Grace Martin Taylor, Artist, Letter regarding Artist Hans Hofman , A&M 4170

West Virginia and Regional History Center

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West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Abstract

Two-page letter from West Virginia artist Grace Martin Taylor (February 11, 1903-October 1, 1995) to Merv, dated May 11, 1972. The letter is a reply to Merv's questions about artist Hans Hofmann, in which Taylor briefly discusses Hofmann's teaching style during her time studying at the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Art in Provincetown, Massachusetts between 1942 and 1957. She also provides citations to books and articles that mention Hofmann, and praises his work as a teacher and artist of "Abstract Impressionism" (Hofmann is known for his work in abstract expressionism).

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Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Grace Martin Taylor, Artist, Letter regarding Artist Hans Hofmann, A&M 4170, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

A Morgantown native, Grace Martin Taylor attended and graduated from West Virginia University. She studied under Blanche Lazzell, West Virginia's most renowned artist, and like Lazzell, she studied under the noted abstract artist, Hans Hofmann. She also attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

Her art, in several media including oils and watercolor, is modernist in style, showing a preference for abstraction. She is best characterized from the following quote of a review of her Lynn Laskin Gallery show of December 1957 in Charleston: "Here is an artist of great seriousness of aesthetic purpose, singular individuality of style, with special strengths of inventiveness and finely-balanced painting constructions. These are paintings in which the true, serious nature of abstract art should become apparent."

Grace Martin Taylor taught in Charleston, WV at Mason College, and later at Morris Harvey.