The Renwick Gallery is the oldest extant building in the United States constructed exclusively as a public art museum. Charles J. Robertson reveals how a new pavilion of the Louvre inspired William Wilson Corcoran and James Renwick to create a highly ornamented building in the centre of federal Washington that would encourage 'American genius' and demonstrate that American art could rival that of Europe.
The Renwick Gallery building has survived wartime expropriation, abuse and neglect, and threatened demolition over its 160-year history. It has been subject to many changes and challenges but has come full circle to serve its original purpose, 'Dedicated to Art'.