Austrian/American (1901–1999)
About the artist:
Michael Schreck, American, born Austria July 13,1901. Since childhood, art was an all consuming, everyday affair for Michael Schreck. From studies and exhibits in Vienna, to London, Montreal, New York, Paris, Miami, this artists prolific works were in many styles and mediums. Portraits, sketches, abstract, sculpture in pencil, oil, watercolor, acrylic, marble, onyx, etc. Many of his works are found in private and public collections and museums around the world. PERIODS OF WORK: 1931-1938 Austria: In secondary schools, Michael was outspoken in his artistic views. Subsequently expelled from Vienna school, Schreck transferred to a school in Graz. One classmate there was Rene' d'Harconcourt, who later became Director of Museum of Modern Art. Schreck's father died in 1923 at age 48. For a short time, Michael Schreck assisted his brother Emanuel in the family business. Business travels led him to Berlin & Munich were he was influenced by fashion and colors by works of Jawlensky, Macke, Kadinsky, Frank Mark. In Vienna Schreck continued drawing and studying at the Albertine, concentrating on Rembrandt, Durer, and other masters. During this time Schreck began showing his work and won the first of many prizes and honorable mentions. In 1928 met and consequently married Alice Lizzi-Lustig on February 22, 1931. They had two children, Evelyn and Peter. In the next few years Schreck received several memberships and prizes. In 1938, as Hitler's legions invaded Austria, Schreck moved his family to London. 1938-1948 England: Schreck established a modest studio in London, mostly doing portrait commissions. During the war with Holland and Belgium the family was sent to the Isle of Man, where they spent over a year. Many of Schreck's best work were from this period. At the Anglo French Art Center, Schreck met Fernand Leger and Andre' Lhote. Then on to Paris School of Painting studying Matisse, Braque, Picasso. After the war, Schreck went to New York to visit his brother. There, he viewed American works of deKooning, Kline, Still, Motherwell, Rothko. He met Hans Hofmann. Schreck returned to London and moved his family to Montreal in 1948. 1948-1954 Canada: Michael Schreck met Dr. Max Stern, owner of Dominion Gallery. Dr. Stern became Schreck's exclusive representative in Canada. During 1953-54 many of his portraits and paintings became included in collections and museums in Montreal, Quebec, Toronto. In 1953, Schreck went to Paris to study sculptors Brancusi & Arp. Returning to Montreal, Schreck moved to New York. 1954-1961 New York: For two years, Schreck worked in abstract painting. Participated in many exhibits. Returned to Paris in 1961. 1961-1965 France: Participated in many exhibits, received memberships and favorable mentions. In 1965, at a show at the Galerie Lachoche, Michael Schreck met Chagall. Schreck returned to New York in 1965. 1966-1970 New York: Michael Schreck began teaching. He held many one man exhibits. During this time, he started concentrating on sculpture. One of his first bronze castings was purchased by Sam Baraf, Rene' Berger, director of Fine Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1970, Schreck was invited to exhibit in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 1971-1981 Florida: Many of Schrecks drawings in Florida were influenced by the beaches as were studies for sculptures in bronze, marble & onyx. Taking his drawings to quarries in Italy resulted in Schreck spending every spring in Italy for ten years. During the 1970's Schreck's works were extensively displayed in many galleries, shows & exhibits. He received extremely favorable reviews, awards and press coverage. Note: Although cannot find documentation, a family member of a person who was in the employ of Michael Schreck, states that he passed away in the late 1990's, or early 2000. That he was blind the last few years of life, and had continued painting during this time. LISTED: Annuaire International 1965, 66 Paris Artists/USA 1970, 71, The Centennial Issue 1976 International Directory Of Arts 1971, 72 Who's Who in American Art 1970, 73, 74, 76, 78, 80 Bowker Who's Who in the South 1976, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 Marquis EXHIBITIONS: Glaspalast, Vienna, Austria 1935,36 Anglo French Art Center, London, England, 1946 Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Canada, 1953,54,55,56 Dominion Gallery, Montreal, Canada, 1949,52,54 Jersey City Museum, New Jersey, 1959 Selected Artist Gallery, New York City, 1961 Salon International, Monte Carlo, Monoco, 1963,64. Galerie des Arts, Lyon, France, 1965 Galerie Lacloche, Paris, France, 1965 Joan Avnet Gallery, Manhasset, L.I. New York, 1967 Randall Gallery, NYC, 1974,75 Gloria Luria Gallery, Bay Harbor Island, Florida, 1973,76 Palm Beach Galleries, Pam Beach, 1974,78 Gallery Camino Real, Boca Raton, 1979,80 PRIZES & AWARDS: Gaspalast Competition, Vienna, Austria Grand Prix International, Deauville, France Prix International, Vichy, France Prix Rencontre International, Chateau de Senaud, France Elected Life Fellowship Royal Society of Arts, 1961, London, England City of Hollywood Appreciation Award, 1975, Hollywood, Florida Elected Academic with Gold Medal, Accademia Italia, Palazzo delle Manifestation, 1980 WORK REVIEWED: Arts, Paris by Jean-Jacques Leveque La Revue Moderne, Paris by Pierre Mornand Le Progres, Lyon-St. Etienne, France by Jantran Art News, NY by Lawrence Smith Journal de Vichy, France by Jane Corre New York Herald Tribune, NY Oesterreichische Kunst by Dr. Else Hoffman Gazette, 71 Salon, Montreal by Paul Gladu Aufbau, NY by B.F. Doblin La Croix, Paris by Raymond Hermann La Galerie Des Arts, Paris by Jean-Jacque Leveque Le Monde, Paris by Jacques Michel Le Dauphine, France by B. Post Long Island Press by Jeanne Paris Miami Herald by Griffin Smith Miami Herald by Ellen Edwards Art Voices South by Connie Houser MEMBERSHIPS: The American Federation of Arts Artists Equity Association National Society of Literature and the Arts Royal Society of Arts, London Smithsonian Institution Accademia Italia, Italy MUSEUMS & PUBLIC COLLECTIONS: Heckscher Museum, Huntington NY Museum of Fine Arts, Lausanne, Switzerland New York University, Art Department, NYC Museum of Modern Art, Haifa, Israel New York University Medical Center, NYC Yad Labanim Museum, Petah-Tiqva, Israel Museum of Art, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Museum of Art, Ein Harod, Israel Metropolitan Museum & Art Center Coral Gables, Florida The Tel Aviv Museum, Tel Aviv, Israel Art Museum of the Palm Beaches, Florida Jacksonville Art Museum, Jacksonville, Florida The Currier Gallery of Art, Manchester, NH SOURCES: Michael Schreck Life and Work, Michael Screck, Richard Madagan, Director, Norton Gallery and School of Art. Schreck, Catalogue Raisonne' # 268, Introduction by Alfred Werner, Preface by Richard Madagan. Michael Schreck Selected Sculptures, Paintings, and Drawings, Richard Madigan, Dyansen Gallery Of Soho, NYC, 1987 Artists USA 1970-71, First Edition, Paul Lightman, Publisher. Numerous and various gallery catalogues from exhibits. Numerous newspaper & press articles. Publications listed herein under Listed.
Michael Schreck, American, born Austria July 13,1901. Since childhood, art was an all consuming, everyday affair for Michael Schreck. From studies and exhibits in Vienna, to London, Montreal, New York, Paris, Miami, this artists prolific works were