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

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

Creators Contemporary art

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Hovsep Pushman
1877 - 1966
Thomas Wachweger (1943 - 2015)
Thomas Wachweger
1943 - 2015
Oluwole Omofemi (1988)
Oluwole Omofemi
1988
Joe Tilson (1928 - 2023)
Joe Tilson
1928 - 2023
Piero Gilardi (1942 - 2023)
Piero Gilardi
1942 - 2023
Hubertus Giebe (1953)
Hubertus Giebe
1953
Fritz Fleer (1921 - 1997)
Fritz Fleer
1921 - 1997
Horst Antes (1936)
Horst Antes
1936
Gennady Fyodorovich Babikov (1911 - 1993)
Gennady Fyodorovich Babikov
1911 - 1993
Nicole Wittenberg (1979)
Nicole Wittenberg
1979
Peter Granser (1971)
Peter Granser
1971
Albert Bitran (1931 - 2018)
Albert Bitran
1931 - 2018
Stuart Brisley (1933)
Stuart Brisley
1933
Hartmut Böhm (1938 - 2021)
Hartmut Böhm
1938 - 2021
Alf Lechner (1925 - 2017)
Alf Lechner
1925 - 2017
Anni Albers (1899 - 1994)
Anni Albers
1899 - 1994