Ralph Fabri: Difference between revisions

Ralph Fabri
Ralph Fabri
Born	April 23, 1894; Budapest, Austria-Hungary
Died	February 12, 1975 (aged 80); New York, New York, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Painter

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Ralph Fabri (April 23, 1894 – February 12, 1975) was an American painter. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.^[1]

Biography

Ralph Fabri (originally Febri Reszo) was born in Hungary on April 23, 1894.^[2] He did not go by Ralph Fabri until he immigrated New York City in 1921. He became an American citizen in 1927.^[2] From 1945 to the 1970s, he wrote over 10 art manuals and how-to-paint books. He was skilled in lithograph, painting, sculpting, etching, ink, and printmaking.^[3] After a long career as an artist, writer, and educator he died at the age of 80 on February 12, 1975 at his home in Manhattan.^[4]

Education

In 1918, Fabri received his M.A. in education and the arts from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest.^[5] Initially his studies were in architecture while he was enrolled with the Royal Institute of Technology (1912-1914). He graduated in 1918 with an M.A. for certification as a Professor from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He enrolled at the National Academy of Design in 1923, and after he became an American citizen, he saved up enough money to focus on his art career.^[2]

As an educator himself, he worked in schools such as Parsons School of Design, the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, and the National Academy School of Fine Arts(in order) where he participated in 1918 as a student.^[2]^[5] He finally worked as a professor until 1965 teaching art history at the NY City College.^[5]

Career

Before his contributions to graphic works, he had an interest in architecture as his original career path.^[6] He was referred to as "the porch builder" by Theodore Dreiser. He was also referenced as building the "natural stone porch" for Dreiser's house at Mt.Kisco in NY and he also contributed various design work to other structures of the property.^[7] In other accounts its stated that Fabri painted the tepee of Dreiser with a clash of colors that depicted different weather elements and occurrences such as lightening, rain, rainbows, but also clouds and the sun.^[8] Fabri was often referenced as a friend of Dreiser due to the many commissions provided to Fabri yet after his acquaintance passed away, Fabri commented on Dreiser's controversial character referring to the exploitation and selfishness he was known for. Despite this, Fabri also found it important to note Dreiser's magnetism and intelligence when speaking with the W.A. Swanberg Papers in 1965.^[9]

Fabri did commercial design work during his enrollment at the National Academy of Design. Until the early 1930's he was able to focus on his career as an artist to which he returned to commercial design and also opened "Ralph Fabri Studios" which closed shortly after.^[2]

People like Margit Varga exhibited his work in the early 1930s. His work was housed by "Painters and Sculptors Gallery" in Greenwich Village. As to which pieces of Fabri's were held it is not stated however his work was part of Vargas effort to sell small affordable art for smaller New York apartments. His work was sold alongside other artists such as: Alexander Brooks, Margit de Cornini, E. E. Cummings, Eugene Fitsch, Philip Reisman, Harry Sternberg, and Richard Lahey.^[10]

The Stamp & Album Co. was his largest patron he supplied with his ink drawings. He wrote art reviews and articles for Hungarian newspapers after his arrival in the US and even submitted his work to local papers.^[2] He taught at the Parson's School of Design as teacher of life drawing from 1947 to 1949 and eventually taught painting from 1951 until 1967 when he decided to retire.^[5]

Notable artworks

Four Fredoms 1943, Etching 30.1 x 22.8 cm
Paradise Lost 1930, Etching in sepia 17.7 x 22.6 cm
To Be or Not To Be 1942, Etching 30.3 x 22.8 cm
Dr. Faustus 1947, Etching 30.1 x 22.6 cm^[5]

Authored works

Fabri is responsible for books like: "Learn to Draw (1945), Oil Painting: How-to-Do-It! (1953), A Guide to Polymer Painting (1966), Sculpture in Paper (1966), Color: A Complete Guide for Artists (1967), Complete Guide to Flower Painting (1968), The First Hundred Years: History of the American Watercolor Society (1969), Painting Outdoors (1969), Painting Cityscapes (1970), and Artist's Guide to Composition (1971)" as provided by the Smithsonian.^[2]

