Mela Muter

Mela Muter, the pseudonym of Maria Melania Mutermilch, was a Polish painter who made a significant mark in the art world. Born in 1876, she is notable for being the first professional Jewish painter in Poland. Although she originated from Poland, Muter spent most of her life in France, where her artistic career flourished. Her move to Paris in 1901, at the age of 25, marked the beginning of a successful painting career that would span several decades.

Muter's style was characterized by vivid hues and strong brush strokes, aligning with the Naturalism movement before World War I. She quickly gained popularity in Paris, exhibiting her works within five years of arriving in the city. In 1927, she received French citizenship, solidifying her connection to the country. During World War II, Muter fled to Avignon to escape the Nazi occupation, but returned to Paris after the war. She continued to work and reside in Paris until her death in 1967, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering Jewish painter from Poland who found success and a home in France.