Hulda Rotier Fischer (1892-1982)

Hulda Rotier Fischer was a well know Milwaukee, Wisconsin artist and teacher, exhibiting widely from the 1930’s well into the 1950’s. Fischer studied at the Milwaukee Normal School under Robert Von Neumann. She also studied under Carl Holty, and when in Provincetown, Massachusetts, under Hans Hofmann. She taught art in Milwaukee at the Shorewood Vocational School.

Fischer has sometimes been erroneously described as being married to the well- known Milwaukee artist Peter Rotier (1888-1963). They were not married. Peter Rotier was her cousin.

Hulda Fischer participated in the local WPA project but I have never seen any of her work that was definitely made for that project. She also made at least one print for the World War 2 era effort known as “Artists for Victory.” I have never seen any of those prints, but I have seen the documentation for at least one.  

Fischer was a member of the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors and exhibited with that group starting in the 1930’s, up into the late 1950’s. She also exhibited with the Wisconsin Salon of Art in Madison, Wisconsin. Fischer also participated in the Wisconsin Calendar of Art project in the late 1930’s, sponsored by the Milwaukee Printmakers, though I have not been able to confirm that she was a member of that group. She also exhibited at the Wisconsin Centennial Art Exhibition in 1948.

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Melon Pickers" lithograph, 5"h x 8"w, 1940, signed

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Farm Lads" lithograph, 5"h x 3"w, 1942, signed

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Late Fall" lithograph, 7"h x 6.5"w, no date, signed

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Farm Woman" lithograph, 7.75"h x 6"w, 11/13, 1942, signed

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Baldy's Ranch Tavern" woodcut, 5"h x 6"w, no date, signed

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer untitled (wild antelope) woodcut, 3"h x 3.75"w, unsigned, no date

I have seen this print with Fischer's signature.

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "My Log House Studio at Holy Hill", 10"h x 7.5"w, signed, no date

Holy Hill is northwest of Milwaukee.

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Red Desert Wyo" lithograph, 8.5"h x 11.5"w, 62/106. signed, no date

The large edition for this print makes me wonder if it was made for "Artists for Victory."

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Holy Hill Church" lithograph, 10"h x 11.75"w, 1/35, signed, 1940

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Abstraction A C" lithograph, 7.75"h x 8.75"w, signed, no date

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Still Life Abstraction" lithograph, 7.5"h x 8.75"w, signed, no date

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Early Winter" lithograph, 10"h x 12.25"w, signed, no date

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer "Composition" oil on board, 16"h x 20"w, unsigned, no date

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer untitled (farmyard) oil on board, 12.5"h x 16.5"w, signed, 1932

 

 

Hulda Rotier Fischer untitled (rainy intersection) oil on board, signed, no date

I think this is a later painting, judging by the type of bus, but that is a guess.