When Marcel Breuer received the commission to design the Whitney Museum of American Art, he was at the height of his architectural prowess. While critics met Breuer’s bold vision with some skepticism when it first opened in 1966, his building’s enduring reputation stands on the architect’s capacity to transmute hard materials like concrete and stone into a place of spiritual elevation.
In November 2025, Sotheby’s opened the Breuer once again to the public: the storied building is now our New York headquarters. This September, the Breuer plays host to Independent 20th Century, an international show that brings together curated exhibitions of art created between 1900 and 2000. Tickets are available to all.
Here’s a look back at some of the greatest moments from the architectural marvel’s 60-year history as it prepares for the next one.
– Texts by Bryan Martin
