The Phillips Collection
Museum Small museum of modern and American impressionist art
An intimate museum in Washington’s Dupont Circle, known for impressionist and modern paintings displayed in domestic-scale rooms; visitors come for focused collections and temporary exhibitions.
The Phillips Collection is an art museum in Washington, D.C., founded in 1921 by Duncan Phillips and housed in adjoining townhouses in the Dupont Circle area. It is widely described as America’s first museum of modern art.
The museum’s presentation emphasizes an intimate, domestic viewing experience with permanent works by Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and modern artists displayed alongside rotating temporary exhibitions. The collection includes important works across European and American modern art movements and is organized in a series of small interlinked galleries.
The Phillips occupies a group of early 20th-century residential buildings on 21st Street NW, a short walk from Dupont Circle and other central D.C. cultural institutions.
- Founding and building: Founded by collector Duncan Phillips in 1921 and located in a group of early 20th-century townhouses in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
- Collection character: Known for its intimate, domestic gallery spaces and a collection that combines late 19th- and 20th-century European and American modern and contemporary works.
How to Get to The Phillips Collection #
Located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. From Metro take the Red Line to Dupont Circle and walk northwest (about 10 minutes). Street parking is limited; nearby paid garages are available.
Tips for Visiting The Phillips Collection #
- Buy timed-entry tickets online to avoid lines - the collection rooms are small and capacity is limited.
- Focus on the founding Phillips bequest: look for Renoir's 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' and the unique display of modernist painting that the museum arranged by intimate room ensembles.
- Skip a weekday afternoon class-free moment for quieter viewing; the Phillips is deliberately domestic in scale and benefits from slow looking.
Best Time to Visit The Phillips Collection #
An indoor collection best visited any time; weekdays and mornings are quieter.
Weather & Climate near The Phillips Collection #
The Phillips Collection's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1053 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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