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  1. "The Victor," Ottilie W. Roederstein, 1898.

    Swiss-German Roederstein (1859-1937) was primarily known for her portraits, although it's unknown if this was meant to be a portrait of someone, or just a symbolic work.

    By this time in her career, Roederstein was a successful artist who had achieved an education and had exhibited both in Europe and the U.S., notable for a woman at the time. I wonder if perhaps this is an expression of her personal success....but perhaps not.

    Still, it's a nicely composed piece; the model is almost like a sculpture, and it's overall an interesting mix of classical elements with modern style. And his determined pose makes him memorable.

    From the Städel Museum, Frankfurt.

    #Art #OttilieRoederstein #Realism #AcademicArt #WomenArtists

  2. "Still Life: Basket with Fruit on a Table," Ottilie W. Roederstein, 1909.

    I've written about Roederstein before; she was a Swiss/German painter, mainly portraits, and was the partner of Elisabeth Winterhalter, a pioneering doctor. (I've featured a number of queer artists this week, purely by chance.)

    This still life may have been done as an exercise; it's not her usual thing. It's appropriate for late summer, with the apples and pears, but also a nice juxtaposition of colors. Still lifes can be bland, but here she has colors meeting each other while not being overwhelming. A very nice work.

    Roederstein was fairly famous in her day as a portrait painter, but is largely forgotten today and deserves rediscovery. Look for her self-portrait with a hat; I love that painting.

    From the Städel, Frankfurt.

    #Art #StillLife #AcademicArt #OttilieRoederstein #WomenArtists #LBGTQArt #QueerHistory

  3. And just for fun, here's a self-portrait by Roederstein that I love very much.

    "Self-Portrait in a Straw Hat," Ottilie W. Roederstein, 1904.

    #Art #WomenArtists #OttilieRoederstein #QueerHistory

  4. "Portrait of Dr. Elisabeth Winterhalter," Ottilie W. Roederstein, 1887-88.

    Born in Zurich, Roederstein (1859-1937) became interested in art at an early age, which horrified her conventional parents, but they eventually allowed her to study with a local artist. It became obvious she was hugely talented, & her married sister, who lived in Berlin, took her in so she could continue her studies. By 1882 she had her first exhibition, & in 1887 was totally self-supporting as an artist. She continued to exhibit & traveled widely until 1931, when she retired.

    The subject of this charming portrait is Dr. Elisabeth Winterhalter (1856-1952), Germany's first woman doctor, & also Roederstein's partner. She also defied her family by going to study medicine in Zurich, where she and Roederstein met & fell in love. Elisabeth returned to Germany where she practiced obstetrics & gynecology, but didn't receive a full medical license until 1902, when German law was changed to allow women doctors.

    The Third Reich largely ignored them; by then both were retired & living quietly. Elisabeth was honored by West German president Heuss for her contributions to the medical field shortly before her death at 95. She & Ottilie are buried together.

    From the Städel Museum, Frankfurt.

    #Art #WomenArtists #QueerHistory #OttilieRoederstein