May 5 – September 24, 2017: Florine Stettheimer at the Jewish Museum

May 5 – September 24, 2017: Florine Stettheimer at the Jewish Museum

Painting Poetry 

An exhibition of paintings, theatrical costumes and poems of an American Modernist artist Florine Stettheimer (1871–1944) is on view at Jewish Museum through the summer. The collection presented here paints the world of Jazz Age New York as its experienced by high society of that time with witty satire and warm touch. The playful nature, light tones and elegant scenes were the reasons for relegating this artist to a decorative camp. However her talent is evident in everything she made and her oeuvre places her among the greatest artists of 20th century.

“Florine Stettheimer: Painting Poetry is the first major U.S. exhibition in over 20 years focused on artist Florine Stettheimer (1871-1944). The exhibition showcases over 50 paintings and drawings in addition to costume and theater designs, photographs, and ephemera, offering a timely reconsideration of this influential American artist with a sharp satirical wit, placing her centrally in the modern […]

via Florine Stettheimer: Painting Poetry at Jewish Museum, May 5 – September 24, 2017 — Arts Summary

Florine Stettheimer studied at the Arts Student League of New York from 1892 to 1895. She continued to refine her artistic style in pre-World War I Germany following Symbolist artists of the time. Another strong influence on Stettheimer work was made by the Ballets Russes. Upon returning to New York, she adapted her style to depict the life of her family and its circle of friends in her paintings and poetry. Continuing her connection to the world of ballet, she worked on costume and stage design incorporating new materials in her work. Because she didn’t depend on the sales of her works, she preferred to show her work only to her acquaintances and close friends and remained largely unknown to the public. After her death her close friend Marcel Duchamp organized a retrospective of her work at MOMA in 1946.

The history of the celebrated Ballets Russes is masterfully shown in The Ballets Russes by Zeitgeist Films.

Jewish Museum exhibition gives us a chance to understand this sensible artist. For museum hours click here.

Venue: Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Avenue, NY                 

Dates: May 5 – September 24, 2017