The Later Years: Art at Bard
In his later years, Stefan and Elsa focused on their role as educators at Bard College. However, the influence of Mexico lingered over much of their work. Stefan continued to produce artwork which portrayed complicated attitudes towards indigeneity, spirituality, and American culture. Some of his muralistic work which was inspired by the Mexican muralist movement was later exhibited in New York. Towards the end of his life, Stefan began to focus more intensely on issues of artistic pedagogy and the presence of spirituality in painting.
The items in this section of the exhibition emphasize the lingering effect of Mexican and Latin American aesthetics on Stefan and Elsa's attitudes towards teaching and developing their artistic practice at Bard College.
Stefan Hirsch, 1899-1964: retrospective exhibition, Sept. 9-Sept. 27, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, exhibition catalog, 1964. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections.
Stefan Hirsch Painting “The Builder at Work”, probably Elsa Rogo, photograph, 1931-1932. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections. [.127]
Group Portrait, unknown creator, photographic postcard, circa 1930. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections [.011]
From left to right: Stefan Hirsch, Elsa Rogo, Frances Toor, unidentified figure.
Tropical (Doodle), Stefan Hirsch, ink on paper, undated. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections. [1.049]
Seurat Theory (Doodle), Stefan Hirsch, ink and pencil on paper, undated. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections.
Robes of the Gods, Stefan Hirsch, photographic reproduction, 1956. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections.
Death Mask of Stefan Hirsch, unknown, plaster, undated (probably 1964). Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections.
Note to Advisees and Students, Stefan Hirsch, typewritten manuscript, September 16, 1947. Stefan Hirsch and Elsa Rogo Collection, Bard College Archives and Special Collections.