The Artistic Vision of George Deem
George Deem was an American painter born in the United States. His creative practice was characterized by the reproduction and reworking of classic images from art history, creating vivid re-workings of established works. He sought to integrate quoted paintings into new compositions, imbuing them with unique designs, structures, and inherent meanings. His approach was described by art historian Robert Rosenblum as a "free-flowing [fantasy] about the facts and fictions of art history."
Deem's technical engagement with the masters was profound; he notably wrote a book regarding the style of Johannes Vermeer. His work often functioned as a clever puzzle for the viewer, requiring a familiarity with the original artworks to fully appreciate the low-key wit embedded within his compositions.
Life and Academic Contributions
Raised on a farm in Vincennes, Indiana, Deem attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before serving in the United States Army in Germany. Following his military service, he completed his degree and went on to hold various academic and professional positions. He worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late 1950s and taught painting at several institutions, including the School of Visual Arts, Leicester College of Art and Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout his career, Deem held residencies at several locations, such as the MacDowell Colony and the Evansville Museum of Art and Science. He was also an author, publishing works such as Art School and How to Paint a Vermeer: A Painter's History of Art. He spent much of his life in New York's Flatiron District before passing away in Manhattan.
