Ruth Grotenrath (American, 1912-1988)
Untitled [Still Life with Irises], 1965
Casein on masonite
30 x 24 inches
Gift of Kohler Foundation, Inc.
2009.1.7
Wisconsin artists Ruth Grotenrath (1912-1988) and Schomer Lichtner (1905-2006) were celebrated as the preeminent art couple in Milwaukee during the mid-twentieth century. The bold, colorful paintings of their mature careers were inspired by Japanese art and early modernism. Throughout her prolific career, Grotenrath painted vibrant still lifes, garden scenes, and interiors filled with imagery culled from her home and gardens.
This interior still life by Wisconsin artist Ruth Grotenrath pays homage to French painter Henri Matisse with its lively palette, sinuous lines, dynamic patterns, and avant-garde composition.