Some people have moxie — those individuals who carry themselves with resolve and hold their mouths a certain way. They possess a force of character. Nerve. They’re oozing with determination.
I always think this way of Gertrude Stein. She was a writer, among other things. Today marks the anniversary of her death. She passed on July 27, 1946, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She lived for 72 years in this world of ours.
I’m thankful for the strong women who came before me. Those women who made a difference in the world, despite the times in which they lived.
She entered the scene on Feb. 3, 1874, born in Allegheny City, which is now a part of Pittsburgh, PA.
Historians say Gertrude Stein left a profound mark on the world during the 20th century. She explored modernism through her literary work and was an enthusiastic patron of avant-garde art.
Avant-garde: new and unusual or experimental ideas, especially in the arts.
Modernism: new and unusual or experimental ideas, especially in the arts.
So it would appear that Gertrude was thinking in ways others had never considered. “New and unusual.”
Gertrude set up camp, her place, her home base at 27 rue de Fleurus on Paris’s Left Bank. A queen and her court. Stein discovered some of the most significant figures in modern art and literature. This included the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ezra Pound, Max Jacob, and Guillaume Apollinaire. She supported many artists and their work.
Even though she was born in America, Gertrude spent her infancy in Vienna and in Passy, France. Then, she grew up the rest of the way in Oakland, CA. Her parents were Daniel Stein and Amelia née Keyser. The family was wealthy, as her dear old dad held many real estate holdings.
Mr. and Mrs. Stein, who spoke both German and English in their household, wished to saturate their children with the culture of Europe. Not only the history but also the diversity of the lifestyle. So they took the family across the pond when Gertrude was just three years old. They came back to America in 1878, settling in Oakland. Throughout her childhood, Gertrude would go on excursions with her brother, Leo. They became very close and stayed that way throughout their lives.
I could go on about her studies in psychology and medicine. At one point, she wished to become a doctor. But I’ll skip to a time before she wrote her first book. In her work, she explored the theories of Cubism. Mostly though, she concentrated on “ the illumination of the present moment.”
Her first published book, Three Lives, written in 1909, has been called a minor masterpiece. It contains the stories of three working-class women.
A few things. I love that she was in love with Alice B. Toklas, and they did not attempt to hide their love for one another. That is the way it should have been. That is the way it should be now. The two of them met in 1907 and immediately fell for one another. They remained partners, committed to one another until Stein’s death. Alice was forever the doting wife for those 39 years. She would continue with the legacy of her dear Gertrude.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that white standard poodles were Gertrude’s favorite dogs. I’m not sure how many they had along the line, but one of them was named Basket. Stein was highly devoted to Basket. She bathed the dog in sulfur water every morning to keep his coat white and shiny. Toklas also brushed Basket’s teeth with her very own toothbrush. Basket was as well known as anyone in all the “social circles” of that day.
So. A brief look at Gertrude Stein, one of the true characters in this world, a promoter of the arts and higher thinking. A woman with moxie. And white poodles. And a girl named Alice.
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“A very important thing is not to make up your mind that you are any one thing.”
― Gertrude Stein
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“Whenever you get there, there is no there there.”
― Gertrude Stein
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“There ain’t no answer.
There ain’t gonna be any answer.
There never has been an answer.
There’s your answer.”
― Gertrude Stein
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Gertrude Stein. A girl and her girl and their dog.
