Nineteenth-Century French Drawings from the Cleveland Museum of Art

Drawing transformed radically in 19th-century France, expanding from a means of artistic training to an independent medium with rich potential for exploration and experimentation. A variety of materials became available to artists—such as commercially fabricated chalks, pastels, and specialty papers—encouraging figures ranging from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres to Paul Cezanne to reconsider the place of drawing within their artistic practices. A growing number of public and private exhibition venues began to display their creations, building an audience attracted by the intimacy of drawings and their unique techniques and subjects. 

This exhibition celebrates the Cleveland Museum of Art’s internationally recognized holdings of 19th-century French drawings—a cornerstone of its collection since the institution opened in 1916. The approximately 50 featured artworks explore the history of drawing in 19th-century France and chronicle the remarkable role the medium has played at the CMA.

The exhibition runs from January 20 - June 11, 2023 at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland OH.

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