Jean Halpert-Ryden (December 26, 1919 – March 14, 2011) was a celebrated artist whose work captured the nuances of memory, identity, and the landscapes that shape human experience.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, to Mildred and Abraham Halpert, Jean displayed an early passion for art, studying under a private teacher in New York in the 1940s. In 1947, she married Edward Ryden, whom she met on a cross-country trip. Following Edward’s completion of his BFA at the University of Colorado, the couple moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Edward pursued an MFA at the California College of Arts and Crafts, and Jean immersed herself in the study of lithography.

Jean's early years in the Bay Area saw her refine her painting skills, which led to her first solo exhibit at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in 1959. In 1961, a working trip to Europe culminated in a solo show in Montpellier, France, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Over the years, Jean became well-known in the Bay Area art scene, participating in numerous group and solo exhibitions that showcased her evolving style and depth of expression. Dividing her time between San Francisco and a second home on Sonoma Mountain, Jean Halpert-Ryden's contributions to the art world are remembered as a testament to her vision, talent, and dedication to exploring the stories that shape us all.