Yesterday, I spent several hours viewing the Degas/Cassatt Exhibit and getting a first glance of the Andrew Wyeth Exhibit Looking Out, Looking In. On my way back through the museum, I stopped to rest on a couch that sits in front of a wall of Cezannes. A young lady was sitting next to me and asked, “Are all these paintings real?” I was stunned but stumbled to say, “Yes.” She returned in saying that she had seen a lot of the paintings before. What she had seen before were no doubt reproductions; and there are plenty of them to buy downstairs in both the Gift Shop and the Bookstore. I asked the young lady if she had viewed the Degas/Cassatt and Wyeth exhibits. She said, “No. I just come here to shop.” I had not considered it before; but for people who only want to shop, the NGA does provide some wonderful options.
There are booths of items dedicated to various artists and/or styles – Van Gogh
Impressionism
Winslow Homer
And many fabulous kids sections – i.e. this section honoring the Degas/Cassatt Exhibit
There are many scarves designed in the manner of various artists — i.e. the following Klimt scarves
The book store is a feast. I am always eager to rush down and thumb through all the new books