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Emily Nelligan - A Memorial Exhibition - Exhibitions - Alexandre Gallery

Emily Nelligan, 20 OCT 95 (1), 1995

Alexandre Gallery is pleased to present Emily Nelligan: A Memorial Exhibition, a selection of forty landscape drawings from the past thirty years. This will be the gallery’s sixth show of Nelligan’s work, and the first since her death last year.

Reclusive and private by nature, Nelligan made drawings for herself—she rarely exhibited and avoided attention of any kind. Known only to a very small circle of artist friends and colleagues, she exchanged or gave work to people in the art world such as Lois Dodd, Wolf Kahn, Hilton Kramer, Norma Marin, Richard Pousette-Dart and Meyer Shapiro. Such was her world until 2000. In 2000 the Bowdoin College Museum of Art presented a summer exhibition of Nelligan’s drawings, which brought her first national attention. The show received a New York Times Arts & Leisure review, which began as follows:

Emily Nelligan’s charcoal drawings are almost all the same size: 10 inches wide by 7 inches high. Some are dark as a moonless night, some pale as fog. They all depict the same landscape: Great Cranberry Island, the southwest of Mount Desert Island in Maine. . . . In their minimal steel frames, they hang like sudden windows: instants of light and air translated into black and white.

The article continued:

Some of her most beautiful drawings deal with fading of light, when color leaves the day. “I go until it gets dark,” Ms. Nelligan said. “Then I sleep.” She works in charcoal on writing paper and never seals her drawings with a fixative, as if that would stifle them. She draws favorite places along the shore: ledges, where an erased white halo of surf floods a rock abstracted to a black circle; a spit of land embracing an inlet’s still water, its bands of whites and grays.

These deeply emotive drawings, with their graduated lights and darks, tell of Nelligan’s intimate relationship and connection with a beloved setting and the motifs that she returned to year-after- year. The drawings, often mystical in nature, reflect an enduring devotion to a chosen subject, Great Cranberry Island, and its infinite variability and universality.

Emily Nelligan was born in New York City in 1924 and graduated from Cooper Union in 1944. She was married to the Marvin “Buddy” Bileck, a Caldecott award winning children’s book illustrator, artist and printmaker. The gallery is honored to represent the artist’s estate and the Marvin Bileck and Emily Nelligan Trust. An illustrated catalogue will be published by the gallery on the occasion of this exhibition.

Installations

Installations Thumbnails
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with twelve framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with eleven framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with twelve framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with fourteen framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with two framed drawings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a front view of an exhibition space, with one painting hung on a white wall beside a block of wall text
Photograph showing a front view of an exhibition space, with one painting hanging on a white wall above a table and chair
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with twelve framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with eleven framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with twelve framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with fourteen framed drawings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with two framed drawings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a front view of an exhibition space, with one painting hung on a white wall beside a block of wall text
Photograph showing a front view of an exhibition space, with one painting hanging on a white wall above a table and chair

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky, ocean, and shoreline at dawn or dusk, with faint sunlight coming through the clouds and reflecting on the water

11 OCT 94 (1), 1994, 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

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky, shoreline, and some water at dawn or dusk, with faint sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflecting off the water below

20 OCT 01 (3), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea in dim lighting, with a hazy sky reflecting on the water

Untitled, 1983, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a tree-lined shore and sea, with a dim, hazy sky reflecting on the water

20 OCT 02 (3), 2002, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal drawing a hazy sky with soft clouds

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky over a tree-lined shoreline and a body of water

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a hazy, cloud-filled sky with dim sunlight or moonlight peeking through and reflecting off the water

25 JULY 07, 2007, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of faint sunlight reflected on water

8 OCT 08, 2008, 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 faint like coming through dark clouds and reflecting on the water below

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at down or dusk, with the sun reflecting on the water below

23 SEPT 05, 2005, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a beach and shoreline with the ocean in the background

