Smithsonian American Arts Museum

This Smithsonian building is more dramatic than much of the artwork on display. It occupies the block between F and G Streets and 8th and 9th. There is a huge rectangular courtyard in the centre of the building. This has been covered by a wonderful self supporting double glazed roof, which allows the whole enclosed area to be air conditioned. It was lovely and cool sitting at the Courtyard Café.

The dark patch in the courtyard is an almost flat waterfall. The roof was designed by London architects, which I thought ironic given the building's purpose is to exhibit American art. The third floor architecture speaks for itself.

 

There was a special exhibition on Votes for Women. The painting of the four Justices of the Supreme Court was not part of the exhibition, but the Suffragettes made their appointment to the Court possible.