A Visit to See Nelson-Atkins’ ‘Survival of the Fittest’ Wildlife Paintings

A Visit to See Nelson-Atkins' 'Survival of the Fittest' Wildlife Paintings

If you pass a nearly 20-foot tall badminton shuttlecock on a drive in Kansas City, you know you've passed the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The museum is definitely one of KC area's highlights, and my dad often likens it to a smaller version of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art – a high compliment from a New York City native. Home to many diverse galleries, you can spend hours in Nelson-Atkins. Its collections span centuries and encompass countless art forms, from sketches and paintings to sculptures and stained glass.

My family recently made a trip out to Nelson-Atkins to see a temporary exhibit titled "Survival of the Fittest: Picturing Wildlife and Wilderness," which is on display until August 24, 2025. "Survival of the Fittest" is Nelson-Atkins' first wildlife exhibit and features paintings by four different artists, each expertly displayed. I expected the exhibit to be relatively small, but you could spend a couple hours there to truly take in the details in every painting. Below are photos of some of my family's favorite paintings, and hopefully it will inspire you to visit such a beautiful exhibit and museum. 

"Greylag Geese at Sunset," 1921, Bruno Lilgefors.

A plaque example from "Survival of the Fittest." Each painting is accompanied by one.

"Fighting Moose," 1896, Richard Friese. This might be my favorite painting from "Survival of the Fittest." I love the way the rest of the herd watching the fight is painted, like they're shadows in the background.

Photo: Moose in Winter Survival of the Fittest

"Moose in Winter," 1895, Richard Friese

"Deer in a Forest Glade," 1912, Richard Friese

"Tiger with Blackbuck," 1889, Richard Friese. This is another one of my favorites.

A magnified part of Richard Friese's "Tiger with Blackbuck." The detail in the tiger's fur and the blackbuck's horns is phenomenal.

"Wanderers Above Timberline," about 1930, Carl Rungius

"Guinea Fowl," about 1905, Wilhelm Kuhnert. These are the more decorative relatives of the domesticated guinea fowl we see on farms.

A close up of "Cape Buffalo and Cattle Egrets," 1921, Wilhelm Kuhnert.

I often struggle to understand the meaning behind art, and I don't think I'm alone in that. However, I can look at a piece of art like Wilhelm Kuhnert's "Guinea Fowl" and compare it to the guinea fowl that I hatched and cared for as a poultry owner, or admire Richard Friese's many moose paintings and remember the moose I once saw on a road trip. Everyone has experiences with nature and can appreciate this art in a unique way. Perhaps someone might even be inspired to get out in nature and try to see the animals featured in these paintings. That is why "Survival of the Fittest" embodies the ideal exhibit, permanent or temporary, in so many ways. It can be both universal and unique, and is a true gem in the museum world.

Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art at its website, and the "Survival of the Fittest" exhibit. To see current, upcoming and past exhibitions, visit Nelson-Atkins' exhibition page.

Source: A Visit to See Nelson-Atkins' 'Survival of the Fittest' Wildlife Paintings