Exhibitions

An exhibit in his honor was held at the Charles Marvin Fairchild Memorial Gallery from December 1, 2000, to May 1, 2001. He also had some etching pieces inspired by music in the Binet Gallery in 1947.^[5]

Places like the Child's Gallery have also displayed his work. Mutual Art still auctions his works and as of March 2024, they still house over 40 of his works including Americana 1948 an etching and Catedral View at Night in oil (no exact date).^[11]

Honors and awards

Fabri was part of local art organizations referred to as the California Society of Etchers, the Society of American Graphic Artists, and contributed time to Boston and Washington in various printmaker organizations.^[5]

His piece To Be or Not To Be won in1943 John Taylor Arms prize for Society of American Etchers.^[5]

References

^ "Ralph Fabri". Olympedia. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Biographical Note | A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution". www.aaa.si.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^ "1972: Ralph Fabri – Print Club of Albany". Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^ "RALPH FABRI DIES; ARTIST AND TEACHER". The New York Times. February 14, 1975. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker | Georgetown University Library". library.georgetown.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^ "Ralph Fabri - "Americana"". 1stDibs.com. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
^ Dreiser, Theodore (2009). Letters to Women. Vol. 2. University of Illinois Press.
^ Eastman, Yvette (1995). Dearest Wilding: A Memoir, with Love Letters from Theodore Dreiser. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-1646-2. JSTOR j.ctt1989310.
^ Theodore Dreiser Recalled. Liverpool University Press. 2017. doi:10.2307/j.ctt1ps32sk. ISBN 978-1-942954-44-6. JSTOR j.ctt1ps32sk.
^ Kirwin, Liza; McNaught, William; Brown, Robert F.; Karlstrom, Paul J.; Pacini, Marina (1988). "Regional Reports". Archives of American Art Journal. 28 (4): 34–40. doi:10.1086/aaa.28.4.1557619. ISSN 0003-9853. JSTOR 1557619.
^ "Ralph Fabri with MutualArt". MutualArt. March 30, 2024.

[1] "Ralph Fabri". Olympedia. Retrieved August 14, 2020.

[:04-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Biographical Note | A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution". www.aaa.si.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2024.

[3] "1972: Ralph Fabri – Print Club of Albany". Retrieved March 31, 2024.

[4] "RALPH FABRI DIES; ARTIST AND TEACHER". The New York Times. February 14, 1975. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2024.

[:15-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker | Georgetown University Library". library.georgetown.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2024.

[6] "Ralph Fabri - "Americana"". 1stDibs.com. Retrieved March 31, 2024.

[7] Dreiser, Theodore (2009). Letters to Women. Vol. 2. University of Illinois Press.

[8] Eastman, Yvette (1995). Dearest Wilding: A Memoir, with Love Letters from Theodore Dreiser. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-1646-2. JSTOR j.ctt1989310.

[9] Theodore Dreiser Recalled. Liverpool University Press. 2017. doi:10.2307/j.ctt1ps32sk. ISBN 978-1-942954-44-6. JSTOR j.ctt1ps32sk.

[10] Kirwin, Liza; McNaught, William; Brown, Robert F.; Karlstrom, Paul J.; Pacini, Marina (1988). "Regional Reports". Archives of American Art Journal. 28 (4): 34–40. doi:10.1086/aaa.28.4.1557619. ISSN 0003-9853. JSTOR 1557619.

[11] "Ralph Fabri with MutualArt". MutualArt. March 30, 2024.

