Fete on the Lake

I must admit, I love Florine Stettheimer. Her works are truly spectacular, with their whimsical, theatrical paintings spanning from surreal, symbol-rich fantasies to intimate, diary-like depictions of high-society life in the interwar period. She is recognized as one of the first women to paint a full-scale nude self-portrait—a bold act that reflects the feminist undercurrent running through much of her work. Her fluid brushstrokes and delicate, Fauvist-inspired color palettes lend a dreamlike quality to compositions filled with lush floral motifs, vivid nature scenes, and elaborate social gatherings, often presented through playful, distorted perspectives. In addition to painting, Stettheimer wrote poetry and designed stage sets, becoming a central figure in New York’s early 20th-century avant-garde scene. She and her sisters hosted legendary salons that brought together artists such as Marcel Duchamp and Georgia O’Keeffe. Today, her work is held in major institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Museum of Modern Art, and has fetched six-figure sums at auction.

I wish I could attend such a fete on the lake!

P.S. Dreaming of garden parties and painted salons? Our premium prints bring that spirit home—browse the DailyArt Shop for something fabulously Florine.

P.P.S. Want to learn more about today's artist? Discover the charming world of Florine Stettheimer's art!