Items Similar to Large American Folk Art Masterpiece Glass Mosaic Sculpture Painting Wall Hanging
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19
Lawrence RothbortLarge American Folk Art Masterpiece Glass Mosaic Sculpture Painting Wall Hanging20th Century
20th Century
$10,000

About
Titled: Pop (Samuel Rothbort) in our living room.
Bears estate stamp of his father, famed American folk artist Samuel Rothbort. one of only about 10 in total large scale mosaics that he did, each one took many months. very complicated intricate work made up of glass and tile in all different sizes and and shapes. This had been mounted as a coffee table top but was intended to be hung on the wall.
Lawrence Rothbort
1920-1963
Lawrence Rothbort, son of American Impressionist - Samuel Rothbort, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1920, and achieved fame for his expressionist style painting, earning comparison to Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh. At age 16 he dropped out of High School and became an avid reader of philosophy, religion and mysticism which, eventually, led him to become a moral vegetarian.
As a pacifist during World War II - he refused to serve in the military. A requirement therefore, was to work on farms due to the manpower shortage. For one year at the age of 24, he left home for the Pocono's where he would live as a hermit , living off the land and closely observing nature.
Rothbort returned home in 1945 determined to become an artist. As a self-trained artist, he worked non-stop, seven days a week, grinding his own paints, experimenting in oils, watercolors, pen & ink. He developed several new techniques such as the patient application of paint with sharpened twigs to the canvas, and the combination of oil painting with glass. He created enormous mosaics and it was not unusual for a piece to take several months to complete.
The Charles Barzansky Gallery gave him his first solo show in 1947. The reviews were excellent comparing his pen & ink drawing and painting to the "old masters" "extraordinary" and his oils "outstanding", "admirably executed", " a Seurat painter", "most personal revelation of an arresting talent" where he was praised by critics as a descendent of Paul Gauguin.
Like his father, he recorded the ever changing landscape of New York, including 5th Avenue with flags - always on location and never touching up or finishing an outdoor work in the studio. He stated their "Direct Art was synonymous with truth."
He worked in oil, casein, pen & ink and ceramic and glass. Depending upon the subject and medium, his work would take anywhere from 3 months to one and a half years; working every day for no less that 8 - 12 hours. In 1954, using discarded glass from the shores and junk piles, he embarked on a new phase in his career and began creating mosaics.
In 1956, he married a young piano teacher with whom he had three children. In 1956 they moved to Florida where he completed three major works, one of which was an enormous mosaic of his wife nursing their first born surrounded by everything they owned. The work is reminiscent of Medieval Madonna's.
Rothbort returned to Brooklyn in 1960 and established a small gallery behind his family's apartment. He would often travel with his supplies in a carriage to various locations throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn painting from location, never touching up or finishing his outdoor work in a studio. He felt it was extremely important to be in direct contact with the subject being painted in order to convey its true feeling. He referred to this as " Direct Art ". He was a true Outsider Art artist.
His work can be categorized as visionary art or folk art but it really defies categorization.
In 1963, in an attempted robbery at his gallery. Rothbort was shot to death, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two children. His death sparked a memorial exhibit a few months later at the Riverside Gallery, where he received many outstanding newspaper reviews praising his work. A writer for the New York Post stated - " If some of the gallery visitors came looking for the birth of an American Van Gogh, not all of them go away disappointed ".
Lawrence Rothbort did not typically sign his work, as he always claimed his work was to original to have been done by anyone else.
Details
- CreatorLawrence Rothbort (1920-1963, American)
- Creation Year20th Century
- DimensionsHeight: 48.25 in. (122.56 cm)Width: 64 in. (162.56 cm)Depth: 4 in. (10.16 cm)
- Medium
- Movement & Style
- Period
- Conditionframe with minor wear.
- Gallery LocationSurfside, FL
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU3823753471
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingShips From: Surfside, FL
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn More
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1995
1stDibs seller since 2014
1,180 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This Seller
- By Lawrence RothbortLocated in Surfside, FLLawrence Rothbort 1920-1963 Lawrence Rothbort, son of American Impressionist - Samuel Rothbort, was born in Bro...Category
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- By Mildred BarrettLocated in Surfside, FLFramed 22 X18 sight size 14 X 10 inches Hand signed Manhattan-born Mildred Barrett is a woman to whom painting...Category
20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Located in Surfside, FLMeasures framed 18.5 X 15.5. image is about 11.5 X 8.5 A charming, delightful piece of the Pesach ritual chame...Category
20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil
- Located in Surfside, FLRare Judaica Art. Jewish genre scene. In the tradition of Moritz Oppenheim, Isidor Kauffman and Maurycy Gottlieb...Category
Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- By Anton PeczelyLocated in Surfside, FLRare Pre World War II (Pre Holocaust) Judaica Art. European Judaic art from this period is exceedingly rare. Pé...Category
Early 20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- By Anton PeczelyLocated in Surfside, FLRare Pre World War II (Pre Holocaust) Judaica Art. European Judaic art from this period is exceedingly rare. Pé...Category
Early 20th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
You May Also Like
Sacred Buffalo - A New Beginning Painting on Canvas 72 H X 48" W Collectible
By Irena Orlov
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Sacred Buffalo - A New Beginning, Contemporary Painting on Canvas 72 H X 48" W Collectible
The buffalo is a symbol of self-sacrifice; it gives until there is nothing left.
Acrylic o...
Category
2010s Folk Art Animal Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
The Hypnotist
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Statement from Stephen Basso about “The Hypnotist” :
“Some years ago I took a cruise for the first and probably the last time.I did not enjoy the experience but one night a show feat...
Category
2010s Outsider Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Oil
Soutine's Purveyor, humorous butcher with meat, food
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagination, wry wit and fear...
Category
2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Butcher, colorful whimsical food charcter
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on canvas
*ABOUT Stephen Basso
Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with bou...
Category
1990s Folk Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Bedroom," Framed Oil on Wood of Subdued Bedroom signed by Robert Richter
By Robert Richter
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Bedroom" by Robert Richter is an oil painting on wood with the signature on the verso. The frame was made by the artist and hand-carved, making it an integral part of the piece. Per...
Category
Early 2000s Outsider Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
"Home from Work," Oil Painting of Woman Indoors signed by Robert Richter
By Robert Richter
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Home from Work" by Wisconsin artist Robert Richter is an oil painting on wood, signed on the verso. The frame was created and hand-carved by the artist, making it an integral part o...
Category
Early 2000s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
"Texas Afternoon" Interior Oil of Table on Wood signed on Back by Robert Richter
By Robert Richter
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Texas Afternoon" is an original oil painting on wood by Robert Richter. The artist signed the piece on the back, and hand-carved the frame so it becomes an integral part of the artw...
Category
2010s Outsider Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil
A Street in San Jose, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
<p>Artist Comments<br />A colorful scene of a busy street in San Jose, Costa Rica on a hot January morning. "One of the fascinating things about San Jose is the contrasts between the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Good Morning, Original Painting
By Pat Forbes
Located in San Francisco, CA
<p>Artist Comments<br />"There is nothing better than welcoming a new day with the sun shining in a cloudless sky," says artist Pat Forbes. Topsy turvy monochrome structures in pale ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Good Night, Original Painting
By Pat Forbes
Located in San Francisco, CA
<p>Artist Comments<br />"The moon and stars twinkle in the night sky while lights from windows create their own firmament," describes artist Pat Forbes. A charming cityscape created ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art Interior Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Recently Viewed
View MoreThe 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery