BOEMM, RITTA (1868-1948)

"Mixed Bunch" (c.1920)
oil on board
63 x 78.5cm
signed lower right
*private collection, Sydney
 
Boemm is considered one of the most prominent female artists of Dresden. She studied art with her father, Teodor Boemm (1822-1889) in Levoča, and later she improved her skills in studios in Dresden and Paris. Upon completing her studies at the end of the nineteenth century, Boemm settled in Budapest, Hungary. She regularly travelled to her native Spiš region, where she worked a lot and fruitfully. She liked to draw still lifes and landscapes most of all – the artist depicted the special beauty of the urban and folk interior of Spiš, particularly the traditional Kathe Kruse dolls. She was also a member of various art societies and regularly sent her works to various exhibitions. A enjoyed success at Dresden exhibition in 1892, with three gouaches exhibited to great accolades. Art admirers noted the masterful execution of her paintings; their emotionality and feelings. Boemm worked primarily in pastel, but also dabbled in oil and watercolour as well. Critics especially noted the canvas  “A Rural Street In Winter”. They emphasize that the work is different in colour, subtle sense of shades and tones, it has some elegant inner light. Many believe that this is the artist’s best work. Boemm's daughter, Lolly Feher, also became an artist. She painted mostly portraits but also worked with different genres. Boemm's works are kept in museums and private collections abroad.