Eakins painting ‘sails’ to Nelson-Atkins to settle Super Bowl bet

Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916), ‘Sailing,’ circa 1875, oil on canvas. The Alex Simpson, Jr., Collection, 1928. 1928-63-6
Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916), ‘Sailing,’ circa 1875, oil on canvas. The Alex Simpson, Jr., Collection, 1928. 1928-63-6
Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916), ‘Sailing,’ circa 1875, oil on canvas. The Alex Simpson, Jr., Collection, 1928. 1928-63-6. Image courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City Chiefs victory in a hard-fought Super Bowl brings a winning painting to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Thomas Eakins’ Sailing is the trophy following #MuseumBowl23. Had the game ended differently, the Nelson-Atkins would have packed one of its own treasures to send to Philadelphia.

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Nelson-Atkins celebrates the power of ‘Fierce Women,’ Feb. 25

Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian, 1593–1654 or later), ‘Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes,’ about 1623–1625, oil on canvas. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Mr. Leslie H. Green, 52.253
Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian, 1593–1654 or later), ‘Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes,’ about 1623–1625, oil on canvas. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Mr. Leslie H. Green, 52.253
Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian, 1593–1654 or later), ‘Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes,’ about 1623–1625, oil on canvas. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Mr. Leslie H. Green, 52.253

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A focus exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers dramatic insight into the representation of female role models from 1480s to 1720s Europe. Fierce Women: Artemisia Gentileschi and the Women Worthies opens Feb. 25 and closes July 23 and has, as its centerpiece, a monumental painting by female artist Artemisia Gentileschi on special loan from the Detroit Institute of Arts.

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Leading Philadelphia, Kansas City museums make art-related Super Bowl bet

The Philadelphia Museum of Art displaying a Philadelpia Eagles banner on its exterior. It and the Nekson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo., which is cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, have placed a friendly Super Bowl bet: The loser has to loan the winner a choice work of art from its collection. Images courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Left, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo.; Right, the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia. The museums are cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming Super Bowl and marking it with a friendly bet: The loser has to loan the winner a choice work of art from its collection. Images courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Left, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo.; Right, the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia. The museums are cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming Super Bowl and agreed to a friendly bet: The loser has to loan the winner a choice work of art from its collection. Images courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art

PHILADELPHIA and KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It’s the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection versus the BBQ Capital of the World. As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 12, a battle for the masterpieces will also be at play, accompanied by a pigskin scramble on social media as two major art museums stake a precious work of art on the likelihood of their city’s Super Bowl victory.

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American Art Deco explored at Nelson-Atkins Museum starting July 9

Sparton Bluebird radio (Model 566), 1934, wood, glass and metal. Walter Dorwin Teague, designer, American, 1883-1960. Sparks-Withington Company, manufacturer, Jackson, Michigan, founded 1900. 14 3/4 by 14 5/8 by 6in. Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver, 2004.1850. Courtesy of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver. Photo by Wes Magyar
Sparton Bluebird radio (Model 566), 1934, wood, glass and metal. Walter Dorwin Teague, designer, American, 1883-1960. Sparks-Withington Company, manufacturer, Jackson, Michigan, founded 1900. 14 3/4 by 14 5/8 by 6in. Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver, 2004.1850. Courtesy of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver. Photo by Wes Magyar
Sparton Bluebird radio (Model 566), 1934, wood, glass and metal. Walter Dorwin Teague, designer, American, 1883-1960. Sparks-Withington Company, manufacturer, Jackson, Michigan, founded 1900. 14 3/4 by 14 5/8 by 6in. Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver, 2004.1850. Courtesy of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver. Photo by Wes Magyar

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – American Art Deco: Designing for the People, 1918-1939 traces the trajectory of the Art Deco design movement, which represents modernity, glamour and exuberance, while exploring the socio-economic impact of these advancements during the Interwar period. The exhibition will be on view at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City July 9 through January 8, 2023.

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Silver thrones from India on show at Nelson-Atkins until May 2023

Image credit: Royal Throne, 1911. Molded and carved silver sheet, wrapped around a wood core, with silk velvet, brocaded silk and horse or ox tail. 59 1/16 by 31 1/2 by 35 7/16in (150 by 80 by 90 cm). Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund. 2013.10.2.1
Image credit: Royal Throne, 1911. Molded and carved silver sheet, wrapped around a wood core, with silk velvet, brocaded silk and horse or ox tail. 59 1/16 by 31 1/2 by 35 7/16in(150 by 80 by 90 cm). Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund. 2013.10.2.1
Image credit: Royal Throne, 1911. Molded and carved silver sheet, wrapped around a wood core, with silk velvet, brocaded silk and horse or ox tail. 59 1/16 by 31 1/2 by 35 7/16in (150 by 80 by 90 cm). Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund. 2013.10.2.1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A pair of ornate silver thrones with an intriguing history is currently on view at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Silver Splendor: Conserving the Royal Thrones of Dungarpur, India presents the royal assemblage following a multi-year conservation effort to restore them to their original glory, a process that is documented for visitors with a video at the exhibition. The thrones will be on view until May 28, 2023.

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Nelson-Atkins presents ‘Art of Illusion: Photography and Perceptual Play’

Abelardo Morell, American (b. Cuba, 1948). ‘Camera Obscura Image of Manhattan View Looking South in Large Room,’ 1996. Gelatin silver print, 18 by 22 ½ inches. Gift of Hallmark Cards, Inc., 2005.27.4060.
Abelardo Morell, American (b. Cuba, 1948). ‘Camera Obscura Image of Manhattan View Looking South in Large Room,’ 1996. Gelatin silver print, 18 by 22 ½ inches. Gift of Hallmark Cards, Inc., 2005.27.4060.
Abelardo Morell, American (b. Cuba, 1948). ‘Camera Obscura Image of Manhattan View Looking South in Large Room,’ 1996. Gelatin silver print, 18 by 22 ½ inches. Gift of Hallmark Cards, Inc., 2005.27.4060.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Does photography accurately reflect the things we see? Or does it merely present illusions? Those are the central questions explored in an exhibition at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Art of Illusion: Photography and Perceptual Play, curated by April Watson, is comprised of more than 50 photographs from the museum’s permanent collection, many of them recent acquisitions and never before on view. The exhibition opened October 22 and continues through April 25, 2022.

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