On the National Mall, the Hirshhorn Museum presents modern and contemporary art in a circular building designed by Gordon Bunshaft. The collection spans painting, sculpture, photography, digital media and installation, with works by artists including Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock and Barbara Kruger. Exhibitions change, so the galleries can feel different from one visit to the next. Look closely at how large-scale works use text, color and space, then visit the sculpture garden if it is open. Admission is free.
A circular museum on the Mall
The Hirshhorn stands on Independence Avenue at 7th Street SW, on the National Mall. Architect Gordon Bunshaft designed its cylindrical concrete building, which surrounds an open central space. The shape is easy to spot from outside and gives the galleries a distinctive route: rooms circle the building rather than following a straight corridor.
Joseph H. Hirshhorn’s collection formed the basis of the museum. He donated much of his art collection, and the Smithsonian established the museum as a home for modern and contemporary art. The collection now includes paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography, collage and decorative objects. Its holdings include nearly 12,000 works, with art from the postwar period and later decades represented across different media.
What to look for inside
The collection includes work by Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder and Louise Bourgeois. You may also encounter photography, video, digital media and performance-based work. The mix makes the museum a useful stop if you want to see how contemporary art moves beyond paintings and traditional sculpture.
Temporary exhibitions bring changing artists and ideas into the galleries, so check what is on view before your visit. Past installations have used entire rooms or long stretches of wall, including text-and-image work by Barbara Kruger and large-scale painting by Mark Bradford. Laurie Anderson’s Four Talks filled walls and floors with black-and-white imagery. These examples show the range of displays the museum can stage, but they are not a promise of what will be on view now.
Take the circular layout at your own pace. The building’s shape can make the galleries feel similar as you move around, so look for changes in scale, materials and presentation to orient yourself. If you want a more focused visit, ask museum staff for suggestions on works or exhibitions to prioritize.
The sculpture garden
Outside, the Hirshhorn’s sculpture spaces extend the visit beyond the galleries. The sunken garden across Jefferson Drive places outdoor works below the level of the Mall, with planting that divides the space into separate areas. Sculptures in the broader collection have included works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder and Jeff Koons. Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais is among the works associated with the garden.
The outdoor displays and access can change during renovation work, so check the museum’s current update if the garden is important to your plans. The museum itself remains a separate indoor visit, with changing exhibitions and collection galleries to explore. Admission to the museum is free; the venue also has a café, a shop and tours.
FAQ
Is admission to the Hirshhorn Museum free?
Yes. The museum has free admission.
Where is the Hirshhorn Museum?
It is on the National Mall at Independence Avenue SW and 7th Street SW in Washington, DC.
What kind of art is at the Hirshhorn?
The museum presents modern and contemporary art, including painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper, digital media and installation.
Is the sculpture garden open?
The garden may be affected by renovation work. Check the museum’s website before your visit for current access information.
