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Ernest Fiene Artwork

An inventory of the collection at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: MRC
Date: 16 Nov 2010

Biographical History

Ernest Fiene (1894-1965) was a German-American artist.

Born in Germany, Fiene emigrated to the United States in 1912. After studying at the National Academy of Design in NYC and the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design, Fiene began his career as an artist in 1919 with an exhibition at the MacDowell Club. By 1925, his growing success allowed him and his younger brother Paul to build studios in Woodstock, New York. During this time, he painted mostly landscapes, then shifted to urban themes of architecture, industry, and transportation, often focusing on bringing out the humanity of a space while simultaneously deconstructing it into abstract shapes.

During a period of extensive travel both within the United States and abroad, Fiene's painting was influenced by abstract and figurative styles, particularly in Paris at L'Academie de La Grande Chaumiere, and in Italy. By the time he returned, Fiene had gained a distinguished reputation as a modern painter and he was offered several prestigious teaching positions around the country. He also served on numerous boards for art fundraising, such as the Tupperware Art Fund and the Artists Equity Association, and his Complete Guide to Oil Painting was published in 1964. Fiene died of a heart attack in Paris in 1965.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Ernest Fiene Artwork consists of original artwork set up for book illustration.

Artwork contains two series of original oil paintings, created in stages as explanatory illustrations for Fiene's 1964 book Complete Guide to Oil Painting. There are also two sets of diagrams, also intended as illustrations for the book. One of the oil painting series has a set of accompanying captions.

Arrangement of the Collection

The collection is arranged alphabetically.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Subject Headings

Persons

Fiene, Ernest.

Subjects

Illustrators -- United States.
Painters -- United States.

Genres and Forms

Illustrations (layout features)
Paintings.
Sketches.

Occupations

Artists.
Painters.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Ernest Fiene Artwork,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Unspecified, 1969.

Table of Contents

Artwork

Inventory