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WALTER LIEDTKE Obituary

LIEDTKE--Walter.

The Board of the American Friends of the Mauritshuis is saddened to announce the tragic passing of one of their own. Walter A. Liedtke was the Curator of European Paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 35 years. He was one of the six people who died in the train wreck on February 3, 2015, in Valhalla, NY. Walter was a highly esteemed authority on Dutch and Flemish art, who published prodigiously, organized major exhibitions and lectured widely. He was an authority on Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Delft architectural painting and wrote both the Flemish (1984) and Dutch (2007) catalogues of the Metropolitan. Proof of the wide range of his interests, he also was working on the catalogue of Spanish paintings at his death. Educated at Rutgers and Brown, he received his PhD from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London, in 1974. He taught at Ohio State University for four years before joining the Metropolitan's curatorial staff. Among the outstanding shows that he organized in New York were "Vermeer and the Delft School" (2001), "Rembrandt/Not Rembrandt" in the Metropolitan Museum (1995), and "Liechtenstein: The Princely Collections" (1985). His books include, "Architectural Painting in Delft: Gerard Houckgeest, Hendrick van Vliet, Emanuel de Witte" (1982), "The Royal Horse and Rider: Painting, Sculpture and Horsemanship 1500-1800" (1989), "Flemish Paintings in America" (1992), "A View of Delft: Vermeer and his Contemporaries" (2000), and "Vermeer. The Complete Paintings" (2008). He wrote more than one hundred articles and reviews and was the recipient of many awards, honors and grants. On a personal note, Walter was a witty man, who enjoyed the thrust and parry of debate and scholarly jousting. He held and voiced strong opinions and was always impeccably dressed. Walter scarcely seemed to age. He leaves his lovely wife, Nancy, who taught mathematics and shared his passion for raising horses on their farm in Bedford Hills. Walter will be sorely missed. We have lost a very good and learned friend. Peter C. Sutton

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Feb. 8, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for WALTER LIEDTKE

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18 Entries

roberta j albrecht

February 1, 2024

"What shall I paint on the walls of the tomb of the one I love?" (Walt Whitman). I did not know Walter Liedtke, so how can I love him? Because of what he represented to me as a Renaissance scholar and as a person who cared more for art history than for his own image in the world. He succeeded where I have too often failed. Roberta J. Albrecht, Author of New York Bestiary (2023).

Mary (Arbuthnot) Moser

February 5, 2023

Still think about the loss of your loved one Walter and the tragedy that took him from you. Condolences from a long ago friend.

Thomas Bayer

January 31, 2023

Cameron and I miss you every day.

Carol Fowler

January 31, 2022

I still can't believe you passed away. Such a tragedy. You are missed by all.

Marilyn Gasparini

February 8, 2021

A big loss. Wonderful person. Generous scholar. Fine friend.

Mary Arbuthnot Moser

January 10, 2021

Knew Walter, his sister Lois and parents from my Summers on Block Island. I am saddened by his loss to his family, colleagues and friends and I send my very belated condolences.

Carol Fowler

January 10, 2021

I remember him from my summers on Block Island when I was young. I was good friends with his younger sister Lois aka Gina.

Mary Tufts

August 28, 2015

I am remembering Walter Liedtke in a special way on his birthday today. His wit, humor and insights made great works of art enjoyable, even for those of us with limited artistic training or knowledge. His special kindness to friends made the world a much better place. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family.

Lois Liedtke Klotz

June 10, 2015

As Walter's younger sister and only sibling, I have many memories of him in childhood and his teen years. He loved to play practical jokes and, being 5 years older, had the advantage over me. He played trumpet in the high school marching band. His practice time at home delighted me much to the dismay of our neighbors! I marveled at his love of ballroom dancing practicing right up to the last night of his life. I remember being his first dance partner at age 10 when he practiced for his first school dance. I will love and miss him the rest of my life.

February 14, 2015

My thoughts and prayers truly go out for your family. May it bring you a measure of peace knowing all that your husband achieved. May God bring your family peace, strength and loving comfort. (John 11:21-26)

Peter Terry

February 13, 2015

I worked with Walter at the Spring House Hotel, Block Island, RI in the summer of 1963. I was very sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great guy to work with; at the time I never would have guessed that he would be so celebrated in his field of endeavor. My condolences.

Roberta Albrecht

February 10, 2015

I have been reading Charles Dickens' "Our Mutual Friend" and thought of you when I read this: "Some beloved companionship fades out of most lives...but the happiness was." May the memory of many joys with your Walter remain.

Olga Soltis

February 8, 2015

Dear Nancy,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I am in shock and grieving with you.
I will remember him as I last saw him the night before his untimely passing at our Fred Astaire rehearsal at the American Legion in Mount Kisco:tall,elegant,happy.
He will be missed by everyone in the Studio as well as in the community.
Olga Soltis

Clifford Groen

February 8, 2015

Dear Mrs. Liedtke:

Our condolences on the loss of your husband.

My wife and I were shocked to hear about his sudden and tragic death. We remember him very clearly. We had the good fortune to listen him at his talks about Rembrandt and Vermeer last April at the Met. Those lectures were inspiring and very impressive. We have his two volumes titled "Dutch Paintings".

Your husband is so well known among lovers of Dutch art. We will miss him very much. We wish you strength and courage to cope with your loss.

Warmest wishes,

Clifford and Martha Groen

February 8, 2015

Dear Nancy.,
Our deepest condolences.
My wife and I are in shock.
Our beloved guest at la Camelia
Our curator, Mr Walter Leidtke, Will be in our memory forever.
You and Your family aré in our thoghts and prayers.
Antonio, Carol and all crew from La Camelia Restaurant

Thomas Bayer

February 7, 2015

An art historian of brilliance, wit, profound scholarship and gentlemanly manners, Walter was incredibly generous with his many talents. He even read my lengthy manuscript and studiously commented in red, of course, throughout the entire volume. His contribution to the arts continues to make a lasting impression on all of us. We will miss him terribly.

Jeanne Wikler

February 6, 2015

As chief cultural attache at the Netherlands Consulate-General in New York from 2001-2007 it was my job to promote cultural ties and exchange between the Netherlands and the U.S. One of my most deeply satisfying efforts was to help arrange a royal knighthood for Walter, as Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau, bestowed by Queen Beatrix in 2007. No one in the American art world was more deserving of this honor than Walter, whose knowledge and understanding of the Dutch and Flemish great masters, and his delight in sharing them with the public, was unmatched. Walter was a point of reference, a generous colleague, and a friend. My thoughts go out to his beloved wife Nancy, to whom he was so devoted.

Beverly Bell

February 6, 2015

Walter taught art history in Florence in 1970 at Florida State University's branch there, and I was lucky enough to be one of his students. He introduced us to new worlds and was so gracious and smart and interesting. I am terribly saddened by the news of his death this morning on NPR. I live in NY so hope to attend any memorial service that may take place. My deepest synpathy to Nancy, who I believe was with him in Florence, tall and elegant.

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