Maria Petrie
German sculptor (1887-1972)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maria Petrie (née Zimmern, 1887–1972) was a German-born artist renowned for her figurative sculpture, particularly her portrait busts.[1][2] She was also known for her influential work in the field of Art Therapy.[3]
1887
Maria Petrie | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maria Sophia Zimmern 1887 |
| Died | 1972 (aged 84–85) Santa Barbara |
| Known for | Sculpture |
Personal life
Petrie was born in August 1887 in Frankfurt, Germany.[1] She lived for a time in Paris.[4] Petrie was living in Ilkley, Yorkshire in 1926.[5] In 1928 and 1937 Petrie was recorded as living in London.[6]
Maria Zimmern married Francis Eric Steinthal (1886–1974), a teacher who also played rugby for England in 1913.[7][8] In 1916 Maria gave birth to a son named Martin.[7] During the First World War, the family changed their surname to Petrie (Francis' mother's maiden name).[2] This followed his brother changing his name to serve in a leadership position in the army.[9] The family were friends of Wilfred Owen when he was convalescing in Edinburgh.[7]
Petrie moved to the United States of America in the 1950s.[3] She died in Santa Barbara in 1972.[1]
Education
Petrie first studied at the Staedel Art Institute in Frankfurt for three years, later in Paris.[1][4][10] Her teachers in Paris included Aristide Maillol, Paul Sérusier, Maurice Denis and Théo von Rysselberghe.[1]
Artwork
Petrie exhibited sculpture regularly throughout her career. She showed work in Paris (Gallerie Druet, 1911 and the Paris Salon) and Brussels before the First World War.[4][1][11]
Petrie exhibited a bust of G. K. Chesterton at the Royal Academy in 1926.[1][5] In 1928 and 1937 she exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy.[12] Petrie exhibited consecutively in 1934 and 1935 with Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, showing 'Portrait of Mr A. S. Wallace' (1934) and 'Child's Portrait' (1935).[13][14] In 1936 she exhibited with the Society of Women Artists.[1]
Petrie also created woodcuts, including a depiction of a mother and child for a 1922 Christmas card.[4]
There are three busts by Petrie held in public collections in the United Kingdom.[15] The National Portrait Gallery holds two bronze portrait busts, one depicting G. K. Chesterton of 1926 (probably exhibited at the RA), and a later work from 1959 portraying Aldous Huxley.[16] Manchester Art Gallery has an earlier female portrait study from 1911.[17]
