Artists working to save the Gross Clinic

Stephen Salisbury in the Inky reports today:

"Local artists plan to gather today from 11 a.m. to noon at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps to sell buttons and pass out information in an effort to keep Thomas Eakins' painting The Gross Clinic in Philadelphia.

Thomas Jefferson University announced the sale of the Eakins masterpiece Nov. 10 to a partnership of out-of-town museums. Proceeds of the $68 million sale will go toward fulfilling the university's strategic plan.

The university gave local institutions until Dec. 26 to match the price and keep the painting in the city.

The artists will sell blue "Keep 'Gross' in Philadelphia" buttons for $2."