Warren Rohrer's 1972-1993 Paintings at Philadelphia Museum of Art Explore Mennonite Roots and Modernist Landscape
The Philadelphia Museum of Art displayed Warren Rohrer's artwork from 1972 to 1993 between June 22 and August 17, 2003. A native of Pennsylvania and raised in a Mennonite community, Rohrer drew inspiration from Amish quilts he encountered in 1972, which influenced his artistic approach. From 1961 to 1983, he transformed a barn in Christiana, Pennsylvania, into his studio. His paintings often feature brushstrokes that mimic stitching and incorporate themes of agriculture and landscape. Key works include "Pond 3" (1975) and the "Field Language" series (1991). Rohrer was an educator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1958-1972) and the University of the Arts (1974-1992). He passed away in 1995, two years after his last exhibition.
Key facts
- Exhibition dates: June 22 – August 17, 2003
- Warren Rohrer was raised in a Lancaster County Mennonite community
- 1972 Whitney Amish quilt show fundamentally influenced his painting style
- Rohrer taught at Philadelphia Museum of Art (1958-1972) and University of the Arts (1974-1992)
- He lived in Christiana, Pennsylvania from 1961-1983 with a converted barn studio
- His paintings incorporate quilt-inspired techniques with landscape themes
- Late works feature symbolic ideograms in landscape compositions
- Rohrer died in 1995, two years after his final exhibited paintings
Entities
Artists
- Warren Rohrer
- Rogier van der Weyden
Institutions
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Whitney Museum
- Moore College of Art
- University of the Arts
Locations
- Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania
- Lancaster County
- Christiana
- United States
- Europe