Florine Stettheimer
Florine Stettheimer and her sisters were known for hosting lively social gatherings in New York for the avant-garde cultural scene. These parties often inspired her paintings, which are filled with interesting little details. In this charming and vivid family portrait, we see the artist, decked out in a sleek black pantsuit, brush, and palette in hand, positioned on the left. She's not alone—her mother, poised and elegant, occupies a grand golden armchair to the right. Joining them are her sisters, Ettie and Carrie; Ettie relaxes in a chair next to the artist, while Carrie adds a touch of cool to the scene on the other end, casually holding a cigarette. The artist, a multifaceted talent in art, set design, and poetry, was the heart of a buzzing New York salon. Here, she welcomed her family and a tight-knit group of artists, critics, and curators, showcasing her art and sharing her poetry.
Stettheimer's art wasn't taken very seriously back then, and she didn't sell many paintings. But after she passed away, her sister Ettie decided to share many of her works with museums, including this one, although Florine wanted all her paintings to be destroyed. So good that this didn't happen!!! Especially because the artist herself adored this portrait, often calling it “my masterpiece.”
With this amazing work, we continue to celebrate Women's History Month (also in our Shop)! :) Happy Sunday!
P.S. Florine Stettheimer's art was overlooked for far too long. Discover her witty and charming paintings!