The Croquet Party at Boulogne-sur-Mer 1871 (French, 1832–1883) Oil on canvas The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Gift of Marion and Henry Bloch, 2015.13.11
The Croquet Party at Boulogne-sur-Mer 1871 (French, 1832–1883) Oil on canvas The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Gift of Marion and Henry Bloch, 2015.13.11
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01
May
2025
|
12:47 PM
America/New_York

Making Good on Super Bowl LIX Bet, Kansas City Sends a “Prize” to Reigning Philadelphia Champions

Press Preview: May 14, 2 p.m.  
Gallery 252

May 1, 2025 – On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) will unveil Édouard Manet’s The Croquet Party (1871) in Gallery 252, on loan from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Making its Philadelphia debut, the work will be prominently displayed in celebration of the Philadelphia Eagles’ spectacular win over the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX. The friendly wager started in 2018 and is now affectionately known as Museum Bowl.

This year, Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made a friendly wager with Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins Museum about the outcome of the game, and both institutions put forth a treasured Manet from their respective collections. Following the Eagles’ victory, The Croquet Party will be given an official PMA welcome this month alongside the Eagles’ cheerleaders and beloved mascot, Swoop.

The Croquet Party depicts a leisurely scene in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where Manet recuperated following the siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War. At a beach club by the sea, Manet captured a croquet match between his friends and family. He returned to Boulogne-sur-Mer throughout his life, creating multiple works depicting the seaside resort and surrounding Normandy coast, several of which are in the PMA collection and will be displayed alongside The Croquet Party.

“We are thrilled to continue the celebration of our champions with a victory of our own,” said Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Julián was a great sport, and we’re delighted to welcome him and his team here to personally deliver Manet’s The Croquet Party to its new (temporary) home.”

“We congratulate Philadelphia on an exciting Super Bowl win and look forward to seeing our treasured Manet in conversation with the incredible collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. “The Croquet Party will be in very good company, and we are delighted to continue our Museum Bowl friendship and rivalry.”

Manet’s The Croquet Party will remain on view until August 17, 2025. 

Media Contact: 
Maggie Fairs, Philadelphia Museum of Art 
E: maggie.fairs@philamuseum.org  
M: (215) 684-7862 

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