The Life and Legacy of Laughlin Phillips
Laughlin Phillips, also known by the name Loc Phillips, was an American museum director and painter born in Washington, D.C., United States. The son of art collector Duncan Phillips and painter Marjorie Acker Phillips, he grew up in a home that served as the site for the Phillips Memorial Gallery. His early years were spent in a Georgian Revival house in Dupont Circle before the family moved to a mansion known as Dunmarlin on Foxhall Road NW. During his youth, he attended St. Albans School and later studied at Yale University and the University of Chicago.
Beyond his role in the art world, Phillips had a diverse professional history. He served as an Army intelligence officer in the Pacific theater during World War II, an experience for which he earned a Bronze Star Medal. He later worked as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with assignments in locations such as Saigon and Tehran. Additionally, he co-founded the magazine Washingtonian.
Leadership at The Phillips Collection
Phillips dedicated much of his life to the stewardship of The Phillips Collection. Following the death of his father in 1966, he assumed the role of board chairman, eventually succeeding his mother as director in 1972. Under his leadership, the museum underwent significant transformations, including:
He retired as museum director in 1992 and continued to serve as chairman of the board until 2002. He passed away in 2010.
Questions & Answers
Which artworks by Laughlin Phillips are the most viewed?
The Stats page of Laughlin Phillips presents statistics computed from the artist's artworks listed on this website.
Can I sort Laughlin Phillips's artworks by color?
The Spectral Index page organizes Laughlin Phillips's artworks by color.
Where are Laughlin Phillips's artworks grouped by palette?
Laughlin Phillips's works can be browsed by color palette on the artist's By Palettes page.
In which historical period did Laughlin Phillips work?
Laughlin Phillips worked in the Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.
