The Art of Leisure
Noonan Gallery
Spanning over 125 years of American history, The Art of Leisure explores how both artists and the public have depicted travel, relaxation, and fun through a variety of mediums. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, increasing access to public spaces, recreational activities, and faster, more affordable methods of transportation changed the way Americans thought about and experienced leisure. This exhibition speaks to the immense impact of these revolutions on generations of artists, including James Augusts Van Der Zee, Jane Peterson, Edward Henry Potthast, and Emma Amos, as well as unknown craftspeople and Waterbury locals.
More about this exhibition
Drawn from the Mattatuck’s collection, this exhibition will include masterpieces by American artists – featuring iconic works such as Bathers on the Beach by Edward Henry Potthast, Slow Time by Emma Amos, and The SS Normandie in New York Harbor by Reginald Marsh, as well as rare ephemera & souvenirs – including 19th-century broadsides, travel posters, souvenir plates, and Waterbury postcards. Works range from impressionist beach scenes to documentary photography and bold contemporary interpretations of leisure. The Art of Leisure highlights how these transformations to travel influenced artists and the public alike, featuring works by renowned artists such as James Augustus Van Der Zee and Jane Peterson, as well as pieces by unknown craftspeople and Waterbury locals. Beyond its celebration of pastimes, the exhibition also examines the social dynamics of leisure, revealing how artists have used scenes of relaxation to explore race, class, and gender inequities throughout history.
Credits:
Support provided by Post University
