Page 214 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

212  W ASHINGT ON , DC & THE C APIT AL REGION

of the center, which was named
in his honor.
Designed by Edward Durrell
Stone, the center opened in
1971. The Grand Foyer,
adorned with a remarkable
bronze bust of Kennedy by
sculptor Robert Berks, stretches
630 ft (192 m) and provides an
impressive entrance to the
three main theaters of this vast
arts complex. In front of the
foyer is the JFK Terrace, which
runs the length of the center
and offers glorious views of the
The magnificent Renwick Gallery, a fine example of French Empire style Potomac River.
Of the three huge theaters,
o Renwick Gallery Camille Corot outside France, the Eisenhower Theater, with a
and fine examples of African- bronze bust of Eisenhower, is at
Map C3. Pennsylvania Ave at 17th St,
NW. Tel (202) 633-1000. q Farragut American art. one end of the foyer. At the
W. Open 10am–5:30pm daily. The Corcoran is currently other end is the Concert Hall,
∑ americanart.si.edu undergoing renovation which seats over 2,400 people
and will reopen as a space and is the home of the
This magnificent red-brick for exhibiting pieces National Symphony
building was designed by James from traveling shows Orchestra. Between them
Renwick in 1859. It originally curated by the is the sumptuous Opera
housed the art collection of National Gallery of House, hung with an
William Wilson Corcoran until it Art (p206), which enormous crystal
was moved to the current will display select chandelier, and with
Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1897. artworks from seating for more than
After efforts by First Lady the collection. The 2,300 people.
Jacqueline Kennedy saved the gallery will further The Opera House
building from destruction, it include iconic is flanked by the
was bought by the Smith sonian. paintings from the Hall of States, with
Refurbished and renamed, orginal Corcoran Lion Statue, guarding the the flags of each of
the Renwick Gallery opened collection, such as Corcoran Gallery the 50 American
in 1972. Frederick Church’s states, and the
In late 2015, the Renwick magnificent painting Niagara, Hall of Nations, with the flags of
reopened after extensive housed in what will be called every country with which the US
renova tion work and rededi cated The Legacy Gallery. has diplomatic relations. It is
itself to showcasing American undergoing a million-dollar
crafts. The gallery's inaugural expansion that will provide for
exhibition, Wonder, was hugely a The Kennedy state-of-the-art-facilities.
popular and featured large- Center
scale installations on how art
is perceived. Map B4. New Hampshire Ave & Rock
Creek Pkwy, NW. Tel (202) 467-4600.
q Foggy Bottom. @ 80.
p Corcoran Gallery Open 10am– 9pm daily; 10am–9pm
of Art Mon–Sat, noon–9pm Sun & hols (box
office). 8 10am–5pm Mon–Fri,
Map C4. 500 17th St, NW. q Farragut 10am–1pm Sat & Sun (call 416-8340).
7 ∑ kennedy-center.org
W, Farragut N. Open gallery closed
until further notice. Closed Dec 25. In 1958, President Eisenhower
8 7 - = ∑ corcoran.org
signed an act to begin
fundraising for a national cultural
A treasure trove of fine art, center that would attract the
this privately funded collection world’s best opera, music, and
was founded by William Wilson dance companies to the US
Corcoran and houses master- capital. His successor, John F.
pieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Kennedy, was also an ardent
Monet and Renoir. It also has supporter and fundraiser for
the largest collection of this project but he was assassi- The impressive Grand Foyer of the
paintings by Jean-Baptist nated before the completion Kennedy Center
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp234–6 and pp237–9

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