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@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 == Biography ==
-[https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/32694880390587-ralph-fabri#mz-expanded-view-124310045666 Ralph Fabri] (originally Febri Reszo) was born in Hungary on April 23, 1894.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Biographical Note {{!}} A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 {{!}} Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution |url=https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/ralph-fabri-papers-8896/biographical-note |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.aaa.si.edu |language=en}}</ref> He did not go by Ralph Fabri until he immigrated New York City in 1921. He became an American citizen in 1927.<ref name=":0" />  From 1945 to the 1970s, he wrote over 10 art manuals and how-to-paint books.  He was skilled in lithograph, painting, sculpting, etching, ink, and printmaking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1972: Ralph Fabri – Print Club of Albany |url=https://pcaprint.org/2022/01/17/1972-ralph-fabri/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> After a long career as an artist, writer, and educator he died at the age of 80 on February 12, 1975 at his home in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1975-02-14 |title=RALPH FABRI DIES; ARTIST AND TEACHER |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/14/archives/ralph-fabri-dies-artist-and-teacher.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
+[https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/32694880390587-ralph-fabri#mz-expanded-view-124310045666 Ralph Fabri] (originally Febri Reszo) was born in Hungary on April 23, 1894.<ref name=":04">{{Cite web |title=Biographical Note {{!}} A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 {{!}} Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution |url=https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/ralph-fabri-papers-8896/biographical-note |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.aaa.si.edu |language=en}}</ref> He did not go by Ralph Fabri until he immigrated New York City in 1921. He became an American citizen in 1927.<ref name=":04"/>  From 1945 to the 1970s, he wrote over 10 art manuals and how-to-paint books.  He was skilled in lithograph, painting, sculpting, etching, ink, and printmaking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1972: Ralph Fabri – Print Club of Albany |url=https://pcaprint.org/2022/01/17/1972-ralph-fabri/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> After a long career as an artist, writer, and educator he died at the age of 80 on February 12, 1975 at his home in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1975-02-14 |title=RALPH FABRI DIES; ARTIST AND TEACHER |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/14/archives/ralph-fabri-dies-artist-and-teacher.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
 == Education ==
-In 1918, Fabri received his M.A. in education and the arts from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker {{!}} Georgetown University Library |url=https://library.georgetown.edu/exhibition/ralph-fabri-american-visionary-printmaker |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=library.georgetown.edu}}</ref> Initially his studies were in architecture while he was enrolled with the Royal Institute of Technology (1912-1914). He graduated in 1918 with an M.A. for certification as a Professor from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He enrolled at the National Academy of Design in 1923, and after he became an American citizen, he saved up enough money to focus on his art career. <ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Biographical Note {{!}} A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 {{!}} Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution |url=https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/ralph-fabri-papers-8896/biographical-note |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.aaa.si.edu |language=en}}</ref>
+In 1918, Fabri received his M.A. in education and the arts from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker {{!}} Georgetown University Library |url=https://library.georgetown.edu/exhibition/ralph-fabri-american-visionary-printmaker |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=library.georgetown.edu}}</ref> Initially his studies were in architecture while he was enrolled with the Royal Institute of Technology (1912-1914). He graduated in 1918 with an M.A. for certification as a Professor from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He enrolled at the National Academy of Design in 1923, and after he became an American citizen, he saved up enough money to focus on his art career.<ref name=":04"/>
-As an educator himself, he worked in schools such as Parsons School of Design, the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, and the National Academy School of Fine Arts(in order) were he participated in 1918 as a student.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":1" /> He finally worked as a professor until 1965 teaching  art history at the NY City College.<ref name=":1" />
