Exhibitions Archive (Search Results)

Future Retro:
Drawings from the Great Age of American Automobiles

January 16 – March 28, 2010

Location: Second Floor Street

Future Retro: Drawings from the Great Age of American Automobiles showcases the beauty and ingenuity of American automotive design during the decades following WWII, a landmark period in car styling. Drawn entirely from the collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf, this installation provides visitors with a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the scenes at some of Detroit's premiere car companies through an eclectic mix of illustrations, ranging from preliminary sketches to fully rendered works intended for presentation to company executives. Some of the drawings offer concepts that would later be incorporated into specific models, while others represent futuristic ideas that never made it past the drawing board. Dating from an era when design and appearance were increasingly important factors in automotive sales, there are ample references to the shapes of airplanes and rockets, along with other emerging technologies that influenced postwar car design.

Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Curated by Cassandra Getty.

Related Events