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Emil Bisttram Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

American, Hungarian, 1895-1976
Emil James Bisttram Born Hungary, 1895 Died New Mexico, 1976 Emil Bisttram was born in Hungary in 1895 and emigrated with his parents when he was eleven to America. Bisttram choose a more economically promising career in commercial art design due to his economic conditions. Bisttram opened his own art agency at the young age of twenty and during this time took classes with Leon Kroll at the Art Student League and with Jay Hambidge, an advocate of Dynamic Symmetry, at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (renamed the Parsons School of Design). Dynamic Symmetry is a system of spacial balances and had a lifelong impact on Bisttram. Bisttram taught at Parsons from 1920 to 1925 and at the New York Master Institute of United Arts at the Roerich Museum from 1925-1930. The Institute was a spiritual inspiration to Bisttram because it advocated linking the fine arts together. His style of painting however was more influenced by Kandinsky and he began to experiment in non-objective art. Bisttram received many awards including a Guggenheim fellowship in 1931 to study mural painting. However, he decided to go to Mexico study with the great Mexican Muralist Diego Rivera. After returning from Mexico, Bisttram participated in an exhibition at the Whitney Museum for Guggenheim fellows in 1933 and received a commission to create a mural for the Taos, New Mexico courthouse. The Taos School of Art (renamed Bisttram School of Fine Art) which explored spiritualism and meditation was opened by Bisttram in 1932 where he taught some famous painters including Florence Miller Pierce. Together with Raymond Jonson and Lauren Harris, the Transcendental Painting Group was formed in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 1938-1942. This group was considered very radical for the time and the community reacted with much disdain. Bisttram continued to teach and paint and it is thought that Bisttram’s art truly represents transcendental ideas.
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Artist: Emil Bisttram
The Couple
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "EJB" at lower left 21 13/16 x 17 inches including frame
Category

1920s American Modern Emil Bisttram Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

The Couple
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "EJB." at lower right 21 3/4 x 17 inches including frame
Category

1920s Modern Emil Bisttram Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Lady with Flower
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "E.JB." at lower right 21 7/8 x 17 inches including frame
Category

1920s Modern Emil Bisttram Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

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Emil Bisttram figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Emil Bisttram figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Emil Bisttram in paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1920s and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Emil Bisttram figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Samuel Grunvald, Marcel Gromaire, and Raphael Soyer. Emil Bisttram figurative drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,000 and tops out at $8,500, while the average work can sell for $6,500.

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