Jolis Dessins: 19th Century French Drawings – An Online Exhibition

19th-century France saw the art of drawing transformed. Though initially draftsmanship was taught as a means of artistic training, the medium was reinvented as an independent form of expression rife with potential for exploration in materials and subject matter. During this time, venues began to exhibit drawings with the same reverence as paintings and sculpture, and collecting these artworks became fashionable amongst both museums and private individuals.

Jolis Dessins presents a group of 19th century French drawings by both known and unknown artists, with subjects ranging from deftly rendered portraiture to architectural studies both real and fantastical. The exhibition displays the virtuosity of French artists experimenting with a medium in rebirth. Jolis Dessins is available to view online through July 31, 2024.