1988
The name of painter, printmaker and writer Robert Motherwell (1915–91) is often taken as synonymous with the New York School, whose name he coined. Motherwell was the youngest of this group of Abstract Expressionists working in art, dance, poetry and music in 1950s and '60s New York City, which included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Philip Guston, Helen Frankenthaler and Mark Rothko.
Born in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1915, Motherwell had perhaps the broadest and best education of any of the New York School coterie, with an extensive background in philosophy, literature and art history. He earned a BA in philosophy in 1937 from Stanford University and was working toward a PhD in the subject at Harvard when he interrupted his studies for a yearlong trip to Europe, where he fell in love with European modernism.
After returning, in 1940 he enrolled Columbia to study art history. It was there that he met a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists, and encounter that proved influential on his style. Motherwell began to integrate the idea of “automatism” — unmediated gestures that reflect deeper psychological impulses — into his work, pioneering a new form of Abstract Expressionism that came to characterize the New York School.
Works like the 1967 Beside the Sea no. 45, an acrylic on canvas, and the 1966 lithograph New York International epitomize Motherwell’s use of simple shapes in boldly contrasting colors, executed in quick, gestural strokes that occasionally evoke figures, suggesting a latent narrative despite their obvious abstraction.
Throughout his career, Motherwell taught painting at Hunter College, in New York, and at Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, where his work influenced the likes of Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg and Kenneth Noland. His influence as one of the founding fathers of American Abstract Expressionism remains profound.
H 22 in W 14.9 in
Carpeta
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in Ameri...
Lithograph
H 45.5 in W 29.25 in D 1.5 in
unknown
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Framed, unique strike with significant hand coloring in acrylic paint on printed 2 color lithograph on paper by American artist Robert Motherwell (1915-1991). Signed in upper left c...
Paper, Ink, Acrylic
H 36.25 in W 23.38 in
Delos
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color lithograph on TGL handmade paper. Initialed and numbered 6/40 in pencil. Printed and published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, with the bli...
Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph
H 24 in W 20 in
Robert Motherwell, Untitled, from Ten Works by Ten Painters, 1964
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Robert Motherwell (1915–1991), titled Untitled, originates from the landmark 1964 folio X + X (Ten Works by Ten Painters). Published by the Wadsworth Ath...
Screen
H 22.25 in W 17.25 in
Untitled #1
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on JB Green paper, 1971. Signed by the artist in pencil and numbered 81/150 in pencil, lower right. With the artists blind stamp in the lower margin. Printed by K...
Screen
H 34 in W 24.5 in
El General
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting...
Handmade Paper, Lithograph
H 41 in W 28 in
The Basque Suite #5
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on J. B. Green paper, 1970-71. Initialed by the artist and numbered 123/150 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlborough Gra...
Screen, Color
H 45.5 in W 29 in
America La France Variations III
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) is one of the essential American abstract painters that radically defined post-war abstraction in New York City. Today, his work appears in museum coll...
Lithograph
H 19 in W 16 in D 1 in
Tricolor 137, Abstract Offset Print by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Motherwell Title: Tricolor 137 Year: 1973 Medium: Offset Lithograph, signed in the plate Size: 15 x 10.5 in. (38.1 x 26.67 cm) Frame: 19 x 16 inches Published by XXe ...
Offset
H 17 in W 15 in
Irish Suite #6
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in Ameri...
Etching
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Brushed aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on German Etching paper 71.8 x 56.5 cms (28 1/4 x 22 1/4 ins) Edition of 32
Etching, Aquatint
Cabaret No. 8
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper 55.9 x 26 cms (22 x 10 1/4 ins)
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) Untitled 1990 Acrylic and coloured pencil on panel 40.6 x 50.8 cms (16 x 20 ins) RM13143 P1195 The composition of this painting is based on the left ...
Acrylic, Panel, Color Pencil
Cabaret No. 2
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic, pasted papers, and graphite on paper 56 x 26 cms (22 x 10 1/4 ins)
Mixed Media, Acrylic
America - La France Variations I
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
118.1 x 81.6 cms (46.5 x 32.1 ins) Edition of 70 Published by Tyler Graphics, New York Signed and numbered in pencil
Color, Lithograph
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell Untitled 1986 Colour lithograph and collage, on Guarro paper, Edtion of 100 55.9 x 37.8 cms (22 x 14 7/8 ins)
Lithograph
