Does a “master drawing” have to be drawn by a master? What is a “master drawing”? Furthermore, how does one qualify as a “master” draftsman? The Art Institute’s new survey show, “Master Drawings Unveiled: 25 Years of Major Acquisitions,” won’t answer any of these questions, but it does contain enough pleasurable works to interest those who appreciate the art of drawing—in particular, people who draw, whether for a living or for recreation.
The “master” tag in “Master Drawings Unveiled” could be interpreted as misleading. There are indeed pieces by well-known names such as Max Beckmann, Edgar Degas, Käthe Kollwitz, and Francis Picabia, but the lion’s share were done by lesser-known or now-forgotten artists. In many of the wall texts, the work is attributed to a student or a friend of someone more famous. This isn’t necessarily a shortcoming—the stated aim is to introduce the public to some of the museum’s hidden treasures—and with both celebrated and obscure examples, rendered in a half-dozen styles, the breadth of the Art Institute’s holdings are represented.
Through 1/29/17 Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan 312-443-3600artic.edu $25, $20 for Illinois residents, $14 for students and seniors
