Seth Wissner (1922-2014): Twentieth Century Abstraction

seth wissner

p a i n t i n g s works on paper s c u l p t u r e s

seth wissner

p a i n t i n g s works on paper s c u l p t u r e s presented by McCaughen & Burr Fine Arts 117 West Lockwood Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63119 314.961.7786 Please visit our website at www.McCaughenandBurr.com for more American paintings and prints from the 19th and early 20th century, Missouri, St. Louis and Regionalist painters.

Seth Wissner was born in 1922, to Cora and Henry Wissner in St Louis, MO. He was interested in art and music his entire life. He was very forward-thinking in his taste for art, being one of the first abstract painters working in St Louis (late 1930s-early 40s).

Wissner’s work was included in the first two exhibitions at the City Art Museum of St Louis known as the Annual Missouri Exhibition; the inaugural show being in November of 1941. His abstract painting, Balance, was shown at this exhibition.

In 1942, Wissner exhibited twenty-five oils, five lithographs, and four watercolors in an exhibition at the Eleanor Smith Galleries, located in the Fairmont Hotel, at Maryland Avenue and Euclid, in St Louis. It was a two-man exhibit featuring the work of Wissner and another St Louis modern painter, Ray Jones.

The two were encouraged by their former professor at Washington University, Dorothy Neuhoff, to do the exhibit. Wissner’s oil, #39 , was accepted to be included in the St Louis Art Museum’s “Second Annual Missouri Exhibition” , taking place in November of 1942.

Ray Jones (left) and Seth Wissner with a group of their paintings at the Eleanor Smith Galleries

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Ray Jones, Infinite Forms, c. 1942-43; mixed media collage mounted on board

Wissner’s style was influenced by the Bauhaus artists. The exact nature or depth of the connections with these artists is uncertain, but he had direct correspondence with Lyonel Feininger and owned Feininger’s work, and had at the least visited Moholy-Nagy when he was Director of the School of Design in Chicago. He had in his personal papers a syllabus from the School of Design with hand-written notes including a class schedule. He also made hand-written notes regarding an exhibition he had attended there showing works by teachers and students, including Moholy-Nagy, Georgy Kepes, Robert Wolff, Robert Tague, and others.

Lyonel Feininger’s Church, 1937 (left) and Wissner’s Cathedral of Pisa, 1943 (right)

Wissner befriended Béla Martin, who had studied under Josef Albers (another Bauhaus-trained artist) at Black Mountain College. Martin was also an abstract painter, and his life unfolded similarly to Wissner in that he studied art initially, but eventually pursued a more traditional career:Martin flew as a pilot in the war and then went on to fly as a commercial pilot for many years, abandoning his art.

(Left to right) Moholy-Nagy, Yellow Circle, 1921; Wissner, Abstract Composition, 1940; Wissner, Balance, 1941

It is uncertain if Wissner took classes at the School of Design in Chicago (also known as the New Bauhaus). Yet another Bauhaus influence on Wissner’s work may have been the arrival of Werner Drewes to teach at the St Louis School of Fine Art (Washington University) in the mid-1940s. Drewes was trained at the Bauhaus in Germany and was a good friend of both Kandinsky and Moholy-Nagy.

Kandinsky’s, Improvisation 28, 1912 and Wissner’s Untitled Abstract, 1938

Béla Martin, two works from 1941

Wissner graduated from Washington University in St Louis, and eventually gave up his artistic aspirations to become a doctor of medicine. He remained very active in the arts scene, however, befriending many artists and loaning works from his personal collection to the museum. Wissner served as a doctor in WWII, stationed in Yokohama, Japan shortly after the US dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. Yokohama itself was victim of a ferocious firebombing a month earlier, when in about an hour, B-29s reduced 42% of the city to rubble, killing 8,000 people. Wissner executed a series of paintings based on his experiences there, depicting faces of Japanese people, contorted and deformed, recording the horrific aftermath of the war.

Wissner commented in an interview years later how he was discouraged from helping the Japanese people and how badly it made him feel.

Wissner exhibited his oil Christ on the Via Dolorosa at the St Louis Artist Guild in 1952. It is likely, but uncertain if he exhibited at the Artist Guild in other years. After a long and successful career as a medical doctor, Wissner died in 2014 in Clayton, a suburb of St Louis. He lived his life with a deep appreciation and involvement for the arts. He was also an accomplished pianist.

