The DC Traveler

I never really enjoyed much of the Impressionist art movement until a trip back to Chicago a few years ago.  While there, a buddy’s ex-girlfriend, who’s an art dealer and was in town for an art show, took me on a tour of one of the biggest French Impressionist’s shows to be held at the Art Institute of Chicago.  Once I understood what I was looking at, my opinion totally changed. Now, I’m a big fan.

So the basic history is… In Paris, during the Spring of 1874, a group of painters organized an exhibit of their new art and the world was officially introduced to “impressionist” art. 

The style quickly became popular and spread overseas, where the first generation of American painters adopted the new French approach.

A collection of more than 65 works from the golden age (1880-1920) of American impressionism are now on display at The Phillips Collection.

While these aren’t the French masters, these are some great examples of the best in American Impressionism painting.

The Phillips also has implemented cell phone tours, similar to the one I recently wrote about.  Their version, Guide by Cell, lets you use your mobile phone to place a call to a phone number listed under a paining and listen to the museum’s curator’s discuss the piece.  So goodbye to carrying around the plastic information wands.  Just remember, you may be burning minutes on your mobile phone plan. 

American Impressionism: Paintings from the Phillips Collection
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street, NW, between Q and R Streets
Washington, DC 20009 (map it)

Dates and Times - Through Sept.16th, Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m., Thursdays until 8:30 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

Tickets - Are available online and are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors (62+) and students, free for 18 and under.  Tickets include admission to the museum as well.

Nearest Metro subway station - Dupont Circle - Red line, use the Q Street exit.

Parking - Metered street parking is available but can be a bit challenging to find. Paid parking garages is close by if needed. 

Images -

1. Gifford Beal (1879-1956), On the Hudson at Newburgh, 1918, Oil on canvas, 36 x 58 ½ in., The Phillips Collection, acquired 1924.
2. Ernest Lawson (1873-1939), Spring Night, Harlem River, 1913
   Oil on canvas mounted on panel 25 1/8 x 30 1/8 in.
   ©The Phillips Collection, acquired 1920.
3. Childe Hassam (1859-1935), Washington Arch, Spring, ca. 1893
   Oil on canvas, 27 1/8 x 22 1/2 in. ©The Phillips Collection, acquired 1921.

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