The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is known for its distinctive architecture and collection of modern art. Mining magnate Solomon R. Guggenheim commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the museum in 1943, though it only opened in 1959, a decade after Guggenheim's death. The building's spiral ramp gallery is a counterpoint to the traditional museum layout, offering a continuous, flowing space for experiencing art.

The museum's holdings grew substantially in 1949 with the purchase of over 700 works from the estate of art dealer Karl Nierendorf. Guggenheim's personal collection also formed a core part of the museum's initial holdings. Today, the museum continues to acquire and display works of 20th- and 21st-century art.