The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced that a cumulative gift of 400 works of art from 75 patrons has been given in commemoration of museum’s 75th anniversary. These masterworks span cultures, chronologies and media and include one of the most important private collections of Impressionist art in the United States. These extraordinary gifts †which also honor Marc F. Wilson’s 28-year tenure †include masterworks by Monet, Manet, Pissarro, van Gogh and Cezanne.
The collecting initiative began in December 2008, and a special exhibition of highlights of the cumulative gift, “Magnificent Gifts for the 75th,” serves as a capstone to the yearlong celebration of the museum’s anniversary. On view through April 4, “Magnificent Gifts for the 75th” features 130 of the 400 gifts, including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures, new media art, masks, textiles, ceramics, glass, silver, furniture and rare books.
Marc F. Wilson, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell director/chief executive officer of the Nelson-Atkins, will retire on June 1. A new director will be announced in the coming months.
The collecting initiative has been the work of curators across departments at the Nelson-Atkins, and “Magnificent Gifts for the 75th” is curated by Jan Schall, Sanders Sosland curator, modern and contemporary art.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is at 4525 Oak Street. For information, 816-751-1278 or www.nelson-atkins.org .
