The Phillips Collection
Washington, D.C., United States
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Visitor Information
Museum Address
1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Washington, D.C., United States
Ticket Prices
$10 (Tue-Fri by donation)
Featured Artists
4 artists in database
The Phillips Collection opened in Washington, D.C. in 1921, founded by collector and critic Duncan Phillips as what he called a museum of modern art and its sources. Rather than treating modernism as a break from tradition, Phillips displayed contemporary work alongside the Old Masters and 19th-century painters who influenced it.
The museum's best-known painting is Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, which Phillips purchased in 1923 and considered the centerpiece of his collection. Earlier landscape traditions are represented by Camille Corot's Rome, View from the Farnese Gardens and George Inness's Lake Albano (Italy).
The museum's modernist holdings include Piet Mondrian's Self Portrait, one of the sources Phillips traced forward into abstraction.
Visiting The Phillips Collection
Yes. It's America's first modern art museum, housed in a beautiful historic mansion. The intimate scale and world-class collection (including Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party) make it a refreshing alternative to the massive Smithsonian museums.
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours. The collection is compact enough to see thoroughly without museum fatigue. Linger in the Rothko Room and take time with Renoir's masterpiece.
No, general admission is $16 ($12 weekdays). However, the museum offers free admission on the first Thursday evening of each month from 5-8pm, often with live music.
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Browse Our CollectionPlease note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting The Phillips Collection directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.
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