What to See at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
If you are looking for a great art museum in Kansas City, you should check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This museum is well known for its collection of Asian art, but there is more to see there than meets the eye. Here, we’ll discuss some of the highlights of the museum. If you’re not familiar with it, we recommend you start by learning about the Bloch Building, then move on to the Thomas Hart Benton sculpture garden. Additional info.
Bloch Building
The Bloch Building at Nelson-Atkins is one of Kansas City’s most renowned art museums. It’s famous for its collection of Asian art. The museum also features many exhibits from the world’s top artists, including Diego Rivera, Dali, and Pablo Picasso. You can explore this building’s expansive collections in just a few hours. Here’s some information about visiting this unique museum:
Thomas Hart Benton
The exhibition, titled “Motion Pictures and Paintings: Creating the American Scene,” is the first Thomas Hart Benton exhibition in over 25 years. It reveals how his time in the movie industry influenced his art, creating a cinematic style of painting that melded the best of European art historical tradition with the best of Hollywood filmmaking. In addition to reimagining national narratives for twentieth-century America, Benton also adopted moviemaking techniques, including storyboards and projections. A fantastic read.
Thomas Hart Benton collection
“American Epics: Thomas Hart Benton and Hollywood” is the first major Benton retrospective in more than 25 years. Its traveling exhibition features nearly 100 Benton paintings and murals. Benton was a prolific artist and has painted for more than 300 motion pictures. During his lifetime, he painted more than 5,000 paintings. The Nelson-Atkins owns more original Benton paintings than any other institution.
Thomas Hart Benton sculpture garden
The Thomas Hart Benton sculpture garden at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of art-going. The museum is known for its extensive collection of Asian art and for its sculptures by Thomas Hart Benton. Visitors can also admire the extensive collection of art by Benton’s contemporary American peers. The garden is home to a sculpture by Benton that’s approximately ten feet high.
Thomas Hart Benton paintings
If you have never seen the works of American painter Thomas Hart Benton, now is the time. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is hosting the first major retrospective of Benton’s work in 25 years, and the exhibition explores the connections between art and film. The artist’s brief career in the silent film industry inspired him to create a style of painting that blended European art historical tradition with contemporary movie production techniques. Creating a cinematic style, Benton reinvented national narratives for 20th-century America and captivated audiences with his sweeping visions of the American West. Next blog post.