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Therese A. Maloney Art Gallery

Annunciation Center 202

artgallery@steu.edu

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Nocturnes

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Lederman, Stephanie Brody

Nocturnes

On Display June 18, 2013 through September 22, 2013

What is a nocturne? The word, deriving from the feminine Latin noun, nox, noctis, meaning night, comes from the Latin adjective, nocturnus (notturno in Italian, nocturne in French, and nocturnal in English). A nocturne has antecedents in medieval prayer and music as well as eighteenth century pieces composed for evening concerts. The nineteenth century nocturne was further defined by Irish composer John Field who developed a special structural format which was then embraced and made famous by the Polish composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin. Chopin wrote twenty-one nocturnes which were often inspired by poetry and painting. His Romantic pieces conjure up dreamy, haunting compositions evoking nighttime, magic, desire, danger and more. Chopin’s success with the form and concept of the “nocturne” encouraged many subsequent composers to explore the possibilities of this musical form.

The theme of nocturnes provides a fascinating window on how wide ranging and remarkable a concept can become throughout millennia of culture and artistic expression. Changing circumstances, concerns, styles, techniques and media reveal the differences, but the consideration of all forms of experience within the parameters and meanings of “night” has produced fascinating ideas and objects to remember, and inexorably links the past and the present.


Exhibition Photos

Paintings by Holford, Pressman, Cuppari

by Holford, Pressman, Cuppari

Pepsi-Cola Sign, Number 39 and Post No Bills, Lynn Saville

Pepsi-Cola Sign, Number 39 and Post No Bills, Lynn Saville


Paintings by Maria Mijares, and So Yoon Lym

by Maria Mijares, and So Yoon Lym

Nell'Infinito by Pasquale Cuppari

Nell'Infinito by Pasquale Cuppari


View of Gallery with Betty McGeehan in foreground

View of Gallery with Betty McGeehan in foreground

View of Gallery's back wall and left wall

View of Gallery's back wall and left wall


sculpture by Betty McGeehan, Rock Me and Kay Kenny

by Betty McGeehan, Rock Me and Kay Kenny

paintings by Devereaux, Merlo, Rodeiro, Yamada

by Devereaux, Merlo, Rodeiro, Yamada