biografía de John COVERT (1882-1960)

Lugar de nacimiento: Pittsburgh, PA

Lugar de defunción: Pittsburgh, PA

Direcciones: NYC, 1913-c.1924; Pittsburgh, PA

Profesión: Painter

Estudios: Pittsburgh; Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Munich, 1908-12

Exposiciones: S.Indp.A.

Asociaciones: S.Indp.A.; Pittsburgh AA

Obra: Yale Univ. A. Gallery; Seattle Art Mus.; PMA

Comentarios: Early American modernist. Although he lived in Paris in 1912, Covert was not introduced to modernism until returning to the U.S., when he visited his cousin Walter Arensberg (see entry) and became part of the circle of artists surrounding Arensberg. Between 1915 and 1918 Covert was particularly close with Marcel Duchamp, and helped form the Soc. Indep. Artists in 1916. His work could be characterized as Dadaist in spirit, incorporating visual puns and odd materials, such as upholstery tacks, cords, and wooden dowels. Discouraged by financial problems and a lack of public appreciation, he gave up painting in 1923, returning to Pittsburgh where he worked in the steel industry. His donation of six of his works helped inititate the collection of the SociÈtÈ Anonyme, Inc. (now at Yale Univ.).

Fuentes: WW24; Baigell, Dictionary; Abraham Davidson, Early American Modernist Painting, 1910-1935, 104-11; W. Homer, Avant-Garde Painting and Sculpture in America.