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Abstract Composition

1940 pencil sketch on paper 3” x 5” signed and dated 11/7/40 LR

Study

1940 pencil sketch on paper 8-1/2” x 11” dated 9/23/40 LR

Untitled

1944 pencil sketch on paper 8-1/2” x 4” dated 4/9/44

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Indian

1941 watercolor on paper 11-1/2” x 8-3/4” signed and dated 1941 LR

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Abstract Figure

1941 watercolor on paper 9-1/2” x 8-1/2” signed and dated 1941 LR

Abstract Composition

1939 pencil sketch on paper 11” x 7-1/4” signed and dated 12/9/39 LR

Balance

1941 watercolor on paper 9-3/4” x 8-3/4” signed and dated 1941 LL Label verso: 1st Annual Missouri Exhibition Nov 1-30, 1941, City Art Museum of St. Louis

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Abstract Composition (Study)

c. 1940 pencil sketch on paper 11” x 8-1/2”

Abstract (Yellow) c. 1940’s ceramic 4-3/4” x 4” x 2-1/2” initialed SW

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Untitled

1953 watercolor on paper 6” x 8” dated Feb 2, 1953 and inscribed “For Gerry Sew” LR

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Still Life

c. 1940’s gouache and pencil on paper 5-1/2” x 5-5/8” initialed LR

Abstract Still Life c. 1940’s charcoal on paper 10-1/2” x 7-3/8” signed LL

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Abstract Still Life

c. 1940’s oil on canvasboard 10-1/4” x 14” initialed LR

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Abstract Figure

1944 pencil sketch on paper 11” x 4-1/4” dated LR 3-23-44

Musician

c. 1940 pencil sketch on paper 10” x 6”

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Bach Collage III

1945 mixed media collage on paper 9-1/2” x 6-1/2” signed and dated 1945 LR inscribed, “For D.A.N” (Dorothy Adele Neuhoff)

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Crucifixion

1944 watercolor and pencil on paper 6” x 4” signed and dated LR

Crucifixion

1941-43 watercolor on paper 11” x 8-1/2” signed and dated LR

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Cubist Crucifixion

1943 pencil sketch on paper 11” x 8-1/2” dated and signed with artist’s device 3-20-43 LR

Crucifixion

1942-43 mixed media on paper 11” x 6-3/4” signed and dated LL titled verso

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St. Francis of Assisi Panel (study) c. 1940’s pencil sketch on paper 11” x 8-1/2” titled and inscribed, “2nd version”

Dien te Couronne Sébastien! (study) 1952 pencil sketch on paper 10” x 6” titled and dated 5-26-52 LL

Untitled (verso)

1952 pencil sketch on paper dated 5-26-52 LL

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Cathedral of Pisa

1943 oil on canvasboard 10� x 13-3/4� initialed and dated 1943 LR

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Abstract Dancers (detail) c. 1938 pencil sketch on paper 18� x 12�

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Abstract Dancers

1938 oil on canvas 10-7/8” x 12-3/8” signed and dated LR

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Abstract Portrait

1944 pencil sketch on paper 6” x 4” dated 11-8-44

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Portrait of a Man

1944 pencil sketch on paper 6” x 4” dated LL 11-8-44

Christ on the Via Dolorosa Veronica’s Veil (vera icon)

1952 oil on canvasboard 13-1/2” x 9-1/2” signed and dated 1952 LR partial label from St. Louis Artist’s Guild verso

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Study for Portrait of Martha Graham

c. 1940’s pencil sketch on paper 11” x 8-1/2” titled, dated, and signed “Printemps 1940, S. Wissner”

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Study for Portrait of Esther Lanfersieck c. 1938 pencil sketch on paper 11” x 8-1/2”

Portrait of Esther Lanfersieck 1938 oil on canvas 11” x 8-3/4” signed and dated 1938 LR

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Mask

1947 pencil sketch on paper 11-7/8” x 9” titled and dated LR March 26, 1947

Abstract Composition

1942 watercolor on construction paper 12” x 9” dated 4-26-42 LR

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Abstract Portrait

c. 1940’s paper maché sculptural relief 6” x 4-1/2” x 1-5/8”

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Gertrude Stein (1874- 1946), photo by Sir Cecil Beaton, 1935

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Portrait of Gertrude Stein (study) c. 1940 pencil sketch on paper 12-1/4” x 10”

Gertrude Stein

Portrait of Gertrude Stein

1940 oil on canvas 15” x 13-1/4” signed and dated 1940 LR label verso, Second Annual Missouri Exhibition, City Art Museum, November 1942

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Abstract Portrait (Blue) c. 1946 ceramic 4” x 3-1/4” x 3-1/2” initialed SW

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Victims of firebombing, Yokohama, 1945

Yokohama (study)

c. 1946 pencil sketch on paper 22” x 16” signed LR

Yokohama Series

Yokohama

c. 1946 oil on canvas 22” x 16”

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Yokohama (study)

c. 1946 pencil sketch on paper 8-7/8” x 6” titled and dated Aug 13, 1946

Photograph taken over Yokohama, Japan during a B-29 bombing raid on May 29, 1945.

