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Emily Nelligan - Great Cranberry Island - Exhibitions - Alexandre Gallery

Alexandre is pleased to present Great Cranberry Island, an exhibition of 30 charcoal drawings by the artist Emily Nelligan (American, 1924–2018). The show will be on view from September 8 until October 29.

Nelligan’s drawings reveal the shadowy world of Great Cranberry Island in Maine, a place that singularly captivated the artist from the time she completed her studies at Cooper Union in 1944 until her death in 2018. For over 70 years, she and her husband, the artist Marvin Bileck, spent their summers on the island—the only location where Nelligan would draw. The resulting body of work represents a deep relationship between artist and environment, an extended meditation upon a remote, intimately-known place. As curator Allison Ferris wrote: “The emotion we observe in Nelligan's work is authentic—she pours months of anticipation and longing for the sea into her drawings which result in profound and contemplative works of art.”

Born and raised in New York City, Nelligan studied painting at Cooper Union, switching to charcoal soon after graduation due to its more economical nature. Her approach remained straightforward throughout her career, titling her drawings according to their date of completion and working solely with unfixed charcoal on ordinary writing paper. At times Nelligan obscured her subject matter to the point of abstraction—at other times, the intricate interplay of light and dark summons a resounding sense of the environment of the island. Hilton Kramer wrote of her work: “She has somehow been able to wrest from this smudgy, powdery substance a ‘palette’ of so many blacks, grays and off-whites, so many different densities of light and shade, so many nocturnal nuances and daylight subtleties, so much oceanic movement and celestial drama, that one is indeed made to wonder if one has ever before fully understood the power and range of charcoal as a pictorial medium.” In these moody, atmospheric renderings of clouds, fog, seascapes, and unpeopled shorelines, we see an abiding record of the passing days, months, and years that tied together a lifetime of devoted observation.

Long a well-loved artist among other artists in Maine, Nelligan received her first full-scale exhibition in 2000 at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art. Her work was first exhibited at Alexandre Gallery in 2005.

Installations

Installations Thumbnails
Photograph of nine framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of eleven framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of twelve framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of ten framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of one grey wall and one white wall showing exhibition text
Photograph of four framed drawings on a white wall
Photograph of four framed drawings on a white wall
Photograph of four framed drawings on a white wall
Photograph of nine framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of eleven framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of twelve framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of ten framed drawings in a white gallery exhibition space
Photograph of one grey wall and one white wall showing exhibition text
Photograph of four framed drawings on a white wall
Photograph of four framed drawings on a white wall
Photograph of four framed drawings on a white wall

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with dim sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflected off the water

17 JULY 97 (2), 1997 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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Charcoal drawing of sunlight coming through dark clouds

27 SEPT 01 (1), 2001 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

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Charcoal drawing of a full moon in a dark sky

Untitled (In Memoriam for Gregory), c. 1975, charcoal on paper, 8 3/8 x 11 inches

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Charcoal landscape drawing of a low sun over the sea, with trees on the horizon

16 JUNE 95 (2), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark shore, a cloudy sky, and light reflecting off the sea

20 OCT 95 (1), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea and a light, cloudy sky with sun reflecting off the water

13 OCT 04, 2004 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk

16 OCT 99 (2), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with dim sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflected off the water

28 JUNE 92 (1), 1992 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Landscape charcoal drawing of the moon in the middle of a darkening sky, reflecting off the sea below

Winter/Spring 2002 (1), 2002, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a hazy, cloudy sky over the sea, with dim sunlight coming through the clouds and reflecting off the water

22 JULY 2012, 2012 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a sky filled with dark clouds, and light reflecting off small waves in the sea below

14 Oct 01 (1), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

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23 JULY 2012 (2), 2012 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

23 JULY 2012 (2), 2012 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea on a cloudy day

20 JULY 97 (2), 1997, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a night sky over the sea, with faint moonlight coming through the clouds and reflecting off the water

26 SEPT 08, 2008 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea at dawn or dusk, with faint light coming through dark clouds and reflecting off the water

