Colorado & Regional Art

Cave of the Heart

Cave of the Heart

Year 1989-1990

Artist Phyllis Hutchinson Montrose (1928–2018, American)

Media oil on linen

Dimensions 20 x 26 inches

A Denver native, Montrose began to paint at age seven while bedridden with rheumatic fever. Her first subject was a “confused-looking robin sitting on a golf ball.” She was sent to the Westlake School for Girls in California and then attended the University of Denver where she studied art with Angelo di Benedetto and Julio deDiego. In the early 1950s she took classes at the school run by di Benedetto and Frank Vavra at 924 Broadway. She also attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the University of Colorado and studied in Florence and Rome. Her many world travels have influenced her work. In 1961, Montrose opened her Central City Art Gallery for three summers, which showed many important Colorado artists such as Watson Bidwell, Mina Conant, Ken Goehring, Edward Marecak and her own work. Her paintings are surrealistic and often very personal. She had two daughters. Montrose passed away in 2018.

Not currently on view

Signature Signed "P. Montrose 89-90" lower left corner

Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Accession Number 2012.0674