 
The Phillips Collection
Photo courtesy of the DC SHPO
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Duncan Phillips, Jr. opened the Phillips Collection in a wing of his home in 1921 as a memorial to
his father and brother, who had died in 1917 and 1918 respectively. Duncan Phillips, Jr had already
displayed his interest in art in the book he wrote entitled, The Enchantment of Art, published in
1914. In the winter of 1921 the gallery in a wing of Duncan's house was opened so that the
public could view his collection of modern paintings without going through the house where
Duncan and his family lived. Around 1930 the Phillips family moved out of the house so that it
could be used entirely for museum purposes. Some of the artists featured in the gallery include:
El Greco, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Gauguin, and Cezanne. Duncan Phillips not
only founded the museum, but he donated his art collection and home, and also served as its
active director until his death in 1966. His wife Marjorie Acker Phillips and his son Laughlin Phillips
both succeeded him as the directors. Today, The Phillips Collection continues to offer an inviting
place to view and understand art.
The
Duncan Phillips House is located at 1600 21st St., NW. The museum
is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
On Sunday it is open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Thursday there are extended hours
from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm. Metro stop: Dupont Circle
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