Paper and Light

Exhibition in the PST ART: Art & Science Collide series

Graphite drawing of distant stars and galaxies in space.

Untitled (Coma Berenices #3) (detail), 1973, Vija Celmins. Graphite on acrylic ground on paper. Collection of Mary Patricia Anderson Pence. © Vija Celmins, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Photo: Glen Cheriton

For centuries, artists have creatively harnessed the interplay between paper and light. This exhibition showcases how artists have mastered the art of drawing on paper to convey light—whether through the basic modeling of form or the creation of spectacular effects. Drawings by contemporary artists including Vija Celmins will join sheets by Tiepolo, Delacroix, Seurat, and Manet. Works include Carmontelle’s 12-foot-long transparency, an 18th-century precursor to motion pictures. Discover the innovative ways these artists have explored themes of translucency and the representation of light in drawing.

This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exhibición se presenta en inglés y en español.

Oct 15, 2024–Jan 19, 2025

Getty Center

Museum West Pavilion, Plaza Level

Free

All exhibitions are included in your free, timed-entry reservation to Getty. Reservations are available six weeks in advance. Please note, there is a fee for parking.

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About PST ART

Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART, returns in September 2024, presenting over 70 exhibitions from organizations across the region exploring the intersections of art and science, both past and present. PST ART is presented by Getty. For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide, please visit pst.art.

Selected Works

Figures Walking in a Parkland (detail)

1783–1800, Louis Carrogis de Carmontelle. Watercolor and opaque watercolor with traces of black chalk underdrawing, on translucent Whatman paper. Getty Museum
Still Life with Blue Pot

About 1900–06, Paul Cézanne. Watercolor over graphite. Getty Museum
Flight into Egypt

1725–35, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over black chalk. Getty Museum
Poplars

About 1883–84, Georges Seurat. Conte crayon on laid paper. Getty Museum
Self-Portrait

About 1845, Charles Samuel Keene. Metal-nib pen and brown ink over graphite. Getty Museum
The Head of a Young Man

About 1539–40, Parmigianino (Francesco Mazzola). Pen and brown ink. Getty Museum
Study of a Boy Reading

About 1766, Joseph Wright of Derby. Grisaille pastel with touches of black chalk on blue paper. Getty Museum