14 Facts About Mercedes Matter

Mercedes Matter was an American painter, draughtswoman, and writer.

Mercedes Matter was a founding member of the American Abstract Artists, and the Founder and Dean Emeritus of the New York Studio School.

Mercedes Matter's mother, Mercedes de Cordoba, was a model for Edward Steichen.

Mercedes Matter grew up in Philadelphia, New York City, and Europe.

Mercedes Matter first painted under her father's supervision at age 6 and would later recall being given a paintbox to use while working alongside him in the French countryside.

Mercedes Matter worked with Fernand Leger, who would become a close friend, on his mural for the French Line passenger ship company and again privately on another mural.

Mercedes Matter resided with the couple for a year sharing their studio and apartment.

Mercedes Matter was raising an infant son but the environment away from New York was affecting her work.

Mercedes Matter later taught at New York University for several years.

Mercedes Matter was a visiting critic at Antioch, Brandeis, Cincinnati School of Art, Kansas City Art Institute, Maryland Institute College of Art, Yale University, Skowhegan and American University in Washington, DC.

Mercedes Matter suffered a serious illness in 1979 and thereafter her husband became terminally ill.

Mercedes Matter taught at the Studio School every other week and remained very much involved in its development.

Mercedes Matter wrote the text for a book of her husband's photographs of Giacometti, published in 1987, four years after his death.

Mercedes Matter's work is included in the collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art.