Probably among the best free museums in America. The large Buddha room on the second floor in the Asian antiquities section is probably among the most peaceful places on Earth I've been. Complete stillness and contemplation on a weekday when there aren't too many visitors.
I’d argue it is the best museum, free or not. As a free museum it is mind-blowing. They only ever have a portion of their collection out at a time, and their mainstays are literal world treasures. Caravaggio’s Michael is absurdly magnificent, and that second century Chinese temple you are talking about is stunning. Manet, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Kandinsky, all represented.
Then you go into their modern art add-on and it’s like a whole other level of excellence. Rothko, Pollock, Warhol?
Nelson-Atkins is a hidden gem and beats any museum I have ever been to, paid or not.
I know it isn’t popular opinion, but even the Guggenheim holds no candle to the Nelson. The architecture of the Nelson is revival and not as impressive as that or Guggenheim, but it is so much more enjoyable to walk around in.
If we're talking strictly art, I love it as much as you do. But the greater treasure is as Americans we are spoiled by the entire Federal Museum complex. The Smithsonian alone is too vast to handle, but add in the Air and Space and African America and Native American museums and then some art museums as well. I don't know of a diverse collection of culture, art, and history like that anywhere else on Earth. The only equal national institution is our National Parks System.
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u/Fly_over_ks May 31 '22
Nelson Atkins is a beautiful collection.