Emil Bisttram (1895-1976)

"Projection no.10” Geometric Abstraction

Oil on Canvas 32x36" signed on the lower right side c.1950

A leader in the development of modern art in america Emil Bisttram pioneered its introduction in the southwest moving from NY to Taos New Mexico in 1931.  Before 1931 the Hungariain born artist was exposed to advanced painting and art theory through his close assocations with artist such as Nicholas Roerich  and Kandinsky.  Bisttram opend the Taos School of art, at that time called the Bisttram school of fine arts, in 1932.  In 1938 along with Raymond Jonhson he founded the Transcendentalist painting group whose members sought to convey the cosmic and universal by means of nonobjective aesthetic.  Yet despite his commitment to nonobjective painting Bisttram continued to employ a range of styles throughout his career.  In addition to his hard edged geometric  abstractions he explored cubism, expressionism and representationalism.