Virginia Dehn


Virginia Dehn was an American painter and printmaker. Her work was known for its interpretation of natural themes in almost abstract forms. She exhibited in shows and galleries throughout the US. Her paintings are included in many public collections.

Life

Dehn was born in Nevada, Missouri on October 26, 1922. Raised in Hamden, Connecticut, she studied at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri before moving to New York City. She met the artist Adolf Dehn while working at the Art Students League. They married in November 1947. The two artists worked side by side for many years, part of a group of artists who influenced the history of 20th century American Art. Their Chelsea brownstone was a place where artists, writers, and intellectuals often gathered.
The Dehns made annual trips to France to work on lithographs at the Atelier Desjobert in Paris. The Dehns’ other travels included visits to Key West, Colorado, Mexico, and countries such as Greece, Haiti, Afghanistan, and India.
After moving to New Mexico in 1985, some of Dehn's painting began to take on a sculptural quality, as she began working materials such as clay and metallic substances into her paintings.
Dehn died at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on July 28, 2005.