How do we define early American art? When do drawings truly become American despite being produced by artists often trained in Europe? What or who defines “American” in terms of imagery, materials, or techniques? This panel discussion brings together four specialists in American art to share their knowledge on this important moment for the nascent United States as they forged an image for themselves, and how drawing offers an important perspective in this conceptualization.

Panelists:

Mark Mitchell, Holcombe T. Green Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture, Yale University Art Gallery

Christina Michelon, Pamela and Peter Voss Curator of Prints & Drawings, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Stuart P. Feld, Collector and President & Director of Hirschl & Adler

Moderator:

Amy Torbert, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Associate Curator of American Art, Saint Louis Art Museum

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This DRAWINGS WEEK 2026 event is organized by The Drawing Foundation and The Winter Show, and in association with Master Drawings New York 2026. 

Image: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852–1911), Compositional study for “The Spirit of Light,” lunette in the rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol at Harrisburg, 1902–1908. Chalks and graphite on dark brown wove paper. Edwin Austin Abbey Memorial Collection, Yale University Art Gallery