The Whitney Museum of American Art, often referred to simply as "the Whitney," is a prominent art museum located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, New York City. It was founded in 1931 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a wealthy and influential American heiress and patron of the arts, who was a champion of living American artists whose work was often overlooked by traditional institutions. The museum's collection comprises over 25,000 works of modern and contemporary American art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos, and new media. It is particularly renowned for its holdings of works by 20th-century American masters like Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol, among many others. The Whitney Biennial, a major exhibition of contemporary American art, has been a significant event in the art world since 1932. The Whitney's striking building, designed by Renzo Piano, offers an engaging architectural experience with expansive galleries, educational facilities, a theater, and multiple outdoor terraces. These terraces provide panoramic views of the Hudson River, the High Line, and the surrounding cityscape, offering a unique perspective on New York.
