Dan Flavin's Drawings Reveal Private Romanticism at Morgan Library Retrospective
The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City presented "Dan Flavin: Drawing" from February 17 to July 1, 2012, curated by Isabelle Dervaux. This first retrospective of Flavin's drawings featured over one hundred works from his career and personal collection. While known for fluorescent light sculptures, the exhibition showcased his daily drawing practice, revealing stylistic eclecticism from 1950s abstract expressionist watercolors to 1980s pastel sailboats. Traditional works realistically captured Hudson River and Long Island shorelines. Flavin's drawings, often conservative, served as note-taking, with some referencing his sculptures. His collection included Japanese drawings and works by Piet Mondrian, Donald Judd, and Sol LeWitt, providing insight into his creative process and craftsmanship.
Key facts
- Exhibition ran from February 17 to July 1, 2012
- Curated by Isabelle Dervaux
- Featured over 100 drawings from Flavin's career
- Included works from Flavin's personal collection
- Flavin was self-taught with no formal art education
- Drawings ranged from abstract expressionist to traditional landscapes
- Flavin collected Japanese drawings and Hudson River School works
- Planned Dan Flavin Art Institute in Garrison, New York was never realized
Entities
Artists
- Dan Flavin
- Isabelle Dervaux
- Piet Mondrian
- Donald Judd
- Sol LeWitt
- Sonja Flavin
- Stephen Flavin
Institutions
- The Morgan Library & Museum
- Dia Art Foundation
- Dan Flavin Art Institute
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Madison Avenue
- 36th Street
- Hudson River
- Long Island
- Cold Spring
- Garrison
- New York