4 3/8 × ¾ - inches Gerte Hacker 1911 - 2000

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Gertrude (“Gerte”) Fineman Hacker studied painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art with the German-born portraitist Rolf Stoll (1892 – 1978) and the landscape painter William Eastman (1881 – 1950).  Initially best known as a painter, she received considerable recognition early in her career for her portraits, still lifes, and genre scenes. Notably, in 1951 Hacker was awarded first prize in the Butler Institute of American Art’s national painting exhibition. By 1952 however, enamel had become her preferred medium.

Like many artists in the period following World War II, Hacker was interested in bringing the finest examples of art, craftsmanship, and good design into the domestic environment. As she herself stated, “Gerte Hacker’s works, which have been selected for exhibit in museums and educational systems throughout the country, are products of the artist’s vast fine arts background. She takes pride in bringing fine decorative art into the American home.” 

Hacker’s enamels were frequently featured in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s annual “May Show.” Although she was represented by a painting in her first showing in 1948 and a drawing in 1951, for all of her subsequent May Show presentations, including those in 1950, 1952-1957, she was represented by enamels. Three of her enamels – two bowls and a plate – were also featured in the 15th Ceramic National at the Everson Museum of Art in 1950. And additionally at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Enamel Arts Foundation Collection.

Her affinity for brilliant color and a looser, more gestural application of enamel characterize her “painterly” approach.

Sgraffito is a decorative technique that, using the Italian word for "to scratch" or "graffiare," involves scratching or carving through an upper layer of paint, slip, or clay to expose a contrasting color or material underneath. Hacker used a sgraffito technique to create the floral design in this richly enameled turquoise and cobalt plate.

Artist signed on the reverse. Condition is excellent. The perfect stocking stuffer for the Collector.