March 01, 2008

Works on Paper 2008

I'm dating myself when I tell you I can't believe Works on Paper is celebrating its 20th Anniversary already! I remember when it started off and they were giving away tickets to the opening night. Now, the preview is a fancy benefit and tickets are expensive and hard to come by. The reason is simple, it's a very accessible show with something for every taste and budget.

As the name implies, Works on Paper is devoted to art created on paper - prints, drawings, photographs, posters and watercolors - from Old Masters through Contemporary art. This year's 78 exhibitors come from the United States, Britain, France, Holland, Spain, Germany and Belgium and the variety of works exhibited is extensive. As with many art fairs in recent years, the emphasis is more modern and contemporary than traditional, but devotées of the 19th Century and before will not be disappointed.

Of particular interest is a lovely tempera on vellum painting by the 18th Century Peruvian artist Juan Francisco Rosa. "Vista de la Ciudad de Lima desde el Raimat, con la Virgen del Rosario, y San Miguel Arcángel rodeados de Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo y Santa Rosa de Lima" is on the stand of José de la Mano/Galeria de Arte, Madrid. Also very charming is a small watercolor study by Jules Cheret (of Folies Bergères poster fame) hanging at Galerie André Candillier, Paris, and a group of original watercolors by the British illustrator of children's books, Arthur Rackham, on the stand of Chris Beetles Gallery, London.

Kudos to Sanford Smith and his team for creating and developing this fair from an idea to an annual highlight in the art world calendar! Works on Paper '08 runs until 5 o'clock Monday afternoon.

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