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Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916), ‘Sailing,’ circa 1875, oil on canvas. The Alex Simpson, Jr., Collection, 1928. 1928-63-6

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

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
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.

“While both the Chiefs and the Eagles played an excellent and very entertaining game, we were delighted the Chiefs won the Super Bowl,” said Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell CEO & Director of the Nelson-Atkins Julian Zugazagoitia. “Had the Eagles won, the Nelson-Atkins would have loaned the Philadelphia Museum of Art Raphaelle Peale’s Venus Rising from the Sea – A Deception. Since Peale was from Philadelphia, we thought it would be fun to affect a family reunion between one of our icons of American painting with the extraordinary Peale family holdings of the PMA. We look forward to welcoming the PMA contingent to the Nelson-Atkins and will make good on our promise to treat them to fantastic barbecue while they are here.”

Raphaelle Peale, (American, 1774–1825), ‘Venus Rising From the Sea ― A Deception,’ circa 1822. Oil on canvas, 29 1/8 by 24 1/8in (74 by 61.3cm). The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 34-147. Photo credit: Jamison Miller. Image courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Raphaelle Peale, (American, 1774–1825), ‘Venus Rising From the Sea ― A Deception,’ circa 1822. Oil on canvas, 29 1/8 by 24 1/8in (74 by 61.3cm). The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 34-147. Photo credit: Jamison Miller. Image courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

“Each team played its best, and we extend our congratulations to Kansas City,” commented the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Sasha Suda. “Our Eakins will arrive with wind in its sail, and it will be a pleasure to share this Philadelphia treasure with our Kansas City friends.”

A delegation from the PMA is expected to come to Kansas City with the painting just in time for the NFL draft in April.

Visit the websites of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and also the Philadelphia Museum of Art.