Town of Kansas

Town of Kansas
Inventory
Collection Number: 
17119
Building: 
Current Location: 
Conference Room 310
Floor: 
3rd
Object Description
Artist Dates: 
1963 - Present
Artist Nationality: 
American
Object Type: 
Details: 
A large scale painting (mural on canvas) of the town of Kansas signed and dated in the lower right hand corner.
Framed: 
Yes
Length: 
125 inches
Width: 
3 inches
Height: 
65 inches
Description: 

The large scale painting is an oil on canvas depicting the town of Kansas (Kansas City before it became a city). The painting shows many of the key elements that define fifty years or more of Kansas City history and development. The artist, Anthony Benton Gude writes that "depicted in the foreground are representations of saloon life, traders, frontiersman, a Mexican (signifying the Sante Fe trade), Native Americans, and a woman preparing a meal."( -from the artist website) In the middle ground, a lone cowboy, a mule carrying a load, construction of a railroad track, and a long-horn cattle drive are present. The background highlights the man-made bluffs, lush riverbed trees, a river, and rolling hills. A steamboat chugs up the current and the billowing clouds echo the shape of the hand excavated bluffs. A wonderful scene of the early elements that made the town successful, lively, and perhaps legendary.

Reproduce the Work in Library publications/publicity, including film or videotape: 
Yes
Make slides or videotapes for educational use: 
Yes
Permit the general public to photograph the work : 
Yes