Kathrin Cawein

Kathrin Cawein (1895–1996) was an American printmaker known for her etchings. Her style was realist and her subjects were mainly landscapes and interiors.[1] Early in her career, her work received praise from one critic for its "adroit handling of color and good drawing — a technique that seems to express personal engaging conceptions."[2] Critics also considered her prints to be "striking"[3] and having a "high level of workmanship."[4]

Kathrin Cawein
Born(1895-05-09)May 9, 1895
New London, Connecticut
Died1996
NationalityAmerican
EducationArt Students League of New York
Known forEtching
MovementRealism

Artistic career

Between 1927 and 1932 Cawein was a student at the Art Students League of New York[5] where the prominent etchers, Joseph Pennell and Harry Wickey were instructors.[6] During this time she joined the Philadelphia Society of Etchers and, in 1930, participated in its annual exhibition at the Philadelphia Print Club.[7] Her first year out of school was an unusually busy one. Late in 1932 she had participated in a two-person exhibition in the parish house of a church in her hometown,[1] and during the following year her work appeared in group exhibitions at the Cronyn & Lowndes Galleries (Manhattan),[2] the Art Students League (Manhattan),[8] Grant Studios (Brooklyn),[9] and, under the auspices of the Arts and Crafts Guild, at Westchester County Center (White Plains).[10] Writing in the New York Evening Post, Margaret Breuning said Cawein's prints in the Cronyn & Lowndes show revealed "an adroit handling of color and good drawing — a technique that seems to express personal engaging conceptions."[2] The Art Students League exhibition was one she had herself organized. In addition to some of her own prints it contained more than 200 prints in a variety of styles and media by a large group of artists, including Gifford Beal, John Sloan, Peggy Bacon, Anne Goldthwaite, Reginald Marsh, and Warren Chappell.[8][note 1]

Kathrin Cawein, South Window, etching, about 1934, 8 x 6 inches
Kathrin Cawein, Telegraph Hill, San Francisco in 1859, drypoint on paper, about 1936, 7 x 11 7/8 inches
Kathrin Cawein, Gurgling Rillo, etching, about 1935, 15 x 19 inches

Her pace hardly slackened over the next few years. From the end of 1933 through the beginning of 1937 she participated in shows at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Philadelphia Print Club, the Roerich Museum, the National Arts Club, the New York Water-Color Club, the Texas Centennial Exposition, and six other venues.[11][note 2] She continued to show during the remainder of career, but notices of exhibitions were much less common in those years.[note 3]

Cawein's early work earned awards. Her 1934 etching "South Window" (shown at left) appeared in a juried show called the International Exhibition of Contemporary Prints, held at the Art Institute of Chicago in conjunction with the Chicago World's Fair.[12] In 1936 her drypoint, "Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, in 1869" (shown at right) won the Frederick Talcott Prize, an award given annually by the Society of American Etchers for the best print by a non-member to be shown at its annual exhibition.[21] In 1944 her drypoint sketch, "Uncle Clarence's Barn, Fairfield, N.Y." received honorable mention in the annual exhibition put on by the National Association of Women Artists.[22] In 1947 an etching of Cawein's won an award at the 55th Annual Exhibition of the National Association of Women Artists.[4]

Cawein seems not to have sold her prints through commercial dealers, instead taking advantage of shows held by non-profit organizations where works on display were offered for sale. Over the years, she became a member of quite a few associations that served this purpose. Her memberships included the Society of American Etchers, National Association of Woman Artists, Chicago Society of Etchers, Philadelphia Society of Etchers, Society of Graphic Artists, and Art Students League.[5][21]

Although primarily known for her etchings, Cawein also worked in other print media including drypoint, aquatint and woodcut[1] and also made drawings and pastels.[23] Her subjects were mainly landscapes and interiors, only occasionally including figures.[1] Critics considered her prints to be "striking"[3] and having a "high level of workmanship."[4] Her etching "Gurgling Rillo" (shown at left) was said to employ light and shadow in a manner that "surpasses photographic technic and tells a story."[3]

