Annemarie Davidson

Annemarie Davidson (née Behrendt) (1920-September 24, 2012) was a German-born American copper enamel artist. Davidson was known for her Southern Californian modernist freeform abstract copper enamels and was influenced by noted enamelists Curtis Tann, Doris Hall, and Mary Sharp. Davidson "is responsible for some of the finest enamels in the second half of the 20th Century."[1]

Annemarie Davidson
Annemarie Davidson
Born
Annemarie Behrendt

1920
Berlin, Germany
Died(2012-09-24)September 24, 2012
Sierra Madre, California
NationalityAmerican
Alma materNew York University, Columbia University
OccupationArtist
Known forCopper enamels
Spouse(s)Norman Davidson

History

Annemarie Davidson was born Annemarie Behrendt in 1920 in Berlin, Germany. Davidson came to New York City with her family in 1936. Davidson, studied economics, receiving her bachelor's degree from New York University in 1941, and was awarded her master's degree at Columbia University in 1942. In 1942, Davidson married Norman Davidson, a chemist and molecular biologist. The Davidsons moved to Sierra Madre, California in 1946 where Norman Davidson was Caltech professor and a pioneering scientist in the field of microbiology.[2]

While Davidson's husband was at Harvard in 1957, she studied with enamelist Doris Hall in Cambridge. Returning to Sierra Madre in 1958, Davidson continued studying with the African American enamelist Curtis Tann. Davidson became a friend of Los Angeles–based enamelist Mary Sharp.[3] Influenced by Hall, Tann and to some extent Sharp, Davidson's enamels were brightly colored and abstract. Davidson would use glass fragments, which she referred to as "jewels" in her work which would become part of the enamel, giving her work a distinctive freeform sculptural style. Davidson produced a variety of copper enameled plates and bowls in various sizes, along with copper enamel tile to be used as inlays for boxes and furniture.[4] Her work was sold by "leading gift and furniture stores throughout the country."[5]

Davidson often collaborated with artist Blaine Rath. Davidson's enamels would be mounted in boxes and other decorative objects made from walnut, maple and rosewood crafted by Rath.[6]

Annemarie Davidson died September 24, 2012 in Sierra Madre.[2]

Exhibitions

References
  1. Rosenberg, Alan (Spring 2003). "Alluring Enamel". Modernism Magazine: 68–72.
  2. "Annemarie Davidson". Legacy.com. Pasadena Star-News. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  3. Nelson, Harold; Jazzar, Bernard (2006). Painting with Fire: Masters of Enameling in America, 1930-1980. Long Beach Museum of Art, California. p. 266. ISBN 978-0971277250.
  4. "Annemarie Davidson". The Enamel Arts Foundation. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  5. Craftsmen Of The Southwest. American Craftsmen's Council. 1971. p. 46. ASIN B001EXQQN2.
  6. Nelson, Harold B.; Jazzar, Bernard N. (December 2008). "The Enamels of Annemarie Davidson". Glass on Metal, The Enamelist's Magazine. 27 (5): 98–100.
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