Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Jules Olitski
Lechaim!

1965

$10,200
£7,707.80
€8,900.62
CA$14,252.96
A$15,814.86
CHF 8,284.16
MX$193,932.64
NOK 105,371.71
SEK 99,466.40
DKK 66,377.52
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Jules Olitski (1922-1977) is one of the most collected and accomplished artists associated with the color-field movement, if not 20th-century American abstraction. Created in the mid-1960s, this joyful drawing emerges from a pivotal point in Olitski's career when he began his transition away from naive color field creations (featuring playful ovoids) to discover his radical spray painting technique. Olitski's first chapter of artistic creation, and this drawing is included, is the most sought after and hardest to find. Over the last 60+ years, there have been less than a dozen such drawings to come on the secondary market. (Click here to see another example from this body of work). This drawing is emblematic of the stain paintings of the era; large lopsided round shapes attempt to dominate the picture plane, intimidating other smaller forms and colors, whether mini circles or soft borders. Atypical is the emphatic "Lechaim!" featured at the bottom of the page, bringing the bright and voluminous colors into a cheerful exclamation. (Lechaim is a Hebrew word that translates as "to life" and is used both in prayer and as an equivalent to "cheers") Olitski's inclusion of text is a rare occurrence, making this piece an especially remarkable work from this era. Originally sold in Toronto at Theo Waddington Galleries, this work has fortuitously found its way back to the city decades later. This mere coincidence serves as an emblem of Oltiski's important connection to Toronto, having exhibited continuously in the city for over twenty years at the David Mirvish Gallery and Gallery One throughout his career. "Lechaim!" USA, 1965 Pastel and mixed media on colored paper Signed by the artist. 8.75"H 11.75"W (work) 16"H x 19"W (framed) Very good condition.
  • Creator:
    Jules Olitski (1922-2007, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1965
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.75 in (22.23 cm)Width: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Very good condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    Toronto, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 05-221stDibs: LU215210239302

More From This Seller

View All
Tortuga
By Jules Olitski
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jules Olitski (1922-2007) is one of Caviar20's favorite abstract artists of the 20th century. Over the course of his career, his aesthetic evolved in startling and fascinating ways....
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Linen, Acrylic

Untitled
By Jules Olitski
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jules Olitski (1922-1977) is one of the most collected and accomplished artists associated with the color-field movement, if not 20th-century American abstraction. Possibly one of ...
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paper, Acrylic

Mozart Night
By Jules Olitski
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jules Olitski (1922-2007) is one of Caviar20's favorite abstract artists of the 20th century. Over the course of his career his aesthetic evolved in startling and fascinating ways. ...
Category

1990s Abstract Impressionist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Screen

Mozart Night
$2,750 Sale Price
42% Off
Wall Shikker
By Jules Olitski
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jules Olitski (1922-2007) is one of the most collected and accomplished artists associated with the color-field movement, if not 20th-century American abstraction. Possibly one of ...
Category

1960s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Beauty of Angels
By Jules Olitski
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jules Olitski (1922-1977) is one of the most collected and accomplished artists associated with the color-field movement, if not 20th-century American abstraction. Possibly one of ...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Aquatint

Untitled
By Gershon Iskowitz
Located in Toronto, Ontario
It is somewhat hard to reconcile Gershon Iskowitz's (1921-1988) aesthetic with his personal history. Born to a religious family in Poland, Iskowitz was allowed to leave Yeshiva (Jew...
Category

1960s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

You May Also Like

Elegy, September 11, 2001, screenprint, signed/N, Framed abstract expressionist
By Jules Olitski
Located in New York, NY
Jules Olitski Elegy, September 11, 2001, 2002 Silkscreen on wove paper Edition 103/108 Signed, titled and numbered in graphite pencil 103/108 on the front Framed Jules Olitski is hon...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Screen

Jules Olitski-Mozart Night-HAND SIGNED
By Jules Olitski
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Mozart Night" by Jules Olitski is a captivating work that epitomizes the artist's innovative approach to color and abstraction. Hand signed, dated, titled, and numbered out of an ed...
Category

20th Century Contemporary Prints and Multiples

Materials

Screen

Jules Olitski, Mozart Night, color field silkscreen for Lincoln Center, Signed/N
By Jules Olitski
Located in New York, NY
Jules Olitski Mozart Night, 1992 Silkscreen on wove paper Signed, dated, titled and numbered 71/108 in graphite pencil on the front Edition 71/108 47 × 36 inches Unframed Silkscreen ...
Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Screen

TRADITION MEMORY
By Jules Olitski
Located in Aventura, FL
Original water based acrylic on canvas. Hand signed and dated on verso by the artist. Can be hung vertically or horizontally. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authe...
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

TRADITION MEMORY
$52,500 Sale Price
25% Off
Wolf
By Jules Olitski
Located in New York, NY
Jules Olitski Wolf, 1985 Acrylic On Canvas 8h x 12w in
Category

1980s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Wolf
Price Upon Request
Elegy by Jules Olitski, 2002 (abstract blue and yellow screen print)
By Jules Olitski
Located in New York, NY
This 30 color screen print was created at Brand X Editions to commemorate the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York City. This print comes directly from the publisher, Lincoln Center Editions...
Category

Early 2000s Color-Field Abstract Prints

Materials

Screen