MARISKA KARASZ Hungarian-American, 1898 – 1960 Two Needlework Wallhangings Left, delicate, linear threadwork and organic, coiled shapes on minimalist, neutral-toned linen ground. Right, dense multi-textured "wall of color" technique in which horizontal bands of varying thickness and weave create a rhythmic, sedimentary effect. Both works exemplify Karasz’s mastery of "needle painting” in which she has transitioned the traditional medium of embroidery into the realm of modern abstract expressionism
$1,200-1,600
ARTIST PROFILE: Mariska Karasz was a pioneering Hungarian-American artist and designer whose career bridged the worlds of high fashion and abstract studio craft, ultimately redefining embroidery as a modern fine art. Born in Hungary and immigrating to New York in 1914, Karasz was the younger sister of the influential designer Ilonka Karasz and initially built a successful fashion career by blending her native folk traditions with a modern American aesthetic. After studying at Cooper Union, she achieved significant commercial success with custom garments and modern children's clothing—noted for its practicality and lack of fussiness—before a studio fire and the onset of World War II catalyzed a shift in her creative focus. By 1947, Karasz transitioned into creating avant-garde embroidered wall hangings that aligned with the rising Abstract Expressionist movement, utilizing an "alchemical" mix of materials including silk, cotton, horsehair, and wood to achieve depth and texture. A prolific author and advocate, she wrote the seminal book Adventures in Stitches and served as a guest editor for House Beautiful, tirelessly promoting "stitchery" to both hobbyists and the fine art establishment. Despite a period of historical omission common to many 20th-century female artists, her legacy as a "truly modern needlewoman" has been reclaimed through major retrospectives at the Georgia Museum of Art and the Baltimore Museum of Art, cementing her role as a vital figure in the American studio craft revival.
Condition: In fair condition, has some loose strings.
