Celebrating Women of the Art World

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The Gallery is home to works by artists from diverse backgrounds, from early Taos painters and Native potters to figurative sculptors and artists of the Transcendental Movement. Just to name a few. Today we’re highlighting a few of the preeminent female master artists in the Gallery and their contributions to the art world.

Mardie Rees (b. 1980) - “The Bell Cricket” (2019) #2/25, bronze/cast glass, 14 ½ x 10 x 8 ¼”

Mardie Rees is a prominent figure in the world of sculpture. At just 43, she has one of her pieces permanently on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA. Her works are quickly recognizable for their emotion and texture, and feature everything from moments in motherhood to military scenes. This fanciful piece shows two real-life sisters, Charlotte and Vivian, capturing crickets and is inspired by the short story, “The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket” by Yasunari Kawabata.

Dorothy Brett (1883-1977) - “Forest Gathering (Untitled)”, oil on board, 14 x 11½”

Born in the UK, Dorothy Brett was schooled alongside many famed intellectuals and artists of the day. When renowned writer D.H. Lawrence invited her to move to Taos, Dorothy took him up on the offer and never looked back. Eventually she became a leading figure in Taos, known for her social life as much as her art, which largely featured ceremonies and traditions of the local Pueblo Indians. 

This 1966 piece depicts a protective circle of wagon trains illuminated from within, setting up camp for the night. In the background, one can see the mountains of Taos, an enduring symbol of her adopted home.

Henriette Wyeth (1907-1997) -“Mountain Flowers”, oil on canvas, 30 x 36”

An artist with a keen sense of her own style and eye for detail, Henriette Wyeth hailed from a famous American art family. Daughter of N.C. Wyeth, sister of Andrew Wyeth and eventually wife of New Mexican artist, Peter Hurd, Henriette was raised in the art world and would make her own mark on it with stunning portraits and florals. This piece features quintessential Henriette Wyeth elements, such as the soft background and wildflowers.

Anna Katharine Skeele (1896-1963) - “Woman In White Blouse”, oil on canvas, 28 x 22”

Known for expressive portraits focusing on peoples of the Southwest, Anna Katharine Skeele enjoyed a highly successful career. She was schooled at Olivet College, Pomona College, the California School of Fine Arts, the Académies Julian and Grand Chaumière in Paris, and finally the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. Anna was as talented as she was educated, teaching art in her later career, winning awards and exhibiting in shows until her death in 1963.

Gene Kloss (1903-1996) - “Far Across the Rio Grande” (1939) Ed. 75, etching, 10 x 14”

Born in Oakland but forever known for her time in New Mexico, Gene Kloss never stepped foot in this state until her honeymoon in 1920. That marked a monumental shift in Gene’s life and career, inspiring her and her husband, poet Phillip Kloss, to eventually settle in Taos. Gene is famous for her dramatic black-and-white prints depicting the landscape and Native cultures she observed. This etching shows an impressive vista overlooking the foothills near the Rio Grande in Gene’s characteristic style.

Laura Robb (b. 1955) - “Summer Bouquet”, oil on linen, 16 x 12”

An Oklahoma native, Laura Robb was first schooled at the Art Student’s Academy in Tulsa. She later studied in New York City under Michael Aviano. Over the course of her career, Laura has perfected her trademark style of vivid florals with effortless brush strokes. Laura is a true master painter, using both soft blending and sharp strokes of color (often with a palette knife) to pull one’s focus to select flowers.

Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020) - “Butterfly Dancer” (1979) #5/20, bronze, 17 ⅞ x 5 ½ x 7 ¼”

Texas-born sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, nearly became an illustrator for medical textbooks. She shied away from 3D work after a sculpting instructor’s harsh criticism and advice that she quit the medium. But after encouragement from Gallerist Forrest Fenn in Santa Fe, Glenna tried again – creating her first model of her daughter, Jill. Fenn forged the first edition in 1969 and the rest is history. Today, Glenna is known as one of America’s most prolific modern sculptors, with achievements such as the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, and the bas-relief of the Sacagawea dollar.

Helen Hardin (Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh) (1943-1984) - “Flute Player”, acrylic on panel, 10 x 8”

Daughter of famed Santa Clara artist, Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin (Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh, meaning Little Standing Spruce) grew up inspired by her Native culture and, of course, her own mother. Instead of parroting their styles, however, she developed her own, using traditional symbols in tandem with geometric patterns and modern color palettes. In this incredible piece above, Helen’s artistic voice remains clear and distinct even all these decades later.

Pablita Velarde (1918-2006) - “Flute Player”, sand painting on board, 18 x 10”

"Painting was not considered women's work in my time. A woman was supposed to be just a woman, like a housewife and a mother and chief cook. Those were things I wasn't interested in." -Pablita Velarde, 1979 

A native of New Mexico, Pablita was one of the first women to attend the Santa Fe Studio School. She was trained in Dunn “flatstyle” painting, which Pablita described as “memory paintings”—works that preserved ways of life that were disappearing. She continued to work with these motifs throughout her career. Known for making her own paints, grinding rocks and minerals to achieve the desired colors, Pablita was not only a pioneer of the art world, but an inspiration for generations of artists.

Barbara Latham (1896-1989) - “Horses In Snow (Untitled)”, oil on board, 8 ½ x 15 ½”

After graduating from the Pratt Institute in 1919, Barbara Latham worked for a publishing company creating prints for Christmas cards. In 1925, she ventured to Taos, where famed artist, Victor Higgins, introduced her to future husband, artist Howard Cook. Both enjoyed artistic experimentation, working in a variety of mediums and styles throughout their careers. Known for depicting the peoples and traditions of the Southwest in both paintings and prints, Barbara was an influential force in American art. Today, her works are historically valued and sought after by museums across the country.

These pieces and many others are available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For any questions, please email inquiry@matteucci.com or call (505) 982-4631.