Schomer Lichtner & Ruth Grotenrath

Quite possibly Wisconsin’s most celebrated artistic couple, Schomer Lichtner and Ruth Grotenrath worked side-by-side for almost sixty years from the early 1930s to the late 1980s. While they are invariably mentioned in the same breath and their work has many similarities in both subject matter and palette, there were numerous stylistic differences and focal points that separated them. Beginning in the depths of the depression and their responses to it through observant social-realist work, to mural commissions for Federal and public buildings, this retrospective will chronologically reveal their awareness of Wisconsin’s agricultural and industrial character and their love of Japanese art and adherence to the principles of zen. Nature, be it in their east side home and garden or at their farm near Holy Hill, was a strong and color-laden theme throughout both artists’ work. Ruth’s love of still-life painting and Schomer’s passionate and humorous love of ballet and ubiquitous Wisconsin cows is made clear in several forms: ceramic, aluminum and painting. Each chapter of their monumental and uncommonly long careers will be covered in this in-depth retrospective.