The Philadelphia Art Museum has announced its slate of exhibitions for 2026, prominently featuring Marcel Duchamp's iconic mixed-media work "Étant donnés: 1° la chute d'eau, 2° le gaz d'éclairage . . . (Given: 1. The Waterfall, 2. The Illuminating Gas . . . ), 1946-1966." The announcement includes details about the work's complex media assemblage and its acquisition history as a gift from the Cassandra Foundation in 1969.
This announcement matters because it signals the museum's programming direction for 2026, a year that will likely draw significant international attention to Philadelphia. The inclusion of Duchamp's groundbreaking piece—one of the most influential works of the 20th century—underscores the museum's commitment to showcasing major modern art and reinforces its role as a key cultural destination.