The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of the most-recognized landmarks in Kansas City. Even those that have never actually made a trip to the museum immediately recognize its neoclassical architecture, and beautifully massive sprawling lawn, located right in the heart of the city.
Commonly referred to simply as “The Nelson,” the museum opened in opened in 1933, funded primarily by the estate of local newspaper publisher William Rockhill Nelson and local schoolteacher Mary Mcaffee Atkins, widow of a local real estate speculator. Designed by local architectural firm Wight and Wight, who also designed the approach to the Liberty Memorial and the Kansas Governor mansion, it is a grand structure in the Beaux-Arts architecture style, modeled on the Cleveland Museum of Art.
It contains many widely recognized classic and contemporary art works from around the world. It includes works by Caravaggio, Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Titian, Rembrandt, Gustave Caillebotte, John Singer Sargent, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Thomas Hart Benton, and George Caleb Bingham, just to name a handful. One of the first places most stop though, at least most school fields trip in memory, the collection of early Western civilization. While not the largest, it does contain some interesting Greek and Roman works.
The museum does distinguish itself from others in the nation with some fantastic collections originating from Asian countries; indeed, hosting one of the best collections of antique Chinese furniture found anywhere in the United States.
Among the works held there are the celebrated group of glazed pottery luohans from Yixian, and a personal favorite, the Guanyin of the Southern Sea from the 11th/12th century. The wood sculpture sits in front of a massive 14th century wall mural, depicting a cosmic Buddha, flanked by two bodhisattvas, and surrounded by figures representing the five planets of traditional Chinese astronomy. The room emanates quiet and peace through ever sense.
A need for culture amidst the sometimes-monotonous homogeneity of the Midwest initiates most visits. Regular events celebrate individual cultures frequently too, such as that of the Chinese New Year. These offer a rare opportunity to not only witness but also participate in music and performances by local talent.
Often times, all areas of the museum were open to exploration during these events, including the Bloch building, which usually requires an admission fee. Added in 2008 While praised by many as an architectural achievement of sorts, it tends to contrast a cold and sterile feeling, against the environment of the original museum. I was look forward to going though, and always find new and interesting things to capture through the lens.
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