Fayetteville State University Rosenthal Art Gallery presents: Dürer to Picasso

Fayetteville, NC (September 12, 2023) – The Rosenthal Gallery is hosting thirty-six prints in Dürer to Picasso Exhibit from the collection at the Ackland Art Museum, UNC at Chapel Hill, and represent the creations of some of the most recognized European artists active from the late fifteenth to the early twentieth century. Original works by Albrecht Dürer, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco de Goya, William Blake, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Käthe Kollwitz, Salvador Dali, and Vincent van Gogh, among others, demonstrate the expressive power, aesthetic beauty, and compelling content made possible through printmaking. The works represent the art historical movements under which they were made, such as the Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionism, and Surrealism, and individually are remarkable works of art. Each offers an impressive example of how using black ink combined with various printmaking techniques can create a wealth of creative possibilities.

Printmaking, producing an exactly repeatable image using ink on a woodblock, metal plate, or stone slab, allows artists to create hundreds, if not thousands, of impressions of the same composition. Developed in Europe around 1400, prints encouraged the broad dissemination of knowledge, spread an artist’s expressive vision, and documented works in other media like painting and sculpture for the general public. In the centuries before photography, prints became some of the most effective conveyors of contemporary ideas, knowledge, and art.

“This is an exciting time to showcase a remarkable and rare exhibition currently gracing the walls of the Rosenthal Gallery of Fayetteville State University: ‘Dürer to Picasso.’ The exhibition showcases the artistic genius of some of Europe’s most iconic artists from the late fifteenth to the early twentieth century,” said Dwight Smith, Professor and Director of the Rosenthal Gallery.

“We are immensely grateful to the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for organizing this extraordinary exhibition. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Dana Cowen, Sheldon Peck Curator for European and American Art before 1950, for curating this exceptional showcase,” said Professor Smith. This collaboration underscores the importance of fostering cultural exchange and enriching the artistic experiences at Fayetteville State University.

We invite students and the community to attend the reception on Tuesday, September 12, from 5 – 7 pm following the lecture for students from 2 - 3:30 pm. Additionally, a community lecture is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, from 1 - 2:30 pm.

The gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. All events are free and open to the public.

Rosenthal Gallery, Rosenthal Building, 1200 Murchison Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28301