47

ALICE L. MATTERN

American, 1909-1945

"Abandon"

oil on canvas
signed and initialed lower right "Alice Mattern, ALM", initialed on the reverse "ALM"
40 x 40 inches

  • Provenance: The artist; descended in the family to Private Collection, Illinois; Private Collection.
  • Exhibited: New York, New York, Museum on Non-Objective Painting, "Alice Mattern Memorial", 1945, cat. no. 7.
  • Notes: A copy of the exhibition catalog from the "Alice Mattern Memorial" accompanies this lot.

    Framed dimensions: 46 1/4 x 46 1/4 x 3 3/4 inches

    Alice Mattern is associated with the group of Non-Objective artists, a group whose focus was geometric forms, cosmic, musical and metaphysical motifs and conceptual art for the future. Mattern was born in New York City and grew up in LaSalle, Illinois. She studied art at Bradley College in Peoria, Illinois and returned to New York City in 1938. There she studied with Rudolf Bauer, a master of Non-Objective painting.

    Mattern painted exclusively in a Non-Objective style after 1939. She regularly submitted paintings on loan to the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, a precursor to the Guggenheim. These were exhibited throughout the early 1940s at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation building on East 54th Street in Manhattan. Mattern's paintings were shown alongside those of Harry Bertoia, Werner Drewes, Hilla Rebay, Rolph Scarlett, John Sennhauser and Jean Xceron.

    Abandon is a newly rediscovered treasure by Mattern. Her unfortunately short career as a Non-Objective artist, spanning only six years, yielded very few known works.

    Following her death in 1944, fifty-nine of her works, including the present lot, were displayed at The Museum of Non-Objective Painting in 1945 as part of a memorial exhibition. Mattern's contemporaries and fellow Non-Objective artists Rolph Scarlett, Hilla Rebay and Jean Xceron all contributed to the exhibition pamphlet celebrating her work.

    In the exhibition brochure Hilla Rebay wrote, "Alice Mattern was a great artist; she developed in her work increasing simplicity in the rhythmic space organization, as well as in the form problems of modern development. This wonderful balance represents a rare achievement in the aesthetic development and expression of Art."


    Tags: oil painting, listed artist, abstract, non-objective, 20th century, female artist, woman artist
  • Condition: In very good overall condition; an 11 inch repaired vertical tear in the upper left of center canvas and a repaired 2.5 inch vertical tear in the upper right canvas; recent treatment report from Yost Conservation available upon request; UV photos available upon request

    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE. 

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