+As an educator himself, he worked in schools such as Parsons School of Design, the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, and the National Academy School of Fine Arts(in order) where he participated in 1918 as a student.<ref name=":04"/><ref name=":15"/> He finally worked as a professor until 1965 teaching  art history at the NY City College.<ref name=":15"/>
 == Career ==
 Before his contributions to graphic works, he had an interest in architecture as his original career path.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri - "Americana" |url=https://www.1stdibs.com/art/prints-works-on-paper/figurative-prints-works-on-paper/ralph-fabri-americana/id-a_10354402/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=1stDibs.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was referred to as "the porch builder" by [[Theodore Dreiser]]. He was also referenced as building the "natural stone porch" for Dreiser's house at [[Mount Kisco, New York|Mt.Kisco]] in NY and he also contributed various design work to other structures of the property.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dreiser |first=Theodore |title=Letters to Women |publisher=University of Illinois Press |year=2009 |volume=2}}</ref> In other accounts its stated that Fabri painted the tepee of Dreiser with a clash of colors that depicted different weather elements and occurrences such as lightening, rain, rainbows, but also clouds and the sun.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eastman |first=Yvette |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1989310 |title=Dearest Wilding: A Memoir, with Love Letters from Theodore Dreiser |date=1995 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |jstor=j.ctt1989310 |isbn=978-0-8122-1646-2}}</ref> Fabri was often referenced as a friend of Dreiser due to the many commissions provided to Fabri yet after his acquaintance passed away, Fabri commented on Dreiser's controversial character referring to the exploitation and selfishness he was known for. Despite this, Fabri also found it important to note Dreiser's magnetism and intelligence when speaking with the W.A. Swanberg Papers in 1965.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1ps32sk |title=Theodore Dreiser Recalled |date=2017 |publisher=Liverpool University Press |doi=10.2307/j.ctt1ps32sk |jstor=j.ctt1ps32sk |isbn=978-1-942954-44-6}}</ref>
-Fabri did commercial design work during his enrollment at the National Academy of Design. Until the early 1930's he was able to focus on his career as an artist to which he returned to commercial design and also opened "Ralph Fabri Studios" which closed shortly after.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |title=Biographical Note {{!}} A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 {{!}} Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution |url=https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/ralph-fabri-papers-8896/biographical-note |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.aaa.si.edu |language=en}}</ref>
+Fabri did commercial design work during his enrollment at the National Academy of Design. Until the early 1930's he was able to focus on his career as an artist to which he returned to commercial design and also opened "Ralph Fabri Studios" which closed shortly after.<ref name=":04"/>
 People like [[Margit Varga]] exhibited his work in the early 1930s. His work was housed by "Painters and Sculptors Gallery" in Greenwich Village. As to which pieces of Fabri's were held it is not stated however his work was part of Vargas effort to sell small affordable art for smaller New York apartments.  His work was sold alongside other artists such as: Alexander Brooks, Margit de Cornini, E. E. Cummings, Eugene Fitsch, Philip Reisman, Harry Sternberg, and Richard Lahey.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kirwin |first1=Liza |last2=McNaught |first2=William |last3=Brown |first3=Robert F. |last4=Karlstrom |first4=Paul J. |last5=Pacini |first5=Marina |date=1988 |title=Regional Reports |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1557619 |journal=Archives of American Art Journal |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=34–40 |doi=10.1086/aaa.28.4.1557619 |jstor=1557619 |issn=0003-9853}}</ref>
-The Stamp & Album Co. was his largest patron he supplied with his ink drawings. He wrote art reviews and articles for Hungarian newspapers after his arrival in the US and even submitted his work to local papers.<ref name=":03" /> He taught at the Parson's School of Design as teacher of life drawing from 1947 to 1949 and eventually taught painting from 1951 until 1967 when he decided to retire.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker {{!}} Georgetown University Library |url=https://library.georgetown.edu/exhibition/ralph-fabri-american-visionary-printmaker |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=library.georgetown.edu}}</ref>
