Art Museum
The Phillips Collection
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
The Phillips Collection is an art museum in Washington, D.C., United States.
About The Phillips Collection
Overview
The Phillips Collection, located in Washington, D.C., is recognized as America's first museum of modern art. Founded in 1921 by art collector and critic Duncan Phillips, the institution operates as an 'intimate museum combined with an experiment station.' It is a private, non-government museum supported primarily by donations, dedicated to fostering open-mindedness and tolerance through the presentation of diverse artistic expressions. The museum serves as a community hub where visitors can experience joy and respite while engaging with a permanent collection that bridges classical and modern art.
History & Founding
The museum was established in 1921 by Duncan Phillips (1886–1966), a published art critic who began with a small family collection of paintings. Phillips expanded the collection dramatically, driven by his belief in the social purpose of art and the gallery as a meeting place for different minds. He opened the first public gallery space in a specially built room over the north wing of his family home. Following the death of his brother in 1917, Phillips was inspired to create a public museum to share his collection. After the collection exceeded 600 works and public demand grew, the Phillips family moved to a new home in 1930, leaving the original house to the museum.
Building & Architecture
The museum is housed in a distinctive space in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood, originally the Phillips family home. The architecture has evolved significantly over time to accommodate the growing collection. In 1960, Duncan Phillips added a modernist wing to the original structure. This addition was renovated and reconceived in 1989 with a gift from Japanese businessman Yasuhiro Goh. A major building project was completed in April 2006, adding 30,000 square feet of space, which included the Phillips Collection Center for the Study of Modern Art. This center, located in a former two-story building, serves as an educational model for scholars to discuss and research modern art.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The collection is noted for its broad representation of both American and European artists, with a unique non-chronological installation style that creates dialogues between past and present. Duncan Phillips particularly favored Pierre Bonnard, acquiring 17 of his paintings. A centerpiece of the collection is the Rothko Room, the first public space dedicated solely to the work of Mark Rothko, designed by Phillips to saturate the room with color and sensation in keeping with the artist's preferences. The museum also holds significant works by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, and in 2013 opened a second permanent installation featuring a room covered in wax by artist Anish Kapoor.
Significance & Legacy
The Phillips Collection holds a seminal role in introducing America to modern art, challenging traditional museum practices by rejecting chronological ordering in favor of thematic and visual connections. Phillips' approach of juxtaposing classical form with romantic expression influenced how modern art was perceived and displayed in the United States. The museum continues to be a leader in education and community engagement, offering programs that range from parent/child workshops to teacher training. Its commitment to being a 'welcoming home for all' and its historical status as the first museum of modern art cement its legacy as a vital cultural institution in Washington, D.C.
Plan your visit
The Phillips Collection
- Website
- www.phillipscollection.org
What's on
- Rendering Memories in Color and LineFrom 29 Jul 2025
- Supporting American AbstractionFrom 25 Aug 2025
- See all blog postsFrom 7 Nov 2025
- Free / In-Person Special Exhibition21 Mar 2026 – 5 Jul 2026
- Staff Exhibition Community Exhibition28 Feb 2026 – 2 Aug 2026