Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

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First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
6
Reviews
5
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New Wing Becoming Iconic Midwest Gem

  • August 14, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Buzz1985 from Washington, District of Columbia
This was already a great museum, however it has recently been expanded and all the exhibits updated securing this as one of the country's premiere art galleries.

http://www.coochicoos.com/images/holl2.jpg

The new wing was designed by Steven Holl and has been called the greatest art museum project since the Tate Modern's opening in London. The addition is to the east of the original building. It houses galleries underground with skylights above, creating new sculptures on the lawn. The 'visible architecture' of the new wing is mostly comprised of these skylights. The goal was to add onto the museum with out destroying the symmetry and grace of the original plan. The 'light boxes' as they are called are made of structural glass and have a cold, satiny/icy appearance during the day. At night, they glow warmly and look stunning.

Inside, stark white walls greet you as you enter. The main lobby immerses you in light and wows you with its daring angles and clean lines. The galleries are beautiful. The walls curve at the tops, directing light from the skylights in and out into the galleries. The style is what I call 'neo-baroque.' The architecture is stunning, however, it is obvious this museum was primarily designed to house art, not to upstage it. (as opposed to other new art galleries, especially Denver's.)

The old building has been totally restored and cleaned. It's exhibits have been freshened up and rethought. The galleries now incorporate furnishings and housewares from the same period as the art, this give a better feeling of the art's context in time. All the art is well labeled with long descriptions giving background on the artist and the piece's meaning.

This is one of the best galleries in the country and a must see in Kansas City!
Editor Pick

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

  • July 19, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by slabeaume from St. Louis, Missouri
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The museum is not huge, but has plenty of intimate rooms with interesting diplays in them. One of their biggest draws is it's great Asian collection---particularly the China one. But it also has a nice collection of European and American art.

The sculptures both inside the museum and outdoors in The Kansas City Sculpture Park are interesting. The Sculpture park features the country’s largest collection of monumental bronzes by the British sculptor Henry Moore as well as works by other modern masters. Several of these bronze sculptures remind me of large blobs. Others are quite abstract in a geometric way. There are also some really nice ones that realistically represent figures. The giant 18 feet birdies are the most intriquing sculptures to me. There are 4 of them on the grounds. They're positioned in both the front and back of the museum to depict a game field with the building acting as a net. The sloping "yard" is very large and beautifully landscaped. A great place to sit and contemplate your next destination.

Being close to the Art Institute of Kansas City, there are usually lots of students here with their pads of paper and art supplies trying to recreate the works of the masters.

It's also just a couple blocks northeast of The Plaza, a couple blocks south of downtown, and a couple blocks north of UMKC---a convenient stop to or from any of these places.

From journal The City of Fountains

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

  • September 15, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Steve S. from Kansas City, Missouri
The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is referred by many to be one of the finest art museums west of the Mississippi. Originating in 1933 as a gift from William Rockhill Nelson, founder of the Kansas City Star, and Mary McAfee Atkins, the museum has grown to occupy a very interesting looking columned building in the center of Kansas City adjacent to the Kansas City Sculpture Gardens. As you approach the museum you'll notice several large, 15 foot high, shuttlecocks along a long grassy lawn leading to the front entrance. At this time, because of renovations, you'll be approaching the museum from near the Westport area of town where free parking exists and a free shuttle runs every 10 minutes. Also, as a result of construction and renovation, the museum is free. You'll find many different types of art displayed throughout the museum in distinct regions of the museum. In addition to the typical classic masterpiece paintings you'll find, including Monet's "Waterlillies", there are several rooms featuring antique furniture that are layed out to showcase various time periods and cultures like a 17th century Victorian room, for example. The museum also has a fine collection of Egyptian art, including carvings and jewelry as well as one of the most famous collections of miniature paintings in the world. When you grow tired of enjoying the art work, the museum also houses one of Kansas City's finer restaurants the Rozelle Court Restaurant, which is reputed to have excellent food and superb service. If you're passing through Kansas City or live here and haven't visited in a while, make a trip to the Nelson Atkins and see what the cultural side of Kansas City has to offer.

More information about the Nelson Atkins museum can be found at: http://www.nelson-atkins.org/

From journal Kansas City

Editor Pick

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

  • July 18, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by zabelle from Portland, Connecticut
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

This museum has an unusual entrance, instead of entering a lobby you enter more on the office level and you are met at the door and escorted to a lovely art deco elevator

for your trip to the upper floors. This is an outstanding museum. They have 58 galleries and 11 period rooms. They have works by Cranach,

Titian, Caravaggio ,

Reubens, Monet, Tiepolo , Sargent, Viger LeBrun

and two Frans Hals Portraits

( one on loan from St Louis).There is also a nice display of American Furniture and a wall of paintings by different members of the talented Peale family. The works are displayed in small galleries where you can really enjoy them instead of these huge intimidating rooms. Also the guards were very friendly and helpful offering information and advise to the young people who were visiting. We saw more families and children here than anywhere else on our trip in an art gallery. This museum is also well know for its Asian collections. They have rooms of chinese porcelain and furniture. This museum can be seen in an hour but it will be an hour well spent. There is also a sculpture garden where modern sculpture is on display.

From journal Kansas City it's Hot in More ways than One

Editor Pick

Nelson Atkins Museum

  • May 7, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by camera-gal from Overland Park, Kansas
A view of the Nelson is something to write home about, but the works inside surpass the outside architecture.

William Rockhill Nelson donated most of the resources that created the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The museum is divided into collections--Egyptian, Greek and Roman in one wing. Renaissance/Christian works, Baroque, Roccoco and Impressionism in another wing. The second floor includes American art with a special hallway devoted to Kansas City native Thomas Hart Benton. The other wings on the second floor are devoted to Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian cultures. The small third floor houses the American Indian works.

Classical works include a panel of Monet's 'Water Lilies', Van Gogh's 'Olive Orchard', and Michelangelo's 'St. Jean the Baptiste'. Do not miss the completely reconstructed Buddhist temple on the second floor. You must sit for a moment and meditate to enjoy the full experience.

Step inside the Rozelle dining courtyard for a view of a huge fountain and become surrounded by the large balcony from the second floor. The food is excellent, but a bit pricey.

Avoid the museum at all costs on Saturdays. It's free and many little critters (children) like to ruin the peaceful experience. All other times are okay.

From journal Going to Kansas City

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