Saul Steinberg and Merlin James exhibitions explore drawing and painting traditions

Saul Steinberg's exhibition 'Illuminations' at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City ran from December 1, 2006 to March 4, 2007, later traveling to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC through June 24, 2007. The show featured 117 works showcasing Steinberg's inventive approach to drawing across diverse subjects including architecture, portraits, and modern life. His famous 1976 'View of the World from 9th Avenue' was displayed alongside lesser-known works like 'The West Side' (1973) and 'The Flat Earth' (1991). Steinberg employed various media including ballpoint pens, rubber stamps, and thumbprints in pieces such as 'Passport' (1951) and 'Indians, Cyclists, Artists' (1968). Concurrently, Merlin James presented 'Painting to Painting' at the New York Studio School from February 8 to March 24, 2007, featuring small-scale works reinterpreting old masters. James referenced artists including Jean-François Millet, Eugène Delacroix, and Nicolas Poussin in paintings like 'Sower' (2001) and 'After Poussin' (1995). His 'Étretat' (2004-05) drew from multiple depictions of the beach by Courbet, Monet, and Matisse. Both exhibitions highlighted distinct artistic approaches: Steinberg's linear drawings directly from life and James's painterly reinterpretations of art historical sources.