Olga Albizu

Olga Albizu Rosaly (1924–2005) was an abstract expressionist painter from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Albizu Rosaly was the first woman dedicated to abstraction in Puerto Rico.

Life

Albizu was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she studied painting with the Spanish painter Esteban Vicente from 1943 to 1947. She received a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico in 1946. In 1948 she moved to New York City on a fellowship for post-graduate work at the Art Students League, where she studied under Morris Kantor, Carl Holty, and Vaclav Vytlacil. She also studied with Hans Hoffman. After that, she did further studies in Europe at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris and the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence. Later, she spent a year painting in the Provence, as painters such as Van Gogh and Cézanne had done before her. In 1953 she returned to New York.

Works

Her works have been used in the artwork of various record covers, including a number of albums by Stan Getz.
Stan Getz:

• Jazz Samba
• Jazz Samba Encore!
• Getz/Gilberto
• Getz/Gilberto Vol. 2
• Big Band Bossa Nova

Bill Evans:

• Trio 64

Accolades

Honored at Ponce's Park of the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.

Various artwork auctioned at Sotheby's, New York 1997

2nd prize, Ateneo Puertorriqueño, Puerto Rico 1967

2nd prize, Esso Salon of Young Artists, San Juan, Puerto Rico 1964

Student Scholarship, New York City Scholarship 1948