A free museum of modern and contemporary American art

Open Wed – Sun • 11 am – 5 pm

Julie Mehretu, Ariel, 2006, ink and acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 in., Family Collection of Harry W. and Mary Margaret Anderson.

10th Anniversary Exhibition

An Expanded Lens

Now through Aug. 17, 2025

Philip Guston, Holiday Cheer (Christmas Card), 1978, oil on canvas, 12 3/4 x 16 1/2 in., Family Collection of Harry W. and Mary Margaret Anderson.

Bringing It Home

Now through Feb. 16, 2025

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Explore Our Collection

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The Anderson Collection Turns 10

Join us for a year of celebrations!

Upcoming Programs

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Recent News

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University Museums Are Underrated Places to See Art in the U.S.—Here Are 8 of the Best

AFAR | September 30, 2024

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Stanford’s Anderson Collection Celebrates Ten Years of Artistic Legacy with New ‘An Expanded Lens’ Exhibition

Hoodline | September 27, 2024

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Modern and contemporary American art including Martin, Nevelson, Pollock, Rothko, and more. The museum is always free!

The Anderson family’s home served not only as a

The Anderson family’s home served not only as a gathering place but also a space to reside with the art in their collection. Our exhibition “Bringing It Home” recreates the Anderson’s kitchen, the heart of their home and a representative display of works by artists with whom the Andersons had close relationships.

On Wednesday evening, Hunk and Moo’s daughter Putter Pence joined us and museum members for a conversation in the gallery, sharing fond memories of the artists that visited their home including Philip Guston and Frank Stella.

Learn about the Andersons’ deep connection to their collection by visiting “Bringing It Home” before its closure this Sunday!

📸In-gallery views of “Bringing It Home” at the Anderson Collection.

Today, we’re celebrating Joan Mitchell’s cente

Today, we’re celebrating Joan Mitchell’s centennial! Mitchell, who was born in Chicago in 1925, was an active participant in the New York School and established a reputation as one of the leading Abstract Expressionist painters, and one of the few women associated with the male-dominated action painting movement.

We are fortunate to have her painting ‘Before, Again IV’ in our collection, a work created in 1985 during Mitchell’s difficult battle with cancer. Still, Mitchell continued to paint ambitious and experimental works. ‘Before, Again IV’ has traveled from our museum to several retrospective presentations of Mitchell’s work, with notable host venues including @sfmoma, @baltimoremuseumofart, and @fondationlv.

Huge thanks to the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s Senior Director of Curatorial Affairs Sarah Roberts who gave a special tour last week of ‘Before, Again IV’ and Louise Nevelson’s ‘Sky Garden,’ which are both included in our current exhibition “An Expanded Lens.”

On this day, we invite you to view the painting on our second floor and celebrate Mitchell’s contributions to American art. #JoanMitchell100 #JoanMitchell

📷Joan Mitchell (American, 1925-1992), Before, Again IV, 1985, oil on canvas. On view at the Anderson Collection, 2025.

📷Joan Mitchell in her Vétheuil studio, 1983. Photograph by Robert Freson, Joan Mitchell Foundation Archives, © Joan Mitchell Foundation.

One of our current exhibitions “Bringing It Home

One of our current exhibitions “Bringing It Home” offers a personal view into the Anderson family’s relationships with artists in their collection, including Frank Stella, Philip Guston, and Josef Albers, who was commissioned by Hunk Anderson to create the ‘Stanford Wall,’ a large public sculpture unveiled on campus adjacent to the Stanford Oval in 1980.

Prior to the unveiling, Albers sent a maquette of ‘Stanford Wall’ to Hunk and Moo in 1975. The wall – with one side crafted from black African granite and the other made of white Arkansas brick – was deemed controversial upon its reveal to the Stanford community, yet has come to symbolize the university’s dedication to outdoor art.

