Gertrude Stein
Poet, Writer, and Art Collector
Occupations
- Stein wrote experimental short stories and poems, exploring the abstract and stream-of-consciousness styles in her work.
- Stein was also an avid collector of modern art, in particular Matisse, Picasso, and Cézanne.
Major Works
- Stein is most famous for her work, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, a memoir of her own life in Paris from the point of view of her partner.
- Beginning in 1934, Stein traveled to America to give a series of wildly successful lectures all over the country. This event catapulted her from a minor celebrity to widespread recognition in the US.
Life in Paris
- Stein moved to Paris in 1903, seeking the thriving artistic community in the city. Paris became her residence for the rest of her life.
- She was known for hosting salon parties that attracted contemporary artists and writers. Stein was a noted influence on many high-profile Parisian artists, including Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Thornton Wilder, and Sherwood Anderson.