Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum located in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall and designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It was conceived as the United States' museum of contemporary and modern art. The museum primarily focuses its collection-building and exhibition-planning on the post-World War II period, with particular emphasis on art created during the last 30 years. Ou... more

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum located in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall and designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It was conceived as the United States' museum of contemporary and modern art. The museum primarily focuses its collection-building and exhibition-planning on the post-World War II period, with particular emphasis on art created during the last 30 years. Outside the museum is a sculpture garden, featuring works by artists including Auguste Rodin, Jeff Koons, and Alexander Calder. The building itself is as much of an attraction as anything inside, likened by many to a large spacecraft parked on the National Mall. The building is essentially an open cylinder elevated by four massive "legs", with a large fountain occupying the central courtyard. The Smithsonian staff reportedly told architect Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, prior to designing the building, that if it did not... less