Untitled (abstract study), Circa 1950s
American artist Maybelle Stamper was an artist known for her uniquely introspective works, often characteristic of her life and the environment that surrounded her. She spent most of her career secluded on Captiva Island, Florida, where she developed a highly personal artistic style. In the 1970s, Stamper met fellow Island neighbor and artist Robert Rauschenberg. The friendship resulted in Stamper sharing her studio press with Rauschenberg. He would later set up a trust for Stamper, and her property was transferred to Rauschenberg to be preserved on the island in exchange for continuing to assist her; Rauschenberg paid her bills and medical expenses, and his staff cared for her until her death in 1995.
Stamper studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Art Students' League in New York City, and later taught at Cincinnati Art Academy before leaving for Captiva Island in 1943. During this time, Stamper created some of her most significant works, or “Songs,” as she often would call them. These paintings, prints, and drawings, which often included hand-written poems and reflections, were reluctantly sold only when funds were needed. While surrealism played a role in her imagery, Stamper’s body of work was heavily connected to Modernism, exploring and pushing the boundaries of that expansive and important movement in art history.
Stamper’s pieces often featured abstract forms, natural elements, and symbolic imagery that reflected her interest in mysticism and inner consciousness. She was particularly interested in exploring the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds throughout her career, and incorporated her own narrative, which was developmental and often filled with layers of deeply personal complexities.
While she was reclusive during her lifetime, her work has been collected by several institutions including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; The Brooklyn Museum; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia Museum of Art; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia; Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire; Grey Art Museum, New York University; The Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and the Cincinnati Art Museum, Ohio.Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia Museum of Art; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia; Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire; Grey Art Museum, New York University; The Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and the Cincinnati Art Museum, Ohio.
Stamper studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Art Students' League in New York City, and later taught at Cincinnati Art Academy before leaving for Captiva Island in 1943. During this time, Stamper created some of her most significant works, or “Songs,” as she often would call them. These paintings, prints, and drawings, which often included hand-written poems and reflections, were reluctantly sold only when funds were needed. While surrealism played a role in her imagery, Stamper’s body of work was heavily connected to Modernism, exploring and pushing the boundaries of that expansive and important movement in art history.
Stamper’s pieces often featured abstract forms, natural elements, and symbolic imagery that reflected her interest in mysticism and inner consciousness. She was particularly interested in exploring the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds throughout her career, and incorporated her own narrative, which was developmental and often filled with layers of deeply personal complexities.
While she was reclusive during her lifetime, her work has been collected by several institutions including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; The Brooklyn Museum; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia Museum of Art; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia; Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire; Grey Art Museum, New York University; The Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and the Cincinnati Art Museum, Ohio.Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia Museum of Art; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia; Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire; Grey Art Museum, New York University; The Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and the Cincinnati Art Museum, Ohio.