Steven Rettegi (1932-1999)

Born in 1932, Steven Rettegi enjoyed a happy, sheltered childhood
on a farm situated in Hungary's countryside.  "I saw animals born
and slaughtered.  We were very close to nature, and I had a
beautiful life.  When I was about ten, I saw a portrait sketch a friend
had done of his father.  It was a good likeness and I was greatly
impressed by it.  I'd never drawn."  This was a defining moment in
the life of the artist who painted for more than fifty years.

In his mid-teens, Rettegi received his first formal instruction
in Germany from a portrait painter and draftswoman named Tonie Fricke. 
In 1948 he began working for the International Refugee Organization
and through this same organization Rettegi came to Minnesota in
1950 to live and study.

The greatest influence on Rettegi's work was instruction he received
from the German Expressionist, Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980). 
Kokoschka made three sojurns to teach in the Twin Cities in the
mid Fifties and Rettegi eagerly absorbed the criticism, philosphy,
and stylistic instruction offered by Kokoschka.  Because of Kokoschka,
Rettegi vowed to shed his mannerisms and to be simple, direct, and
honest in his painting.

Following his own art education, Rettegi became an instructor at
the Minneapolis School of Art.  Rettegi enjoyed teaching his
students, "...to see and then, more importantly to trust what he or
she sees."  During this time Rettegi also began painting portraits. 
His reputation flourished and he was commissioned by hundreds of
private and corporate patrons.  About his renowned floral paintings
Rettegi once remarked, "I'm oriented toward a lyrical painting so still
life has always been part of my repertoire.  In addition, my health
sometimes prevents my getting out.  Alot of friends have been willing to
loan me their gardens." 

Reteggi moved from Minnesota to Glen Cove, New York
with his wife Myrna, and was painting lyrical still life paintings
that "take you places" until just before his death in May of 1999.

Some information and quotations excerpted from "A Conversation with Steven Rettegi"
American Artist, volume 47, issue 489, April 1983.