There is still time to discover Otto Neumann: Modern Artist, the acclaimed German artist’s first Oklahoma presentation. On view through Saturday, November 28, the exhibition brings together 19 remarkable mid-century works on paper, most of which had never been seen by the public before this presentation.
Curated by Sean Ferneau, the exhibition offers a closer look at Neumann’s bold examinations of the human form and his distinctive abstract compositions. His work has attracted collectors, designers, and curators for decades and is represented in the permanent collections of more than 30 institutions worldwide, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Visit the Gallery during these final weeks to experience the works in person. For additional information, please contact 1515 Lincoln Gallery.
Otto Neumann was a German artist (b. 1895). His father was Fritz Neumann, a notable professor at the University of Heidelberg. His parents socialized with prominent Germans, including theologian Ernst Troeltsch and sociologist Max Weber, and Otto was exposed to the best of Heidelberg culture.
He studied at the Munich Art Academy and trained under several renowned German artists. In 1929, he married Hilde Rothschild. This was a true partnership: she convinced him not to destroy his early work; he refused to divorce her during the Third Reich. The Nazis labeled him a “degenerate artist.”
One constant of his career is change. First, he abandoned commissioned portraiture in favor of literary and religious subjects. Similarly, he shifted from oils to watercolors, and after WWII, he focused solely on printmaking. In the 1950’s, his figurative work was influenced by the simple lines of ancient Greek drinking vessels, a style which also influenced his contemporaries Henry Moore, Matisse and Picasso. During the 1960’s, the prints transformed and became more abstract, a trend which continued until his death in 1975.
Otto Neumann was a master German printmaker and one of the great 20th century artists. His work is permanently collected by more than 30 institutions worldwide, including Art Institute - Chicago, Detroit Institute of Arts, High Museum of Art, and MOMA - NY.
About Sean Ferneau
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Sean Ferneau attended the College of Charleston and graduated with a degree in Art History. Before becoming the Director of the Otto Neumann Collection, Sean worked with several notable galleries, including Ann Long Fine Art and Horton Hayes Fine Art. Sean works with the German artist’s Collection to deepen appreciation for Neumann’s place in modern art history while making sure the artist’s work and legacy is accessible for future generations.
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