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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Travels in the Interior of North America: The Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition Travels in the Interior of North America: The Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition, opening on [opening date] at [your institution], showcases 81 prints produced from exquisitely detailed drawings by Swiss artist Karl Bodmer. In 1832, Bodmer accompanied Prince Maximilian zu Wied, a respected German naturalist and scholar, on a two-year journey to explore and document the "natural face of North America," particularly the western wilderness. While Prince Maximilian was not the first to venture into the vast new frontier of the Louisiana Purchase, his journey is regarded as one of the most important of the early expeditions, as no previous exploration of North America combined the abilities of an experienced scientist with those of a talented artist. The engravings in the exhibition were produced from the original 19th-century printing plates, which are owned by the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Pulled on a hand-operated flat-bed press and then hand colored, the 20th-century edition has been made in the same fashion and to the same standards as the 19th-century sets. Prince Maximilian's observations on the expedition, along with Bodmer's illustrations, are still considered an important record for ecologists today. His landscapes recorded the western frontier so accurately that the landmarks- where they have not been altered by time or settlement-are identifiable today. His images of Native Americans are among the earliest and most important visual records of the Plains Indians. [In this paragraph, provide details about any activities you plan in conjunction with the exhibition. Also include information about museum/gallery hours, admission costs, and a phone number to call for additional information.] Prince Maximilian and Karl Bodmer saw a transforming western frontier, and their observations are the foundation of much of our collective memory and understanding of that era. Travels in the Interior of North America: The Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition gives audiences the opportunity to see these extraordinary prints and gain an appreciation for both their artistic beauty and their value as historical and scientific documents. The exhibition is curated by Marsha Gallagher, Chief Curator of the Joslyn Art Museum, and is organized and toured by ExhibitsUSA. The purpose of ExhibitsUSA is to create access to an array of arts and humanities exhibitions, nurture the development and understanding of diverse art forms and cultures, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. ExhibitsUSA is a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance, a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1972. For the most accurate credit language, use the paragraph under 'How is ExhibitsUSA funded?' at http://www.maaa.org/exhi_usa/faq.html. ©2002 Mid-America Arts Alliance. All Rights Reserved |