Gabriele Münter

by Isabelle Jansen, The Gabriele Munter Und Johannes Eichner-Stiftung (Editor), Stadtische Galerie Im Lenbachhaus Munchen (Editor)

This dynamic new appraisal of the painter Gabriele Munter looks beyond her association with Wassily Kandinsky and completely reevaluates her art on the anniversary of her 140th birthday. Gabriele Munter was a photographer before she was a painter, taking her first photos around 1900 during her stay in the United States. She started painting soon after and never stopped-- working on her art almost every day for the rest of her life. She was an open-minded artist who embraced experimentation, but because her oeuvre has generally been studied through the narrow lens of her relationship with Kandinsky many of her accomplishments have lingered in obscurity. Munter's paintings from the -Blue Rider- years and her association with German Expressionism have often been the focus for evaluations of her work, yet Munter's art was far more multifaceted, imaginative, and stylistically diverse. This book seeks to offer a broader perspective on Munter's creative output. It examines Munter's oeuvre in all its richness: from classic genres such as portraits and landscapes to interiors, abstractions, and her works of -primitivism.-

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 23, 2018

Reviews

[reveurdart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and engaging exhibition which I saw in July. It is always really special when a female artist get the overdue attention they deserve. Of the many exhibitions I've seen over the years, this one truly stood out to me; a great blend of art, photographs, silent film clips (The Thief of Bagdad (1924) directed by Raoul Walsh + Arabesques (1929) directed by the female director Germaine Dulac) and a short documentary on Münter could be seen in the exhibition.

In the catalog you get more detailed information and high quality reproductions printed. Plus, there are works included that weren't part of the exhibition, for example a gorgeous self-portrait from 1908-9. My favourite chapter was on Primitivism (folk art, children's art and the roots of creativity!).

The book stands well on its own, too.
Highly recommended!

[Charlotte]

Wonderful artist

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad to find quality reproductions of some of Munter's work.

[Giovanna Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't see the exhibition but another in Madrid, and was interested to read more about Munter. I wasn't disappointed, it was really interesting to see so much of her work with descriptions. 'Ladies who paint' was how women artists were described back in the day. Wow. How patronising! There is mention of her diaries, it would be interesting to hear more about her personal life, not just Kandinsky, but her time during WWII. She had so many influences, and used so many mediums - photography, painting, prints - I found her photos of early America so interesting!

[Susu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicht nur Blauer Reiter - die Ausstellung zeigt alle Versionen von Gabriele Münters Schaffen, ihre Experimentierfreude und Vielfalt. Sehens- und lesenswert.