18 JULY 04 (1), 2004, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a sandy shoreline and waterline to the left

22 SEPT 09, 2009, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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

23 OCT 94 (3), 1994, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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

19 SEPT 88, 1988, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea at night, with the moon showing through clouds and reflected 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 a large sun or moon, hanging low over a faint shoreline and reflecting on the water below

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

Inquire
Landscape charcoal drawing of the sea, with sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflected on the water below

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the shore at dawn or dusk, with faint light reflecting on the water in the background

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the shore and trees with light reflecting on the water

20 OCT 95 (2), 1995, 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 dark clouds and reflected off the water

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the moon in a dark sky with light reflecting on water below

19 OCT 94 (6), 1994, charcoal on paper, 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sun or moon in the sky, reflecting on the water below

24 OCT 96 (5), 1996, charcoal on paper, 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with the sun or moon reflecting off the water below

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the shoreline and sea

Untitled, 1984, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of a soft cloud in the sky over the sea and shoreline

23 OCT 01 (1), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea at dawn or dusk, with a wave approaching the shore

21 SEPT 95 (1), 1995, 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 dark clouds and reflected off the water

12 OCT 97 (1), 1997, 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 dark clouds and reflected off the water

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea and sky at night, with a sliver of moon peeking through dark clouds and reflecting off the water below

26 SEPT 08, 2008, 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

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea at night, with a full moon int he sky and reflected on the water below

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

Inquire
Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky, ocean, and shoreline at dawn or dusk, with faint sunlight coming through the clouds and reflecting on the water

11 OCT 94 (1), 1994, 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

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky, shoreline, and some water at dawn or dusk, with faint sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflecting off the water below

20 OCT 01 (3), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and sea in dim lighting, with a hazy sky reflecting on the water

Untitled, 1983, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a tree-lined shore and sea, with a dim, hazy sky reflecting on the water

20 OCT 02 (3), 2002, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal drawing a hazy sky with soft clouds

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of a cloudy sky over a tree-lined shoreline and a body of water

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of a hazy, cloud-filled sky with dim sunlight or moonlight peeking through and reflecting off the water

25 JULY 07, 2007, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of faint sunlight reflected on water

8 OCT 08, 2008, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with faint like coming through dark clouds and reflecting on the water below

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at down or dusk, with the sun reflecting on the water below

23 SEPT 05, 2005, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a beach and shoreline with the ocean in the background

18 JULY 04 (1), 2004, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a sandy shoreline and waterline to the left

22 SEPT 09, 2009, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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

23 OCT 94 (3), 1994, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

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

19 SEPT 88, 1988, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea at night, with the moon showing through clouds and reflected on the water below

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of a large sun or moon, hanging low over a faint shoreline and reflecting on the water below

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

Landscape charcoal drawing of the sea, with sunlight coming through soft clouds and reflected on the water below

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the shore at dawn or dusk, with faint light reflecting on the water in the background

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the shore and trees with light reflecting on the water

20 OCT 95 (2), 1995, 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 dark clouds and reflected off the water

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the moon in a dark sky with light reflecting on water below

19 OCT 94 (6), 1994, charcoal on paper, 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sun or moon in the sky, reflecting on the water below

24 OCT 96 (5), 1996, charcoal on paper, 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sky and ocean at dawn or dusk, with the sun or moon reflecting off the water below

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the shoreline and sea

Untitled, 1984, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of a soft cloud in the sky over the sea and shoreline

23 OCT 01 (1), 2001, charcoal on paper, 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea at dawn or dusk, with a wave approaching the shore

21 SEPT 95 (1), 1995, 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 dark clouds and reflected off the water

12 OCT 97 (1), 1997, 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 dark clouds and reflected off the water

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea and sky at night, with a sliver of moon peeking through dark clouds and reflecting off the water below

26 SEPT 08, 2008, 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

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

Charcoal landscape drawing of the sea at night, with a full moon int he sky and reflected on the water below

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