Phillips Collection

Phillips Collection Review

The first museum of modern art in the country, the masterpiece-filled Phillips Collection is unique in origin and content. It opened in 1921 in the Georgian Revival mansion of collector Duncan Phillips, who wanted to showcase his art in a museum that would stand as a memorial to his father and brother. Having no interest in a painting's market value or its faddishness, Phillips searched for pieces that impressed him as outstanding products of a particular artist's unique vision. At the heart of the collections are impressionist and modern masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Henri Matisse. These are grouped by theme and artist throughout the Phillips mansion, making for a museum-going experience that is as intimate as it is inspiring.

Highlights

The collection's most famous piece is Renoir's magnificent work of impressionism, Luncheon of the Boating Party. Other celebrity works include Degas's Dancers at the Barre, Vincent van Gogh's Entrance to the Public Garden at Arles, and A Bowl of Plums by 18th-century artist Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin, whom Phillips called "the first modern painter."

The glowing, chapel-like Rothko Room emerged from a bond between Phillips and modern master Mark Rothko. Rothko said he preferred to exhibit his paintings in smaller, more intimately scaled rooms, and Phillips designed the gallery specifically to the artist's preferences.

Cézanne's intense, piercing self-portrait was the painting Phillips said he would save first if the gallery caught fire. In fact a small fire did break out during renovations in September 2010, though no artworks were damaged.

Tips

The Phillips employs students of art history, many of whom are artists themselves, to sit by the paintings and answer questions. On the first Thursday of the month, the museum stays open late for live jazz, gallery talks, and a cash bar.The museum holds a Sunday-afternoon concert in its oak-paneled music room nearly every week. Seats are unreserved and included with museum admission, but showing up early is recommended.Take a break in the café, overlooking the museum courtyard.There are tours of the museum, all at noon: Spotlight Tours, 15 minutes focusing on one artwork, Tuesday to Fridays; introductions to the permanent collection on Saturdays; tours of special exhibitions on Sundays. Tours are unreserved and included in the price of admission.