Minerva Teichert and Her Feminine Communities
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Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2016-03-01 Refiguring the Wild est:W Minerva Teichert and her Feminine Communities Deirdre Mason Scharffs Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Classics Commons, and the Comparative Literature Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Scharffs, Deirdre Mason, "Refiguring the Wild est:W Minerva Teichert and her Feminine Communities" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 5847. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5847 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Refiguring the Wild West: Minerva Teichert and Her Feminine Communities Deirdre Mason Crane Scharffs A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts James R. Swensen, Chair Marian Wardle Martha M. Peacock Department of Comparative Arts and Letters Brigham Young University March 2016 Copyright © 2016 Deirdre Mason Crane Scharffs All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Refiguring the Wild West: Minerva Teichert and Her Feminine Communities Deirdre Mason Crane Scharffs Department of Comparative Arts and Letters, BYU Master of Arts Minerva Teichert (1888-1976) was a twentieth-century American artist, who spent most of her life residing in remote towns in the West, earnestly balancing the demands of family and ranching, and painting scenes of her beloved Western frontier. Her steady and significant production of art is remarkable for any artist, and particularly compelling when one considers her time constraints, inaccessibility of art supplies, distance from other artists and art centers, and lack of public attention. The success of women artists during the first half of the twentieth- century was dependent not only upon their artistic aptitude, but also upon external forces, such as family, friends, and mentors. As an artist during this era, Teichert benefitted especially from the circles of women who surrounded her, offering sympathy, encouragement, assistance, a ready network of support, and who enabled her to pursue her passion, which she succinctly described, “I must paint.” This thesis employs a methodological framework informed by feminist, collective conscience, and social network theories in order to elucidate an artist’s vision that transcends feminist viewpoints and western heroic individualism. The reality of female networks in Teichert’s life translates not only to the certainty of women within a Western mythology dominated by men but also to a powerful counter-narrative where collaboration and community are essential to the success of settlements in the American West. Here Teichert introduces an altogether different vision and story. In her pioneer paintings, composed during the 1930s and 1940s, one sees a reflection of her own life, and that of her pioneer ancestors, which emphasizes the feminine, the importance of collaboration, and the centrality of community. Key Words: Minerva Teichert, woman artist, American Western frontier, Latter-day Saint pioneer, network, collaboration, community ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In pursuing my dream of studying art history and making a contribution to the scholarship on Minerva Teichert, I have come to experience what Teichert did over a century ago. That following a passion and finding a measure of success comes as the result of being surrounded by supportive, nurturing women, in the shape of feminine communities. To be certain, there are men in my life who have shared their love and expertise and encouraged me to do that which at times seemed impossible. I am grateful to my father, Lawrence Louis Crane, Jr., for his constant positiveness and seeing even my smallest steps in a successful light; to my adviser Dr. James Russel Swensen, for his brilliant contributions, tireless patience, and steady encouragement; and to my husband, Brett G. Scharffs, for helping me to balance the demands of home and school (not minding mismatched socks and dinnerless nights), suggesting insightful possibilities at my scholarly dead ends, and cheering me on like crazy. And it is the women, communities of women, who have graced my life with their endless forms of support. The circle of women in my family – my mother, sister, daughters, and mother- in-law – have repeatedly expressed interest in my academic endeavor. My circle of friends and particularly my fellow art history graduate companions, seven women with whom I have enjoyed forming bonds, have fostered in me an even greater understanding and affection for art history. In my academic circle, Dr. Martha M. Peacock quickly became my role model, emboldened me with a foundation in art theory, and shared her regard for thoughtful, meaningful scholarship. Everyone needs a mentor like Teichert’s Alice Merrill Horne, a woman who is passionate, fearless, and a dear friend, who for me is Dr. Marian Wardle. Dr. Wardle encouraged my earliest inkling to study art history, and with her knowledge and enthusiasm, has enabled my study of Minerva Teichert. For these communities of support in my life, I am most grateful. DEDICATION To my children, Elliot, Sophelia, and Ella, who are each so colossal TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page.......................................................................................................................................... i Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ vi Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Formative Years .............................................................................................................................. 8 Female Communities in Life ........................................................................................................ 21 Female Communities in Paint ....................................................................................................... 44 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 49 Figures........................................................................................................................................... 52 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 74 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Minerva Teichert, 1916. Photograph ............................................................................. 52 Figure 2 Minerva Teichert (at far left) with friends, Pocatello, Idaho, c. 1916. Photograph. Private collection .......................................................................................................................... 52 Figure 3 Minerva Wade Hickman. Photograph ........................................................................... 53 Figure 4 Mary Ella Hickman Kohlhepp, c. 1910. Photograph. Private collection ...................... 53 Figure 5 Minerva with her sisters Eda, Sara, and Annalee in American Falls, Idaho, 1915. Photograph .................................................................................................................................... 54 Figure 6 Rose Hartwell, Nursery Corner, c. 1910. Oil on canvas, 23 ¾ x 28 ¾ in. Brigham Young University Museum of Art ................................................................................................ 54 Figure 7 Mary Teasdale, Mother and Child, c. 1920. Oil on canvas, 30 ½ x 24 ½ in. Utah State Fine Arts Collection, Salt Lake City, Utah ................................................................................... 55 Figure 8 Fra Dana, Birdcage, n.d. Oil on panel, 18 x 24 in. Montana Museum of Art & Culture ....................................................................................................................................................... 55 Figure 9 Florence Ware, Dry Creek, Autumn at the Foot of the Mountains, 1930. Oil on board, 16 x 20 in. Springville Museum of Art ......................................................................................... 56 Figure 10 Louise Rönnebeck, The Fertile Land Remembers, c. 1936. Oil on canvas, 60 x 120 in. U.S. Treasury Department award for Worland, Wyoming, U.S. Post Office (moved to Casper, Wyoming U.S. Post Office, 1970s) .............................................................................................. 56 Figure 11 Louise Rönnebeck, The Harvest, 1940. Oil on canvas, 72 x 108 in. U.S. General Services Administration Federal Art & Art-in-Architecture Programs for Grand