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Carl Robert Holty
Carl Holty Abstract Oil Painting "Riviera" in Primary Colors

1950

About the Item

"Riviera" is an exquisite painting of American Modern - primary colors actively composed in energetic movement and structure on the painted surface. These colors formulate the painting, play both for and against each other and create a lively surface with hints of either an architectural structure or freeway. This painting hints to future Modernists such as Richard Diebenkorn "Driveway" and David Hockney "Garrowby." Unframed the piece measures 18 x 24. "Riviera" is signed on lower left. On verso is Provenance of over 70 years, 3 galleries in New York and one in Detroit, Michigan: Andrew Crispo Gallery, Sid Deutsch Gallery and Linda Hyman Gallery in New York and Collected Detroit Gallery in Detroit, Michigan. Abstractionist Carl Robert Holty was known for his biomorphic abstract forms as well as the geometric abstractions he painted with his vibrant color palette. Born in Frieburg, Germany his family immigrated to the United States settling in Wisconsin. In 1919, he enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago, and shortly thereafter attended the Parsons School of Design. He spent a short time at the National Academy of Design and studied with Francis Coates Jones, younger brother of H. Bolton Jones, the well-known landscape artist. He studied at the prestigious Hans Hofmann's school where he was exposed to the world of Abstract Expressionism—a style that would come to define much of his future work. Despite his short tenure there, he maintained a personal friendship with Hofmann, and continued to incorporate Hofmann's teachings into his work. Holty’s early work shows influences of Fauvist colors and the work of French artists Maurice de Vlaminck and André Derain. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and Northern Africa. The artist Robert Delaunay sponsored Holty's membership to Paris's Abstraction-Creation Group, where Holty found greater artistic acceptance than at home in the US. Upon his return to the United States, Holty played a major role in the establishment and successful operation of the American Abstract Artists organization in New York which is still flourishing today. This organizations’ members include Josef Albers, Eames, Jean Arp, Louise Bourgeois, Lee Krasner, Fernand Leger, Sol Lewitt, Al Loving, Brice Marsden, Piet Mondrian, Louise Nevelson, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Hans Richter, and Richard Tuttle. Holty was chairman in 1938 and exhibited his work with them until his departure from the group in 1944. He also surrounded himself with his old friends from Europe, including Hans Hofmann, Vaclav Vytlacil, and Stuart Davis. His strong advocacy for modern art brought the American art scene exposure to emerging styles, and helped to establish him as a leading American Abstract painter.
  • Creator:
    Carl Robert Holty (1900-1973, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1950
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Detroit, MI
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU128615435531

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