Henrietta Berk
American, 1919 - 1090
Henrietta Berk (January 9, 1919 – January 15, 1990) was a prominent painter in the San Francisco Bay Area, recognized for her vibrant contributions to the Bay Area Figurative Movement during the mid-20th century. Her oil paintings are celebrated for their striking colors and dynamic forms.
Born Henrietta Robin in Wichita, Kansas, she spent part of her childhood at the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum and Home in San Francisco after her father left the family. Her mother, a seamstress, struggled to support the household. Berk later pursued her artistic education at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland from 1955 to 1959, where she studied under notable artists Richard Diebenkorn and Harry Krell.
Berk's body of work encompassed landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and abstract pieces, all characterized by their intense colors and lively compositions. Critics praised her paintings for their vibrant energy and structural discipline, noting the balance of color and texture that created a sense of depth and movement.
Her artistic journey began in earnest with her first solo exhibition in 1959, and from 1960 onward, her work was showcased in various galleries and museums across California, including the San Francisco Museum of Art and the de Young Museum. In 1972, she traveled to Israel for a study mission, creating pen-and-ink drawings to support the United Jewish Welfare Fund, and in 1974, her travels in Mexico City resulted in drawings published by the Oakland Tribune.
In her later years, Berk faced challenges due to diabetic retinopathy, which significantly impaired her vision. Despite these obstacles, she continued to create art, embracing larger canvases and bolder contrasts. A one-woman show in 1989 celebrated her 70th birthday, where she reflected on how her diminishing sight influenced her work.
Berk was married twice; first to physician Morris Berk, with whom she had two children, Anne and Steven, before their divorce in 1969. Her second marriage to Paul Farberman lasted only a year. She passed away in 1990 at the age of 71 in Oakland.
In August 2021, a retrospective of Berk's work opened at The Hilbert Museum at Chapman University, coinciding with the release of a book titled In Living Color: The Art & Life of Henrietta Berk, authored by Steven Stern. This exhibition served to highlight her enduring legacy in the art world.
Born Henrietta Robin in Wichita, Kansas, she spent part of her childhood at the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum and Home in San Francisco after her father left the family. Her mother, a seamstress, struggled to support the household. Berk later pursued her artistic education at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland from 1955 to 1959, where she studied under notable artists Richard Diebenkorn and Harry Krell.
Berk's body of work encompassed landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and abstract pieces, all characterized by their intense colors and lively compositions. Critics praised her paintings for their vibrant energy and structural discipline, noting the balance of color and texture that created a sense of depth and movement.
Her artistic journey began in earnest with her first solo exhibition in 1959, and from 1960 onward, her work was showcased in various galleries and museums across California, including the San Francisco Museum of Art and the de Young Museum. In 1972, she traveled to Israel for a study mission, creating pen-and-ink drawings to support the United Jewish Welfare Fund, and in 1974, her travels in Mexico City resulted in drawings published by the Oakland Tribune.
In her later years, Berk faced challenges due to diabetic retinopathy, which significantly impaired her vision. Despite these obstacles, she continued to create art, embracing larger canvases and bolder contrasts. A one-woman show in 1989 celebrated her 70th birthday, where she reflected on how her diminishing sight influenced her work.
Berk was married twice; first to physician Morris Berk, with whom she had two children, Anne and Steven, before their divorce in 1969. Her second marriage to Paul Farberman lasted only a year. She passed away in 1990 at the age of 71 in Oakland.
In August 2021, a retrospective of Berk's work opened at The Hilbert Museum at Chapman University, coinciding with the release of a book titled In Living Color: The Art & Life of Henrietta Berk, authored by Steven Stern. This exhibition served to highlight her enduring legacy in the art world.
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