The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most iconic and influential art institutions in the world. It has played a major role in promoting modern art and its influence can be seen in museums and galleries around the world. But who designed the Museum of Modern Art?
The original design for the museum was created by architect Philip Johnson, who was hired by the museum’s first director, Alfred H. Barr Jr. Johnson was a protege of Bauhaus founder Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and he brought his own brand of modernism to the project. His design featured a starkly geometric façade, with an interior made up of multiple levels and galleries arranged around a central atrium. The building also features several elements that were considered radical at the time, such as glass walls, skylights, and an open-plan design.
Johnson worked on the museum until its completion in 1939, but his work didn’t stop there. He continued to work on renovations and expansions for more than two decades afterwards.
He added two floors to the original structure, as well as a sculpture garden and cafe. Johnson also designed several other buildings for MoMA over his career including The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden (1953) and The Philip Johnson Building (1964).
Johnson’s design for MoMA has become iconic in its own right and has influenced generations of architects who have gone on to create other important cultural institutions around the world. His work stands out for its boldness and efficiency which have stood the test of time.
In conclusion, Philip Johnson is credited with designing the Museum of Modern Art in New York City which opened in 1939. His design drew upon ideas from Bauhaus founder Ludwig Mies van der Rohe while introducing his own modernist aesthetic to create an iconic building that has stood the test of time and influenced many others around the world since then.