Arthur Garfield Dove
- Born:
- August 2, 1880, Geneva, New York, USA
- Died:
- November 23, 1946, Centerport, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Painter
Early Life and Education
- Born to a family with a brick manufacturing and construction business.
- Encouraged in art by his parents.
- Studied law at Cornell University, graduating in 1903, while continuing to pursue artistic interests.
- Later attended the Art Students League in New York City, studying under F. Luis Mora and Arthur B. Davies.
Career and Major Achievements
- Early work as an illustrator for magazines.
- Traveled to Europe with his first wife, Florence, from 1908 to 1909, where he encountered modern art movements like Fauvism.
- Exhibited at Alfred Stieglitz's 291 gallery, becoming a key figure in the Stieglitz circle.
- Considered one of the first American abstract painters.
- Experimented with various media including pastels, watercolors, and collage.
- Focused on depicting nature and emotions in abstract forms.
- Developed a personal visual language characterized by simplified forms and symbolic colors.
Notable Works
- Nature Symbolized No. 2 (1911)
- Cow (1914)
- Fog Horns (1929)
- Me and the Moon (1937)
- Guggenheim Museum (1944)
Legacy and Impact
Arthur Garfield Dove, often referred to in texts regarding his life as an "Arthur Dove biography," was a pioneer of American modernism and abstract art. He helped pave the way for subsequent generations of American artists to explore non-representational forms and themes in their work. His innovative use of color, form, and materials continues to inspire artists today.