The Central Virginia Arts will sponsor a lecture, “How European Refugees Lifted 19th Century American Popular Art” by Art Historian Jeffrey Ruggles on Sunday.

The 19th Century was the Age of Pictures, when imagery of all types multiplied and entered everyday life. A key agent was the new medium of lithography. Lithographic printing was seen in postcards and letterheads, labels and wrappers, and tickets and show bills. Framed lithographic prints hung in parlors, lobbies and offices. The marvelous world of American lithography reached its apex through the wave of Europeans who immigrated after the Revolution of 1848 and brought advances in technique and art.

Jeffrey Ruggles works at Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Commonwealth University, and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from University of Virginia and a MFA in Design/Photography from Virginia Commonwealth University.

The lecture will be held at 3 p.m. at the Atkinson Museum at Hampden-Sydney College and is free and open to the public.