Cornelia Foss is part of a loosely knit group of American artists often described as “painterly realists," a number of whom, such as Eric Fischl and Fairfield Porter and Foss, were captivated by the "Hampton light" of Long Island’s East End. Her subjects include landscapes, beach scenes, gardens, still-lifes, as well as portraits of writers, composers, fellow artists, family members and friends. Foss' art combines a keen eye for the reality of the scene "as it is" with a direct intimacy, and melds bold brushstroke with nuanced attention to detail.
Foss was born in Berlin, Germany in 1931. Her first six years were spent in Rome, Italy. Next, she attended school in Berlin for two years, and then came with her family to America in 1939. She has lived primarily in America since then, and is a resident of New York City and Bridgehampton, Long Island. Her husband, Lukas Foss, the composer, died in 2009.
Foss studied at the Kann Institute in Los Angeles and at the University of Rome, Italy. Foss has taught at the National Academy of Design and at the Art Students League of New York. She continues at the latter.
