Gagosian opened its new flagship gallery at 980 Madison Avenue in New York on April 25, 2026, with a dual exhibition dedicated to Marcel Duchamp and Robert Rauschenberg. The show, titled 'Marcel Duchamp; Robert Rauschenberg: Important Early Works from Cy Twombly Collection,' features Duchamp's readymades—including a 1964 authorized edition of his iconic 'Fountain'—and six early Rauschenberg combines from the personal collection of Cy Twombly. The exhibition runs through July 31, 2026, for Duchamp and June 27 for Rauschenberg, and is free to the public.
The pairing is significant because it traces a direct lineage in conceptual art: Duchamp's readymades, first exhibited in the same building 61 years ago, challenged traditional notions of art, while Rauschenberg's combines extended that disruption into postwar America. Gagosian's choice to open its new space with this dialogue underscores the gallery's argument about the enduring relevance of these artists' ideas. The exhibition also highlights the creative friendship between Rauschenberg and Cy Twombly, whose collection of the works adds historical and personal depth.