Beatrice Riese, Syntax, Souvenir and Symbol, 1996. Graphite, gouache on paper. 28 3/4x34 1/4 inches.

Born in The Hague, Netherlands.

Beatrice Riese spent her childhood in Germany until 1933 during the rise of the Nazi regime. Her family then moved to Paris, where they encouraged her to pursue art. The continued uprising of Nazi Germany influenced the family to move to the U.S. in 1940.

Syntax, Souvenir and Symbol is an investigation of line, repetition, and form. She says, "I'm not spiritual, I'm rational, precise, scientific."

Riese's husband did not encourage her to pursue painting professionally. She claims, "With the advent of Women's Liberation, I began to read the newspapers and I began to realize that I was not the only one downtrodden. I learned about civil rights and feminism..."

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