Hedda Sterne

Date of Birth: August 4, 1910

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: April 8, 2011

Biography

Hedda Sterne was a Romanian-born American artist, best known for her association with the New York School, a group of abstract expressionist artists who were active in the mid-20th century. Born as Hedwig Lindenberg in Bucharest, Romania, she developed an early interest in the arts and pursued her studies in Vienna and Paris. Fleeing the turmoil of World War II, Sterne immigrated to the United States in 1941, where she quickly became involved in the vibrant New York art scene. Sterne’s work was incredibly diverse, spanning painting, drawing, and printmaking, and she was known for her experimental approach. Her art often explored themes of surrealism and abstraction, and she was one of the few female artists included in the famous “Irascibles” photograph of 1950, which featured prominent abstract expressionists protesting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exclusion of modern American painting. Throughout her career, Sterne remained committed to her artistic vision, continually evolving and refining her style. Her work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Despite being overshadowed by some of her male contemporaries, Sterne has been increasingly recognized for her significant contributions to modern art.

5 Interesting Facts about Hedda Sterne

1. Hedda Sterne was the only woman featured in the famous 1951 “Irascibles” photograph, which included artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.

2. She fled Europe during World War II, escaping from Nazi-occupied France to Lisbon, and eventually arrived in New York City in 1941.

3. Sterne was married to the influential art collector and gallerist Saul Steinberg, who was also a remarkable artist known for his work in The New Yorker.

4. Her work was not confined to a single style or medium; she experimented with surrealism, abstraction, and even industrial landscapes.

5. She lived to the age of 100, and her artistic career spanned over seven decades, making her a witness to and participant in many major art movements of the 20th century.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hedda Sterne

1. “For me, the most important thing is the process of painting. A painting is never finished—it simply stops in interesting places.”

2. “I had a sense that I was a bridge between generations. I had the freedom to experiment because I was not in the mainstream.”

3. “Art is the journey of a free soul.”

4. “The modern artist is working with space and time, and expressing his feelings rather than illustrating.”

5. “I never belonged to any school; I never wanted to. Not being a member of any group liberates you.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Hedda Sterne is not well-documented, as she was more focused on her art than commercial success. However, her works have been auctioned for significant sums, reflecting her lasting influence and importance in the art world.