FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Crocker Debuts
Recently Acquired Collection

Joie de Vivre:
The Graphic Art of Raoul Dufy

February 7, 2005 – Sacramento , Calif. – Raoul Dufy (1877-1953), one of the great modern artists from the early 20 th century, will be showcased in the exhibit Joie de Vivre: The Graphic Art of Raoul Dufy from February 19 – May 1 at the Crocker Art Museum . Well known for the exuberance and lightheartedness of his work, this exhibit features lively graphic compositions and watercolors spanning nearly 50 years of the artist’s career. New to the Crocker’s permanent collection, all of the pieces are recent donations from Sue Kelly Adams in memory of her father, Ewing Cole Kelly, founder of KCRA-TV in Sacramento.

The drawings, watercolors and pen-and-ink sketches demonstrate Dufy’s signature elegance and charm. Influenced by Henri Matisse and other Fauve artists ― Paris’ “wild beasts” notorious for the application of bright, intense hues in a bold, confrontational manner ― Dufy used brilliant and expressive color but in a more gentle and playful mood. His attention to figure, landscape and merry public gatherings along with his impromptu approach effectively captures the joie de vivre atmosphere of early 20 th century France. The free-spirited and uncomplicated presentation of his subjects belies Dufy’s thorough academic training and technical virtuosity.

“We are grateful to Sue Kelly Adams for this beautiful gift, and we’re excited to share these works with our visitors because they bring early 20 th century France to life,” said Scott Shields, Chief Curator for the Crocker Art Museum . “His draftsmanship is stunning, with an elegance that captured not only his era, but is still relevant today.”

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The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of Californian, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 264-5423 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

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Media Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti
Media: (916) 264-1963
Mobile : (916) 213-9402
Public: (916) 264-5423
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.crockerartmuseum.org