View the maquette, paintings by Albers, archival photos and special correspondence between Albers and the Andersons in “Bringing It Home” before it closes on February 16!

📸 Josef Albers with Moo Anderson at Albers’s studio in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of the Anderson family.

📸 In-gallery view of ‘Untitled (Maquette of Albers’ Wall),’ ‘Study for Homage to the Square: “2 Pairs Act 3 Pairs”,’ and ‘Intimate’ by Josef Albers in the exhibition “Bringing It Home,” on view at the Anderson Collection.

On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of inviting Bay Ar

On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of inviting Bay Area art lovers for a coffee hour with @pamelahornik and a guided tour of our galleries for @sf_artweek.

The group learned about the curatorial decisions behind several featured works and installations from art history PhD student Christian Gonzalez Ho @wonka05 , co-curator of the exhibition “An Expanded Lens” and collaborator for “Bringing It Home.”

These exhibitions position beloved works by Mark Rothko, Joan Mitchell, and other contemporary American artists in recreations of the Anderson family’s home, providing new interpretations of the permanent collection.

Visit us and view these iconic works from a historical perspective. Our galleries are open from Wednesday to Sunday and always free!

📸 In-gallery views of “Bringing It Home” and “An Expanded Lens,” on view at the Anderson Collection. Photos by Stephanie Gerson and Courtesy of Pamela Hornik.

As we step into 2025, we celebrate the dynamic ene

As we step into 2025, we celebrate the dynamic energy of Julie Mehretu’s Ariel. This stunning artwork encapsulates the spirit of new beginnings, blending vibrant layers and intricate details that invite us to reflect on the past while looking forward to the future.

Mehretu’s work challenges us to consider the complexities of our world, reminding us that each new year brings opportunities for growth and connection. Let’s embrace the possibilities that lie ahead!

Join us in experiencing Ariel and the incredible power of art to inspire and transform… Here’s to a year filled with creativity, joy, and meaningful connections 🥂🥳💫

In this festive season we’re excited to showcase

In this festive season we’re excited to showcase Holiday Cheer at the Anderson Collection!

Conceived as a holiday card for the Anderson family, this vibrant artwork captures the joy and warmth of the holidays, inviting everyone to celebrate art and connection.

Join us in embracing the festive spirit and experience the magic of art that brings us together. Wishing you all a season filled with creativity, joy, and inspiration!

Visit us to see Holiday Cheer and let’s make this holiday unforgettable! 🥳🥳🥳

Warm holiday greetings from the Anderson Collectio

Warm holiday greetings from the Anderson Collection at Stanford University! 🎅❄️ As we celebrate the season, please note that we will be closed on the following dates:

❌ December 25 ❌ January 1

We hope your holidays are filled with joy, love, and wonderful memories. We look forward to welcoming you back soon to explore our beautiful collection! 🖼️❤️🎨

#AndersonCollection #StanfordUniversity #HolidayHours #MuseumClosed #HappyHolidays

David McKee had an incredible influence on the And

David McKee had an incredible influence on the Anderson family’s art collection journey. This British-born gallerist is renowned for his discerning eye and unwavering commitment to the artists he represented.

In the late 1960s, Hunk and Moo Anderson first met McKee at a San Francisco gallery, marking the beginning of a transformative relationship. From that moment on, McKee became an instrumental guide for the Andersons, helping them navigate the world of contemporary art.

After relocating to New York, McKee deepened his bond with the Andersons, introducing them to groundbreaking artists like Robert Motherwell. In 1974, he established his own gallery on 57th Street, where he continued to mentor them, encouraging them to diversify their collection with works from Philip Guston, Vija Celmins, and others.

Beyond a mere advisor, McKee helped nurture the Andersons’ understanding of the complexities and nuances of contemporary art, fostering lasting friendships with the artists themselves.

Join us as we commemorate a decade of passion, friendship, and transformative art! 🖼️💫🥳

📷 Photos by María José Alvarado Luna

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