"Opting for Realism: American Painting in the 1970s"
2002-06-15 until 2002-08-18
University of Virginia Art Museum
Charlottesville, VA, USA

The realist tradition that dominated the 1970s was a fresh expression of the surrounding world. Although influenced by the decades of art preceding World War II, realism had different manifestations than the previous movements - abstract expressionism, pop art and minimalism. "A major influence was the gestural brush of abstract expressionism, which was easily adaptable to portraiture or genre painting," said exhibition curator Suzanne Foley. "Another influence was the monocular vision of the camera that flattened atmospheric perspective, offering a crisp, airless composition."

"Opting for Realism" focuses on figurative art and shows how each artist chose to define realism and depict the surrounding world. Drawn from the museum's permanent collection of 1970s realist paintings, the exhibition includes works by Jack Beal, Bruno Civitico, Alfred Leslie, Willard Midgette and Idelle Weber.

The University of Virginia Art Museum is open to the public without charge Tuesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Limited parking is available for visitors behind the museum.

IMAGE:
Jack Beal, American, born 1931
The Farm, 1979
Oil on canvas, 84 x 96"
Museum Purchase, 1980.18

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Virginia

Other Important Exhibitions in Virginia