Drawing is one of the most ancient of artistic expressions. Indeed, its origins lie in distant prehistory.
Down through the centuries, it has been an essential exercise for artists and has served as the initial ground of paintings, sculptures, and artworks in general, but it has also acquired autonomy, becoming an expressive medium in its own right.
The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico’s collection of drawings consists of 56 works from the 1930s to the present day. It includes studies, preparatory sketches, and finished works conceived in this medium.
Among the artists represented are masters of the stature of Miguel Pou, Olga Albizu, Myrna Báez, Antonio Martorell, Carmelo Sobrino, Marta Pérez García, and Enoc Pérez.
As one of the events celebrating our twenty-fifth anniversary, we are sharing this important collection of drawings in its entirety for the first time—a treasured part of the artistic legacy of the MAPR and all its visitors. This didactic and historical exhibition presents the development of this often-undervalued technique down through the twentieth century.
This necessary exhibition also helps promote the drawing classes offered by the museum’s Centro de Innovación Educativa (CIE) and forms part of its Boceteo en sala (Sketching in the Galleries) program. Easels are available for visitors who wish to make drawings based on objects located in the galleries or works on display. Join in! We hope you enjoy this experience.
Juan Carlos López Quintero
Curator, MAPR