Search

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

About arrow_back

Admission for everyone is always free! Check here for current hours and more.

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

Collections arrow_back

The Johnson Museum holds more than 40,000 works in its collection from around the world.

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

Exhibitions arrow_back

Check out what’s on view this season at the Museum and look back through our history.

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

Events arrow_back

Free events for everyone, plus special programs for students, families, and more!

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

Learn arrow_back

The Johnson Museum actively contributes to the intellectual life of our campus and community.

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

Support arrow_back

Help the Johnson Museum continue its legacy by making a gift today.

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

John Kane

(American, born Scotland, 1860–1934)

Leda

View All Works

Object Details

Artist

John Kane

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

Image: 14 1/8 x 17 1/8 inches (35.9 x 43.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Alice K. Netter in memory of William and Francis Netter

Object
Number

74.092

With little formal education, Kane worked as a laborer for most of his life and knew hard times. Ear(…)

With little formal education, Kane worked as a laborer for most of his life and knew hard times. Earnest effort—whether paving a street or painting a landscape—mattered most to John Kane, who equated the value of such endeavors. He remarked in his autobiography:. . . a painting has a right to be as exact as a joist or a mold or any other part of building construction. I think the artist owes it to the people to make his painting as right and sound as he can make it.Kane’s breakthrough as an artist came in 1927, when a jury selected his work for the Carnegie Institute’s annual International Exhibition of Paintings. Prestigious showings in New York, London, and elsewhere soon followed. (“The Best Way to Prepare Bananas: Fruits of the Soul from the Permanent Collection,” curated by Matt Conway and presented at the Johnson Museum June 24-August 13, 2017)

Discover More

Howling Wolf

Rev. Howard Finster

Red Rose in a Tumbler

Martin Johnson Heade

Bridge at Cagnes

Arthur Garfield Dove

Create an account

Please take a moment to fill your information to create your account.

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Save Artwork

Save the artwork in any of your exhibitions or create a new one.

You have not made any exhibitions.

Create New Exhibition

Create New Exhibition