L'Enfant Gallery
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L'ENFANT GALLERY: Curating Centuries of Art & History

EXPLORE WORKS

Overview

L'ENFANT Gallery stands as a distinguished presence in the heart of Georgetown, Washington, D.C. With a legacy built on decades of expertise, our gallery offers a curated collection spanning centuries, from intimate antiquities to monumental sculptures

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Americana

Americana
Joseph Dawley

Joseph Dawley
Wall Of Women

Wall Of Women
ALL WORKS

EVENTS @ L'enfant Gallery

Date: March 29, 2025

Wall of Women

The Wall of Women was curated to celebrate International Women’s Day and the female artists in L’Enfant Gallery’s extensive collection. During the curation process, it became apparent to us how few women artists were represented and how many of the female portraits were naked. The wall became a powerful statement on the underrepresentation of women in the art world as a whole. For Women’ History Month in 2025, we brought the Wall of Woman into the public gallery space for everyone to see. We invited a select panel of artists, thinkers, and friends to sit in front of the art...

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Date: January 25, 2025

Joseph Dawley, 1936 – 2008

Together with the Dawley family, we have brought together over 40 paintings and prints to honour Joseph Dawley's career. From his art student days at SMU; to his success in Dallas as a master of realism depicting the 'wild west'; to his later works as a great American impressionist, developed as a reaction against early onset Parkinson's disease. Peter Colasante of L’Enfant Gallery has represented Joe Dawley since 1976 and continues to do so today. This friendship led Joe to be deeply connected to D.C. and as a result several prominent figures on Capitol Hill became collectors of his work...

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About L'ENFANT Gallery

L'ENFANT GALLERY in Georgetown invites you to experience art and history firsthand. Our doors are always open, no appointment needed, for those seeking inspiration and unique finds.

Visitors are welcome, without appointment.
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1442 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm

Phone: +1 202-625-2873

Dolley Madison, c. 1820 - Attributed to John Wesley Jarvis

This portrait of Dolley Madison embodies both artistic mastery and American heritage. Painted circa 1820 and attributed to John Wesley Jarvis, the work has journeyed through the White House, private collections, and now resides at L’Enfant Gallery. Its provenance ties together figures such as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and collector Richard Tetlie, marking it as a piece of cultural and historical significance.

Beyond its rarity, the painting reflects L’Enfant Gallery’s dedication to preserving artworks that define national identity and artistic legacy. Presented alongside more accessible acquisitions, it stands as evidence of the gallery’s dual mission: to celebrate history while offering collectors and visitors alike a direct encounter with enduring artistry.

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History

L’ENFANT GALLERY has been a fixture in Georgetown since 1973, bringing fine art and antiques to Washington, D.C. and beyond. Founded by Peter Colasante, the gallery began as Calvert Gallery in a small space on Connecticut Avenue, displaying just a few carefully chosen items. Over the years, the gallery thrived and evolved, moving to several locations before settling into its current prominent spot on Wisconsin Avenue in 2000.

 

In 1990, Calvert Gallery became L’ENFANT GALLERY, a tribute to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the French-American architect and urban planner who designed the baroque-styled plan for Washington, D.C. L’Enfant’s visionary design, with its grand avenues and public spaces, continues to shape the city’s identity, and L’ENFANT GALLERY proudly carries his name, reflecting a commitment to artistry and a connection to the city’s rich cultural heritage.

 

Like many businesses, L’ENFANT GALLERY faced challenges during the pandemic. However, the gallery embraced the opportunity to revitalize its space, undertaking a major renovation to enhance the visitor experience and ensure its continued presence in Georgetown for years to come. Today, L’ENFANT GALLERY stands as a testament to the enduring power of art and the vision of its founder, offering a diverse collection that spans centuries and captivates art enthusiasts from all walks of life.

 

 

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