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

Tomás Sánchez (1948)
Tomás Sánchez
1948
Horst Rellecke (1951)
Horst Rellecke
1951
Hamish Fulton (1946)
Hamish Fulton
1946
Margo Weber-Junod (1908 - 1997)
Margo Weber-Junod
1908 - 1997
Boris Yakovlevich Maluev (1929 - 1990)
Boris Yakovlevich Maluev
1929 - 1990
David Ostrowski (1981)
David Ostrowski
1981
Dieter Finke (1939 - 2011)
Dieter Finke
1939 - 2011
Albert Decaris (1901 - 1988)
Albert Decaris
1901 - 1988
Igor Sergeyevich Chelkovsky (1937)
Igor Sergeyevich Chelkovsky
1937
Alec DeMarco (1989)
Alec DeMarco
1989
Jessie Stevenson (1993)
Jessie Stevenson
1993
Hendrik Nicolaas Werkman (1882 - 1945)
Hendrik Nicolaas Werkman
1882 - 1945
 Hawoli (1935)
Hawoli
1935
Dirk Oudes (1895 - 1969)
Dirk Oudes
1895 - 1969
Sergei Aleksandrovich Fediaev (1935)
Sergei Aleksandrovich Fediaev
1935
Danièle Rochon (1946)
Danièle Rochon
1946