Print Exhibition: Along the Lines of Impressionism

23 January–9 March 1986

Impressionist artists were concerned with capturing the ephemeral effects of natural light on objects; they sought to catch the “impression” of the moment. All Impressionists used drawings in some way, despite their espousal of painting outdoors, “en plein air.” Some artists sketched as an exercise, or as a means to study the details of figures, landscapes, or compositions. While these sketches were not necessarily preparatory drawings, they often served as inspiration. Other artists prepared drawings solely for the purpose of developing and refining specific aspects of a particular project, and still others completed highly finished drawings as art objects for their own sake. This exhibition included drawings by Camille Pissarro, Auguste Rodin, Pierre Auguste Renoir, and Paul Signac. 

Curator: Laura Satersmoen, graduate gallery assistant (text edited from her text) 

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