Susan Rothenberg

Susan Rothenberg was an American contemporary painter, printmaker, sculptor, and draughtswoman. She gained recognition as an artist for her iconic images of the horse, which merged abstraction and representation.

Biography of Susan Rothenberg

Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1945, Susan Rothenberg developed an interest in art early on, influenced by her grandfather, a house painter, and visits to Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Art Gallery. After studying painting at Cornell University, she moved to New York, where she became involved in performance art, collaborating with artist Joan Jonas.

In 1974, Rothenberg painted her first picture of a horse, marking the beginning of the iconic series of paintings she would create in the following years. For Rothenberg, the horse became a tool for challenging prevailing painting conventions. While representational, the subject allowed her to explore new forms of abstraction, departing from the largely minimalist and conceptual approaches of her contemporaries.

In 1975, Rothenberg held her first solo exhibition at 112 Greene Street, an artist-run space that served as a hub for artists in Soho. The exhibition featured three large horse paintings, marking a significant moment for the artist. This exhibition marked the commencement of Rothenberg's 45-year career, showcasing her ability to infuse nearly any subject matter with emotional depth and aesthetic innovation.

As the 1980s unfolded, Rothenberg expanded her exploration of the horse motif and introduced new subjects, often drawing inspiration from her surroundings: disembodied heads and limbs, dancing figures, other animals, and interior spaces. Throughout the decade, she participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions.

In 1990, Rothenberg relocated from New York to New Mexico to join her husband Bruce Nauman. This move brought a fresh perspective to her art, as she incorporated a higher vantage point inspired by the surrounding landscape. Alongside painting her immediate environment and views from her window, she also started creating paintings based on memories of observed events.

Susan Rothenberg passed away in May 2020.