American Prints

Twenty years ago, the five Fazzano brothers-Francis, Henry, Joseph, Louis, and Nicholas-gave The RISD Museum and the RISD Library an exceptional group of more than thirteen hundred prints, drawings, and books. The Fazzano family, which formerly owned the Imperial Knife Company, acquired these works over three decades. The heart of the collection lies in American prints, especially those made between the two World Wars.

From late nineteenth-century etchings to bold linocuts of the second half of the twentieth, this exhibition celebrates the vitality of American printmaking and the foresight of these generous donors. The Museum especially honors the late Joseph R. Fazzano, architect of the collection, dedicated member of the Museum’s Fine Arts Committee for many years, and devoted supporter of the arts.

We are grateful to Sarah Orenstein (RISD BFA 2006, Film, Animation, Video), who assisted in organizing this exhibition during Wintersession 2004 through an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation internship at The RISD Museum.