Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917 - 2000)

Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917 - 2000) - photo 1

Louisa Matthíasdóttir

Louisa Matthíasdóttir, an Icelandic-American painter, left an indelible mark on the art world with her vibrant landscapes, portraits, and still lifes. Born in Reykjavík in 1917, Matthíasdóttir's early life in the iconic Höfði house and her exposure to the dramatic Icelandic scenery influenced her bold and clear artistic style. Her education spanned continents and artistic philosophies, studying first in Denmark, then under Marcel Gromaire in Paris, and finally under Hans Hofmann in New York City. This diverse education laid the foundation for her unique blend of realism and abstraction, characterized by simplified geometric shapes and luminous, saturated colors.

Matthíasdóttir's work, notably her Icelandic landscapes, became renowned for capturing the essence of her homeland with a distinctive clarity of light and color, despite her spending the majority of her life in the United States. Her ability to infuse the landscapes with life, often incorporating stylized figures of sheep and horses, brought a sense of warmth and immediacy to her work. Her contributions to the art world were recognized with awards and memberships, including the American-Scandinavian Foundation's Cultural Award and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Her paintings are held in high esteem and are part of several prestigious collections, including the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Reykjavík Art Museum. Notable exhibitions of her work include "From Unuhús to West 8th Street" at the Reykjavík Art Museum and a significant showing at the Tibor de Nagy Gallery in New York, which celebrated her Icelandic landscapes and her role in the avant-garde community both in Iceland and the United States​.

For collectors and art experts, Matthíasdóttir's legacy is a testament to the power of cultural heritage and artistic innovation. Her works offer not just visual beauty but a bridge between the landscapes of Iceland and the bustling art scene of New York, reflecting a life lived between two worlds. Those interested in the intersection of culture, art, and history will find her work particularly compelling.

For updates on new product sales, auction events, and exhibitions related to Louisa Matthíasdóttir, signing up for specialized art and antique collector newsletters is highly recommended. This focused approach ensures enthusiasts and experts alike stay informed on opportunities to engage with Matthíasdóttir's influential and beautiful contributions to the world of art.

Date and place of birt:20 february 1917, Reykjavík, Iceland
Date and place of death:26 february 2000, Delhi, USA
Nationality:Iceland, USA
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter
Genre:Genre art, Landscape painting, Portrait, Still life
Art style:Expressionism, Post War Art, Contemporary art

Creators Iceland

Haukur Dór (1940)
Haukur Dór
1940
 Erro (1932)
Erro
1932

Creators Contemporary art

Stanley Brouwn (1935 - 2017)
Stanley Brouwn
1935 - 2017
Anders Petersen (1944)
Anders Petersen
1944
Wilhelm Hoffmann (1897 - 1986)
Wilhelm Hoffmann
1897 - 1986
Oskar Fischer (1892 - 1955)
Oskar Fischer
1892 - 1955
Gudrun Piper (1917 - 2016)
Gudrun Piper
1917 - 2016
Sara Berman (1975)
Sara Berman
1975
Martin Johannes Scholkmann (1938 - 2013)
Martin Johannes Scholkmann
1938 - 2013
Franz Rudolf Knubel (1938 - 2020)
Franz Rudolf Knubel
1938 - 2020
Ralfonso (Ralf) Gschwend (1959)
Ralfonso (Ralf) Gschwend
1959
Martins Krumins (1900 - 1992)
Martins Krumins
1900 - 1992
Erich Reiling (1953)
Erich Reiling
1953
Chris Burden (1946 - 2015)
Chris Burden
1946 - 2015
Richard Aldrich (1975)
Richard Aldrich
1975
Katy Grannan (1969)
Katy Grannan
1969
Roger-Edgar Gillet (1924 - 2004)
Roger-Edgar Gillet
1924 - 2004
Kim En Joong (1940)
Kim En Joong
1940