Moondog

Moondog is a black geometric steel sculpture in the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art. The work features interlocking triangular and rectangular forms that create a tilted angular structure standing over 16 feet (5 meters) high.

Artist Tony Smith created Moondog in 1964 during his shift from architecture to sculpture-making. The piece employed industrial fabrication techniques for large-scale steel construction.

The National Gallery of Art displays this aluminum sculpture among numerous outdoor artworks, representing the evolution of geometric abstraction in American art.

This sculpture stands in the outdoor Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art, open daily for visitors to view from multiple angles. Walking around it allows you to explore how the tilted forms interact with the surrounding space.

Smith named this work after a blind New York street musician known for improvised performances. The reference also connects to Joan Miró's painting of a dog barking at the moon.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1964

Creator: Tony Smith

Color: black

GPS coordinates: 38.89103,-77.01733

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20