Personal life
Kathrin Cawein, Pleasantville, etching, about 1935, 8 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches

Cawein's father was Henry Cawein, born May 1857[24] in Pfalz, Bavaria.[25] Her mother was Barbara Franz Cawein, born July 1857[24] in the same place.[25] They were married on November 14, 1878 in a Protestant ceremony in a Bavarian church.[26] Henry Cawein died soon after the couple emigrated to New York City in about 1879.[24]

Cawein had a brother John A. Cawein (also known as Albert[24]), born September 14, 1880 in Manhattan,[25] died November 20, 1956,[27] and a sister, Olga E. Cawein, born February 1890 in New London, Connecticut.[24] Olga married Henry W. (Harry) Flechsenhaar on May 12, 1917.[28]

During the years from 1911 to 1920[5] Cawein and her sister lived with their widowed mother in the Bronx and worked as piano roll editors.[29] In 1920 Cawein and her mother moved from the Bronx to live with Olga, and Olga's husband in a house on Bear Ridge Road in Pleasantville, New York.[29][30] In 1930, then studying at the Art Students League, Cawein lived with her mother in a house by the train station near the center of the village of Pleasantville.[31] After this move, she made etchings of Pleasantville scenes, including the one shown at right.

At about this time, Cawein became the protégé of a wealthy Pleasantville couple, Seabury C. Mastick and his wife Agnes Warner Mastick[32] and in 1932 the Masticks hosted a reception for her and another Pleasantville artist to open an exhibition of their work that was held in the parish house of a local church.[1] In 1946 Cawein moved again, this time to a studio and residence on Mountain Road in Pleasantville.[5] In 1956 and again in 1960 she traveled to Europe with the Masticks,[33][34] as their assistant and traveling companion.[23] In 1964, a year after Agnes Mastick's death, she and Seabury Mastick married.[5][note 4] Although Cawein had no direct connection with Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, she became a benefactor of the school after receiving her inheritance from the Mastick estate. Her donations included a contribution to the endowment fund from the sale of the Mastick home in Pleasantville, the establishment of a scholarship fund, and both ownership of her etching plates and the receipts from sale of prints made from them.[36][35][note 5] In 1984 the university honored Cawein by establishing the Kathrin Cawein Gallery of Art, funded by matching grant funds from the Oregon Arts Commission.[36]

Other names: Cawein's given name was often misspelled in the press. Both Katherine and Kathryn were common.

Notes
  1. Other participants in the show that Cawein arranged included Cecil C. Bell (printmaker and illustrator), Ilse Bischoff (illustrator of the book Gigi), Ernesto de Blanck (son of the Cuban musician couple Hubert and Olga de Blanck), Eugene C. Fitsch (French-born illustrator, set designer, and theater artist), Virginia Lee Kiser (painter and etcher), and Margery Ryerson (painter known for her portraits of children).[8]
  2. The event at the Art Institute of Chicago was a juried show called the International Exhibition of Contemporary Prints held in conjunction with the Chicago World's Fair.[12] The six other venues were American Society of Etchers,[13] the Temporary Galleries of the Municipal Arts Committee[14] (exhibition space provided to New York artists by the city at no charge[15]) Arts Guild of North Riding (White Plains, New York), the Federation of Westchester County Artists (New York), the Philadelphia Society of Etchers, Northwest Printmakers (Seattle), and the 8th Street Playhouse.[11][16][3]
  3. A search made on January 16, 2019, in a well-regarded database of newspapers from New York and neighboring states[17] returned only four articles on exhibitions of Cawein's work after 1936. These were a 1944 joint exhibition at Free World House (a facility in Greenwich Village sponsored by the Free World Association, dedicated to furthering collective security and supporting the Atlantic Charter),[18] the annual exhibition of the National Association of Women Artists (1947),[4] and two shows sponsored by the Westchester Federation of Women's Clubs, one in 1950),[19] and the other in 1952.[20]
  4. In 1995 a reporter said that Cawein had formed a friendship with Agnes and that, having looked after her at the end of her life, Cawein did the same for her husband, marrying him in order "to take care of him."[35]
  5. Cawein's decision to make major contributions to Pacific University stemmed from her friendship with Agnes Warner Mastick, whose brother, Franklin Warner, had been a university trustee in the 1940s and 1950s.[35]

