Raymond L. Wilson Books

The Index of Watercolor Exhibitions, 1900-1945 is a crucial resource that enhances the understanding of American watercolor painting, a medium that has historically been overlooked. This comprehensive work is divided into two parts: the first catalogs year-by-year the exhibits and exhibitors from major American watercolor societies and museums, while the second provides an alphabetical directory of artist-exhibitors. By addressing a significant gap in the study of American watercolor history, this Index serves museum professionals, scholars, librarians, art collectors, dealers, and others in related fields. The exhibition lists highlight a golden age of watercolor, showcasing juried exhibitions that featured hundreds of works and included notable artists like Winslow Homer, John Marin, Edward Hopper, and Charles Burchfield. However, the popularity of such mega-exhibitions waned after World War II due to an overwhelming number of submissions, leading to a decline in the quality and frequency of these events. This Index plays a vital role in documenting and reevaluating a time when exclusive professional societies and their annual salons significantly influenced artists' careers, a period that has remained largely forgotten until now.