A Passion for Books

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Kathleen captured not only the books she collects, but also the environment in which she enjoys them in this contribution to our community collection

The collecting instinct reaches its apotheosis in books.Lawrence Clark Powell, “The Loves Have I,” in A Passion for Books, 1958

Nearly 5% of participants in our Gauguin to Picasso: Masterworks from Switzerland interpretive station have shared their passion for collecting books. With reasons ranging from gaining knowledge, traveling to faraway places, enjoying the pure act of reading, or thinking of books as friends, the Phillips is a haven for bookworms of all types.

Share your love of books, or whatever you collect, by visiting the exhibition or creating your own at home and share it with #PhillipsGoesSwiss. Join us at tonight’s Phillips after 5 to participate in a community collection project!

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Elizabeth,a visitor from Takoma Park, is also an avid reader and book collector

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Davita and Shannon collect books because “they hold the world’s wisdom”

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Hannah collects “all kinds, all sizes” of books

Memory Matters

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Valerie collects “pictures because they remind me how many happy moments I have lived”; Rachel collects “ticket stubs because they remind me where I have been”

Many of the paintings in Gauguin to Picasso: Masterworks from Switzerland represent artists’ memories of impactful travels or of people they loved. As many submissions to our interpretive station reflect, another important way people remember travels, loved ones, or events in their lives is by collecting. They collect objects—snow globes, ticket stubs, photos, postcards, and more—or simply the memories themselves. What do you collect to remember? Contribute to the community collection by visiting the exhibition or creating your own at home and share it with #PhillipsGoesSwiss.

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One visitor collects “memories of fragrances because they comfort me”

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Peggy collects “memories because I have dementia and I want to remember”

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Robert collects “baseball hats because they remind me of the game”; Bart collects “notes and cards from loved ones to remember the past”

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Tracey collects “snow globes because they record travel, places, etc.”

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Eleanor collects “happy memories because everyone needs joy in her life”

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Valerie N. collects “magnets from everywhere I go because I will always remember where I’ve been”

Amphora Appreciation

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Many visitors collect glassware, pottery, or dishware. Esther finds Mexican Talavera especially beautiful.

Visitors to Gauguin to Picasso: Masterworks from Switzerland appreciate many types of fine art in their own collections. Many collect vessels—vases, jars, etc.—and contributed delightful renderings of the objects they cherish. What do you collect? Contribute by visiting the exhibition or creating your own at home and share it with #PhillipsGoesSwiss.

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This visitor shared her collection with a drawing that reminds us of a Morandi painting.

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These visitors pitchers, pots, and jars appealing for their variety of shapes.

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Community collection submission by Bernard.