References
  1. "Art Exhibit at Reception". Daily Argus. Mount Vernon, New York. 1932-11-09. p. np.
  2. Margaret Breuning (1933-05-06). "Art Galleries Present Group Exhibitions Among Offerings of the Week". New York Evening Post. p. 2S.
  3. "91 Exhibits Are Displayed as Garden Art Show Opens". Daily News. Tarrytown, New York. 1934-05-17. p. 5. Among the other striking pictures to be seen at the show are four etchings by Kathrin Cawein of Pleasantville. They feature a use of light and shadow that surpasses photographic technic and tells a story. Number 57, "Gurgling Rills" depicts a stream flowing through smoothly banked masses of snow covered fields. Number 58, "Fahnestock Memorial Park," is a wood scene with huge oak tree trunks arranged in a pleasing design with sunbeams striking through the leaves. Numbers 60 and 61 by Miss Cawein, who is a Pleasantville artist, are also striking.
  4. Howard Devree (1944-11-26). "New Shows in the Galleries". New York Times. p. X8. Miss Cawein's work maintains a high level of workmanship and she surpasses herself in such examples as "Dogwood," "The Barn," and Shuffled Snow."
  5. "Archives West: Kathrin Cawein Collection, 1915-1993 (finding aid)" (PDF). Archives West, a union catalog of archives. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  6. "Harry Wickey Papers An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University". Syracuse University Libraries Special Collections Research Center. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  7. C. H. Bonte (1930-01-26). "Opening of 125th Annual at the Academy and Other Artistic Themes; Philadelphia Society of Etches Holding Its Third Annual at the Picturesque Print Club". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 5.
  8. "In the Galleries; News and Comment". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1933-11-26. p. 14 B-C.
  9. Howard Devree (1933-12-24). "New Shows in the Galleries". New York Times. p. X9.
  10. "Yonkers Artists Display Works As County Exhibition Opens". Yonkers Herald Statesman. Yonkers, New York. 1933-11-28. p. 2.
  11. "Katherine [sic] Cawein Winner of Honors for Her Art Work; Etching, "South Window," is Chosen by Institute of Chicago for Exhibit". Daily Argus. Mount Vernon, New York. 1934-07-20. p. np.
  12. "Catalogue of the Official International Exhibition of Contemporary Prints for a Century of Progress" (PDF). Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 2019-01-14. The Art Institute of Chicago presents the Official International Exhibition of Contemporary Prints for A Century of Progress 1934. This exhibition combines the Fourth Annual International Exhibition of Lithography and Wood Engraving and the Second Annual International Exhibition of Etching and Engraving.
  13. "Westchester Social Events; Holds Etching Show". Daily News. Tarrytown, New York. 1936-02-01. p. 5.
  14. "City City Art Show Sets New Pace; Makes Its Best Showing Up to Present; Four Galleries Filled; Well-Known Younger Artists Effectively Represented". New York Sun. 1936-05-22. p. 15.
  15. "City Offers Space Free to Its Artists: Galleries for Exhibition and Sale of Their Works to Be Opened in January". New York Times. 1935-11-29. p. 17.
  16. Kay Ross (1934-12-07). "Westchester Social Events; Arts Guild of North Riding Christmas Exhibit at White Plains". Citizen Register. Ossining, New York. p. 13. Salvatore Aucello of Pleasantville, one of the best known artists in the county and Kathrin Cawein, another Pleasantville artist, whose etchings are excellent, are among the exhibitors.
  17. Jesse Coburn. "Pivot to Digital". Harper's Magazine; Browsings, the Harper's Blog. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  18. Howard Devree (1947-04-26). "Women Will Open Art Show Tonight". New York Times. p. 11.
  19. Frances E. Anderson (1950-04-22). "Award Prizes in Art Show". Daily News. Tarrytown, New York. p. 6.
  20. "Federation Art Exhibit Will Open April 22 in Bronxville". Daily News. Tarrytown, New York. 1952-04-14. p. 2.
  21. "County Artist Receives Prize". Daily Argus. Mount Vernon, New York. 1936-12-03. p. 14.
  22. "Miss Andrus' Art Work on Exhibit". Dobbs Ferry Register. Dobbs Ferry, New York. 1944-05-05. p. 2.
