Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Bernard Kay
Cosmos - British Fifties Abstract Expressionist art oil painting red white blue

1957

$10,562.95
$13,203.6820% Off
£7,800
£9,75020% Off
€9,141.35
€11,426.6920% Off
CA$14,566.76
CA$18,208.4520% Off
A$16,365.10
A$20,456.3720% Off
CHF 8,550.79
CHF 10,688.4920% Off
MX$199,743.67
MX$249,679.5920% Off
NOK 108,570.04
NOK 135,712.5520% Off
SEK 102,195.82
SEK 127,744.7820% Off
DKK 68,216.18
DKK 85,270.2220% Off

About the Item

This superb British Abstract Expressionist oil painting is by noted artist Bernard Kay. It was painted in 1957 and is titled Cosmos. The composition is loose block forms of colour in a palette of blue, plum yellow and white with action painting and heavy impasto on a white background. A real master of his trade, the well balanced composition is really pleasing to the eye and is an excellent example of his work from the fifties. Signed and dated 1957 lower right. Provenance. The Bernard Kay collection. Condition. Oil on canvas, 26 inches by 22 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in a white surround frame, 28 inches by 24 inches and in good condition. Bernard Kay (1927-2021) was born in Southport, Merseyside, above his father’s cycle shop. Encouraged by his parents he studied at Liverpool School of Art and subsequently at the Royal Academy in London in 1948-49. In 1954 he won a French government scholarship to study in Paris, for painting at the Académie Ranson and etching at the Atelier Friedlaender. Later that year, he travelled to Vallauris in the south of France where he met Picasso’s model and muse Sylvette David, who introduced Bernard into the circle of artists around Picasso. On returning to London Bernard worked for Robert Savage, the London picture framers. In 1955, he exhibited at the Archer Gallery, London and the Gallerie La Hune in Paris and his work featured in the Daily Express Young Artists Exhibition. His presence increased with showings at the Obelisk Gallery and in an exhibition mounted by Roland, Browse & Delbanco, who would represent him for some years. His first major show was held in 1959 in tandem with Norman Adams and a further show followed in 1962 with Philip Sutton. Examples of his work are now in museums and galleries across the world, including the government art collection. He was quite a prominent member of London’s artistic community in previous decades being friends with David Hockney, Nicky Clarke etc. He focused on large canvases in an abstract expressionist tradition, before returning to landscape paintings worked in a structured style using an earthy, muted palette. In 1984 Kay moved to Oundle in Northamptonshire, where he lived until his death in May 2021.
  • Creator:
    Bernard Kay (1927)
  • Creation Year:
    1957
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU853113194102

More From This Seller

View All
Red Abstract, London 1955 - British Abstract Expressionist art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb British Abstract Expressionist oil painting on board is by noted artist Bernard Kay. It was painted in London in 1955. This striking painting is a mix of shades of black ...
Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Blue Psalm - British Fifties Abstract Expressionist exhibited art oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb British Abstract Expressionist oil painting is by noted artist Bernard Kay. It was painted in 1958 and is titled Blue Psalm. It is painted in a palette of blue tones with...
Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Red Abstract - British 1960 abstract art oil painting
By Peter L. Field
Located in London, GB
This vibrant British abstract is by noted artist Peter L Field. Painted circa 1960, the composition in reds has relief sculptural impasto. The red works ...
Category

1960s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Lonistum 1961 - Canadian British Abstract art oil painting
By William John Bertram Newcombe
Located in London, GB
An original large abstract oil on canvas by British Canadian artist William John Bertram Newcombe. This stunning abstract expressionist oil in blues and greys is a bold, adventurous ...
Category

1960s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil

Autumn Forms - Scottish Abstract art 20th century oil painting red white blue
By Iain Robertson
Located in London, GB
This striking Abstract oil painting is by Scottish artist Iain Robertson. It was painted in 1997 just before he moved to Cornwall. The painting is a riot of red, white and blue with heavy impasto which works beautifully. Signed and inscribed with title and dated 1997 verso. Provenance. Scottish estate. Condition. Oil on canvas, image size 24 inches by 18 inches and in good condition. Housed in a white surround frame, 26 inches by 20 inches framed and in good condition. Iain Robertson (b. 1955) was born in Cyprus but grew up in Edinburgh before studying art, 1978-1982. In 1993 he worked as Artist In Residence at Grizedale Sculpture Park before relocating to Cornwall where he now lives and works. He has retained studio 7 at Porthmeor Studios in St Ives, since 2007. Previously Robertson worked in Montgomery Street Studio, Edinburgh, 1991-1999. He has exhibited widely with numerous solo shows in the UK and Europe. His work is held in public and private collections in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Scotland, England, USA and Hong Kong. His work was included in the ‘Art Now Cornwall’ exhibition at TATE St Ives Spring 2007 and at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh, 2007. The recipient of a number of awards including Scottish Arts Council, British Council and Arts Council, Robertson was the first Scottish recipient of the Pollock Krasner Foundation, New York, in 1988. Notable exhibitions include, Contemporary Abstract Printmaking, Artists- Rachel Clark, Ian Davenport, Christopher Le Brun, John McLean, Mali Morris...
Category

20th Century Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fifties Abstract - British 1954 abstract art oil painting Slade School artist
Located in London, GB
This superb British 1950's abstract oil on board painting is by noted Slade School trained contemporary artist Leo Davy. Davy was born in Yorkshire but settled in Cornwall in 1968 an...
Category

1950s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

You May Also Like

Vintage American Modernist Abstract Expressionist Framed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed.
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Untitled abstract with Blue, Red, White and other colors" 43x33"
By Harald Marinius Olson
Located in Southampton, NY
There is a sophisticated old world color palette within this abstract painting. Harald M. Olson paints with a natural balance and harmony within the abstract work. He is not afraid...
Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Varnish, Acrylic

"Red and Blue Abstract" Large Painting Gestural Color Fields
By Tom Reno
Located in Austin, TX
Artist: Tom Reno Measurements: 60 x 48 inches Medium: Oil on Canvas A striking abstract composition by Tom Reno, executed in acrylic on canvas. Reno describes his pieces as "destin...
Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Bursts Yankel Contemporary painting abstract art blue colour red geometrical
By Jacques Yankel
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on canvas Hand-signed lower right by the artist
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Red and White Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting by Nicolas Ionesco, 1958
By Nicolas Ionesco
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Nicolas Ionesco, Romanian (1919 - ) Title: Untitled Year: 1956 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed and dated l.r. and verso Size: 23.5 x 28.5 inches (59.7 x 72.4 cm) Frame: 24.75 x...
Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Original Impasto Abstract Mid-Century Modern Oil Painting, Framed Blue & Red Art
Located in Denver, CO
Experience the bold elegance of Wilma Fiori's original abstract oil painting, a striking composition by the renowned Denver artist (1929-2019). This mid-century modern masterpiece fe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil