1889-1984
Rolph Scarlett
oil
Initially, Scarlett apprenticed in his uncle’s jewelry firm while painting and creating theatrical sets in his spare time. On a business trip to Switzerland, he met artist Paul Klee and soon after abandoned his figurative style in favor of an abstract language that spoke more universally. He later moved to NY and became friendly with Hilla Rebay, the first director of what would become the Guggenheim. Scarlett was the Guggenheim’s chief lecturer from 1940 – 1946. Rebay later introduced him to Rudolf Bauer and Vasily Kandinsky’s work, which inspired him to further refine his abstract style. In his later years he moved to Upstate NY and continued to design jewelry and paint. This painting came to us through Rago Arts in NJ.
