A pencil drawing of tree trunks.
Paper and Light
Oct
15
2024
Jan
19
2025

Artists have explored the interaction of paper and light for centuries. This exhibition of drawings charts some of the innovative ways in which the two media were creatively used together. Works include the Getty Museum’s extraordinary 12-foot-long transparency by Carmontelle—essentially an 18th-century motion picture—which is shown lit from behind as originally intended. Drawings by more contemporary artists including Vija Celmins join sheets by Delacroix, Manet, Seurat, and Tiepolo to portray the themes of translucency and the representation of light.

"Poplars," about 1883-1884, Georges Seurat. Conte crayon, fixed, on laid paper. Getty Museum.

Free with reservation

Getty Center

1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles

TUE-FRI:10am-5:30pm
SAT:10am-8pm
SUN:10am-5:30pm
MON:CLOSED

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