From his participation in the Parisian avant-garde of
the 1890s to the large mural decorations he created in the first decades of the twentieth century, Édouard Vuillard (1868–1940) played an important role in French modern art. Although better known for his paintings, Vuillard drew extensively throughout his life, largely in the pages of sketchbooks, which he kept in the privacy of his studio. Most of these sketches were made from direct observation and served as the basis for paintings.
After his death, Vuillard’s sketchbooks were often taken apart. Through the generous gift of Mary Jo and Sheldon Weinig, the Morgan recently acquired fifteen of his drawings, which are the subject of this exhibition. Covering the artist’s entire career, they range from quick sketches to more elaborate studies. As a whole, they give a tantalizing overview of Vuillard’s drawing practice. The exhibition also features the gift of Jill Newhouse of a pastel study for one of Vuillard’s last decorative commissions: a painting adorning the Palais de Chaillot theater in Paris.