Austrian-American painter renowned for vibrant, whimsical portraits and landscapes that blend realism with fantasy, often featuring women and children. Her work is characterized by bold colors and emotive expressions.
Greta Kempton, a renowned portrait painter, is famously known for creating the official White House portrait of President Harry S. Truman, a masterpiece that has become an iconic representation of American history. Born in Vienna in 1901, Kempton's artistic talent and European influence would eventually lead her to become the White House artist during the Truman administration, capturing the likeness of prominent figures in American politics and society.
Kempton's artistic journey began in Vienna, where she studied at the prestigious Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. In the 1920s, she emigrated to the United States, further honing her skills at the National Academy of Design and Art Students League in New York City. Her early education laid the foundation for her distinctive style, reminiscent of European masters such as Rembrandt and Rubens.
By the 1930s, Kempton had established herself as a sought-after portrait painter in California. Her impressive portfolio featured subjects from Hollywood's elite to prominent families in New Orleans, where she resided with her husband, businessman Ambrose M. McNamara. A commissioned portrait of Drucie Snyder, daughter of Treasury Secretary John W. Snyder, in 1947 marked a turning point in her career, earning her recognition in Washington and introducing her to the Truman administration.
In 1947, Kempton was commissioned to paint a portrait of President Truman, the first of five paintings for which the President would pose. This historic portrait became the official White House portrait of President Truman, cementing Kempton's status as a leading portrait artist. Her work also earned her the distinction of being the first woman to paint an official presidential portrait.
Kempton's artistic contributions extend beyond the White House. Her works can be found in the collections of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Harry S. Truman Library, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, and the National Portrait Gallery, among others. Her papers, including numerous portraits, are now part of the Harry S. Truman Library collection in Independence, Missouri. In her later years, Kempton also restored paintings at the historic Church of the Transfiguration, also known as The Little Church Around the Corner, in New York City.
Kempton remained active as a painter well into her eighties, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence and historical significance. She passed away in 1991 in New York City, due to heart failure, and her ashes were placed in the columbarium.
Greta Kempton's remarkable life and artistic achievements have left an indelible mark on American art and history, ensuring her legacy as a master portrait painter and a pioneering woman in the art world.
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