NEW YORK, NY.- Acquavella Galleries presents Off Canvas: Drawing from Matisse to Celmins from April 15 – June 12, 2015. This survey presents works on paper by a range of modern masters, among them: Vija Celmins, Salvador Dali, Andre Derain, Richard Diebenkorn, Jean Dubuffet, Sam Francis, Lucian Freud, Philip Guston, Jasper Johns, Henri Matisse, Manolo Millares, Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Jean Paul Riopelle, James Rosenquist, Ed Ruscha, David Smith, Wayne Thiebaud, and Andy Warhol. With a focus on all facets of drawing, this exhibition is an exploration of method, includes works executed in pastel, watercolor, gouache, and collage, in addition to graphite, charcoal, and ink on paper.

The varied nature of this exhibition speaks to the infinite capabilities of drawing as an artistic technique. Several of the works included, among them Ed Ruscha’s Rusty Silencers (1979) and Vija Celmins’ Untitled (Regular Desert) (1973), are iconic representations of an extraordinarily meticulous mark-making practice. More spontaneously drawn works in this exhibition, like Henri Matisse’s Vase de lierre (1915) and Lucian Freud’s Cacti and Stuffed Bird (1943), shed light on the origins of a distinct artistic idea. Casually rendered, these drawings of household objects present personal moments from within the varied oeuvres of two of the most prolific artists.

Acquavella Galleries is also presenting Jacob El Hanani Drawings, its first exhibition by the artist, from April 15 – June 12, 2015. El Hanani has produced highly detailed drawings utilizing the tradition of micrography since the early 1970s. This painstaking process is an ancient Hebrew art form developed in the 9th century that involves the repetition of small marks to create intricate abstract designs. Using this technique, El Hanani repeatedly draws thousands of microscopic marks, at times Hebrew letters, onto paper or canvas.

The artist can take months or even years to complete individual works, which are evocative of highly detailed geographic maps, carefully woven textiles, and celestial bodies. “We are thrilled to be exhibiting the work of Jacob El Hanani for the first time,” said Eleanor Acquavella, “it is an honor to present the work of an artist who has devoted his life to intricacy and an extraordinary attention to detail. From afar these works appear abstract but when the viewer gets closer, beautiful, intricate patterns are revealed.” This presentation includes eighteen drawings installed in the gallery’s second floor space, and coincides with the group exhibition Off Canvas: Drawing from Matisse to Celmins, which has been installed on the floor below.

Jacob El Hanani (b. 1947) was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and was raised in Israel. His work can be found in the permanent collections of institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; Jewish Museum, New York; Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; TelAviv Museum, Israel; and the Musee National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.