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Margarete Seeler

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Margarete Seeler
Born1909
Berlin, German Empire
Died1996 (aged 86–87)
Kennebunkport, Maine, U.S.
EducationUnited State Schools for Free and Applied Arts
Occupation(s)Artist, designer, educator, author
Known forCloisonné, grisaille, plique-à-jour
SpouseHerbert Zeitner (m. 1938–1942; divorced)
Children2
AwardsAmerican Craft Council (1993)
Seeler's "Family Cup", ca. 1974

Margarete Seeler (1909–1996) was a German-born American artist, designer, educator, and author. She was known for work as a goldsmith, her enamelwork, graphic design, and her paintings. She was one of the best known enamelers in the United States, specifically for her cloisonné work.[1][2] She published two books on enameling, The Art of Enameling (1969) and Enamel Medium for Fine Art (1997). Seeler was elected as a Fellow of the American Craft Council in 1993.[3]

Biography

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Margarete Seeler was born in 1909 in the Schöneberg neighborhood of Berlin, German Empire.[1]

At age 16, she started to study at the United States Schools for Free and Applied Arts [Wikidata] (German: Vereinigte Staatsschulen für freie und angewandte Kunst), primarily painting and drawing.[1][4] Her professors included Bruno Paul, and Wilhelm Tank.[4]

She lived in Italy in 1934, for one year, where she took commissioned portrait work.[1] Seeler was able to save enough to travel around the world for the next two years.[1] She was married from 1938 until 1942 to her former professor, silversmith Herbert Zeitner [de], and together they had two children.[4]

After World War II, Seeler was able to leave East Germany and move to West Germany.[2] In 1958, she moved to the United States,[2][5] to teach at The Putney School. From 1965 to 1985, she taught at the University of Connecticut. Notable students of Seeler include Mariluisa Barz.[6]

Seeler often worked with pewterer Frances Felten, providing the enamel work on the top of her pewter.[5] Seeler's work is included in public museum collections including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,[4][7] the National Galleries of Scotland,[8] among others.

Publications

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  • Seeler, Margaret (1969). The Art of Enameling: How to Shape Precious Metal and Decorate it with Cloisonné, Champlevé, Plique-à-jour, Mercury Gilding and Other Fine Techniques. New York City, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. ISBN 9780442281649.
  • Seeler, Margarete (1996). Enamel, Medium for Fine Art. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Dorrance Publishing Co. ISBN 9780805939422.

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Margarete Seeler.
  1. ^ a b c d e Jazzar, Bernard N.; Nelson, Harold B. (2006). Painting with Fire: Masters of Enameling in America, 1930-1980. Long Beach Museum of Art. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-9712772-8-1.
  2. ^ a b c Gordon, John Stuart (2018-01-01). American Glass. Yale University Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-300-22669-0.
  3. ^ "College of Fellows". American Craft Council. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Cup of '88". Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  5. ^ a b Kirkham, Pat (2000-01-01). Women Designers in the USA, 1900-2000: Diversity and Difference. Yale University Press. pp. 240–241. ISBN 978-0-300-09331-5.
  6. ^ Kay, Ernest (1972). The Two Thousand Women of Achievement. Melrose Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-900332-24-1.
  7. ^ Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000: American Silver in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. MFA Pub. 2008. p. 444. ISBN 978-0-87846-721-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ "Seeler, Margarete, 1909–1997". Art UK. Public Catalogue Foundation. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
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