COLORFUL FACTS ABOUT FAMOUS ARTISTS
PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR
1841–1919
Renoir was a better singer than artist, but was unable to make a living at it, so turned to art. He painted quickly, sometimes only spending a half hour on a painting.
Source: Kaylee Randall, TheCollector.com
MARY CASSATT
1844–1926
Cassatt was the only American associated with the French Impressionists, being invited by Edgar Degas. Cassatt’s family never approved or supported her as an artist, and she left all her art to support the Suffragists. Source: MilanArtInstitute.com
EDGAR DEGAS 1834–1917
Degas did not like Impressionists and did not like to be identified with them. He collected lace handkerchiefs. Source: Zoë Vanderweide, Sothebys.com
GEORGIA O’KEEFFE
1887–1986
O’Keeffe was insistent that her paintings of flowers really were just paintings of flowers and not female genitalia.
Source: readersdigest.co.uk
WASSILY KANDINSKY
1866–1944
Kandinsky was obsessed with synesthesia. He believed that music and art were inextricably linked and music was a big influence with his art. Kandinsky did not limit himself to painting, he designed interiors, clothing and furniture. He also dabbled with photography and filmmaking. Source: atxfinearts.com
SALVADOR DALÍ
1904–1989
To avoid paying for expensive dinners with friends at restaurants, Dalí would write a check, then draw a picture on the back. Most restaurants would rather own an original Dalí than cash the check. Source: Parispass.com
CLAUDE MONET 1840–1926
ÉDOUARD MANET
1832–1883
Manet came to Paris to become an artist after he failed the navy training school entrance exam.
Source: Ian S., discoverwalks.com
Monet started as a caricaturist and sold charcoal drawings. His neighbors in Giverny were cattle farmers and not fond of his water garden. Monet’s gardener would dust off his water lilies when Monet wanted to paint them.
Source: Peggy Carouthers, artandobject.com
88 Summer 2023
Art with Altitude