Continuing with our Women Artists, this week I present a woman who managed to work side by side her husband for almost 40 years. She deserves great praise for that alone! Gertrud Natzler was part of a husband and wife ceramics art team. Gertrud was a secretary when she met Otto, and she introduced him to pottery. Gertrud and Otto organized their own ceramics workshop in 1935 in Vienna, Austria before immigrating to Los Angeles during World War II. This duo is known for their use of jewel tones and rich glazes to create beautiful ceramic vases and bowls.
The Nelson-Atkins has a case of contemporary ceramics in the Bloch Building devoted to the Natzlers’ ceramics. In their collaborations, Gertrud threw the clay and shaped it into simple and pure forms, while Otto glazed and fired them. Gertrud was considered the master potter of the team, and Otto the “wizard of the kiln.”
I think the Natzlers’ pieces are visually stunning. I like that the shapes of Gertrud’s work are inspired by Japanese ceramics and the art nouveau movement as well. It has been said of Gertrud’s sculpting ability, “The works seemed to have been born and to have grown as if they were natural things.”
The fragility of each work is masked by the vibrant colors and beautiful glazes. I think you’ll be impressed – even by a bowl or a vase. Gertrud Natzler died in 1971 leaving behind 200 pots for her husband to glaze; Otto meticulously glazed each one before he passed away last year.
I often see Museum visitors walk right past these lovely displays, so the next time you’re visiting be sure to take a look (Gallery L7).