Marquetry: Evolution of Art in Wood

Marquetry: Evolution of Art in Wood
July 10 - September 26, 2026
Foote Gallery
Exhibit Events:
Public Opening Reception - Friday, July 10, 5 - 7 pm
Workshops - Friday, July 17 & Tuesday, August 11. Registration needed.
Demonstrations - July 10, August 14, September 12: 5:30-7:30 pm
About the Exhibit:
This exhibition explores the art of marquetry, the intricate inlay of thin wood veneers to create detailed patterns and imagery. Carefully selecting pieces of wood for their color and grain, artists transform surfaces into richly decorative works. The term comes from the French marqueter, meaning “to inlay.”
With roots in ancient Egypt, marquetry flourished in Renaissance and Baroque Europe, where it adorned fine furniture and interiors, often incorporating materials like ivory and mother-of-pearl. By the 17th and 18th centuries, it evolved into a
sophisticated art form capable of depicting scenes and portraits, especially in France and Italy.
Today, marquetry endures as both craft and fine art, blending material, technique, and imagination.