Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Soon after the establishment of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in 1937, it became clear that the organization required a permanent building to house its growing collection of modern and contemporary artwork. In 1943, Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to create such a space, and 16 years later, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened its doors to the public. With imposing features such as its spiraling ramp and domed oculus, the museum is designed to awe and inspire visitors before they pass through its doors. Although the museum initially housed only Guggenheim's privately held collection, its holdings have since grown exponentially, and today's collection spans historical periods, geographic origins, and genres.