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Edward Marecak
Goddess of Fertility, 1960s Semi-Abstract Oil Painting, Nude Figure & Flowers

1966

$5,500
£4,190.16
€4,831.42
CA$7,697.14
A$8,600.27
CHF 4,498.89
MX$105,466.88
NOK 57,487.34
SEK 54,513.22
DKK 36,059.49
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About the Item

Goddess of Fertility is a vibrant, vintage 1960s original oil painting by artist Edward Marecak (1919-1993). This semi-abstract piece features dynamic, somewhat cubist nude female and male figures set against an interior scene filled with flowers and fruit. Painted in a bold palette of red, pink, yellow, orange, blue, green, brown, and black, the composition is a powerful exploration of form, color, and life. The painting measures 34 x 42 x ¾ inches and is unframed, though custom framing options are available upon request. Provenance: Estate of the artist, Edward Marecak. Condition: The painting is in good condition—please contact us for a detailed condition report. About the Artist: Born in 1919 in Ohio to Slovakian immigrant parents from the Carpathian region, Edward Marecak grew up in a multicultural neighborhood near Cleveland. His childhood, rich with Slavic folk tales and customs, deeply influenced his later work as a professional artist. At the age of twelve, Marecak’s family moved to Cleveland, where he was immersed in a community of Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and Slovenians. Marecak earned a full scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art (1938-1942), where he studied under notable artists such as Henry George Keller, whose work was featured in the 1913 New York Armory Show. Before being drafted into World War II, Marecak briefly attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where he studied with artists like Zoltan Sepeshy and Carl Milles. After serving in the Aleutian Islands during the war, Marecak used the G.I. Bill to study at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (1946-1950), where he worked under renowned instructors like Jean Charlot and Mary Chenoweth. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1951 and later obtained his teaching certificate from the University of Denver. Marecak’s early work was heavily influenced by Magic Realism and referential abstraction, but after moving to Colorado, he made a radical shift in style. His first solo exhibition in 1949 featured works that reflected his new direction, combining traditional and modern elements in unique ways. Over the years, he produced not only paintings but also lithographs, hooked rugs, ceramics, and textiles. He collaborated frequently with his wife, Donna Fortin, an accomplished ceramist, designing ceramic tableware and furniture. Edward Marecak's work was featured in a retrospective at the Kirkland Museum in 2007, solidifying his place as a preeminent figure in Colorado's modern art scene. His legacy lives on through his contributions to both the art world and his community, where he taught art for over 25 years in the Denver Public Schools.
  • Creator:
    Edward Marecak (1919 - 1993)
  • Creation Year:
    1966
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 42 in (106.68 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    very good vintage condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    Denver, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 221491stDibs: LU2738812682

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