Nineteenth-Century French Drawings: The Cleveland Museum of Art

Nineteenth-Century French Drawings at the Cleveland Museum of Art explores the history of this medium, featuring works by iconic artists and essays by leading scholars. It highlights the expansion of drawing from a training tool to an independent medium, with new materials and venues encouraging experimentation and building an audience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: D Giles Ltd

Nineteenth-Century French Drawings delves into the rich history of this artistic medium, tracing its remarkable journey over the past decades at the esteemed Cleveland Museum of Art. The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of works by renowned artists such as Honoré Daumier, Berthe Morisot, and Auguste Renoir, alongside a captivating luminous colored pencil study by symbolist artist Alexandre Séon. Additionally, it features a series of "noir" drawings, named for their use of various black drawing media, created by artists like Henri Fantin-Latour, Albert-Charles Lebourg, and Adolphe Appian, among others. The entries provide insight into the role of drawing within the creations of 41 artists, complemented by five essays by esteemed scholars that shed new light on the making and collecting of drawings in France during this extraordinary period.

In 19th-century France, drawing underwent a transformative shift, evolving from a mere tool for artistic training to a vibrant and independent medium brimming with endless possibilities for experimentation. Artists were introduced to a multitude of new materials, prompting figures like Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Paul Cezanne to reevaluate the significance of drawings in their artistic practices. As public and private exhibition venues became more accessible, drawings gained a wider audience, enchanted by their intimate nature, unique techniques, and diverse subjects. The exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art serves as a testament to the profound impact of drawing on the artistic landscape of 19th-century France, showcasing the remarkable contributions of these artists and scholars.

Weight: 1418g
Dimension: 251 x 291 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913875008