Impressions of Italy
by Ralph Papa
You're invited to the opening of Impressions of Italy by Ralph Papa—a captivating exhibition of plein air paintings.
Friday, May 16, 2025
6 to 8 PM
Cornell Art Museum
The Cornell Art Museum is proud to present a stunning exhibition of 30 plein air paintings by artist Ralph Papa, created during his summer residencies in Italy over the past decade. This dynamic collection showcases Papa’s artistic passion and remarkable versatility as he explores the landscapes of his Italian ancestry. Focusing on the Abruzzo and Pescara regions of Central Italy, his vivid works invite viewers into a world alive with color, light, and a deep personal connection to place.
“It is a rare honor to share Ralph Papa’s decade-long journey through Italy in this vibrant collection. His work offers a unique window into the soul of Italy, seen through the eyes of a master impressionist.”
— Marusca Gatto, Cultural Arts Director
“As an artist, I find the process of creating fine artwork highly energizing and even more fulfilling than the end product.”
— Ralph Papa
About Ralph Papa
Born in East Harlem, New York City, Ralph Papa showed a natural talent for drawing and painting from an early age. Largely self-taught, he also studied art and architecture at Queens College and CCNY, while refining his skills at the Art Students League. His work spans studio pieces, figurative portraits, and plein air landscapes inspired by nature and personal experiences.
After painting in New York’s Hudson Valley and the Hamptons during the 1980s, Papa relocated to Palm Beach County, Florida in 2002. There, he became a dedicated art educator and advocate, regularly teaching drawing and plein air workshops. Over the past decade, Papa has spent summers in Italy’s Abruzzo and Pescara regions as an Artist in Residence, capturing the beauty of the Italian landscape and helping establish a Sister City partnership between Boynton Beach, Florida and Farindola, Italy.
A co-founder of Plein Air Palm Beach and a Signature Member and Past President of the Artists Guild of the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Papa’s works are held in public and private collections across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.