Modern and Contemporary Art Since 1945

From its inception, the Corcoran has placed contemporary art at the core of its mission and identity. The museum collects the art of the present for display and interpretation alongside the Gallery’s ever-expanding historical collections. The Corcoran’s pursuit of the new has ensured that the museum and its collections remain vibrant, constantly looking to the future while evaluating its past. The post-1945 collection includes paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, new media, and installation art. The collection features works from post-war artists such as Willem de Kooning, Ellsworth Kelly, Cy Twombly, Richard Diebenkorn, Joan Mitchell, Bruce Nauman, Martin Puryear, Jessica Stockholder, Anne Truitt,  Robert Colescott, and others.