"The Lotuses," 1960

Charmion Von Wiegand

1896-1983

"The Lotuses," 1960

Oil on canvas
Unsigned; titled and dated on a gallery label affixed verso
60" H x 12" W

Howard Wise Gallery, New York, NY
David Wise and Audry Taylor, Los Angeles, CA, by descent from the above Exhibited: Springfield, MA, Museum of Fine Art, "Three American Purists: Mason, Miles, Von Weigand," May 11-July 12, 1975 Notes: Born on October 10, 1896, in Chicago, Illinois, Charmion von Wiegand was an American artist and journalist who played a significant role in the development of abstract art and the promotion of spiritual philosophies in the 20th century.

Charmion's life journey was marked by a deep exploration of art, metaphysics, and the human condition. In her early years, Charmion von Wiegand developed a keen interest in literature and the arts. She studied journalism at Columbia University in New York City and began her career as a journalist, working for several publications including the New York American and the New York World. During this time, she interviewed numerous artists, writers, and intellectuals, which allowed her to immerse herself in the vibrant cultural scene of the 1920s and 1930s.

In the late 1920s, Charmion's passion for art took a new direction when she encountered the works of Piet Mondrian, a Dutch abstract artist who would greatly influence her artistic journey. She became deeply inspired by Mondrian's use of geometric forms, primary colors, and his exploration of spiritual dimensions in art. This encounter marked a turning point in Charmion's life, leading her to embrace abstract art as her own creative expression.

Painted in 1960, "The Lotuses" dates to a period in the artist's career when Charmion von Wiegand found herself immersed in a rapidly changing artistic landscape. She moved away from strict geometric abstraction and began incorporating more organic and fluid forms into her work. This shift reflected the broader artistic movements of the time, such as Abstract Expressionism and the Color Field movement, with Charmion embracing these new approaches to the expressive potential of color and gesture in her paintings.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Charmion von Wiegand remained an active participant in the art community. She continued to exhibit her work in solo and group shows, gaining recognition for her unique style and philosophical approach. Her contributions to the art world were celebrated, and she was regarded as an important figure bridging the gap between the abstract art movement and spiritual exploration.

Works by Charmion von Wiegand can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Related artists include: Ilya Bolotowsky, Nassos Daphnis, Burgoyne A. Diller, Werner Drewes, John Ferren, John Wesley Greene, Raymond Jonson, Joseph Meierhans, Piet Mondrian, Irene Rice Pereira, Harvey Quaytman, Hilla Rebay, Charles Green Shaw, Esphyr Slobodkina, and Jean Xceron.

Condition:

Condition: A detailed conservation report from Kamila Korbela of L.A. Art Labs, an independent restorer who is not an employee of John Moran Auctioneers, is available upon request.

Frame: 61" H x 13.5" W x 2" D

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