Visitors To Learn About Eakins In Disgusting Museum

Late last year, everybody was all up in arms about the sale of The Gross Clinic, one of the greatest American paintings, previously owned by Jefferson University. The hospital sold the painting for $68 million to the National Gallery of Art and the as-yet-unbuilt Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas, founded by Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton.

Now the Jefferson board is selling another Eakins painting, this one an 1874 portrait of Jefferson professor Dr. Benjamin H. Rand. Crystal Bridges is buying the painting, although this Eakins painting isn’t famous or anything — even though most of Philly probably hadn’t seen The Gross Clinic anyway — so Jefferson was open about the sale with its alumni and staff. Some people are still upset, but it’s not likely to cause a massive fundraising campaign since even fewer people have heard of this painting.

And, yesterday, Brian Harrison, chairman of the board of trustees sent this email to the Jefferson community. (They’re apparently called “Jeffersonians.”)

We are very pleased that many people will be able to see this painting in a pubic art museum and will have the opportunity to learn more about the legacy of Thomas Eakins and his connection to Thomas Jefferson University. Crystal Bridges, scheduled to open in 2009, also announced today that it will lend the Rand Portrait to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for public viewing later this spring.

Ew. Who knew this museum was going to be so weird. I don’t know what a pubic art museum is, but I don’t want to know. Full email after the jump.

Dear Jeffersonians,

Later today, our Board of Directors will publicly announce the sale of Thomas Eakins’ Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand (1874) to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. The founders envision the museum as a premier national art institution dedicated to American art and artists.

We are very pleased that many people will be able to see this painting in a pubic art museum and will have the opportunity to learn more about the legacy of Thomas Eakins and his connection to Thomas Jefferson University. Crystal Bridges, scheduled to open in 2009, also announced today that it will lend the Rand Portrait to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for public viewing later this spring.

As many of you know, Professor Rand donated his portrait to the University without restriction upon his retirement from Jefferson Medical College in 1877.

Thank you for your support.

Very truly yours,
Brian G. Harrison
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Thomas Jefferson University

2d painting by Eakins sold [Inquirer]