Francine Seders in 1966.
  • Photo provided by Ms. Seders
  • Francine Seders in 1966.
Yesterday was the final opening ever at the gallery in the relative wilds of Phinney Ridge, where modernism has quietly thrived for decades under the nurturance of a diminutive Frenchwoman. We Suggested the event.

But In 2006, I wrote a full profile of Francine Seders that I think is worth revisiting, because Seders turned out to be even more interesting, more wonderful, and more ineffable than I suspected when I set out to write the piece in the first place. From the story:

Today, at 40, the Francine Seders Gallery is the oldest gallery in the city still run day-to-day by its founder, and probably the city's most unlikely art success. Even Seders herself is surprised by it. "I never cater to people with money, which would help," she says, wearing a dress and folding her hands in her lap, looking like a cross between Cezanne's proper, upright wife, and Bonnard's languorous Marthe. "What can I talk to them about? They don't want to talk about the books that I read. Maybe I should play golf and have a martini."

Rather, the 80-year-old is learning Chinese from books and gardening. She'll still work from home, where she'll still be the dealer who never deals.

Christmas Eve is the gallery's last day open. The final show is works by Norman Lundin, Dale Lindmann, Dina Barzel, Michael Howard, and Diann Knezovich. She's always got something around by Jacob Lawrence and Gwen Knight, so if you don't see anything, you might ask. Don't forget to look at the art in the staircase that leads to the basement. (Gallery.)

Greystone Duo, by Diann Knezovich, is mixed media on a digital print, 2013. Knezovich lives in Seattle.
  • Courtesy the artist and Francine Seders Gallery
  • Greystone Duo, by Diann Knezovich, is mixed media on a digital print, 2013. Knezovich lives in Seattle.