FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Super Bowl Wager Painting Goes on View at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Just Ahead of NFL Draft

Kansas City, MO. April 18, 2023–As the Kansas City Chiefs and football teams around the country prepare for the NFL Draft next week, a side-bet made between The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art on whose hometown team would win Super Bowl LVII, has resulted in a new addition to the American galleries in Kansas City. Thomas Eakins’ Sailing is the Nelson-Atkins’ trophy following #MuseumBowl23.

“It is with great pride that we put Sailing on view so that our city can once again celebrate the Chief’s exciting Super Bowl win,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell CEO & Director of the Nelson-Atkins. “In this classic American painting, Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins celebrates the joy of movement as two friends glide across the Schuylkill River. The power and motion conveyed in this painting is not so different from the vigor and grace that America’s championship athletes, our beloved Chiefs, displayed in their nail-biting triumph over the Eagles.”

The painting will be on view in the second floor American Galleries through June. In mid-May, a contingent will arrive from the Philadelphia Museum to tour the galleries. Zugazagoitia, true to his word, will treat his museum colleagues to the very best Kansas City barbecue while they are in town. On the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the draft, museum docents will be stationed near Sailing on the second floor of the Nelson-Atkins to talk with guests about the painting, the artist, and the significance of this work. Rozzelle Court will give visitors a taste of local pride by serving classic Kansas City barbecue specials all weekend.

Image caption: Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916). Sailing. c. 1875. Oil on canvas. The Alex Simpson, Jr., Collection, 1928. 1928-63-6.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. The museum opens its doors free of charge to people of all backgrounds.

The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access to its renowned collection of more than 42,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and Native American and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the Museum is a key educational resource for the region. In 2017, the Nelson-Atkins celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Bloch Building, a critically acclaimed addition to the original 1933 Nelson-Atkins Building.

The Nelson-Atkins is located at 45th and Oak Streets, Kansas City, MO. Hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday through Monday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission to the museum is free to everyone. For museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org.

For media interested in receiving further information, please contact:

Kathleen Leighton, Manager, Media Relations and Video Production
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
816.751.1321
kleighton@nelson-atkins.org