Portrait

1947 pencil sketch on paper 8-1/2” x 6” dated LR September 6, 1947

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Yokohama, 1945; aftermath of firebombing

Yokohama (study)

c. 1946 pencil sketch on tissue 10-1/2” x 8”

Abstract Portrait (Red) c. 1946 ceramic 4” x 4” x 3” initialed SW

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St. Elegius

1942 oil stick on illustration board 11” x 7” signed and dated

Abstract Figure of a Woman 1943 pastel on paper 12-3/4” x 6” signed and dated 1943 LR

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Abstract Portrait

1942 colored pencil and pencil on paper 5-1/2” x 4-1/4” dated 8-14-42 LR

Abstract Male Figure

1945 pastel on paper 8” x 4-1/2” initialed and dated 1945 LR

Abstract Male Figure

1944 pastel on paper 8-3/8” x 5-3/8” initialed and dated 1944 LR

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Two Figures

1937 oil on canvas mounted to board 8-3/4” x 6-1/2” signed and dated 1937 LR

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Portrait of a Young Man

1945 mixed media collage on paper 13-3/4” x 10-1/2” titled, signed, and dated 9-22-45 LR

Untitled Abstract

1938 oil on canvas laid down on board 12-3/4� x 12-3/4� signed and dated 1938 LR partial unidentified label verso

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Abstract Standing Male Nude Series c. 1940’s lithograph and watercolor on paper signed and numbered 1. 8-1/2” x 5-1/8”, 19/25 2. 8-1/2” x 5”, 17/25 3. 8-1/2” x 5-1/4”, 23/25 4. 8-1/2” x 5-1/4”, 24/25 5. 8-1/2” x 5”, 7/25 6. 8-1/2” x 4-7/8”, 15/25 7. 8-1/4” x 5-1/8”, 5/25

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Abstract Male Nude Series c. 1940’s lithograph and watercolor on paper signed and numbered 1. 8” x 5-5/8”, 1/34 2. 8-1/2” x 5-3/8”, 10/34 3. 8” x 5-1/2”, 28/34 4. 8-1/2” x 5-1/4”, 3/34 5. 8-1/2” x 5-5/8”, 16/34 6. 8” x 5-5/8”, 5/34 7. 8” x 5-5/8”, 2/34 8. 8” x 5-3/4”, 14/34 9. 8-1/2” x 5-1/2” 10. 8” x 5-1/2”, 4/34

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Abstract Figure Series 1 c. 1940’s signed and numbered 1. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-7/8”, 3/30 2. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 6”, 23/30 3. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-7/8”, 16/30, inscribed, “for D.A.N., seth” (Dorothy Adele Neuhoff) 4. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 10/30 5. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 8/30 6. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-7/8”, 2/30 7. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 6”, 21/30 8. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 6-1/4”, 18/30 9. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-7/8”, 25/30, inscribed, “for D.A.N., seth”

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Abstract Dancer Series c. 1943 signed and numbered 1. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 23/34 2. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 20/34 3. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 27/34 4. lithograph/paper, 8” x 5-3/4”, 11/34 5. lithograph and mixed media/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-7/8”, 28/34 6. lithograph/paper, 8” x 5-7/8”, 34/34 7. lithograph andwatercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 10/34 8. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x5-3/4”, 5/34 9. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 19/34 10. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-5/8”, 24/34 11. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 25/34 12. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/4”, 26/34, inscribed, “A penguin for D.A.N., seth, 6-26-43

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Winged Figure Series c. 1940’s lithograph and watercolor/paper signed and numbered

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Abstract Figure Series 2 c. 1943 signed and numbered 1. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/8”, 18/34 2. lithograph andwatercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 20/34 3. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 23/34 4. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/4”, 9/34 5. lithograph/paper, 8” x 5-1/4”, 34/34 6. lithograph and watercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/8”, 31/34 7. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/4”, 29/34 8. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x5-3/8”, 25/34 9. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/8”, 24/34 10. lithograph andwatercolor/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-3/8”, 5/34 11. lithograph/paper, 8” x 5-1/4”, 11/34 12. lithograph and mixed media collage/paper, 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 17/34, inscribed, “for D.A.N., 6-26-43

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1. Abstract Portrait, c. 1940’s; mixed media collage on paper, 5-1/2” x 3-5/8”, signed seth LR. (inside: handwritten verse from the York Mystery Plays) 2. Abstract Composition, 1941, collage on paper, 5-3/8” x 3-1/2”, signed and dated 12-25-41. (inside: handwritten passage from Chaucer) 3. Abstract Composition, c. 1940’s; oil stick on paper, 5-3/8” x 3-3/8”. (inside: handwritten passage from Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky.

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Card Series Abstract Figure c. 1940’s oil stick on paper 5-3/8” x 2-7/8” signed LR (inside: handwritten verse from St. John I. 1,2,14) Abstract Figure c. 1940’s watercolor on paper 5-3/8” x 2-7/8” signed LR (inside: handwritten verse from St. John I. 1,2,14)

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1. Abstract Composition, c. 1940’s; gouache on paper, 5-3/8” x 3-1/2”, signed LR. (inside: handwritten passage from the second scene VII of Act II of Gertrude Stein’s Four Saints in Three Acts) 2. Premier Noel, c. 1940’s; oil stick on paper, 5-1/2” x 3-3/4”. (inside: Abstract Compostion, oil stick on paper with handwritten passage, signed UL. 3. Premier Noel, c. 1940’s, gouache on paper, 5-1/2” x 3-3/4” 4. Abstract Composition, c. 1940’s; collage on paper, 5-3/8” x 3-1/2”

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Wissner Family Christmas Card c. 1940’s woodblock print 9” x 6-1/4”

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