The Phillips Collection Review

Amazing collections and such a historical building!

We went to see a Cuban exhibit called "Los Carpinteros". It was very interesting. We liked it. The museum shop and cafe are very nice too. Recommend.

Dubbed the country's "first modern art museum," Phillips Collection is worth a visit if you're staying in the DuPont area or want to visit a smaller museum than the Smithsonian's on the National Mall. They have an impressive collection, including the Luncheon of the Boating Part by Renoir, the Rothko Room, and Jacob Lawrence's The Migration Series. As a student, the museum membership is a great value if you visit a few times a year - I highly recommend it. Tryst at the Phillips also has great coffee and snacks to choose from.

The collection is interesting and diverse, and they arrange it so different worlds are responsible to each other instead of isolated by time or genre.

The footprint of the museum is small enough that you can see a good portion in one day.

Outstanding collection. Well thought out displays and terrific educational programs.

Ok, I'm not the CEO of Lockheed Martin, a board member of Wells Fargo, or an AT&T exec. We just have a family membership to The Phillips Collection, so I don't really expect a red carpet when we arrive. Nevertheless, I do hope to be greeted buy the ticket people with a hello, perhaps, or just a glance in my direction.

Instead, after a few minutes in line at TPC, I was next. I walked up to the counter to get our tickets; no look up from the clerk. She mumbled 'just a minute,' and walked away.

I moved over to the next clerk, and asked for two tickets. She did look up.
"I only do membership." She lifted the desk sign toward my face. MEMBERSHIP, it read.

"But I am a member," I said, incredulous.

We left...we left an art museum for god sakes!
.
The conversation outside went like this: "I was just looking for a nice Sunday afternoon, a la The Boating Party. What did we do to deserve this?" "Well you know honey, we only have the family membership." "Maybe they all had unfortunate dates last night." "What are the chances all three had dates if they behave like that?" "Maybe their leave requests for a long beach weekend were canceled." "Don't let it bother you, honey, they are probably just wronged, underemployed young people with art history degrees and large student loan balances." "I'll write a letter....."

You get the point: No civility, No manners. No eye contact. Rude.

My advice....., no sense going to an exhibit of Ellsworth Kelly expecting to be transported, instead getting your balloon pricked. No need going to see some Braque still life masterpieces only to leave furious before getting through the turnstyle.

Unless you are in the financial position to be a corporate sponsor (who I assume they treat better), or an old rich guy on his deathbed with a lot of money and no heirs to leave it to, I say give your money to a friendlier organization. Pocket the gate fee and spend it on a couple of beers after a show at the National Portrait Gallery or the National Museum of American Art.

"Don't crumple your Phillips Collection membership card, honey. Let's go to the National Gallery and try to salvage the afternoon. Breathe..."

A wonderful art collection off the beaten path. Well worth visiting. It s nice to be able to amble leisurely through a museum that is not crowded which has high quality art. The museum store had a nice selection of products too.

A little out of the way, but was worth going to see. Small cafe inside that was average, but enjoyed the art work.

Went there with my six year old daughter for a kids event and had a wonderful time with her

Beautiful facilities and brilliant pieces. Events tend to be crowded but minimal in activities. It's difficult to compete with the National Gallery in size (and price) but this collection is worth the visit for art fans and novices alike, in my opinion.

The Phillips is fantastic! They have a lovely collection and the permanent collection is free on weekends (except Monday). Attractions include the Rothko Room, the music room (which has two pieces by Mondrian), and their rotating display on the third floor. I went while the Smithsonians have been closed during this government shut down and had a wonderful day.

Quaint collection in DuPont mansion. After Glenstone in Potomac, this was a left down. Luckily, Teaism was around the corner.

Great gallery as always! Loses a star because a large portion of the art is closed to visitors until 2018. Still, what's left remains great

An art gem! Is how I would describe this private art gallery located in DCs historical Dupont circle. I attended the Phillips at night event that takes place every first Thursday of the month. It was amazing! We had vendors, cash bars around the gallery and a live all women jazz band from DC. Coat check was available as well.

A slightly out-of-the-way (and as a result, pleasantly less-trafficked) treasure of DC. A little of everything in the best possible way.

Letting you not be able to renew is worth the effort to go. All the rest that accompanies American art architecture is also very consistent.

Went of a field trip with my granddaughter and had an amazing time. Love the interaction with the guide.

They were changing rooms, but what was on view was still remarkable.

One of my favorite private museums in DC. Really thoughtful and well curated permanent collection with pairings that were whimsical and creative. Beautiful old house too, and it s highly recommended that you walk though that part of the Collection too.

Exceptional Aboriginal films and art exhibit from Australia.

My father was curator of the Phillip's Collection in the 1990s. He took us to experience the exhibitoften.

Excellent hidden gem in dupont circle. If you like the national art gallery, you'll love this intimate gallery's collection. Don't miss the boating party painting... a true wonder.

The permanent collection is "free" to see (donations accepted) on weekdays, $12 on weekends, and there are sometimes special visiting exhibits on the 3rd floor that cost money. While I was there, the special exhibit was not policed very well (I was able to [accidentally] enter without paying) and also not worth paying money for, IMHO. However, their permanent collection is completely worth a visit, especially at no cost. Don't miss this is you like Renoir, Van Gogh, etc.

