Emil Bisttram, Untitled, Non-objective work, c.1930. pencil on paper. 12 x 9". Provenance: Larsen Art Auction, Scottsdale, AZ. Jessica Leigh Collection, Bedford Art Gallery Brooklyn, New York. Emil Bisttram was a dynamic figure in the American art scene, known for his diverse range of styles and his pivotal role in the Taos art community. Born in 1895, in Nagylak, Austria-Hungary (present-day Nadlac, Romania), Bisttram immigrated to New York with his family in 1906, settling in the Lower East Side.Bisttram's early years in New York were marked by a colorful array of experiences. Expelled from school at sixteen, he became involved in the notorious street fights between Irish and Jewish ghettos, eventually gaining recognition as an amateur fighter known as "Battling Bennett." It was during this time that his talent caught the eye of a commercial art firm owner, who, impressed by Bisttram's skills both in the ring and on canvas, offered him a position, thus launching his career in art.His journey in the art world took him through a series of formal studies at prestigious institutions such as the National Academy of Design, Cooper Union, the Art Students League, and the New York School of Fine and Applied Art under the tutelage of Howard Giles. Bisttram's evolving artistic vision ranged from a serene 1930s classicism to cosmic abstractions influenced by Jay Hambidge's Dynamic Symmetry theory.In 1930, Bisttram embarked on a transformative journey to New Mexico, followed by a stint in Mexico, where he studied fresco techniques with Diego Rivera, supported by a Guggenheim grant. Upon returning to Taos in 1932, he made significant contributions to the local art scene, establishing the Heptagon Gallery, one of the first commercial galleries in the area, and founding the avant-garde Taos School of Art.Bisttram's bold departure from traditional painting styles in the early 1930s drew both admiration and criticism within the Taos art community. Despite opposition from some quarters, his innovative approach found support from fellow artists like Dorothy Brett, Ernest Blumenschein, and Eleanor Kissel, who recognized the value of his contributions to modern art.In 1938, Bisttram founded the New Mexico Transcendental Artists group, cementing his reputation as a leading figure in the region's art scene. His influence extended further with the co-founding of the Taos Art Association in 1952, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing artistic talent and fostering creative expression. Bisttram's art work an be found in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art , The Taos Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Museum, The Denver Museum, the LACMA, the National Gallery of Art, The Phoenix Museum, and the Portland Art Museum among dozens others.

Appears to be in Excellent Condition. Not examined outside the frame

12 x 9 x 1 in

1 lb