Eakins masterpiece staying in Philadelphia
The Gross Clinic, the 1875 work by Philadelphia painter Thomas Eakins that was in danger of being sold out of the city, will stay in Philadelphia, Mayor John F. Street said.
The painting's owner, Thomas Jefferson University, had agreed to sell it for $68 million to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark. The school gave Philadelphians until Dec. 26 to come up with a competing bid.
They did: A local group including Aramark CEO Joseph Neubauer, Suburban Cable founder H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and the Pew Charitable Trusts were among the donors to lead the effort, each giving $3 million, the Mayor's Office said. The Annenberg Foundation gave $10 million. In all, there were 2,000 donations from across the country.
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The painting's owner, Thomas Jefferson University, had agreed to sell it for $68 million to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark. The school gave Philadelphians until Dec. 26 to come up with a competing bid.
They did: A local group including Aramark CEO Joseph Neubauer, Suburban Cable founder H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and the Pew Charitable Trusts were among the donors to lead the effort, each giving $3 million, the Mayor's Office said. The Annenberg Foundation gave $10 million. In all, there were 2,000 donations from across the country.