Paper Dreams: Alfred Maurer and American Masterpieces
October 15, 2022 - January 22, 2023
Louise and S. O. Beren Gallery
John W. and Mildred L. Graves Gallery
About This Exhibition
Alfred Maurer: Works on Paper from the Weisman Art Museum Collection
American Masterpieces on Paper from the Wichita Art Museum Collection
Fall brings Paper Dreams: Alfred Maurer and American Masterpieces to the Wichita Art Museum with two beautifully paired exhibitions. Alfred Maurer: American Modern Works on Paper from the Weisman Art Museum Collection and Essence of Line: American Modern Works on Paper from the Wichita Art Museum Collection combine the riches of two nationally prominent American art collections—Minneapolis and Wichita.
Beginning in the early 20th century, American artists turned away from centuries-old subjects and styles, yearning to reflect their own time and unique experiences in a rapidly changing world. Renegades who championed self-expression, they ignored the rules and crafted their own freshly original art. Those modern masters expressed themselves with greatest immediacy in works on paper, including drawings, pastels, watercolors, and prints.
One gallery will feature work by Alfred Maurer (1868–1932), all from the collection of the Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota. From the artist’s early success with academic classicism to daring Matisse-inspired fauvism to languid modernist muses, the exhibition presents the artistic development of one of America’s leading avant-garde artists in the early 20th century.
In the neighboring gallery, American modernist gems from the Wichita Art Museum will be proudly displayed. This world-class grouping includes incredible moderns such as Charles Burchfield, Charles Demuth, Arthur Dove, Edward Hopper, John Marin, Maurice Prendergast, Charles Sheeler, Everett Shinn, and many more.
The combination of exhibitions will be a rare treat for Wichita and Kansas audiences—works on paper are particularly sensitive to light damage and restrictions limit the time these artworks can be displayed.
TOP: John Marin, Sunset, Casco Bay (detail), 1919. Watercolor and charcoal on paper, 16 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches. Wichita Art Museum, Roland P. Murdock Collection, Gift of Georgia O’Keeffe
Edward Hopper, Adam’s House, 1928. Watercolor and charcoal on paper, 16 x 25 inches. Wichita Art Museum, Roland P. Murdock Collection
Our Generous Sponsors
Alfred Maurer, Still Life, about 1908. Tempera on cardboard, 21 1/2 x 17 7/8 inches. Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Gift of Ione and Hudson D. Walker
THANK YOU to all of the exhibition sponsors making this exhibition possible.
Paper Dreams: Alfred Maurer and American Masterpieces is organized by the Wichita Art Museum.
The exhibition has been underwritten by presenting sponsor Koch Family Foundation.
Shaw Family Foundation provided additional major underwriting.
Generous support has also been provided by Ann and Martin Bauer, Louise Beren†, Sue and Fred Berry, Emily Bonavia, DeVore Foundation, Helen and Ed Healy, Sondra Langel, and Georgia and Keith Stevens.
2022 exhibitions and public programs are generously supported by the Downing Foundation.
All museum exhibitions receive generous sponsorship from the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum and the City of Wichita.