Judith Rothschild and Friedel Dzubas Exhibitions Revisit Overlooked Abstract Painters
In the spring of 2004, New York hosted two exhibitions highlighting second-wave painters Judith Rothschild and Friedel Dzubas. Rothschild's display at Knoedler & Company, which took place from March 18 to May 1, featured her abstract pieces from the 1940s. Meanwhile, Dzubas's works were showcased at Jacobson Howard Gallery from March 18 to April 17. Both artists experimented with various techniques rather than adhering to distinct styles. Rothschild, recognized as a prominent student of Hans Hofmann, produced works echoing Cubism. Dzubas, inspired by Jackson Pollock, sought to eliminate "linear emotional garbage" after a break, resulting in bold brushwork. Their absence in major art history texts raises concerns about their legacies and the influence of galleries on historical preservation versus commercial motives.
Key facts
- Judith Rothschild's exhibition ran from March 18 to May 1, 2004 at Knoedler & Company in New York
- Friedel Dzubas's exhibition ran from March 18 to April 17, 2004 at Jacobson Howard Gallery in New York
- Rothschild was Hans Hofmann's star pupil and influenced by Picasso's Cubism
- Dzubas lived with critic Clement Greenberg in 1945 and was friends with Jackson Pollock
- Neither artist appears in key art history books by Barbara Rose, Dore Ashton, or Irving Sandler
- Dzubas's painting "Cyclops" (1959) features swirls of white paint encircling a black dash
- Rothschild's "Boruba II" (1948) uses varying black outlines and jewel-like colors
- Both artists are considered second-wave painters without signature styles like Rothko or Pollock
Entities
Artists
- Judith Rothschild
- Friedel Dzubas
- Willem de Kooning
- Mark Rothko
- Jackson Pollock
- Franz Kline
- Helen Frankenthaler
- Kenneth Noland
- Morris Louis
- Hans Hofmann
- Pablo Picasso
- Henri Matisse
- Kurt Schwitters
- Clement Greenberg
- David Cohen
- Barbara Rose
- Dore Ashton
- Irving Sandler
Institutions
- Knoedler & Company
- Jacobson Howard Gallery
- artcritical
Locations
- New York
- United States
- 19 East 70th Street
- 19 East 76th Street