Margarete Seeler (1909–1996) was a German-born American artist, designer, educator, and author. She was known for work as a goldsmith, her enamelwork, graphic design, and her paintings. She was one of the best known enamelers in the United States, specifically for her cloisonné work.[1][2] She published two books on enameling, The Art of Enameling (1969) and Enamel Medium for Fine Art (1997). Seeler was elected as a Fellow of the American Craft Council in 1993.[3]
Margarete Seeler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1909 Berlin, German Empire |
| Died | 1996 (aged 86–87) Kennebunkport, Maine, U.S. |
| Education | United State Schools for Free and Applied Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, designer, educator, author |
| Known for | Cloisonné, grisaille, plique-à-jour |
| Spouse | Herbert Zeitner (m. 1938–1942; divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | American Craft Council (1993) |
Biography
editMargarete Seeler was born in 1909 in the Schöneberg neighborhood of Berlin, German Empire.[1]
At age 16, she started to study at the United States Schools for Free and Applied Arts (German: Vereinigte Staatsschulen für freie und angewandte Kunst), primarily painting and drawing.[1][4] Her professors included Bruno Paul, and Wilhelm Tank.[4]
She lived in Italy in 1934, for one year, where she took commissioned portrait work.[1] Seeler was able to save enough to travel around the world for the next two years.[1] She was married from 1938 until 1942 to her former professor, silversmith Herbert Zeitner, and together they had two children.[4]
After World War II, Seeler was able to leave East Germany and move to West Germany.[2] In 1958, she moved to the United States,[2][5] to teach at The Putney School. From 1965 to 1985, she taught at the University of Connecticut. Notable students of Seeler include Mariluisa Barz.[6]
Seeler often worked with pewterer Frances Felten, providing the enamel work on the top of her pewter.[5] Seeler's work is included in public museum collections including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,[4][7] the National Galleries of Scotland,[8] among others.
Publications
edit- Seeler, Margaret (1969). The Art of Enameling: How to Shape Precious Metal and Decorate it with Cloisonné, Champlevé, Plique-à-jour, Mercury Gilding and Other Fine Techniques. New York City, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. ISBN 9780442281649.
- Seeler, Margarete (1996). Enamel, Medium for Fine Art. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Dorrance Publishing Co. ISBN 9780805939422.
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e Jazzar, Bernard N.; Nelson, Harold B. (2006). Painting with Fire: Masters of Enameling in America, 1930-1980. Long Beach Museum of Art. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-9712772-8-1.
- ^ a b c Gordon, John Stuart (2018-01-01). American Glass. Yale University Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-300-22669-0.
- ^ "College of Fellows". American Craft Council. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
- ^ a b c d "The Cup of '88". Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
- ^ a b Kirkham, Pat (2000-01-01). Women Designers in the USA, 1900-2000: Diversity and Difference. Yale University Press. pp. 240–241. ISBN 978-0-300-09331-5.
- ^ Kay, Ernest (1972). The Two Thousand Women of Achievement. Melrose Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-900332-24-1.
- ^ Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000: American Silver in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. MFA Pub. 2008. p. 444. ISBN 978-0-87846-721-1.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Seeler, Margarete, 1909–1997". Art UK. Public Catalogue Foundation. Retrieved 2022-04-06.