A few years ago, we traveled to Paris and London on the kids’ first international trip. Part of our adventure included walking Montmartre, passing the studios of artists like Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, and Vincent Van Gogh. There were hills. At the end of the completely uphill walk, we visited the Musee de Montmartre in Paris for an exhibit of the works of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. So, we were especially delighted to see a collection dedicated to his posters and prints on display at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, during our spring break trip last week.
The Phillips Collection was the first museum of modern art in the United States, founded by Duncan Phillips and his wife Marjorie. Duncan was a student of art and published a book, The Enchantment of Art, in 1914. Bereft following the deaths of both his father and beloved brother, Jim, Duncan founded The Collection as he sought to cope with his profound personal loss through his love of art.
Housed in a gorgeous mansion in Dupont Circle, The Collection, was on our itinerary because the collection includes Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party”. The Toulouse-Lautrec special exhibit is open though the end of April and is definitely worth a visit!
