Art
Catholic House Acquires Eight Prints
During her career, Helen Siegl gained a reputation for both her individually signed and numbered prints and her book illustrations. Recently, the Catholic House acquired eight pieces of Siegl’s work for its art collection.
Pat Defendorf, manager of the Catholic House, said the organization is expanding its collection by finding living Catholic artists and displaying their work throughout the house. Having beautiful pieces of art in the house provides inspiration as well as a relaxing atmosphere.
Siegl, a well-known woodcut artist, etcher, lithographer, and illustrator, studied art in her native Austria under Professor Oswald Haetel at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna. She apprenticed under Haetel and worked in his studio from 1946 to 1951.
In 1952, Siegl moved to Montreal. She married Theodor Siegl, conservator of paintings for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She became an American citizen in 1959 and lived in Philadelphia.
Bob and Mary Ellen Ivers met Siegl after she moved from Philadelphia to a small house designed by her daughter outside Corning. They acquired some of her work for both their home and the Catholic House. The pieces were matted and hung this year.
Defendorf said matching the pieces with the various rooms and hallways was challenging. The rooms have very different shapes and lighting, so finding the piece that worked well in each room took time.
As a printmaker, Siegl was well known for her innovative techniques. She often combined woodblocks, linoleum blocks, and even plaster blocks within the same work of art.
Several years ago, she undertook the task of making illustrations for the entire Old and New Testaments.
The detail and color in her work demonstrate the depth of her printmaking experience. Her images draw upon her experiences, deep spirituality, and imagination.
She describes herself as “never having grown up.” Siegl, born in 1924, is 82 years young.
Siegl’s original woodcuts are included in the permanent collections of such major institutions as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.