1973 Forty-one French impressionist paintings from the Soviet Union are exhibited, the first Western paintings from the Hermitage and Pushkin Museums ever allowed to leave the USSR for the United States. The Exhibition of Archaeological Finds from the People's Republic of China is seen by more than 700,000 people. The exhibition Treasures of Tutankhamun begins its United States tour at the Gallery, where it is viewed by more than 835,000 visitors. The untitled mobile by Alexander Calder, commissioned for the East Building, is installed in the atrium of the new building nearly a year after the artist's death. The East Building is dedicated and opened to the public.
Attendance reaches one million in less than two months.
1983 New ground-floor galleries in the West Building are opened to the public. The West Building oculus project is completed, allowing the Rotunda to be seen from the Constitution Avenue lobby below. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon make a major donation to the National Gallery of 186 objects, including 17 wax sculptures by Edgar Degas. Impressionism 1874-1886 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the last exhibition held by the impressionist painters. The 10th anniversary of the opening of the East Building is celebrated with a new installation of the Gallery's 20th-century collection.