The Sixth Square

With the pending sale of Thomas Eakins'  "The Gross Clinic," WHYY seizes the moment to launch a new blog, the smartly named Sixth Square.

It's part of a full-press the public station is mounting to bring attention to Thomas Jefferson University's $68 million deal to sell the painting to the National Gallery and Wal-Mart heirs who are building a museum in Arkansas. Philadelphia has 45 days to meet the price.

The Sixth Sense writes:

From the moment of its conception in 1875, this 8 by 7 foot canvas was meant to be a great and defining work for Philadelphia—and for the nation.  The artist knew it when he wrote that "it was far better than anything I have ever done." A critic knew it when he declared: "This portrait of Dr. Gross is a great work—we know of nothing greater that has ever been executed in America." After exhibition at three World's Fairs: Philadelphia in 1876; Chicago in 1893; and Saint Louis in 1904, The Gross Clinic has resided at Jefferson Medical College (now Thomas Jefferson University).  On occasion it was lent, but until 2006 outright sale was simply out of the question.

Now that is the question.  After 130 years, the University has negotiated a sale for this "Holy Grail of American Painting." And as the question looms, it poses a watershed moment for America's most historic and artistic city.  The challenge to Philadelphians' hearts and minds goes directly to its spirit and identity—its sense of purpose and place.  But most of all, it is a challenge to Philadelphia's ability to secure $68 million in days that numbered 45 when the deal was first announced.

Very nice. The grump in me asks, Is Philadelphia really the country's most historic and artistic city?

The grump is wrong - the country was formally founded in Philadelphia.  New York, Boston, Richmond and Savanah can pound sand.  No one can top that and I think it annoys New York and Boston a little bit (both wonderful cities).  Artistically New York wins in a slam dunk - The Met, Broadway, Soho, the Beacon,the Guggenheim, they just have so much of everything.  Philadelphia is a wonderfully artistic town from Eakins to Calder to the Barnes Museum and is certainly in the top three or four.    This painting should stay in Philadelphia but not at Thomas Jefferson - they don't deserve it anymore!  

This smacks me as oddly reminiscent of the "Sixth Borough."

And the "Sixth Sense."

I see dead people.