Elena Rossi
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded and funded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, is home to one of the world's most expensive paintings by a woman. In 2014, the museum acquired Georgia O'Keeffe's 1932 painting Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 for $44.4 million (approximately $59 million in 2024). The museum boasts an impressive collection of American art from the Colonial era to the present day, with works by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent. With its combination of art, architecture, and natural surroundings, Crystal Bridges offers a unique and inspiring experience for its visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Georgia O'Keeffe |
| Painting Title | Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 |
| Year of Painting | 1932 |
| Date of Purchase | November 20, 2014 |
| Auction House | Sotheby's |
| Buyer | Alice B. Walton |
| Purchase Price | $44.4 million |
| Size | 48" by 40" |
| Museum | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art |
| Museum Location | Bentonville, Arkansas |
| Museum Founder and Funder | Alice B. Walton |
| Museum Employees | Approximately 300 |
| Museum Assets | $488 million as of August 2008 |
| Museum Endowment | Over $200 million |
| Museum Admission | Free general admission |
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What You'll Learn
Georgia O'Keeffe's $44.4 million Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1
The most expensive painting at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is Georgia O'Keeffe's Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1, which was purchased for $44.4 million in 2014. This painting, created in 1932, is a portrait of a flower and measures 48" by 40". It is considered one of the most expensive works of American Art and set a record for the highest price paid for a painting by a woman. The seller of the painting was the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and the proceeds were used to fund the museum's acquisitions.
The Crystal Bridges Museum, founded and funded by Walmart heiress Alice B. Walton, is known for its impressive collection of American art, ranging from the Colonial era to contemporary times. Walton has been instrumental in acquiring several notable works for the museum, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent. The museum also features works by renowned artists such as Charles Willson Peale, George Bellows, Norman Rockwell, and Jackson Pollock.
In addition to its permanent collection, Crystal Bridges offers a range of exhibitions, educational programs, and immersive experiences. The museum has a gathering space that can accommodate up to 300 people and outdoor areas for concerts and public events. It is located within walking distance of downtown Bentonville and is surrounded by 134 acres of Ozark forest, providing a unique setting for art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
The Crystal Bridges Museum has amassed a significant endowment, with over $488 million in assets as of 2008. This amount is expected to continue growing as more pieces are added to the museum's collection. The museum's impact extends beyond its physical location, as it collaborates with other institutions to develop themed exhibitions that travel to different parts of the country.
The acquisition of Georgia O'Keeffe's Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 not only added a remarkable work to the museum's collection but also showcaseed the scope of the artist's career. The painting was exhibited alongside two of O'Keeffe's other works, Small Purple Hills (1934) and Feather and Brown Leaf (1935), as well as a rare sculpture by the artist titled Abstraction.
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Thomas Eakins' $20 million Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, is home to one of the world's most expensive paintings by a woman. The museum, founded and funded by Walmart heiress Alice B. Walton, acquired Georgia O'Keeffe's Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 for US$44.4 million (equivalent to US$59 million in 2024) at a Sotheby's auction in November 2014. This purchase set a record for the highest price paid for a painting by a female artist.
While O'Keeffe's painting holds the distinction of being one of the most expensive paintings at Crystal Bridges, it is worth noting that the museum has amassed a significant collection of valuable artworks. In April 2007, the museum acquired Thomas Eakins' Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand for an estimated $20 million. This acquisition adds to the museum's impressive collection of American art, which spans from the Colonial era to contemporary times.
Thomas Eakins was a renowned American artist known for his realistic and intimate portraits, and his work is often considered a significant contribution to American art. Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand is a fine example of Eakins' talent and style. The painting depicts Benjamin H. Rand, a prominent ophthalmologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where Eakins also taught. The two men were friends, and Eakins' skill in capturing the professor's likeness and character is evident in the final work.
The $20 million price tag of Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand reflects the painting's artistic merit and historical significance. Eakins' works are highly regarded, and this particular piece showcases his ability to capture the essence of his subject. The portrait is a testament to Eakins' mastery of light, shadow, and form, as well as his keen eye for detail. The painting's value also lies in its connection to American academic and medical history, as it immortalizes a respected figure in the field of ophthalmology.
The Crystal Bridges Museum's acquisition of Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand for $20 million highlights the importance placed on Thomas Eakins' artistic legacy. The painting joins other notable works in the museum's collection, including pieces by Charles Willson Peale, George Bellows, Norman Rockwell, and Jackson Pollock. With its focus on American art and culture, Crystal Bridges provides a platform for visitors to appreciate the diverse artistic talents that have shaped the country's artistic landscape.
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Asher B. Durand's $35 million Kindred Spirits
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, is home to Asher B. Durand's Kindred Spirits, a painting that was sold for over $35 million in a sealed auction in 2005. This work is a landscape painting that combines geographical features in Kaaterskill Clove and a minuscule depiction of Kaaterskill Falls. It is not a literal depiction of American geography, but rather an idealized memory of the painter Thomas Cole's discovery of the region more than twenty years earlier, his friendship with the poet William Cullen Bryant, and his ideas about American nature.
