Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). The Striped Skirt, 1917. Oil on canvas, 45 x 55 inches. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift in Memory of Eleanore Alten Gilleo by her Family, 1995.1.9
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). California Sycamore, c. 1929. Oil on canvas, 38 ¾ x 48 inches. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift of Anna F. McCauley, 2016.14
Mathias J. Alten (American, 1871–1938). Self Portrait, 1913. Oil on canvas, 28 ¼ x 24 3/8 inches. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift of the Artist, 1926.1.2
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). The Gravel Pit, 1909. Oil on canvas, 34 x 40 inches. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift of the Estate of Peter M. Wege, in memory of Peter and Louise Wege, 2016.14
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). Mending the Net, 1912. Oil on canvas on board, 11 3/8 x 15 3/8 inches. Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, Gift of George H. and Barbara Gordon, 2016.65.11
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). Mission San Juan Capistrano, c. 1934. Oil on canvas, 26 x 32 inches. Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, Gift of George H. and Barbara Gordon, 2015.71.4
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). Mount Hood, Oregon, 1909. Oil on Academy Board, 12 ¼ x 18 3/8 inches. Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, Gift of George H. and Barbara Gordon, 2007.605.1
Mathias J. Alten (American, 1871–1938). Reeds Lake with Bathers, c. 1918. Oil on canvas, 16 ¼ x 20 ½ inches. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard R. Smith in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Shaw, 2003.6
Mathias J. Alten: An Enduring Legacy
October 24, 2020 – April 24, 2021
Painter Mathias J. Alten is one of Grand Rapids’ most esteemed and beloved figures. In the early to mid-20th century, Alten was nationally recognized for his landscapes, still lifes, and portraits that drew on traditional European painting as well as more contemporary styles, like Impressionism. Alten emigrated from Germany to Michigan as a young man, settling with his family in Grand Rapids in 1889, where he lived for the rest of his life. Drawn from regional art collections both institutional and private, this exhibition celebrates Alten’s ongoing legacy on the 150th anniversary of his birth.
As an immigrant to this country, Alten worked hard to establish himself in a new homeland. In the decades leading up to the 20th century, the United States experienced rapid economic and urban growth, driven by industrialization and immigration. Alten was part of this wave of new immigrants, drawn to Michigan by lumber production and the many factories and jobs it supported. His first work in Grand Rapids, at the age of seventeen, was as a furniture decorator in local factories. He continued to seek opportunities to further his artistic skills and took on local commissions to decorate public buildings. Desiring to become a professional artist, he took painting lessons and painted whenever and wherever he could, even while running his father-in-law’s paint and wallpaper store. In 1899, Alten established a studio and school in downtown Grand Rapids with another local artist. He went on to widely exhibit and sell his paintings, and to become one of the region’s most respected—and successful—artists.
The breadth of Alten’s artistic approaches and interests across his career are reflected in the range of paintings and other works on view in the exhibition. There are family portraits and self-portrait studies, floral still lifes, mural-sized allegorical works created for public spaces, and scenes of the natural world, for which he is best known. Included are highlights from GRAM’s permanent collection, the Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, the Grand Rapids Public Library, and rarely seen works from private collections.
Wege Foundation
The Meijer Foundation
Anita M. Gilleo
Gregory and Rajene Betz
James and Mary Nelson
Allen and Nancy Vander Laan
Greg and Meg Willit
Mary Loupee
Lizbeth O’Shaughnessy and Terry Rathbun
Jane and John Meilner
brightly
Burr & Company
Robert Daverman, AIA / Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Eenhoorn, LLC.
Haworth, Inc.
Dirk and June Hoffius
Miner S. and Mary Ann Keeler Foundation
Hank and Liesel Meijer
Progressive AE
Additional support provided by the Friends of Alten: Anita Carter, Phillip and Julie Croll, Drake Quinn Family Foundation, George H. and Barbara Gordon, Inta Grace, J.C. and Tammy Huizenga, Birgit M. Klohs and Greg Northrup, Wallson and Rebecca Knack, Stephanie Naito, Doug and Nancy Padnos, Ruth Posthumus and Marlin Feyen, Daniel L. and Ellen VanderMey, Frank and Sharon Van Haven.
Additional funding provided by GRAM Exhibition Society. Listing as of print date.
