Norman Bluhm
(1921-1999)
Bluhm studied under Mies van der Rohe at the the Armour Institute of Technology. He served in World War II with the USAAF (United States Air Force) he decided not to resume his architectural studies. Rather he studied art at the Academia de Belle Arte, Florence, Italy and at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s he lived in Paris. He had numerous friends in art, literature, and other creative pursuits. Among his close acquaintances were Joan Mitchell, Sam Francis, Jean Paul Riopelle, and Zao Wou-ki. He was married to Claude Souvrain until 1956, and that's when he returned to the United States. He married Carolyn Ogle in 1961. They lived in New York City until 1969 with their two children, David and Nina. From 1970 to 1980 they lived in Millbrook, New York. From 1980 to 1987 they lived in East Hampton, New York. Thereafter, they lived in East Wallingford, Vermont until Bluhm's death on February 3, 1999.
Bluhm's art has been critically praised and his paintings can be found in the collections of many prestigious museums. His work changed throughout his career while retaining certain elements (brush strokes, color, line, etc) that to the discerning viewer are obvious. Unlike some artists of note he continually challenged himself to reach new areas and artistic achievements based on his profound knowledge of art and art history, use of the human figure, color, and a passion for life. Among his more signature pieces are a series of poem paintings done with his friend and poet Frank O'Hara.
Shortly before Bluhm died, in 1999, Art in America editor Raphael Rubinstein predicted that Bluhm's body of work would be as important to the 21st century as Cézanne’s later output was to the 20th.
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