Dubbed ‘Queen of Chicago’ by her intimates, Gertrude Abercombie was a mid 20th Century bohemian, saloniste, jazz devotee and Surrealist painter. The weekly salons she held with her second husband, the music critic Frank Sandford, in a large house in Hyde Park neighbourhood of Chicago, was frequented by such jazz luminaries as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan and Dizzie Gillespie, who was a particularly close friend.
The improvisational techniques of be-bop certainly seemed to have influenced her paintings, which feature a small number of elements and motifs repeated throughout her career in an unusual and innovative manner. Cats, snail shells, owls, doors, leafless trees and a solitary female figure, always a hypercritical self portrait, frequently recur against a somber night sky barely lit by the distant moon. The mood is usually mysterious and elusive with occasionally a hint of Southern Gothic, however Design for Death, which apparently was Charlie Parker’s favourite painting is quietly chilling in its representation of a staging for a lynching.
When asked why she painted in the Surrealist manner, Abercrombie stated, “Surrealism is meant for me because I am a pretty realistic person but don’t like all I see.”
Below are a selection of artworks from throughout Abercrombie’s career, hopefully some people will like her re-arrangements of reality as much as I do.
cakeordeathsite 
Fascinating images and I love the cats in particular.
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I am a keen fan of cats and I was delighted in discovering this artist. Lots of good things like surrealism, jazz and cats all rolled into one!
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Such an amazing woman. Her paintings are lovely, I too adore the cats, most of all I admire her reaction to the political climate of that era. A lover of jazz As well, I love your article and Abercrombie’s art and fortitude.
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Thank you. The paintings are something special, she limits the amount of elements but they are frequently surprising. The cats are wonderful and she seems to have been a brave and bold woman. There are worst titles to have than Queen of Chicago.
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Yes what a perfect combination! Would love to own a print of Three Cats.
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I am not sure if they are available Nikita but owning one would be nice.
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These are wonderful. Such a combination of whimsical and mysterious/ominous. I love the doors, the Compote and Grape (the perspective) and For Once In My Life – really who doesn’t feel like a snail some days? Excellent selection of artwork, love the post!
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Thank you Lily, a very recent find but I am delighted by her work, which forms a consistent whole while having individual works in different registers. She did a fair number of works so you may see more of her here in the future.
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Excellent! I’ll look forward to more. Good find!
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Her art has a very broad range from the whimsical to the dark scene of a lynching . it’s not surprising that she was referred to as the Queen of Chicago by her rather impressive entourage. Do give us more on this fascinating lady, Mr. Cake.
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I believe I will Miss Heart. Of course that means that everyone has to keep checking.
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I always look forward to your interesting and intriguing texts, characters and art. I wouldn’t miss it.
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Thank you Miss Heart. I will try not to disappoint.
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That’s a good reason to be a surrealist artist she has there, great one!
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Thank you. I was taken with her artwork and her personality and it is a brilliant reason to be a surrealist.
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Reblogged this on lampmagician.
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Thank you my friend.
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Thank You my friend, always appreciated 🙏👍
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First time that I have looked at this artist work,, loved the painting of the 3 cats, would like to have a print, any idea if they are available and if so where I be able to purchase?
Thank you Mr Cake.
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First time that I have looked at this artist work, loved the painting of the 3 cats, would like to have a print any idea if they are available and is so where would I be able to purchase?
Thank you Mr Cake
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Thank you, I will check if prints are available. She really loved cats and jazz with a little bit of a surrealist spin. Glad you enjoyed.
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I was not familiar with this artist but I’m very pleased to be introduced! I’ve never seen more perfect expressions on cats. I’m digging her color palette and love that she was inspired by jazz.
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She is relatively new to me as well and I make a point of knowing my surrealist artists. A perfect combination in my mind, surrealism, jazz and cats. Her nighttime take on Christina’s World is excellent as well.
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I took an art history course back in time but it only covered art before the 20th century. I’m lucky to live in a city rich in jazz history, not to mention where Charlie Parker was born and raised.
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My main focus would be Surrealism with side detours into Symbolism/Decadence and Romanticism, though I do have a fondness for the old masters as well, particularly Da Vinci, Durer and Goya. I am a late convert to jazz, but I am finding out more all the time.
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What I’m most attracted to at my city’s big art museum is Caravaggio’s “St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness,” and all the Hieronymus Bosch pieces. I wouldn’t say I’m super knowledgeable about jazz but I have a favorite jazz lounge I make a point to visit on a regular basis.
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You might find this of interest…Caravaggio is killer, makes all other paintings around it in a museum look drab.
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I’m going to save this post for dessert, thank you – I look forward to the read. I’m starving and about to eat my cat if I don’t take care of my growling stomach.
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