Prints and Drawings

Discover an extraordinary collection of art on paper. The MFA’s holdings of prints and drawings are among the richest in the nation. With works from Europe and the Americas that range from the 15th century to today, the collection tells the story of creative printmaking and draftsmanship in many forms. Highlights include works on paper by iconic figures such as Dürer, Goya, and Cassatt, as well as unexpected areas of depth: a major gathering of rare books, one of the world’s finest collections of postcards, and works by Boston-area artists including Allan Rohan Crite, Blanche Lazzell, Michael Mazur, and John Wilson. In recent years, the Department of Prints and Drawings has committed itself to presenting narratives, creative voices, and perspectives traditionally underrepresented at the MFA, among them women and LGBTQIA+ artists, Black artists and artists of color, self-taught and folk artists, and Indigenous and Latin American artists.

Sylvester Koehler: Exploring Print History

A repeated composite photo of a man in a black coat and black top hat.

Explore a foundational MFA exhibition on printing from 1892 through an interactive reproduction of the show’s catalogue and other resources.

Explore Koehler's 1892 exhibition

The Morse Study Room

The Morse Study Room has reopened on a provisional basis, and is booking a limited number of appointments as staff resources allow. Available windows for individual and class appointments are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 am–12 pm and 1:30-4 pm.

Classes that exceed 12 students will be divided into two sections. Object selection, to be made in advance in consultation with a staff member, should include no more than 20 objects (or fewer, depending on fragility and size). Please allow four week’s lead time for individual appointment requests, and six weeks for classes.

Please e-mail Lauren Cosio at lcosio@mfa.org to schedule an appointment.

For works on paper in the Art of Asia collection, please contact Aishwarya Gejjagaraguppe at agejjagaraguppe@mfa.org.

Related Pages

Highlights

Curators Circle

A unique opportunity for upper level members to take a deep dive into the collections. Join Curators Circle: Prints and Drawings for a year of collection-focused programming with curators and experts.

Learn more about this Curators Circle