The Hirshorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Opening in 1974 the Hirshorn Museum & Sculpture Garden is an art and sculpture gallery situated beside the National Mall in Washington D.C.  The museum began receiving art for its collecting in the 1960’s with its permanent collection consisting primarily of the private collection of Joseph H. Hirshorn. The building was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft and is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The collection at the Hirshorn primariloy focuses on contemporary and modern art of the predominantly post WWII Period. On a visit to this museum your students can expect to see works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, and Henry Moore, to name a few. As well as a fantastic museum the Hirshorn is also home to a beautiful sculpture garden which features works by artists including Auguste Rodin, David Smith, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and many more. This museum is a brilliant opportunity for your students to explore modern and contemporary art in a number of mediums from traditional paint to sculpture and understand how external influences such as war shape art and expression.

‍