Harvard Art Museums have opened an exhibition titled “On Location: Drawing the Outdoors,” featuring over 140 works by prominent 19th-century European artists. The collection includes sketches, watercolors, and pastels by figures such as Berthe Morisot, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Édouard Manet, all inspired by natural landscapes.

The exhibit, which runs through January 17, 2027, explores the evolving relationship between artists and the outdoors during the 19th century. Organized into 10 thematic sections, it traces changes in artistic approaches to nature, the emergence of environmental awareness, and shifts in national and cultural identity reflected through landscape art. The presentation highlights how artists of the period sought creative renewal and a break from societal norms by immersing themselves in natural settings.

Viewers can observe a diversity of artistic techniques and mediums used to capture the outdoors, illustrating how different methods shaped the interpretation of landscapes. The exhibition aims to foster reflection on the continuing relevance of these artistic motivations and experiences in today’s context.

On October 29, the museum is hosting a special event in its Italian-inspired courtyard from 5 to 9 p.m., offering refreshments followed by guided tours led by exhibition curator Joachim Homann and Arnold Arboretum director William Friedman. Admission to the Harvard Art Museums is free to the public, with advance registration required for the event. Additional information is available on the museum’s website.