Вашингтон /english/

Washington DC

The USA is made up of fifty states and one independent district – the district of Columbia. The DC is the territory of national capital of the USA with its own laws and regulations. It is situated on both banks of the Potomac river. This place was chosen by the first American president George Washington. The place was called the district of Columbia in honor of Columbus, the discover of America, and the capital got the name of Washington after the name of its founder. The buildings in Washington are not very tall because no building must be taller than the Capitol. Washington’s government buildings include the White House and the Capitol. The White House is the official home of the US president. The Capitol is the building where the US Congress meets. In Washington DC there are no industry. It is a political, administrative, cultural and educational centre. There are many museums and art galleries in Washington.

Washington museums and art galleries are among the finest in the world. The Smithsonian institution, a scientific and cultural organization sponsored by the US government, consists of different museums. The museum of History and Technology has the collection of First Ladies’ Gowns. The National Gallery of Art houses a wonderful collection of American and European Art. There are some halls devoted to Andrew Wyet – one of the prominent living American painters. He was born in 1917. The son of illustrator – Andrew is the leading member of the dynasty of painters that includes his sisters, their husbands and his own two sons. He won fame at the age of 12 for his illustrations of "Robin Hood". He was 20 when he first exhibited his paintings. Andrew studied with his father and was strongly influenced by him. His father’s style of illustration expresses sentimentality. But very early the young artist gravitated a way from his teacher. Wyet’s style is both precise and minute in detail, he is a realist influenced by photography. He painted portraits, landscapes, seascapes and domestic scenery. His favorite media are tempera and water colors. His works are easily recognized by dimly lit and deserted landscapes in tones of grey and brown which convey the feeling of loveliness and solitude. His famous works are "Christina’s world" and "Inland shell".