Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
American, 1904-2000
Clarence Holbrook Carter achieved a level of national artistic success that was nearly unprecedented among Cleveland School artists of his day, with representation by major New York dealers, scores of awards and solo exhibits, and streams of praise flowing from pens of the top art critics. Over the course of his 60+ year career Carter evolved from an exceptionally fine American Scene painter capable of evoking deep reservoirs of mood, into an abstractionist with a strongly surrealist bent.
While his two bodies of work seem at first to be worlds apart, owing to their different formal vocabularies, they, in fact, explore virtually the same subject: the nexus between life and death and the transition from earth to spirit. The early work finds its expressive power through specific people, events, and landscapes—most of which are drawn from his experiences growing up in the river town of Portsmouth, Ohio—while the later work from the 1960s on evokes potent states of being through pure flat shape, color and form that read as universals. As his primary form he adopted the ovoid or egg shape, endowing it with varying degrees of transparency. Alone or in multiples, the egg moves through Carter’s landscapes and architectural settings like a sentient spirit on a restless quest.
Born and raised in southern Ohio along the banks of the mercurial Ohio River and its treacherous floods, Carter developed a love of drawing as a child, and was encouraged by both his parents. He was self-directed, found inspiration all around him, and was strongly encouraged by the fact that his teenage work consistently captured art prizes in county and state fairs. Carter studied at the Cleveland School of Art from 1923-27, where he trained under painters Henry Keller, Frank Wilcox and Paul Travis.
Returning to Cleveland in 1929, Carter had his first solo show, and through Milliken taught studio classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art from 1930-37. In 1938, he moved to Pittsburgh to teach at the Carnegie Institute of Technology until 1944. Carter’s American Scene paintings of the ’30s and ’40s, which launched his artistic star, are the works for which the artist remains best known.
During and immediately after World War II, Clarence Carter realized his attraction to bold pattern, dramatic perspective and eye-catching hard-edged design was a poor fit with the prevailing style of Abstract Expressionism. Fortunately, these same hallmarks of his style were prized within the realm of commercial art.
Around 1964 Carter acknowledged a need to break from the confines of representational painting. Once Carter had found a potent symbol in the egg, he used it to create an astounding body of imagery for the rest of his life. Among the most ambitious of all his later paintings were his Transections, a theological term meaning to cross, specifically between life and death.(Biography provided by WOLFS)
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Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter
Dichotomy, mid-century figural abstract green oil painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
Dichotomy, 1962
Oil on paper
Signed and dated upper left
20 x 25 inches
Mid-century figural abstract green painting of woman swimming ...
Category
1960s American Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Oil
Reverberations, mid-century abstract surrealist black acrylic painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
Reverberations, 1970
Acrylic on illustration board
Signed lower left
20 x 30 inches
Mid-century abstract surrealist black acrylic painting...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic
The Way Out, figural abstract vibrant orange geometric acrylic painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
The Way Out, 1992
Acrylic on paper
Signed and dated upper right
24 x 30 inches
Figural abstract vibrant orange geometric painting.
C...
Category
1990s Abstract Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic
In and Out, mid-century figural abstract vibrant yellow geometric painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
In and Out, 1963
Acrylic on paper
Signed and dated lower right
22 x 30 inches
Figural abstract vibrant yellow geometric painting.
Cl...
Category
1960s Abstract Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic
Torso No. 5, Mid-Century Figural Abstract Acrylic Painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
Torso No. 5, 1967
Acrylic on paper
Signed and dated upper right
25 x 20 inches
A mid-century figural abstract painting.
Clarence Hol...
Category
1960s American Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic
Medieval Heads, mid-century figural surrealist acrylic painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
Cicada, c. 1960s
Watercolor on scintilla
30 x 20 inches
Clarence Holbrook Carter achieved a level of national artistic success that wa...
Category
1960s American Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic
Neon Ovoids, Mid-Century Abstract neon orange, green, pink acrylic painting
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Beachwood, OH
Clarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000)
Neon Ovoids, c. 1960s
Acrylic on paper
9 x 12 inches
Mid-Century Abstract neon orange, green, pink acrylic painting.
Clarence Holbroo...
Category
1960s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic
Green Mandala, Silkscreen by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Green Mandala
Year: 1969
Medium: Screenprint on Scintilla paper, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 75
Paper Size:...
Category
1970s Abstract Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Burning Bush, Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Burning Bush
Year: 1978
Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, AP...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Transection I, Silkscreen by Clarence Carter 1971
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Transection I
Year: 1971
Medium: Screenprint on Scintilla paper, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 75
Paper Size:...
Category
1970s Op Art Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Colorful Geometric Abstract, Silkscreen by Clarence Holbrook Carter 1971
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Untitled - Faces in a Grid (Red)
Year: 1971
Medium: Screenprint on Scintilla paper, Signed and numbered in pencil
Edit...
Category
1970s Abstract Geometric Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Chrysanthemums and Tiger Lilies
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Chrysanthemums and Tiger Lilies
Signed and dated lower left (twice), see photo
Watercolor on paper, 1935
A symbol of the sun, the Japanese consider the or...
