Traditionally, professions were passed down in families in much the same way as certain traits, abilities, and resources. This exhibition tells the stories of eighteen artistic families active in France, Italy, England, Scotland, and India from the late-seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. In some cases, there is a striking visual resemblance between the artworks produced by members of the same family, while in others, the styles of individual artists within a family are highly distinctive. Family relationships also overlap with the roles of teacher and pupil, business partner, and rival.
From highly refined French engravings intended to glorify King Louis XIV and archaeological views of Rome designed for tourists and architects to evocative landscapes of Britain and India, the works in this exhibition chart two and a half centuries of social and artistic change in Europe and beyond. The invention of new printmaking techniques that mimicked the tonal effects of drawings broadened the appeal of prints during this period, and they were enthusiastically collected by a growing middle class. More women entered the profession, too, and more artists traveled internationally in search of inspiration and new markets.
Amidst these significant cultural shifts, the family nonetheless remained a persistent locus of artistic production due to inherited aptitudes as well as close personal and economic connections. Drawing from the Blanton’s collection of European art, A Family Affair presents prints, drawings, and paintings created by some of the continent’s most fascinating artistic families, revealing patterns of inspiration, competition, and evolving family fortunes.
Learn more about the first part of this presentation, A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part I, 1500–1700), on the exhibition page.
Curated by Holly Borham, Curator of Prints, Drawings and European Art, and Sarah Bane, Assistant Curator, Prints & Drawings, Blanton Museum of Art.
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Related Programs
Thursday, Aug 14
Thursday
|
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Public Tour – A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe
Enjoy a gallery teacher-led tour of our Paper Vault show. Included with admission.
Drawing from the Blanton’s collection of historical European art, A Family Affair presents prints, drawings, and paintings created by some of the continent’s most fascinating artistic families, revealing patterns of inspiration, rivalry, and changing family fortunes. Through close looking and conversation, we will make meaningful connections to the works of art on display in our latest Paper Vault Exhibition. Learn more about A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part II, 1670–1900) on the dedicated web page.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour. Our tours can accommodate a maximum of 25 people on a first come, first serve basis. Please check-in with our Visitor Services Desk to secure your place.
Saturday, Aug 23
Saturday
|
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Public Tour – A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe
Enjoy a gallery teacher-led tour of our Paper Vault show. Included with admission.
Drawing from the Blanton’s collection of historical European art, A Family Affair presents prints, drawings, and paintings created by some of the continent’s most fascinating artistic families, revealing patterns of inspiration, rivalry, and changing family fortunes. Through close looking and conversation, we will make meaningful connections to the works of art on display in our latest Paper Vault Exhibition. Learn more about A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part II, 1670–1900) on the dedicated web page.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour. Our tours can accommodate a maximum of 25 people on a first come, first serve basis. Please check-in with our Visitor Services Desk to secure your place.
Tuesday, Sep 2
Tuesday
|
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Public Tour – A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe
Enjoy a gallery teacher-led tour of our Paper Vault show. Included with admission.
Drawing from the Blanton’s collection of historical European art, A Family Affair presents prints, drawings, and paintings created by some of the continent’s most fascinating artistic families, revealing patterns of inspiration, rivalry, and changing family fortunes. Through close looking and conversation, we will make meaningful connections to the works of art on display in our latest Paper Vault Exhibition. Learn more about A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part II, 1670–1900) on the dedicated web page.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour. Our tours can accommodate a maximum of 25 people on a first come, first serve basis. Please check-in with our Visitor Services Desk to secure your place.
Tuesday, Sep 16
Tuesday
|
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Public Tour – A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe
Enjoy a gallery teacher-led tour of our Paper Vault show. Included with admission.
Drawing from the Blanton’s collection of historical European art, A Family Affair presents prints, drawings, and paintings created by some of the continent’s most fascinating artistic families, revealing patterns of inspiration, rivalry, and changing family fortunes. Through close looking and conversation, we will make meaningful connections to the works of art on display in our latest Paper Vault Exhibition. Learn more about A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part II, 1670–1900) on the dedicated web page.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour. Our tours can accommodate a maximum of 25 people on a first come, first serve basis. Please check-in with our Visitor Services Desk to secure your place.
Credit
A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part II, 1670–1900) is organized by the Blanton Museum of Art.
