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Few collectors have had as great an impact onmodern artasGertrude Stein.

Gertrude Stein Facts

Carl Van Vechten, “Portrait of Gertrude Stein, New York” (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.

Her close-knit relationships with figures likePablo PicassoandHenri Matisseenabled her to foster incredible friendships while building a world-famous art collection.

Curious to learn more about the exceptional life and work of Gertrude Stein?

This, however, was not her first time living in Europe.

Who is Gertrude Stein

Gertrude Stein sitting on a sofa in her Paris studio, with a portrait of her by Pablo Picasso, and other modern art paintings hanging on the wall behind her (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)

She failed medical school.

During her fourth year, however, she failed a key exam and dropped out of school.

Despite the fact that she never received a degree, Stein would later incorporate her studies into her writing.

Gertrude Stein Facts

Gertrude Stein, age 3 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)

She started her famous collection with her brother.

The Steins in the courtyard at 27 rue de Fleurus, Paris, ca.

After this stint, they moved into an apartment on the Left Bank of Paris.

Gertrude Stein Facts

Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore during the late 19th century (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)

She sat for Picasso over 80 times while he painted her portrait.

Because of this aesthetic, contemporary critics argued that the portrait did not resemble the sitter.

She wrote a children’s book.

Gertrude Stein and family at Rue de Fleurus

The Steins in the courtyard at 27 rue de Fleurus, Paris, ca. 1905. (From left: Leo Stein, Allan Stein, Gertrude Stein, Theresa Ehrman, Sarah Stein, Michael Stein)

Stein had a successful career as a writer.

The World is Roundwas written in collaboration with Clement Hurd, the American artist who illustratedGoodnight Moon.

She was buried in Paris famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery.

Gertrude Stein Picasso

Pablo Picasso, “Portrait of Gertrude Stein,” 1905-1906 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)

Stein continued to collect art, host salons, and write for the remainder of her life.

In 1946, she passed away in Paris.

When Alice B. Toklas died in 1967, she was buried beside Stein.

Stein - The World is Round (Haskell House) - 001

Grave of Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) - American writer, poet and art collector