The Cahoon Museum of American Art, in Cotuit, Mass., presents a significant and large-scale exhibit, Paul Moro: A Painter's Journey as its opening exhibition of the 2017 season. This landmark exhibition is a retrospective of artist Paul Moro (1886-1953), whose oil paintings showcase a masterful vision of Cape Cod in the early twentieth century. Cape Cod was an important influence and inspiration to Moro and where he created some of his most memorable works. This exhibit is the most comprehensive and scholarly survey of the expansive body of work Moro created and presents 85 original paintings, which have never before been exhibited on Cape Cod and rarely shown elsewhere, installed in 5 galleries of the Museum. The exhibition continues through Sunday, April 30.  

Italian-born American artist, Paul Moro, was active artistically over a 45-year period of his life and left behind a significant body of work, primarily paintings in oil. Moro was a classically trained artist with Italian influences, and his style can be characterized as ranging from Post-Impressionist, Impressionist, and Realist. Moro's works were created at home and abroad and depict personally familiar and favorite subjects- family, picturesque scenes of Cape Cod, as well as grittier industrial sites along the Hudson River, flowers from his garden, and Italian views captured during his travels.

Moro worked as a renowned painting conservator in the New York area, but his ideal was to be a great painter. The public recognition he received during his lifetime was limited, with participation in the National Academy of Design annual exhibits and three posthumous solo shows. Moro's works are a testament to his passion and dedication to painting, but his relative obscurity limited wider appreciation of his artistic contributions, prompting this retrospective.

This exhibit was organized by Moro's descendants, along with independent curator, art historian, and scholar, Valerie Ann Leeds, PhD, in collaboration with the Cahoon Museum's Director and Curator, Sarah Johnson, PhD.

Three related programs are planned in conjunction with Paul Moro: A Painter's Journey, including a gallery talk, lecture, and food & wine tasting event. Programs are free with admission unless otherwise specified. Dr. Valerie Ann Leeds, guest curator of the exhibition, contributed new scholarship on Moro as part of the exhibit, and she will share lively stories of his life and creative practice. Paul Moro, through his successful business, launched a family legacy in the arts. Christina Zuccari, granddaughter of Paul Moro, continues the family tradition of working in art conservation and will deliver a lecture on her family's multi-generational history in the field on Friday, April 7 at 11:00am at the museum. A talk and tasting event with author John F. Carafoli is planned for Friday, April 21 from 4:30 to 6:30pm; this event costs $25, or $20 for museum members and reservations are required. Carafoli will share his insights into Italian enclaves and the evolution of Italian-American cuisine with an illustrated talk, followed by a book signing of his recent book, Great Italian American Food in New England and light savoring of wine and Italian food prepared by an acclaimed local chef.

Sponsorship of Paul Moro: A Painter's Journey was provided by a Trustee of the Cahoon Museum of American Art.

A dynamic center for appreciation of the visual arts, the Cahoon Museum is home to a collection of American art with a special focus on regional art of the Northeast and Cape Cod. The museum celebrates the creative spirit of folk artists Ralph and Martha Cahoon through the preservation of their artwork and the 1782 historic building which served as their home and studio. The museum presents an ambitious schedule of original exhibitions and programs each year.