Above: "April," and artwork by Virginia Kaar (1910-1966), created while she was in the WPA, ca. 1935-1943. Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Above: A closer view of the side section of Virginia Kaar's "April."
The Life of Virginia Kaar?
There doesn't seem to be much information on the Internet, or in newspaper archives, about the life of Virginia Kaar. We know that she continued creating art after her time in the WPA. For example, a 1949 newspaper article describes one of Kaar's paintings at an exhibit: "Still another remarkable example of how an imperious imagination can justify its vision and make it widely comprehensible is Virginia Kaar's 'Christmas.' The Christ Child and Mary and Joseph are presented in geometrical figures - yet the effect is neither irreverent nor eccentric. The picture has glow and great charm" ("Artists Show Skill in Their Interpretation," Chicago Tribune, October 6, 1949, p. 58).
Kaar died young, at about 56 years old. The Chicago Tribune printed a brief obituary: "Virginia Kaar, beloved sister of George W. and Sharon Davis. Resting at Beukema Funeral Home, 10456 S. Western avenue, where services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. Please omit flowers. Visitation after 7 p.m. Saturday" ("Kaar," Chicago Tribune, July 30, 1966, p. 12).
What were Ms. Kaar's hopes, dreams, and goals? How much art did she create, and where does it all reside now? Perhaps we'll never know.
No comments:
Post a Comment