. The main...