The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and Disney

'Great things are done by a series of small things brought together' 

  

Vincent Van Gogh

I spent 4 hours wandering around The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and what a sight to see. If you haven't taken the time to see it, I'm giving you the best advice when I say take a few hours and see what you find. 90% of the museum is free ; you can donate if you choose too. They have special exhibits that stick around for a few months and some of those do require admission but not every one. 

Original artwork, like Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, are found in the museum. Artwork from a time you and I will never see, a blast from the past. There are over 35,000 collections of art and time flies when you are exploring history. 

You know what kept coming to my mind while I was wondering around? Disney. I saw Disney channel originals movies in the art. Strange, right? You can help decide if I am wrong! 

Starting with a classic, that was just remade - The Lion King! This lion existed around 325 B.C. The artist had never seen a real lion before and strangely enough, I wouldn't say he's too far off. The only thing missing is Simba's tail.  

  

I found Lumière, you know from Beauty and the Beast! He's just a bit fancier in this museum, being called a Candelabra. This candelabra holds 5 candles, while our Lumière only holds 3. These beauties were made around 1900!

'We're painting the roses red, we're painting the roses red!' I got a huge Queen of Hearts vibe from Alice in Wonderland! The evil queen, in human form. This drawing was completed in 1834 by Honore Daumier. His images included France's social classes, but in a critical way. I guess you could say he was harsh like the Queen? 

 

'I know you! I walked with you once upon a dream!' Now if you know this song, you have found my favorite Disney movie! Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, what's not to love about a prince rescuing his princess?! Claude Monet's 'Water Lilies' reminded me of the peaceful dance Aurora and Phillip shared in the forest, the first time they met. This one might be a little harder for others to image, since there are no lilies shown in the water. I find a sense of beauty, happiness and tranquility. 

'Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting' - the boy who refused to grow up, Peter Pan. This movie takes place in England with a picture of history, Big Ben, the clock tower! Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (now that's a tongue twister) is the designer of this clock around 1851. He was hired to see the furnishing of the Houses of Parliament, where this clocks original home was. Neat, right?

 

'Hephaestus has been captured, my lord. Everyone's been captured! I've been captured! Whoa. Hey watch the glasses' are the famous words from Hermes while being captured by Pain and Panic. Sadly the Hermes I found didn't have winged shoes or hat. I bet it's because this Hermes from Rome, Italy around 50-100 C.E. Our Hermes is Greek! He is believed to be a follower of the god of wine, and I'm not saying he's wrong. 

 

Do you see any of the resemblances or was my brain just telling me to go watch a Disney movie? Who am I kidding, I'll probably go watch one now! While I'm starting my movie, you'll be planning your journey to the Nelson's, right? 

Until Next Time

-Ky