Last week I tagged along with Hunter to Washington DC for his work conference. I figured while he was attending his conference I could explore DC and see some friends while I was there. 

We drove down to Washington mid morning. It takes about four hours from our home in Pittsburgh, PA. Hunter and I went to the Hirshhorn Museum together before his conference's welcome event that evening. (Peak at that Alexander Calder mobile in the picture below 😍.)

After getting caught in a rainstorm we headed back to the hotel in Reston, VA (that's where the conference was being held). We had a nice night at the hotel and ate dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Then, I had to finish my blog that was to be posted the next morning. Nothing like last minute!

The next morning I headed into D.C. to check out the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Art.

Here are some of my favorite pieces: 

Say what you want about Franklin D. Roosevelt but his portrait that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery is top notch. This painting was done by Douglas Chandor. I love the unfinished feeling of this portrait. It feels like it was ripped out of sketchbook and as a jeweler hand studies with a signet ring make it all the better!

National Gallery of Art

I saw two "bucket list" paintings in person for the first time. I first learned about these paintings (and plenty more that were in the NFOA) in my college art history courses. First up, the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas. It features 16-year-old Ginevra de’ Benci as she sits for her portrait commemorating her upcoming nuptials. Think of it as the prequel to the Mona Lisa. 👀

The second painting I had to hunt down was The Annunciation by Jan van Eyck. It is full of religious symbolism and a prime example of the early Northern Renaissance. I love all the fine details and the hidden messages van Eyck renders in his paintings.

After a long day of walking through galleries at our nations capital I grabbed dinner and some boozy sorbet with my dear friend Céline 💙.  My final day in Washington was spent at the Natural History Museum. I met up with my friend Ashley while she was nannying. We explored the museum with children in tow. Honestly, it is crazy seeing the world through a two year old's perspective- everything is so exciting! Ashley and I 🩷

My favorite exhibit was of course the Gems and Minerals. Here are a few pictures I took from the exhibit. 

Opals!

Morganite! A type of beryl (same gemstone family as emerald, featured in my latest blog post)

Speaking of emeralds- look at this poorly shot photo of these amazing pieces of emerald jewelry. Oh, if I could just try on one of these pieces it would be the coolest thing. 

I had a wonderful time in Washington D.C.. It was such a quick trip but I really packed it all in! We are fortunate to live within driving distance to such amazing historical art, jewelry and objects. It was also great to spend time with friends that I have not seen for many months. 

(Not pictured: Hunter and I getting a screw in our tire and delaying our trip home over an hour. Luckily, a local tire place was able to patch the tire and get us on the road! 😅)

Did you enjoy this bonus blog this month? Leave a comment of your favorite museum to visit- doesn't have to be art!