Greta Kempton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greta Kempton
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Kempton with her portrait of President Harry Truman; courtesy of the Kempton Foundation
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Martha Greta Kempton
March 22, 1901 |
| Died | December 9, 1991 (aged 90) |
| Resting place | Church of the Transfiguration, New York City |
| Nationality | Austrian-American |
| Education | Academy of Fine Arts Vienna |
| Spouse(s) | Ambrose M. McNamara |
Martha Greta Kempton (born March 22, 1901 – died December 9, 1991) was a very important artist. She was known as the official White House artist during the time Harry S. Truman was president. She painted many famous people, including President Truman and his wife, Bess.
Greta Kempton's Life and Art
Becoming an Artist
Greta Kempton was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1901. She loved art from a young age. She studied painting at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. This was a famous art school in Europe.
In the 1920s, Greta moved to the United States. She continued her art studies in New York City. She went to the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League of New York. These schools helped her become a skilled portrait painter.
Painting Important People
By the 1930s, Greta Kempton was a well-known artist. She was especially good at painting portraits. Her style was like famous European painters such as Rembrandt. She lived in California and later in New Orleans. She painted many important people and their families.
Greta became very famous in Washington, D.C. in 1947. This happened after she showed her portrait of Drucie Snyder. Drucie was the daughter of the Treasury Secretary, John W. Snyder. Through Mr. Snyder, Greta met other important people in the government.
Later in 1947, she painted a portrait of Bess Truman, the First Lady. In the same year, she was asked to paint a portrait of President Harry S. Truman. This first painting became the official White House portrait of President Truman. She painted him five times in total!
Her Art Lives On
Greta Kempton continued to paint for many years. She even painted when she was in her eighties. She also helped restore old paintings at a church in New York City.
Her beautiful artworks are now in many important places. You can see them in the White House and the United States Department of the Treasury. Her paintings are also in the Supreme Court of the United States. You can find them at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. They are also at the National Portrait Gallery (United States) and other museums.
Greta Kempton passed away in New York City in December 1991. Her art continues to be admired by many people today.
