Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia · United States · Founded 1876
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Families
1876
Founded
240,000+
Works of Art
2–3 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, United States — the Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition. Open Thursday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday until 8:45 PM (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Admission: $30 standard admission. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2–3 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition. Its current building atop Fairmount opened in 1928 and is one of the largest art museums in the United States.
A landmark Frank Gehry renovation completed in 2021 added new public spaces and connected the building's two main entrances through a soaring vaulted walkway beneath the famous Rocky Steps.
The collection spans 2,000 years and five continents — European painting from the Middle Ages to Surrealism, American art, Asian art, and one of the finest collections of arms and armour in the Western Hemisphere.
The museum's east entrance and its 72 steps were immortalised by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky (1976). A bronze Rocky statue stands at the foot of the steps in Eakins Oval.
2–3 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Philadelphia Museum of Art without museum fatigue. · 2–3 hours
- 1
The Large Bathers
📍 European Galleries, second floor
Cézanne's final, monumental exploration of the bather motif — three monumental nudes beside a pool in a compressed Provençal landscape.
- 2
Étant donnés
📍 Duchamp Gallery
Duchamp's secret final work — a peephole through a wooden door revealing a nude figure lying on branches before a landscape.
- 3
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin (Sarah Morris)
📍 American Art Galleries
A masterful double portrait of a Philadelphia Quaker merchant and his wife — Copley's finest American-period work, showing the couple in an elegant interior with a stormy landscape visible through the window.
- 4
Temple Hall
📍 South Asian Art Galleries
A sixteenth-century teak temple hall from Madurai, South India — reassembled stone by stone inside the museum.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Philadelphia Museum of Art — and why they matter.
The Large Bathers
Paul Cézanne · 1900–1906
📍 European Galleries, second floor
Cézanne's final, monumental exploration of the bather motif — three monumental nudes beside a pool in a compressed Provençal landscape. A cornerstone of modern art that influenced Picasso and Matisse.
Étant donnés
Marcel Duchamp · 1946–1966
📍 Duchamp Gallery
Duchamp's secret final work — a peephole through a wooden door revealing a nude figure lying on branches before a landscape. Installed posthumously according to the artist's instructions.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin (Sarah Morris)
John Singleton Copley · 1773
📍 American Art Galleries
A masterful double portrait of a Philadelphia Quaker merchant and his wife — Copley's finest American-period work, showing the couple in an elegant interior with a stormy landscape visible through the window.
Temple Hall
Indian craftsmen · c. 1550
📍 South Asian Art Galleries
A sixteenth-century teak temple hall from Madurai, South India — reassembled stone by stone inside the museum. One of the largest Indian architectural installations in any Western museum.
Collections & highlights
- • European painting — Cézanne, Rubens, Van Gogh, Monet
- • Marcel Duchamp's Étant donnés
- • American art from colonial to contemporary
- • Indian and Himalayan art — temple hall and thangkas
- • Arms and armour collection
- • Frank Gehry's vaulted Core Project walkway
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Rocky Steps?
The famous 72 steps lead up to the museum's east entrance from Eakins Oval.
Is there a pay-what-you-wish day?
Yes, the museum offers pay-what-you-wish admission on selected days each month.
How long should I spend at Philadelphia Museum of Art?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Philadelphia Museum of Art best known for?
The Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition. Its current building atop Fairmount opened in 1928 and is one of the largest art museums in the United States. Key highlights include The Large Bathers by Cézanne, Étant donnés by Marcel Duchamp, Indian and Himalayan galleries.
How do I get tickets for Philadelphia Museum of Art?
$30 standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.philamuseum.org/
What did the Gehry renovation add?
The Core Project (2021) created a vaulted walkway connecting the east and west entrances, added 90,000 square feet of public space, and opened previously closed areas beneath the main stairs.
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