16 OCT 01 (4), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of sky filled with light, irregular clouds over a calm sea

11 AUG 94 (2), 1994 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark, cloudy sky, and light reflecting off the sea

7 AUG 2012, 2012, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a sky filled with irregular clouds over the water

12 OCT 97 (1), 1997 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea and sky at dawn or dusk

1 OCT 07 (2), 2007 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark cloudy sky over the sea

4 OCT 04, 2004 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a shoreline with trees and the water under a cloudy sky

30 Oct 99 (2), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
19 OCT 95 (1), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

19 OCT 95 (1), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a night sky with moonlight faintly coming through clouds and reflecting on the water below

4 AUG 98 (1), 1998 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea on a bright morning

24 AUG 91 (2), 1991, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a single cloud hovering in the sky, with sunlight coming out from behind it, and land or water underneath

19 SEPT 94 (1), 1994 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea on a bright morning

9 AUG 07, 2007 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky, the sea, and a tree-lined shore

24 OCT 94 (1), 1994 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky and land beneath

21 OCT 99 (2), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark, cloudy sky, a tree-lined shore, and water with dark objects floating in it

24 OCT 99 (3), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky at dawn or dusk, a tree-lined shore, and sea with three dark objects floating in it

11 Oct 99 (3), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with dim sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflected off the water

17 JULY 97 (2), 1997 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal drawing of sunlight coming through dark clouds

27 SEPT 01 (1), 2001 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Charcoal drawing of a full moon in a dark sky

Untitled (In Memoriam for Gregory), c. 1975, charcoal on paper, 8 3/8 x 11 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a low sun over the sea, with trees on the horizon

16 JUNE 95 (2), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark shore, a cloudy sky, and light reflecting off the sea

20 OCT 95 (1), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea and a light, cloudy sky with sun reflecting off the water

13 OCT 04, 2004 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk

16 OCT 99 (2), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with dim sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflected off the water

28 JUNE 92 (1), 1992 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Landscape charcoal drawing of the moon in the middle of a darkening sky, reflecting off the sea below

Winter/Spring 2002 (1), 2002, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a hazy, cloudy sky over the sea, with dim sunlight coming through the clouds and reflecting off the water

22 JULY 2012, 2012 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a sky filled with dark clouds, and light reflecting off small waves in the sea below

14 Oct 01 (1), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

23 JULY 2012 (2), 2012 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

23 JULY 2012 (2), 2012 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea on a cloudy day

20 JULY 97 (2), 1997, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a night sky over the sea, with faint moonlight coming through the clouds and reflecting off the water

26 SEPT 08, 2008 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea at dawn or dusk, with faint light coming through dark clouds and reflecting off the water

16 OCT 01 (4), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of sky filled with light, irregular clouds over a calm sea

11 AUG 94 (2), 1994 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark, cloudy sky, and light reflecting off the sea

7 AUG 2012, 2012, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a sky filled with irregular clouds over the water

12 OCT 97 (1), 1997 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea and sky at dawn or dusk

1 OCT 07 (2), 2007 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark cloudy sky over the sea

4 OCT 04, 2004 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a shoreline with trees and the water under a cloudy sky

30 Oct 99 (2), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

19 OCT 95 (1), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

19 OCT 95 (1), 1995 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a night sky with moonlight faintly coming through clouds and reflecting on the water below

4 AUG 98 (1), 1998 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea on a bright morning

24 AUG 91 (2), 1991, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a single cloud hovering in the sky, with sunlight coming out from behind it, and land or water underneath

19 SEPT 94 (1), 1994 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea on a bright morning

9 AUG 07, 2007 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky, the sea, and a tree-lined shore

24 OCT 94 (1), 1994 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky and land beneath

21 OCT 99 (2), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a dark, cloudy sky, a tree-lined shore, and water with dark objects floating in it

24 OCT 99 (3), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky at dawn or dusk, a tree-lined shore, and sea with three dark objects floating in it

11 Oct 99 (3), 1999 charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Video