Drawn from Italy: Mantegna to Kauffmann Exhibition

Media Release

Drawn from Italy: Mantegna to Kauffmann Exhibition

Touring exhibition from Te Papa

28th November to the 26th of December 2011

The Whangarei Art Museum is very proud to present Drawn from Italy: Mantegna to Kauffmann This selection of drawings and prints from Te Papa's collection illustrates the influence of Italian ideas about art and artists that spread throughout Europe from the time of the Renaissance. Drawn from Italy features works dating from the late 15th century to the late 18th century. They were created by artists who were Italian, or worked in Italy, or derived their subjects from Italian sources.

Fifteenthcentury Italy was the source of a major shift in thinking about art and the status of the artist. Art moved from illustrating abstract religious ideas to describing the real world. The role of the artist changed from that of an anonymous craftsman to a named individual.

Drawing became an essential part of developing images during this Renaissance period. Drawings themselves became valued as representing the visible thoughts of the artist in producing a finished work of art and were avidly collected.

Making prints from engravings and etchings was another 15th century development. These processes enabled artists to run off large editions of a single image, giving them an easily marketable product. For example, the engravings of Andrea Mantegna were a primary vehicle for the spread of Renaissance ideas throughout Europe.

For further information please contact us at:

whangareiartmuseum@wdc.govt.nz or phone: (09) 4304240.

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