Category
1930s Realist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Watercolor
Mandalas, Silkscreen by Clarence Holbrook Carter 1973
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Untitled (Mandalas in a Grid)
Year: 1973
Medium: Silkscreen on Scintilla paper, Signed and numbered in pencil
Edition:...
Category
1970s Abstract Geometric Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Eschatos #23, Surreal Landscape by Clarence Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
The sublime, or the amalgamation of the terrifying and the awe-inspiring, is encapsulated by the crashing wave that dominates this surrealist landscape.
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Ca...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Joseph and His Brothers, Silkscreen by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Joseph and his Brothers
Year: 1971
Medium: Screenprint on Scintilla paper, sign...
Category
1970s Abstract Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Eschatos #18, Surreal Landscape by Clarence Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Eschatos 18
Year: 1977
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, 30 AP
Image Size: 22 x 29.5 inch...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Red Mandala, OP Art Silkscreen by Clarence Carter 1969
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Red Mandala
Year: 1969
Medium: Silkscreen on Japon, Signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 75
Paper Size: 30 in. x 22 ...
Category
1960s Op Art Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Balancing Act, Surrealist Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Balancing Act
Year: 1976
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, A...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Yellow Calla Lily
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in New York, NY
In his long and productive career, Clarence Holbrook Carter followed an independent course. He incorporated an unlikely mixture of stylistic influences, drawing from such disparate s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Realist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Concentric Space (White)", Silkscreen by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Concentric Space (White)
Year: 1969
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 50
Size: 29 x 22 inches
Category
1960s Op Art Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Pipeline
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
A watercolor painting by Clarence Holbrook Carter from 1955. Carter's modernist style utilizes strong structural lines and architectural aesthetics to form almost surreal-like scenes...
Category
1950s Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Eschatos #21
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Eschatos 21
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, 30 AP
Size: 23 in. x 29 in. (58.42 cm x 73....
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
House Key, 1956 Watercolor by Clarence Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
A watercolor painting by Clarence Holbrook Carter from 1956. Carter's modernist style utilizes strong structural lines and architectural aesthetics to form almost surreal-like scenes. Signed on lower right corner, framed in elegant silver wooden frame.
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 1998)
Title: House Key...
Category
1950s Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Watercolor
Fiery Furnace, Surrealist Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Fiery Furnace
Year: 1978
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, AP 30
Paper Size: 35 x 26 inc...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Oil Well, Modern American Painting by Clarence Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
An acrylic painting by Clarence Holbrook Carter from 1979. Carter's modernist style utilizes strong structural lines and architectural aesthetics to form almost surreal-like scenes. Signed on lower right corner, framed in elegant silver wooden frame.
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 1998)
Title: Oil Well...
Category
1970s Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
Tulip, Surrealist Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Tulip
Year: 1978
Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200
Paper Size: 35 x 25.75 inches
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
The Watcher
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: The Watcher
Year: 1977
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, 30 AP...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Villa by The Sea, Surrealist Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Arches
Year: 1979
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, 30 AP
Size: 35 in. x 26 in. (88.9 cm ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Abstract Tulip, 1979 by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Abstract Tulip
Year: 1979
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200
Paper Size: 35 x 26 inches (88...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Eschantos 31, Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Eschantos 31
Year: 1978
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, 30 AP
Size: 26 in. x 33.5 in. (...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Pilgrimage #4, Screenprint by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Pilgrimage #4
Year: 1977
Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, 30 AP
Size: 26 in. x 34 in. (6...
Category
1970s Surrealist Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Screen
Clowns Making Up
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Clowns Making Up
Year: 1979
Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 200, AP 30
Image Size: 19 x 23....
Category
1970s Contemporary Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Lithograph
"Concentric Space (Silver)", Silkscreen by Clarence Holbrook Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 2000)
Title: Concentric Space (Silver)
Year: 1969
Medium: Silkscreen on foil paper, signed and numbered in pencil
Edition: 50
Image...
Category
1960s Op Art Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Foil
On the Great Lakes
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
A watercolor painting by Clarence Holbrook Carter from 1953. Carter's modernist style utilizes strong structural lines and architectural aesthetics to form almost surreal-like scenes. Signed on lower right corner, framed in elegant silver wooden frame.
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 1998)
Title: On the Great Lakes...
Category
1950s Modern Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Transection No. 7, Large Painting by Clarence Carter
By Clarence Holbrook Carter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Clarence Holbrook Carter, American (1904 - 1998)
Title: Transection No. 7
Year: 1970
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed verso
Size: 77 in. x 75.5 in. (195.58 cm x 191.77 c...
Category
1970s Abstract Geometric Clarence Holbrook Carter Art
Materials
Oil
Clarence Holbrook Carter art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Clarence Holbrook Carter available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, red, orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Clarence Holbrook Carter in paint, acrylic paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Clarence Holbrook Carter, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Louisa Chase, Will Barnet, and John Taylor Arms. Clarence Holbrook Carter prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $500 and tops out at $65,000, while the average work can sell for $8,500.
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