The Collection / Corcoran Gallery of Art

From the Collection | The Departure by Thomas Cole

The collection's paintings and sculpture are the legacy of William Wilson Corcoran (1798-1888), the museum's founder and a leading patron of American art. Together with its noted holdings of 19th-century American prints and drawings, the collection brings us face-to-face with the people, the landscape and the lifestyles of a dramatically different time.

In keeping with its founder's commitment to the art of his day, the Corcoran continues to broaden its collection to include a wide selection of works by contemporary artists. Today, the Corcoran is renowned for its collection of 20th-century painting, sculpture and photography. In total, the Corcoran's American holdings illuminate the nation's history and artistic development from colonial times through the 20th century.

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