Hello History Hatters! While we've uncovered many mysteries in the Dupont
Circle neighborhood, it always shocks me when I meet new friends who are unaware
of a world-class art museum just minutes from where they brunch, dine, or work nearby.
So where is all this art hiding?
From Dupont Circle, one need only venture
up a few blocks to find the Phillips Collection.
Nestled onto a leafy side street, this Georgian Revival-style home was built in 1897
for the Phillips household, a wealthy family from Pittsburgh
The architectural firm Hornblower and Marshall, who designed the structure, were also responsible for the
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
It was here two brothers, James and Duncan Phillips, grew up.
In 1907, their parents hired the same architectural firm to complete an additional room
onto the house as a gift to the two brothers called the "Music Room."
In 1914, Duncan published his first book, "The Enchantment of Art," and the two began
collecting art. Sadly, their father died in 1917, followed by James's death the following year.
In 1920, Duncan Phillips hired the architectural firm McKim, Mead, &White,
the same firm who designed the East and West Wings of the White House
to build an additional space above the music room to serve as a gallery.
In 1921, Phillips and his mother opened America's first Museum of Modern Art as a memorial
to his late father and brother.
Early on, the museum's collection included works
such as El Greco's "The Repentant Saint Peter," painted circa 1600,
where the artist broke away from classical proportions an added expression to his subject
through bold colors and elongated proportions.
Manet's "Spanish Ballet" from 1862 is an apt example of an early artist flirting with abstract lighting and romanticism.
Painted two decades later, American impressionist William Merritt Chase's
"Hide and Seek," employs a curtain to hide
the viewer's source of light, adding tension for what remains hidden,
while also drawing us into seeing the second girl from the perspective of the first,
peeking around the corner. The influence of photography is unmistakable in this
work's non-traditional composition.
A contemporary work from France, Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party"
presents another impressionist snapshot,
this time of Parisians from various social strata, captured in an array of
brilliant colors, relaxing at the restaurant of a hotel that rents rowboats.
Scholars have identified many of the subjects in this work to be
friends of the artists, from all walks of life.
This is one of the collection's best-known works.
Just prior to the museum's opening, Duncan Phillips married artists Marjorie Acker,
whose most famous work, "Night Baseball" is usually on display.
It depicts the Washington Senators playing the New York Yankees.
Marjorie used to bring stretching materials when she accompanied her family to the games.
Marjorie's painting style reflects the
structure and rich colors used by some of the artists she most admired, such as
the works they soon acquired for the museum's permanent collection by Cézanne,
Van Gogh
and Renoir.
Margery played an instrumental role in furthering Duncan's understanding of the artistic process
and encouraged him to broaden the scope of the museum to be more than just a memorial gallery for his
deceased relatives. Instead, together, they expanded the museum's relevance to the contemporary world
by acquiring an even greater number of works by living modern artists, such as:
Georgia O'Keefe
Aurthur Dove
Paul Klee
and Marsden Hartley.
In 1930, the Philips family moved out of their home and the museum took over the rest of the building.
As a student of art history, I've visited a host of art museums.
The Phillips Collection is a unique viewing experience.
It feels as if though we've gotten lost in someone's house who just happens to collect a ton of art.
I particularly admire how every time I've visited the Phillips Collection, curators have rearranged some of the
5000 pieces on permanent display in various creative fashions.
You just never know quite where something's going to appear
and I consider it part of the fun.
Of course, with extensive room for exhibits, modern art displays can easily lure you away from the permanent collection.
In 2013, German artist Wolfgang Liab installed a permanent room made out of
440 pounds of melted beeswax. Liab was inspired by another permanent room in the museum,
the Rothko Room.
This was the first American museum to dedicate a room to the work of American artist Mark Rothko.
Since 1960, the Phillips Collection continued to expand physically,
constructing an annex and taking over an apartment building next door.
There's a lovely courtyard to take a break and enjoy as well.
For those who work in the area, the Phillips Collection has a terrific monthly event called
Phillips After 5, which has a lively mix of art, entertainment, and live music.
I would like to thank the Phillips Collection and its staff for extending
the many courtesies to make in this episode of the History Hat possible.
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