The Salmagundi Club hosted its first Annual Black and White Exhibitionin 1878, only seven years after the organization was founded by now-renowned artists Thomas Moran, William Merritt Chase, N.C. Wyeth, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Childe Hassam and others. The club has upheld the tradition ever since, making it their longest running show. The exhibition, featuring only works in black and white across a variety of media, was established during a time when many of the original members were illustrators and had only line and contrast to create impact in a time when color reproduction was rare.
Richard Rosenblatt, Swan Song, oil, 20 x 24 in.
“Their black and white graphite and ink sketches and drawings were sold or auctioned occasionally to raise funds to support the club,” explains Art Committee co-chair William Jobson. “This tradition honors both the methods and the drive of those early Salmagundians.”
This year’s juried exhibition and sale takes place at the club’s historic New York City location from January 6 through 30, and will feature roughly 100 black-and-white or monochromatic sepia drawings, graphics, photographs, paintings and sculpture by more than 70 of the club’s top member artists.
William Jobson, Letters Home 1917, oil, 20 x 24 in.
Among the juried works is Richard Rosenblatt’s oil Swan Song, inspired by a waterfront scene he came across in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. “To my surprise there were over a dozen beautiful ones floating joyously and randomly in rather grayish murky waters (another reason to work in black and white),” he explains. “My desire was to capture the wonder of design in the natural setting. When you least expect it you can stumble on something so simple and yet quite moving. In this instance it was the back of a restaurant facing the harbor.”
JuliAnne Jonker, Vision at Ghost Ranch, oil, 24 x 13 in.
JuliAnne Jonker’s piece Vision at Ghost Ranch, an ode to Georgia O’Keeffe, is another oil in black and white. It features O’Keeffe’s youthful face intertwined with bones, a favorite subject of the iconic artist. Jonker created the frame from carved wood from India to complement the bones in the painting. “I chose to work in black and white to emphasize the interplay of light and shadow, creating a more dramatic and timeless quality,” Jonker explains. “The absence of color directs the viewer’s attention to the forms and textures, allowing for a deeper emotional connection. Black and white distills the subject to its essential elements, stripping away distractions and enabling a more profound emotional connection. In Vision at Ghost Ranch this approach highlights the essence of Georgia O’Keeffe’s character and artistry, inviting reflection on her impact on the art world. By focusing on her likeness in black and white, I sought to capture her spirit—one characterized by profound boldness.”
Richard Tartaglio, Forever, pen and ink, 20 x 16 in.
In addition to the in-person show, all artwork will be available for purchase on the Salmagundi Club website for the duration of the live exhibition. An artist reception will be held on January 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Skylight Gallery at the Salmagundi Club. The event is free and open to the public. —
149th Annual Black and White Exhibition
January 6-30, 2026
Salmagundi Club
47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003
(212) 255-7740, www.salmagundi.org
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