Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Winter, Ella, 1898-1980

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role Collector
dates 1898-1980
city Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
stateCA
other citiesNuremberg, Germany; Hamstead, U.K.
sex F
historical notes Ella Winter Stewart was an Australian-British radical journalist and activist, and champion of migrant farm workers. In 1924 she married the left-wing muckraker Lincoln Steffens and moved to the largest art colony on the Pacific Coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Her first painting, a wedding present from her husband, was a work by Paul Klee. As her collection grew, she acquired works by Chinese-American and Mexican artists as well as a Braque piece titled Fish on a Plate.

Over time, Ella Winter's collection expanded to include works by well-established artists like Giorgio de Chirico, Jean Lurçat, Maurice Utrillo, Piet Mondrian, and Raoul Dufy. Her connection to renowned collectors and dealers, such as J. B. Neumann and Karl Nierendorf, introduced her to the world of modern art, particularly the art of Paul Klee. World War II brought an influx of European artists and artworks to the United States, further enriching her collection with pieces by Chagall, Utrillo, Moholy-Nagy, Felix Itten, and Kandinsky. Ella's dedication to art extended to her involvement in exhibitions, including a show to aid Allied relief, which featured art owned by stage and screen stars.

Ella Winter's collection was not limited to famous artists; she also appreciated the works of less-known talents, like the Primitives, Bombois, Vivin, and Bauchant. Her encounters with artists like Renee Sintenis and Lily Hildebrand, who had faced challenges during and after the war, resulted in meaningful acquisitions. She also supported Matt Barnes, a San Franciscan known for his evocative oils depicting figures in landscapes.
decades
of activity
1920-1930
1930-1940
1940-1950
1950-1960
1960-1970
1970-1980
updated 03/22/2024 12:09:32
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see also:
Neumann, J. B. (Jsrael Ber)
Nierendorf, Karl