4 Rothko on display, but under low light for a meditative viewing experience certainly looses a star for me

The collection is housed in an extended old house and it's outside of Central D.C.

I loved the visit at the Phillips collection. You will find a lovely selection from many painters and different genres.

Free for students, and an excellent collection of contemporary art

For the price of entry...not uptake par. Museums on the Mall are outstanding and free

Many pieces of contemporary art. Permanent exhibition is free Tuesday-Friday. Special exhibition is around 12$ but free after 4:30pm (closes at 5).

This museum was the first in the United States ... it houses a unique collection of art.

Awesome little museum! Great modern paintings, cool buildings. I'll definitely go back again and again.

This is a small museum but wonderful pieces of art. Parking is terrible because Embassy Row is not too far.

Strongly recommend going to one of the Phillips After 5 events!

This is one of my favorite museums in DC. The staff is incredibly friendly, the space is inviting, and the art collection is impressive. I was shocked by how many significant pieces they have by artists such as Renoir and Jacob Lawrence.

A gem of a gallery, for real art lovers. The impressive permanent collection is located in the original house, which is a work of art unto itself. The rotating collection was very unique and introduced me to artists I had not heard of. There are docents in every room who are glad to discuss the art or the history of the collection. Bonus: this place is far less crowded than the Smithsonian or National Gallery.

Top art collection in town, Luncheon of the Boating Party is a must see

A jewel box. A must-visit. The regular Collection is free admission.

The Phillips Collection is one of about a dozen museums in Washington, DC that requires a paid ticket. At $12 for an adult ticket, it's worth your money. The Phillips Collection is the first modern art museum in the USA and that a lot is worth $12.

It's located in the heart of Embassy Row in Dupont Circle so if you Metro to the museum, you'll enjoy a short walk surrounded by mansions, embassies, and historic row houses. Once you get to one of the greatest buildings of them all, you've arrived at The Phillips Collection.

Once you get your ticket, you'll walk into a room that introduced the history of the museum. Just past the museum store, you'll go up a beautiful winding staircase (there are elevators too) to the second and third floors filled with Renoir, Rothko, and reading nooks.

Sweet little museum full of good art, surprising collection. A little expensive for dc standards but permanent collection is free for students.

Love this museum. They have a great collection, perfect date spot.

A really well curated collection, and an excellent space - I'm surprised I hadn't heard more about it sooner. Street parking was relatively easy, and it certainly wasn't crowded.

Best private art collection I have ever been to. Enjoyed more than the Art Institute of Chicago. A must see in DC!

The first modern art gallery in the US leaves a lot to be desired. It's my least favorite of the galleries in the city. However, they occasionally have good temporary exhibitions. So...

Attended a Phillilps After 5 event. Lovely exhibit on Nordic Art. The Permanant collection in the family's original home is amazing. The home itself is beautiful.

Outstanding art collection well worth the admission price. Great spot for a weekend afternoon.

Both the permanent and temporary collections are really well curated. Wonderful place to visit if you have an hour or two.

I love going here. Look for the small 4 painting room. It will calm your soul

A lesser known gem in the city- can't believe I've never been here before. Much smaller and more intimate than the massive NGA and the Smithsonian galleries (of course those are all still some of the best art museums one can visit imo and I love them dearly). Some really great pieces- some lovely works by Renoir, Cezanne, some lesser known American impressionists, and perhaps my favorite part of the museum- the Rothko room. Oh yeah and a really odd but fascinating room coated entirely in beeswax. You do have to pay to get in to this museum but it's easily worth it. I actually went ahead and splurged on a membership- just $48 dollars with an educator's discount- and I am sure I will go the minimum of 4 times to get my money's worth!

Awesome collection but the staff are a bit creepy in the way they follow and watch you

Wonderful historical art collection in an elegant setting. Knowledgeable, friendly staffers. Worth the visit and wish to return.

Very disappointed. Planned to spend two hours looking at artwork as shown on website; it only took 15 minutes. They have too many "special" exhibits which I assume limits viewing of Phillips' collection.

Don't miss. Whatevery they are showing will be well done.

We accidentally happened upon this museum. We are so glad we did! There are some fabulous paintings in their standard home collection...Renoir, Monet, Manet, Rothko. Amazing! The aboriginal women artist collection that is here for a visit is well worth the fee. During the week, the standard parts of the museum are free, but you have to pay to see the aboriginal collection. This museum is a hidden gem!

One of my favorite museums in DC- I love that not only do they have amazing art pieces (great El Greco!) and special exhibits, but the building itself is a unique historical marker. Also, check out Phillips After and their personal tours of the gallery.

Some great impressionism plus some middling modernism plus some gimmicky rubbish.

Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party is enough of a draw in and of itself. That the collection has so much more is a huge bonus.

One of the finest private collections of modern art - made public - in the world. They also have fabulous visiting exhibits curated by the Phillips Collection curators.

The current show, The Warmth of Other Suns, is very moving in its depiction of the heartaches of today's migrant peoples.

I went there during the government shutdown period. No other museums were opened in D.C. area. It was amazing!! Painting collection here are impressive and more importantly free on weekday except Monday as they are close.

Eclectic collection and way bigger than expected. Most of it is free, as well.