Shadowland (Mar-Aug 1923)

Individual and Symbolical Studi les By Maurice Sterne Courtesy of the Bourgeois Galleries PUEBLO INDIAN ^^**"*M<t.. Maurice Sterne is an individualist. His works are heartfelt results of phases in his life. Born in Russia, he came to America a poor boy struggling to attain an art education. By winning a prize for his work, he was enabled to live and study abroad. Feeling the desire for different surroundings he went to India and Java, but still the inspiration did not come. Impulsively he took a steamer for Bali, in the Malay Archipelago, and there his ideal was found. In Bali the natives lived in perfect harmony with nature. The costumes, the processions, the old ceremonies, made a deep impression on the artist and the outcome was some of his finest work. After spending about two years in Bali he returned to New York, and Mr. Birnbaum exhibited his drawings with great success. He could not, hoivever, re-adjust himself to American life, and much time was spent in the study and painting of flowers. In Maine he produced Rock Studies, entirely individual and interesting. Then came life with the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico. The artist with his great friendliness and understanding gained the confidence of these people, thereby making drawings and sculpture unusual and distinctive. At present Maurice Sterne is working in Italy and devoting much time to sculpture. The Bourgeois Galleries have twice exhibited his ivork and succeeded in placing drawings and a sculpture, The Bomb Thrower, in the Metropolitan Museum HEAD OF AN INDIAN GIRL ■Jg ■ ■ HBkk \\ M WM ^ 1 V i tM *^MS:^-: Page Twenty-Eight