Artists of W 18th Street: John Matassa


 Artists of W 18th Street

John Matassa

 Several years after Ralph Scharff moved from 2625 W 18th St another artist and family moved in.  John Matassa wasn't a native of the area, but paintings of the landscape and architecture of the Brandywine Valley were part of his eclectic output.  I remember John more for his drawings than his paintings. He was born and received his art education in New England, but had a career as an art teacher at Wilmington Friends School in parallel to his professional art career.

We do not own any of John's art, but a portfolio of detailed Delaware steamboat paintings are posted at https://steamboats.com/museum/matassa1.html.  I have not been able to find the back story for this collection or its present location.  Several are clearly marked "Wilson Line," the Wilmington based steamship line founded in the 1880s and lasting until the 1960s.  Here is the "City of Wilmington." 


 

Hagley Museum owns a John Matassa Drawing of Hagee's Tavern, a once popular watering hole in Henry Clay facing the Brandywine a short Distance from Hagley. Hagee's has been a popular subject of several local artists. It is now a private residence.

 
 
John experienced some difficult problems and tragically ended his own life just yards from Hagee's.

 

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