The American Realist and the German Modernist: Grace Albee (1890 – 1985) & Margarete Koehler-Bittkow (1887 – 1964) | Bert Gallery Now

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The American Realist and the German Modernist: Grace Albee (1890 – 1985) & Margarete Koehler-Bittkow (1887 – 1964)

2013

One would think that two women artists born three years apart would share a similar visual lexicon in their art careers. Albee and Koehler-Bittkow offer a dramatic contrast to the complexity of image making ripping through the art world in the 1930’s.

Albee, an American perfecting the technique of wood engraving, generated images of rural America while Koehler-Bittkow gouged out vigorous woodblock images of the German landscape and nature.

This small pocket exhibit explores the “virtuoso craftsmanship” of Albee and the “frank and riveting aesthetic” of Koehler-Bittkow. Each woman charting very different artistic paths within the same time period.

Exhibit slideshow

1. A Peaceful Afternoon, 1943, Wood engraving, 7" x 9"

1. A Peaceful Afternoon, 1943, Wood engraving, 7" x 9"

2. Aground on Seal Rock, 1967, Wood engraving, 7" x 4 1/4"

2. Aground on Seal Rock, 1967, Wood engraving, 7" x 4 1/4"

3. Au Bon Marche, 1932, Wood engraving, 2 7/8" x 3"

3. Au Bon Marche, 1932, Wood engraving, 2 7/8" x 3"

5. Breton types, 1930, Wood engraving, 2 3/16" x 3 3/16"

5. Breton types, 1930, Wood engraving, 2 3/16" x 3 3/16"

6. Butchering at Fluck’s Place, 1941 Wood Engraving 8" x 10"

6. Butchering at Fluck’s Place, 1941 Wood Engraving 8" x 10"

7. Cacti, 1932, Wood engraving, 6" x 4.5"

7. Cacti, 1932, Wood engraving, 6" x 4.5"

8. Collector’s Item, 1945, Wood engraving, 5" x 5"

8. Collector’s Item, 1945, Wood engraving, 5" x 5"

9. Down by the Old Willow, 1968 Wood engraving 9" x 12"

9. Down by the Old Willow, 1968 Wood engraving 9" x 12"

10. Edible no 3, Mushrooms, Wood engraving, 3 15/16 x 5 7/8 "

10. Edible no 3, Mushrooms, Wood engraving, 3 15/16 x 5 7/8 "

11. Flatstone cove, 1954, Wood Engraving, 6 3/4" x 9 1/8"

11. Flatstone cove, 1954, Wood Engraving, 6 3/4" x 9 1/8"

12. Flight into Egypt, "Wisemen", 1943 Wood engraving 5 1/8" x 5 1/2"

12. Flight into Egypt, "Wisemen", 1943 Wood engraving 5 1/8" x 5 1/2"

13. Gossipy Bretons, 1977, Wood engraving, 4.5" x 6"

13. Gossipy Bretons, 1977, Wood engraving, 4.5" x 6"

14. Guardian of the Border, 1929, Wood engraving, 7 1/2" x 6"

14. Guardian of the Border, 1929, Wood engraving, 7 1/2" x 6"

15. Gulls, 1968, Wood engraving, 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

15. Gulls, 1968, Wood engraving, 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

16. L’Escarene - Southern France, 1929, Wood engraving, 2 3/16" x 3" 1/4"

16. L’Escarene - Southern France, 1929, Wood engraving, 2 3/16" x 3" 1/4"

17. Mushrooms and Mucilage, 1929, Wood engraving, 4" x 6"

17. Mushrooms and Mucilage, 1929, Wood engraving, 4" x 6"

18. Oliver, 1929, Linoleum cut, 5 3/10" x 3 13/16"

18. Oliver, 1929, Linoleum cut, 5 3/10" x 3 13/16"

19. Prince, 1979 Wood Engraving 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

19. Prince, 1979 Wood Engraving 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

20. Subzero, 1972, Wood engraving, 9" x 12"

20. Subzero, 1972, Wood engraving, 9" x 12"

21. The Boyer Place, 1946 Wood Engraving, 5" x 7 5/16"

21. The Boyer Place, 1946 Wood Engraving, 5" x 7 5/16"

22. The Moth, 1945, Wood engraving, 5" x 3 1/2"

22. The Moth, 1945, Wood engraving, 5" x 3 1/2"

23. The Old Burying Ground - St Patrick Chapel - N Y C, 1935, Wood engraving, 4 1/4" x 2 1/16"

23. The Old Burying Ground - St Patrick Chapel - N Y C, 1935, Wood engraving, 4 1/4" x 2 1/16"

24. Tomato and Worm, 1940, Wood Engraving, 5 1/8" x 4 1/2"

24. Tomato and Worm, 1940, Wood Engraving, 5 1/8" x 4 1/2"

25. Wild Flowers, 1976, Wood engraving, 5 1/4 " x 4"11/16"

25. Wild Flowers, 1976, Wood engraving, 5 1/4 " x 4"11/16"

Additional Resources

Past Exhibit: The Magical Realism of Louise E. Marianetti
Biography and Video Lecture Series

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