“Oriental Poise” by Impressionist Vladan Stiha

Celebrated Western artist Vladan Stiha was known for his beautiful impressionist works, often portraits of people or landscapes around the southwest. This particular work is a simple and elegant one, featuring a bouquet of flowers, assumedly of oriental origin considering the title. They look to be Japanese.

The background of this painting is a very straightforward beige color. It suits the piece perfectly. The bouquet itself consists of pink and white flowers, along with green stems and leaves. Inside the flowers, little yellow anthers can be seen. Using skillful brush strokes, Stiha was able to add very fine detail to this serene painting.

The piece is set in a beautiful frame. The outside portion is wooden and contains a golden edge which leads to a textured interior frame, also featuring a golden edge. The painting is signed in the lower right Stiha.

Vladan Stiha was a gifted impressionist painter who was born in Yugoslavia. He attempted to flee to the United States during World War II but was denied entry. He moved to Argentina and then Brazil, spending a total of twenty years in South America. It was during this time that he came into his own as a painter and developed the colorful impressionistic style for which he would ultimately become incredibly famous.

Stiha's studio was located across the street from the American Embassy in Brazil. He already had a celebrated reputation as an artist and was recognized by personnel at the American Consulate, who offered him American citizenship. He was 62 years of age at the time. Vladan Stiha (1908-1992) and his wife Elena moved to the West Coast, but ultimately settled in Santa Fe.

The Stihas traveled extensively after moving to Santa Fe, visiting Indian reservations, and absorbing the region's rich culture. He then transferred his visual experiences to canvas and became very well-known for his beautiful impressionist works depicting Southwestern people and landscapes. In 1971, Vladan and Elena opened the Stiha Gallery in the historic La Fonda Hotel. Elena, who had been with Vladan since before he fled Yugoslavia, died in 2010 at the age of 105.  Vladan died in 1992. The Stihas were—and still are—highly regarded by Santa Fe's gallerists and art patrons.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this painting titled "Oriental Poise" by Impressionist Vladan Stiha is from private collection

Recommended Reading:

- Artists of 20th-Century New Mexico: The Museum of Fine Arts Collection by Author Unknown

- WESTERN PAINTING TODAY-Contemporary Painters of the American West by Royal B. Hassrick

TAGS: Western Paintings; Vladan Stiha