C. Ronald Bechtle most actively exhibited his work during the 1950’s and 1960’s when he was participating in Group 55 and the Philadelphia Abstract Artist groups.

Exhibitions Past and Current

C. Ronald Bechtle most actively exhibited his work during the 1950’s and 1960’s when he was participating in Group 55 and the Philadelphia Abstract Artist groups. With the advent of Pop Art and the strong lean towards commercialization emerging from a number of the New York artists, C. Ronald Bechtle felt art was headed in the wrong direction and with the wrong focus.

Therefore, in the early 1960’s he largely withdrew from exhibiting his work and focused entirely on painting for the love of it. He did not sell his art, but was always willing to donate his works to interested museums and educational institutions. On occasion, he would give a painting to an individual who showed an appreciation for his work.

  Group ‘55 and Midcentury Abstraction in Philadelphia
Woodmere Art Museum – September 2020

The most recent public showing of C. Ronald Bechtle’s paintings was at the Woodmere Art Museum in September of 2020 as part of the “Group ‘55 and Midcentury Abstraction in Philadelphia” exhibition. This was the first showing of C. Ronald Bechtle’s artwork in the past 45 years. It took place 6 years after his death in 2014. The exhibition was a great success. It celebrated the contributions made to the modern art world by the artists of Group ’55 and the Philadelphia Abstract Artists, including Mr. Bechtle.

The Woodmere Art Museum, under the leadership of William Valerio, Ph.D, CEO and Museum Director, has done an outstanding job of preserving the history and telling the story of midcentury abstract art in Philadelphia, and of the artists who left their impact on modern art. Working hand in hand with Dr. Valerio to make this exhibition a reality was Dr. Barbara Wolanin, Ph.D, Curator Emerita, Architect of the Capital. Dr.Wolanin was instrumental in leading the major research effort that was required to make this exhibition a reality. Dr. Wolanin is the leading expert on Philadelphia Midcentury Abstraction and the artists of the era.

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Solo Exhibitions

  • Red Door Gallery - 1956 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Red Door Gallery - 1959 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Panoras Gallery - 1966 - New York, NY

  • Santa Barbara Museum of Art - 1967 - Santa Barbara, CA

  • Miami Museum of  Modern Art - 1968 - Miami, FL

  • St. Joseph’s College Gallery - 1970 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Hugo Storelli Gallery - 1970’s - Philadelphia, PA

  • D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts - 1970’s - Springfield, MA

  • Fleisher Memorial - 1970’s - Philadelphia, PA

  • Philadelphia Art Alliance - 1970’s - Philadelphia, PA

  • East Tennessee State University - 1970’s - TN

  • D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts - 2011 / 2013 - Springfield, MA

Group Exhibitions

  • Wallingford Art Center - 1957 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Carlen Gallery - 1957 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Fleisher Art Memorial - 1957 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Parma Gallery - 1958 - New York, NY

  • Tien Hsia Gallery - 1959 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Fleisher Art Memorial - 1960 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Philadelphia Galleries - 1961 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Philadelphia Art Alliance - 1961 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Penn Center Galleries - 1962 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - 1965 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Fleisher Art Memorial - 1969 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - 1969 - Philadelphia, PA

  • National Design Center - 1960’s - New York, NY

  • New Britain Museum of Art - 2010 - New Britain, CT

  • Woodmere Art Museum - 2020 - Philadelphia, PA

  • Springfield Art Museum - 2021 - Springfield, MO

Exhibition Announcements

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