1. Pastels in American Art

2. Pastel History
1495- Leonardo DaVinci was first artist who was actively known for using pastels.
1880s- Was neglected throughout the Renaissance time period and reappeared in the late 1800s.
1910- Society of Painters in Pastel began in New York

3. European Influence
Americans were traveling overseas and visiting galleries in Europe
Coming back with new knowledge about art and how to use materials
Americans were able to study abroad for the first time
Influenced by the European Academic style of art

4. Examples of work from the French Academy of Art

5. Major difference between oil painting and pastel drawings during the late 1880s
Vibrant Colors
Need for multiple supplies (brushes, oils, cleaner, etc)
Muddled colors
Labor intensive
Long drying time
Vibrant Colors
Spontaneous
On-the-go
Open-air
Quick VS

6. Moving to America… Had 3 major exhibits between 1880-1890
Major critique:
Artists were using them too tightly which is more suitable for oils
Overworking the colors

7. Famous American Pastel Artists
James Whistler
Mary Cassatt
Thomas Dewing
J. Alden Weir
Arthur B. Davies
Kenneth Frazier
Joseph Stella
Arthur Dove
Abraham Walkowitz
Max Weber
Georgia O’Keeffe
Preston Dickinson

8. How did they use pastels?
Detailed drawings which resembled oil painting
Loose sketches that often looked “incomplete” or acted as a study

9. James Whistler

10. James Whistler

11. James Whistler

12. Mary Cassatt

13. Mary Cassatt

14. Arthur Davies

15. Everett Shinn

16. Everett Shinn

17. Georgia O’Keeffe

18. Georgia O’Keeffe

19. What makes a pastel piece unique?
The loose quality
Bright colors
TEXTURE
Use of lines
Smooth blended quality