The Nelson-Atkins Museum is considered one of the finest art museums in the country. And for good reasons too. Starting with the exterior, the Kansas City, Missouri, building is one of the most prominent neoclassical architecture examples in the United States. It houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the country and more than 33,500 total pieces. We don’t know about you, but that’s a ton of art.And you’ll find art wherever you look at this museum. Oversized shuttlecock sculptures on the lawn outside the museum’s main building provide visitors with a striking first impression. Head inside to find a large collection of Chinese imperial art. One highlight of the more than 7,500 works (yes, that’s a big number) here includes the Ming furniture collection. Unrivaled outside of China, this collection spans 5,000 years and features items from the height of Chinese ceramic innovations.
Current exhibitions include a “Worldly Luxuries: Repetition in Renaissance Textiles.” Catch colorful, luxurious textiles hailing from Italy, French and Spain. Wealthy Renaissance merchants prized these silk pieces inspired by the Middle Eastern trade and aesthetic.
Kids and adults alike will delight in the Collection of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Displayed throughout the museum, these miniatures are truly impressive. Expect to see a tiny—like just a few inches tall—tea pot, an entire secretary desk and a microscope crafted out of brass, wood and shark skin. The exhibition is like viewing items plucked from a dollhouse that’s out of this world.
Must-sees here include the iconic Depression-era “Migrant Mother” photo of a weary woman surrounded by children and cradling her chin in her hand. Famed artist Claude Monet’s colorful “Water Lilies” painting graces the halls here. As does Paul Cezanne’s Mont Sainte-Victoire eye-catching painting of a mountain. And there are more names you might recognize too. Van Gogh’s “Olive Orchard” painting and one of noted photographer Cindy Sherman’s stimulating black and white images also call this museum home.
Visitors also can look forward to classes too. Everyone from children to adults can take art classes here. Guests also can enjoy performances, films and even Happy Hours. Check them out on Facebook!
Although you probably don’t own any art that would belong in a museum as fine as the Nelson-Atkins, if you’ve got a few precious pieces you need moved, contact Navis to ensure your artwork arrives in pristine condition. Navis’ specialty crating systems involves packing artwork in custom wood crates to keep it safe. The company treats every piece as if it was their own and ships all over the globe.
Image: Flickr
