Pam and Bill Royall, who were instrumental in bringing “Rumors of War” to Richmond, spoke with Kehinde Wiley after the unveiling.
Kehinde Wiley’s monumental sculpture, “Rumors of War,” was acquired by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for $2 million.
Calling it “the most expensive acquisition of a sculpture ever made in our history,” the museum did not originally disclose the figure. The purchase price was made public in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Richmond Times-Dispatch and other media publications. The amount was first reported by The Virginia Mercury.
To offer a little perspective, “Chloe,” a 24-foot-tall sculptural head by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, was acquired in 2017 for $1.2 million.
Dale Chihuly’s Red Reeds, installed in the reflecting pool outside the museum, were purchased in 2013 for $1.7 million.
The most expensive acquisition the museum ever made was $13 million in 2018 for Frederic Church’s 1857 painting, “View of the Magdalena River.”
The VMFA board approved the acquisition of “Rumors of War” in late June.
Richmonder Bill Royall led the charge, calling on the VMFA board of trustees to make a statement for generational change. Royall is a patron of the arts and the founder of Royall & Co. He and his wife, Pam, own several paintings by Wiley and have developed a relationship with the artist.
Bill is suffering from ALS, a neurodegenerative disease, but that didn’t stop him from attending the VMFA board meeting and leading the charge.
He told his fellow board members that it was a historic moment, that Richmond was the right place, at the right time, and it was the right message.
“We wanted to make sure that our family was associated with this statement because of what it meant for the future of Richmond,” Pam Royall said.
The board unanimously approved the acquisition. Pam estimated that the board itself raised half a million dollars among themselves for the acquisition.
All acquisitions at the VMFA are funded by an endowment of private donations, not state money.
Cast in bronze, “Rumors of War” is an edition of three, meaning there are two other versions of the statue. It has not yet been decided where the other two, created on the same scale, will go.
Nine editions of a smaller version also have been created by the artist. They are available for sale through New York’s Sean Kelly Gallery for an undisclosed price.
Pam and Bill attended the unveiling ceremony for “Rumors of War” in Richmond on Dec. 10, along with thousands of others eager to catch a first look at the statue. Bill, who now uses a wheelchair, had an oxygen tank at the event.
They sat up front and enthusiastically greeted Wiley after the unveiling.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Pam said. “It’s a statement of who we are today and what we hope for our future.”
— HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES —
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE01
John Lukhard with Richmond Rescue Co. 2 works to remove the final part of covering that became stuck on Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” during the unveiling ceremony at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Lukhard said “everyday is a little different” and credited fellow company members in the effort as they were holding the ladder. The tarp became wet after rain midday.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE02
“Rumors of War,” with its dramatic horse pose, is artist Kehinde Wiley’s response to the J.E.B. Stuart monument.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE03
Armando Munoz, a stage hand for the unveiling ceremony, works to lift the cloth off Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” after it became stuck on two of the figure’s hair locks at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE04
Kehinde Wiley was all smiles after the unveiling of his statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Dec. 10.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE05
Kehinde Wiley, right, talks with Pam and Bill Royall after the unveiling ceremony for his statue “Rumors of War” at VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019. The Royalls were instrumental in bringing the sculputre to Richmond.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE06
Armando Munoz, a stage hand for the unveiling ceremony, climbs up the ladder to lift the cloth off Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” after it became stuck on two of the figure’s hair locks at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE07
The cloth covering Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” became caught on the figure’s hair locks when it was unveiled at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE08
Crowds wait for the final piece of cloth to be removed from Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” during the unveiling ceremony at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE10
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax speaks with Freddie Mae Wiley, mother of Kehinde Wiley. Kehinde’s statue “Rumors of War” was unveiled at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE11
Kehinde Wiley walks on stage to speak during the unveiling ceremony for his statue “Rumors of War” at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Mayor Levar Stoney and Gov. Ralph Northam spoke before him and are on right.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE12
(L-R) VMFA Director and CEO Alex Nyerges, Gov. Ralph Northam and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax watch as Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” is unveiled at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE13
Kehinde Wiley speaks before his statue “Rumors of War” is unveiled at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE14
People take images during the unveiling ceremony for Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_AWE15
People take images during the unveiling ceremony for Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the VMFA Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
After a delay caused by the tarp getting stuck, the Kehinde Wiley statue “Rumors of War” was unveiled in a ceremony at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
Gov. Ralph Northam speaks before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of War
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
Rumors of war
A crowd gathers before the unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s statue “Rumors of War” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
20191211_MET_WILEY_DH01
A crowd gathers at the VMFA for the official unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s Rumors of War on Dec. 10, 2019
20191211_MET_WILEY_DH02
Illuminated and finally uncovered at the VMFA, after the official unveiling is Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumors of War” on Dec. 10, 2019