+The Stamp & Album Co. was his largest patron he supplied with his ink drawings. He wrote art reviews and articles for Hungarian newspapers after his arrival in the US and even submitted his work to local papers.<ref name=":04"/> He taught at the Parson's School of Design as teacher of life drawing from 1947 to 1949 and eventually taught painting from 1951 until 1967 when he decided to retire.<ref name=":15"/>
 == Notable artworks ==
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 * [https://library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/ralph_fabri__paradise.jpg ''Paradise Lost''] 1930, Etching in sepia 17.7 x 22.6 cm
 * [https://library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/ralph_fabri__tobe.jpg ''To Be or Not To Be''] 1942, Etching 30.3 x 22.8 cm
-* [https://library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/ralph_fabri__faustus.jpg ''Dr. Faustus''] 1947, Etching 30.1 x 22.6 cm<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker {{!}} Georgetown University Library |url=https://library.georgetown.edu/exhibition/ralph-fabri-american-visionary-printmaker |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=library.georgetown.edu}}</ref>
+* [https://library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/ralph_fabri__faustus.jpg ''Dr. Faustus''] 1947, Etching 30.1 x 22.6 cm<ref name=":15"/>
 == Authored works ==
-Fabri is responsible for books like'': "Learn to Draw'' (1945), ''Oil Painting: How-to-Do-It!'' (1953), ''A Guide to Polymer Painting'' (1966), ''Sculpture in Paper'' (1966), ''Color: A Complete Guide for Artists'' (1967), ''Complete Guide to Flower Painting'' (1968), ''The First Hundred Years: History of the American Watercolor Society'' (1969), ''Painting Outdoors'' (1969), ''Painting Cityscapes'' (1970), and ''Artist's Guide to Composition'' (1971)" as provided by the Smithsonian.<ref name=":04">{{Cite web |title=Biographical Note {{!}} A Finding Aid to the Ralph Fabri papers, circa 1870s-1975, bulk 1918-1975 {{!}} Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution |url=https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/ralph-fabri-papers-8896/biographical-note |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.aaa.si.edu |language=en}}</ref>
+Fabri is responsible for books like'': "Learn to Draw'' (1945), ''Oil Painting: How-to-Do-It!'' (1953), ''A Guide to Polymer Painting'' (1966), ''Sculpture in Paper'' (1966), ''Color: A Complete Guide for Artists'' (1967), ''Complete Guide to Flower Painting'' (1968), ''The First Hundred Years: History of the American Watercolor Society'' (1969), ''Painting Outdoors'' (1969), ''Painting Cityscapes'' (1970), and ''Artist's Guide to Composition'' (1971)" as provided by the Smithsonian.<ref name=":04"/>
 == Exhibitions ==
-An exhibit in his honor was held at the Charles Marvin Fairchild Memorial Gallery from December 1, 2000, to May 1, 2001. He also had some etching pieces inspired by music in the Binet Gallery in 1947.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker {{!}} Georgetown University Library |url=https://library.georgetown.edu/exhibition/ralph-fabri-american-visionary-printmaker |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=library.georgetown.edu}}</ref>
+An exhibit in his honor was held at the Charles Marvin Fairchild Memorial Gallery from December 1, 2000, to May 1, 2001. He also had some etching pieces inspired by music in the Binet Gallery in 1947.<ref name=":15"/>
 Places like the Child's Gallery have also displayed his work. Mutual Art still auctions his works and as of March 2024, they still house over 40 of his works including ''Americana 1948'' an etching and ''Catedral View at Night'' in oil (no exact date).<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2024 |title=Ralph Fabri with MutualArt |url=https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Ralph-Fabri/4AA8BF420BB1E01A |website=MutualArt}}</ref>
 == Honors and awards ==
-Fabri was part of local art organizations referred to as the California Society of Etchers, the Society of American Graphic Artists, and contributed time to Boston and Washington in various printmaker organizations.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Fabri: American Visionary Printmaker {{!}} Georgetown University Library |url=https://library.georgetown.edu/exhibition/ralph-fabri-american-visionary-printmaker |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=library.georgetown.edu}}</ref>
+Fabri was part of local art organizations referred to as the California Society of Etchers, the Society of American Graphic Artists, and contributed time to Boston and Washington in various printmaker organizations.<ref name=":15"/>
 His piece [https://library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/ralph_fabri__tobe.jpg ''To Be or Not To Be''] won in1943 John Taylor Arms prize for Society of American Etchers.<ref name=":15" />
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 [[Category:Artists from Budapest]]
 [[Category:20th-century American male artists]]
-{{US-painter-stub}}

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