A view of Ms. Rose’s 1976 exhibition “Drawing Now: 1955-1975” at the Museum of Modern Art. A Times critic called it “one of the best and most useful exhibitions ever mounted” at the museum.

I borrowed some 18 by 24 inch drawing paper and charcoal sticks from my oldest son which were left over from his college course in Drawing 101. I began again. Each rose appeared to me as so ...