austrian-american artist and white house portraitist
martha greta kempton, an austrian-american artist, left an indelible mark on the art world with her captivating portraits that adorned the walls of the white house during the truman administration. born in vienna in 1901, kempton's artistic journey traversed the globe, reflecting her unique blend of european heritage and american adoption.
early life and education
kempton's formative years were spent at the
vienna academy of fine arts, where she honed her skills in the traditional european style. her move to the united states in the 1920s marked a pivotal shift in her artistic trajectory, as she became a student at both the
national academy of design and
art students league, institutions that further polished her craft in new york city.
rise to prominence
by the 1930s, kempton had established herself as a portrait painter of note in california. her style, reminiscent of the grand masters rembrandt and rubens, earned her significant recognition in washington. the unveiling of her portrait of drucie snyder, daughter of treasury secretary john w. snyder, in 1947, marked a turning point in her career.
- commissioned works: kempton was commissioned to paint a portrait of bess truman and later, the first of five paintings of president harry s. truman, which became the official white house portrait.
- restoration work: active well into her eighties, kempton also restored numerous paintings at the church of the transfiguration in new york city.
legacy and collections
kempton's works are now part of various esteemed collections, including the
white house,
u.s. department of the treasury,
u.s. supreme court,
harry s. truman library, and several museums. her papers, featuring numerous portraits, are housed at the
harry s. truman library in independence, missouri.
kempton's legacy serves as a testament to her enduring impact on american portraiture, bridging european traditions with the vibrancy of her adopted homeland.
