13 Surprising Facts About the Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, has a rich history filled with lesser-known details. Wright originally wanted the building's exterior painted in his signature shade of red, not the iconic white it is today. The museum's spiral ramp was inspired by the shape of a nautilus shell. Construction took 16 years from commission to completion, opening in 1959. The building was controversial among artists who felt the curved walls were unsuitable for displaying art. The museum's collection began with Solomon R. Guggenheim's holdings of non-objective art. The building was designated a New York City Landmark in 1990 and a National Historic Landmark in 2008.