Kindred Spirits was commissioned by New York art collector and advocate Jonathan Sturges as a gift to Bryant, who had presented a eulogy for Cole in May 1848 after his unexpected death earlier that year. The painting is a visual record of the relationship between the art and literary circles of the early nineteenth century and their shared beliefs about the American landscape and Nature. It is also a tribute by Durand to his friend and colleague, Thomas Cole, and a testament to his own mastery of the landscape genre and his skill in painting portraits and figures.
The acquisition of Kindred Spirits by Crystal Bridges caused some controversy, as it was sold by the New York Public Library, which was criticised for "jettisoning part of the city's cultural patrimony". The Library defended its move by stating that it needed the money for its endowment fund. The painting was on display at the National Gallery of Art between 2005 and 2007 and has since become a centerpiece of the permanent collection at Crystal Bridges.
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art was opened in 2005 and features a gathering space for up to 300 people, outdoor areas for concerts and events, and nature trails. The museum's permanent collection includes notable works by American artists, including Charles Willson Peale, George Bellows, Thomas Eakins, and Norman Rockwell, among others. The museum has amassed $488 million in assets as of August 2008, with over $317 million donated by Alice Walton, who was named the richest woman in the United States by Forbes in 2023.
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Walton's $66.5 billion assets
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art features notable works by renowned artists such as Charles Willson Peale, George Bellows, and Norman Rockwell. In 2005, the museum purchased Asher B. Durand's landscape Kindred Spirits for over $35 million. The museum also attempted to purchase Thomas Eakins' The Gross Clinic for $68 million but was outbid. As of August 2008, the museum's assets totalled $488 million, with significant contributions from Alice Walton, who was named the richest woman in the United States by Forbes in 2023, with assets worth $66.5 billion.
The Walton family, including Alice Walton, derived their wealth primarily from Walmart, the world's largest retailer and private employer. As of December 2024, the family collectively owned just under 50% of Walmart, with their net worth estimated at $432.4 billion. They have also sold portions of their Walmart stock, offloading $1.5 billion worth of shares in 2018 and an additional $1.5 billion in 2024. The family has also demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy, with the Walton Family Foundation focusing on educational initiatives and environmental issues.
Alice Walton's substantial investments in the Crystal Bridges Museum have significantly enhanced its collection. Walton's contributions to the museum total over $317 million, reflecting her dedication to acquiring notable artworks. The museum's assets and endowment have grown considerably due to her patronage, allowing it to acquire valuable pieces and establish itself as a prominent art institution in the United States.
The Crystal Bridges Museum's collaboration with other institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art, and its focus on expanding its collection, have contributed to its growing assets. The museum's satellite facility, The Momentary, opened in 2020, further showcasing its development. The combination of Walton's substantial financial backing and the museum's strategic initiatives has positioned Crystal Bridges as a significant cultural destination.
In conclusion, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's assets have been significantly influenced by Alice Walton's $66.5 billion fortune. Her contributions have elevated the museum's stature, enabling it to acquire renowned artworks and expand its cultural offerings. The museum's collaboration with other institutions and its focus on growth have further enhanced its position as a prominent art institution in the United States.
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Walton's $317 million donation to the museum's $488 million total cost
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, was founded by Alice Walton, the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Walton has donated over $317 million to the museum, which has amassed $488 million in assets as of August 2008. This amount will increase as more pieces are added to the museum's collection.
The museum, which opened on November 11, 2011, offers free public admission and features a glass-and-wood design by architect Moshe Safdie and engineer Buro Happold. The design includes a series of pavilions nestled around two creek-fed ponds and forest trails. The museum's permanent collection features American art from the Colonial era to the contemporary period, with all featured artists being United States citizens. Notable works include a Charles Willson Peale portrait of George Washington, paintings by George Bellows, Jasper Cropsey, and Norman Rockwell, as well as Richard Caton Woodville's "War News from Mexico" and Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait's "The Life of a Hunter: A Tight Fix."
In addition to her significant contribution to the Crystal Bridges Museum, Walton has also demonstrated her commitment to supporting art institutions and accessibility through her foundation, Art Bridges. In 2023, Walton's foundation provided $40 million in grants to 64 museums across the United States as part of the "Access for All" initiative. This initiative aimed to address the impact of the pandemic on museums and promote mental health and stability for the general public.
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Frequently asked questions
The most expensive painting at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is Georgia O'Keeffe's 1932 painting 'Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1', which was bought for US$44.4 million in 2014.
The museum was founded and funded by Walmart heiress Alice B. Walton, who has also been responsible for setting records in the American Art field by purchasing some of the greatest works in that category.
The museum features works by Chuck Close, Jasper Johns, Alfred Maurer, Jackson Pollock, Tom Wesselmann, Andrew Wyeth, Walton Ford, and many others. The museum's permanent collection features American art from the Colonial era to the contemporary period, with expansive galleries, breathtaking architecture, and 134 acres of Ozark forest.
