Louisa Matthíasdóttir facts for kids

Louisa Matthíasdóttir (born February 20, 1917 – died February 26, 2000) was a famous painter. She was from Iceland but also lived and worked in the United States. She was known for her unique style of painting.

Early Life and Art Journey

Louisa was born in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. From 1925 to 1937, she grew up in a well-known house called Höfði. This house is famous because it was where her family lived.

Even when she was young, Louisa showed a great talent for art. She started her art studies in Denmark. Later, she went to Paris, France, to learn from a famous artist named Marcel Gromaire.

Becoming an Avant-Garde Artist

In the late 1930s, Louisa's early paintings made her a key figure in Iceland's avant-garde art scene. Avant-garde means creating new and experimental art that is often ahead of its time. Many of these artists met at a house in Reykjavík called Unuhús.

Louisa painted her subjects with broad brushstrokes. She focused on strong, simple shapes. She once said that she liked to finish her paintings in "one unbroken session." Her early works already showed her unique style, but they used softer colors.

Life in New York and Family

In 1942, Louisa moved to New York City. There, she continued her art studies with Hans Hofmann. Other artists like Robert De Niro, Sr. (who was the father of the famous actor) and Jane Freilicher also studied with them.

In 1944, Louisa married another painter named Leland Bell. They supported each other's art until Bell passed away in 1991. Their daughter, Temma, was born in 1945.

Influences and First Exhibition

In the mid-1940s, Louisa and Bell met Jean Hélion. Hélion's style of painting figures might have influenced Louisa. You can see this in some of her paintings from that time, like Leland and Temma (1948), where she used clear outlines.

Louisa had her very first solo art show in 1948. It took place at the Jane Street Gallery in New York. In 1951–52, Louisa, Bell, and Temma visited Paris. They often met with Hélion, who introduced them to other famous artists like Alberto Giacometti and Balthus.

Developing Her Painting Style

During the 1950s, Louisa's art changed. She started using small, quick brushstrokes and smooth changes in color. But in the 1960s, her style changed again. She began to use bold, clear colors and painted very quickly. She moved away from subtle color changes.

Later Works and Themes

In her last three decades of painting, Louisa created many different types of art. These included beautiful Icelandic landscapes, a series of self-portraits, and still-life paintings of objects on a table. Her landscapes often featured charming and unique depictions of Icelandic horses and sheep.

Louisa remained an Icelandic citizen her entire life. The natural beauty and features of her home country greatly influenced her art. They helped her create bold shapes and clear, bright light in her paintings. The poet John Ashbery once said that her art had a special "flavor, both mellow and astringent, which no other painter gives us."

Awards and Legacy

Louisa Matthíasdóttir received important honors for her work. In 1996, she was given the Cultural Award from the American-Scandinavian Foundation. In 1998, she became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Louisa passed away in Delhi, New York in 2000. Her paintings are now part of many important public art collections. These include the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Reykjavík Art Museum.

Exhibitions

• 2011: From Unuhús to West 8th Street at Kjarvalstaðir, Reykjavík Art Museum

See also

In Spanish: Louisa Matthíasdóttir para niños