ITHACA, NY.- Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University presents Evelyn Metzger's Mardi Gras, on view through August 21. Evelyn Borchard Metzger has been able to devote much of her life to the study of art, a privilege that most women of her generation were not afforded. Born in 1911, Evelyn grew up a world traveler, surrounded by art and immersed in the culture of museums and artists. Her marriage to Herman “Ham” Metzger, Cornell Class of 1921, an executive at Standard Oil, allowed her to pursue her interests.

Evelyn painted this series from photographs that her son Edward took on a trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras. These animated and risqué paintings are very different from her previous cultural studies. Evelyn has declared these works her most humorous yet and admits that she laughed as she painted them. Characteristic of the artist, even though her compositions are derived from photographs, her style is painterly and unique. Her vibrant, brushy style emanates the energy of the boisterous Mardi Gras tradition.