Ernest Fiene was a prominent 20th-century American graphic artist, celebrated for his diverse printed works, including lithographs and etchings. His oeuvre is characterized by a modernist sensibility, with a particular focus on cityscapes, especially views of New York City, landscapes, and figural art. Fiene's work not only captures the essence of the American spirit during his time but also reflects the transformative nature of the American landscape and society. Born on November 2, 1894, in Elberfeld, Germany, to Henry and Maria Fiene, Ernest Fiene emigrated to the United States in 1912, seeking to avoid military service in what would become World War I. His journey to America began with a brief stay in the Netherlands before he continued on to his new home. Once in the United States, Fiene's artistic education took root at the National Academy of Design in New York City, where he studied from 1914 to 1918, and at the Beaux Arts Institute from 1916 to 1918. His pursuit of printmaking led him to the Art Students League of New York in 1923, where he further honed his skills. Fiene's early career was marked by a successful solo show at the Whitney Studio Club in 1923, which helped him secure an art dealer. His modernist approach was evident in his work, which depicted modern life and industry through a lens of color and shape, influenced by precisionism. His time in Paris from 1928 to 1929, where he studied and traveled, further enriched his artistic vocabulary. The 1930s brought recognition and opportunity for Fiene. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1932, which allowed him to study mural painting in Italy. His association with the Associated American Artists (AAA) was particularly fruitful; his lithographs were sold through AAA's mail-order catalogs for $5 each. In 1940, Fiene was one of nine prominent American artists commissioned to document the production of the film "The Long Voyage Home," based on Eugene O'Neill's plays. Fiene's personal life was as dynamic as his professional one. He married Jeannette Etarre in 1921, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1945. That same year, he married Alicia Wiencek, one of his students at the Art Students League. His teaching career was significant; he returned to the Art Students League in 1948 to teach painting and drawing and also served on the faculty of the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut, in the 1950s. His contributions to the art world were recognized by his peers. In 1948, Fiene was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1952. His work was also part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics. Ernest Fiene's legacy is not limited to his artistic creations. He was a fixture on the faculty of the Art Students League and a prolific artist whose body of work spanned many media. His interest in the future of American art over the past of European art was a testament to his belief in the emergence of a new school of painters from the modern, machine age. Fiene's life came to an end on August 10, 1965, when he died of a heart attack in Paris. His death marked the loss of a significant figure in American art, one whose work captured the vibrancy and complexity of the American scene. Today, Fiene's work is held in high regard and can be found in various prestigious collections, serving as a testament to his skill and vision as an artist who deeply understood and beautifully rendered the spirit of his adopted country.

Ernest Fiene Quotes and Sales of Works

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