Key points
- A first in 50 years : the last major Duchamp retrospective in the United States dates back to 1973.
- Two organizing museums : MoMA in New York and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- A rich selection : nearly 300 works on display, including paintings, ready-mades, drawings and installations.
- Confirmed dates : Opening in New York on April 16, 2026 , followed by Philadelphia in the fall.
- Recognized curators : Ann Temkin and Michelle Kuo for MoMA, Matthew Affron for the Philadelphia Museum.
New York is preparing to host an exceptional cultural event: a major retrospective dedicated to Marcel Duchamp, a key figure in 20th-century art. This is the first exhibition of this scale in the United States since 1973. Jointly organized by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it will open on April 16, 2026, in New York City, before moving to Philadelphia in the fall.
A historic event
This retrospective, to be held at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, will bring together an unprecedented selection of iconic and rarely exhibited works by the master of the readymade. It will trace his entire career, from his early Cubist-influenced canvases to his groundbreaking conceptual works that challenged the boundaries of modern art.
With a corpus of nearly 300 pieces, this retrospective promises to offer a rich and nuanced view of Duchamp's work. Visitors will find his most famous masterpieces— Fountain (1917), Bicycle Wheel (1913), and Été donnés (1946–1966)—alongside rarer works from private collections and archives.
Curated by Ann Temkin and Michelle Kuo for MoMA, and Matthew Affron for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the exhibition aims to situate Duchamp in a contemporary context. It will explore his influence on modern and current artistic practices, from readymades to formal and conceptual experiments that have redefined the status of the artwork.
An expected return
The last time a Marcel Duchamp retrospective of this magnitude was held on American soil was in 1973. Since then, although his influence has continued to grow, particularly in the worlds of conceptual art and minimalism, few exhibitions have offered such a comprehensive view of his work.
This new retrospective therefore promises to be a landmark event, driven by a desire to recontextualize Duchamp for a 21st-century audience, in light of current debates on the very definition of art, the object, and the role of the artist.
An influence that is still alive
Born in 1887 in Blainville-Crevon, Normandy (France), Marcel Duchamp left a profound mark on the global art scene. His rejection of convention, his questioning of artistic institutions, and his intellectual humor made him a pioneer of contemporary art. His influence now extends far beyond museums to design, performance, NFTs, and popular culture.
The 2026 New York retrospective will thus be an opportunity to rediscover an artist who, a century after causing scandal, continues to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art.
FAQ:
When and where will the Marcel Duchamp retrospective take place?
The exhibition will open on April 16, 2026, at MoMA in New York , and will then travel in fall 2026 to the Philadelphia Museum of Art .
Who is organizing this exhibition?
It is jointly organized by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Philadelphia Museum of Art .
Who are the curators of the exhibition?
Ann Temkin and Michelle Kuo (MoMA), as well as Matthew Affron (Philadelphia Museum).
How many works will be presented?
The retrospective will feature nearly 300 objects , including major works, rare pieces and archives.
What are the highlights of the exhibition?
Visitors will be able to discover or rediscover Fountain , Bicycle Wheel , Given , and other iconic works, but also explore the lesser-known facets of Duchamp.
Why is this exhibition important?
This is the first major Duchamp retrospective in the United States since 1973. It offers a unique opportunity to gauge the extent of his influence on the history of modern and contemporary art.
Nicolas Sarazin