  23. "Seabury Cone Mastick (1871 - 1969) GENI, quoting from "Seabury C. and Agnes W. Mastick Papers, 1887-1970, Oberlin College Archives". Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  24. "Olga Carvein". "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch, Olga Carvein in household of Henry Carvein, Borough of Brooklyn, Election District 8 New York City Ward 16, Kings, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 236, sheet 13A, family 271, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,053). Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  25. "Henry Cawein". "New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," database, FamilySearch; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference cn 293699 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,322,156. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  26. ", Jacob Wuertenbaecher and Barbara Cawein, 14 Nov 1878". "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929," database, FamilySearch, Jacob Wuertenbaecher and Barbara Cawein, 14 Nov 1878; citing Evangelisch-Reformierte, Ingenheim, Pfalz, Bavaria; FHL microfilm 581,979. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  27. "John A. Cawein". "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch, John A Cawein, 3 Apr 1899; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  28. "Olga Carvein or Cawein". "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch, Henry W. Flechsenhaar and Olga Carvein Or Cawein, 12 May 1917; citing Marriage, Bronx, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,940,964. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  29. "Kathrin Cawein". "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch, Kathrin Cawein in household of Barbara Cawein, Bronx Assembly District 6, Bronx, New York, United States; citing ED 350, sheet 3B, line 55, family 59, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1139; FHL microfilm 1,821,139). Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  30. "Barbara Cawein". "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch, Barbara Cawein, Pleasantville, Westchester, New York, United States; citing ED 75, sheet 16A, line 10, family 143, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1276; FHL microfilm 1,821,276. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  31. "Kathrin E. Cawein". "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch, Kathrin E Cawein in household of Barbara Cawein, Pleasantville, Westchester, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 189, sheet 7B, line 56, family 160, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1661; FHL microfilm 2,341,395. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  32. "Miss Cawein Wins Honors". Larchmont Times. Larchmont, New York. 1934-07-26. p. 6.
  33. "Kathrin Cawein". "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch; citing Immigration, New York City, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  34. "1891; Seabury C. Mastick". Oberlin Alumni Magazine. Oberlin, Ohio: Oberlin College. 56 (5): 27. May 1960. Retrieved 2019-01-18. Seabury C. Mastick and his wife, the former Agnes Warner, ’92. report that they will be sailing May 3 on the Mauretania for Great Britain, where they will take a motor trip through Scotland and England. They will have the same car and driver they had on a similar trip in 1954. Kathrin Cawein, a friend, is going with them to make sure they do not overdo. Agnes is in fine health and is anticipating the trip. Seabury has recovered health and strength after suffering a severe heart attack on October 25, 1955, and it is on the advice and encouragement of his doctor that they are making the trip. For twenty-one years they have spent their winters at Siesta Key, an island just south of Sarasota. Where their home is, the Key is a quarter of a mile wide, and the area they own, on which their house is located, covers about ten acres. Convalescence there, Seabury writes, has been the happiest time of his life.
  35. Richard N. Colby (1995-10-18). "A Faraway Benefactor". Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C02.
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