Items Similar to Deep as the Night, an oil painting by John Von Wicht
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
John von WichtDeep as the Night, an oil painting by John Von Wicht1964-65
1964-65
$20,000
£15,113.34
€17,452.20
CA$27,946.98
A$31,009.53
CHF 16,243.46
MX$380,260.08
NOK 206,611.20
SEK 195,032.16
DKK 130,152
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
This work is one of a group of over 100 works personally selected by the artist, and gifted to a close personal friend in 1969.
Exhibited: 1967 National Academy Annual Exhibition - Label verso filled out in artist's hand.
More about this artist: Johannes Von Wicht was born in Holstein, Germany on February 3, 1888. His mother moved the family to Oldenburg when Von Wicht was in elementary school and he began to visit the artist Gerhard Bakenhus. Bakenhus helped familiarize Von Wicht with old masters while guiding him through rigorous nature studies. Soon John Von Wicht’s mother had arranged for him to apprentice at the studio of master painter F.W. Adels. There he learned to prepare paints with linseed oil and later commented on the lasting impression of colors throughout his career. Interior of a Farmhouse was his first painting completed in 1907. Gerhard Bakenhus was able to include the painting to in the Bremer Kunsthalle exhibition in 1908. Due to the critical success of this piece Von Wicht was accepted to the private art school of the Grand Duke of Hesse in Darmstadt. Fundamental themes of simplicity, nature, and poetry were instilled in the students. Von Wicht continued to pursue the arts with a three-year scholarship to the Royal School of Fine & Applied Arts in Berlin. There he was influenced by the city’s avant-garde art scene. In 1911 his work was included in the Free Berlin Secession exhibition.
During his service in WWI Von Wicht was wounded and partially paralyzed. While recovering he worked on book designs and illustrations. In 1923 Von Wicht immigrated to the United States, leaving a post-war Berlin and its economic hardships. He found his place at the Ardsley Art Academy in Brooklyn and secured a job at the U.S. Printing and Lithography Company, later moving to work at Ravenna Mosaic. While working for the mosaic company, Von Wicht designed a vestibule for the St. Louis Cathedral in a classic Byzantine manner. After a few years he had established enough contacts to become an independent mosaic contractor, setting up an office on Park Ave to handle private commissions, with a studio in Brooklyn Heights.
Von Wicht’s first attempt at abstraction was not until 1937 when he created his “Force” series in watercolor, commemorating Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art. This group of paintings were clearly influenced by Kandinsky’s geometrical abstractions. In 1941 Von Wicht was accepted into a show at the Whitney, whereupon he was recognized and acknowledged both by his critics as well as his peers. Challenged by cubism and surrealism, Von Wicht had yet to find his own personal artistic vocabulary within abstract expressionism. By 1950 Von Wicht was painting full time and able to explore his personal expression of abstraction as a mature artist, returning to drawing in order to solve problems of content and composition. Far Eastern calligraphy was a major influence for Von Wicht that moved his works into a more vertical format. In 1951 Von Wicht had his second solo exhibit at the Passedoit Gallery, which won him much critical acclaim.
As he became more established as an abstract artist, Von Wicht began to experiment with a variety of themes. He held another show at the Passedoit in 1954 with works based on musical symphonies, using elements of abstraction to provide a spiritual analysis of the music itself. He created innovative works on rice paper while spending a winter at the McDowell Colony, an artist-in residence program in New Hampshire. He attempted automatic sketching as a direct translation of inner movement to find equilibrium within his work.
Towards the end of the 1950’s, Von Wicht contract with the Passedoit Gallery ended and he moved to the Bertha Schaefer Gallery. His first European show was in held 1959 in Paris, with others following in Brussels, Liege, and Belgium. The following year Von Wicht returned to the McDowell colony to complete five large canvases in the first 4 weeks he was back which include “On Black” “On Red” “Silanus” and “Vertical Abstraction”. These paintings created a feeling of immense freedom through various concentrations of color. During this time Von Wicht also began over-painting, taking older canvases and reworked them, often completely changing the content of the original piece. These reworked pieces became heavier with a much deeper surface texture both in content and form.
During the last years of his life Von Wicht worked on compositions with themes of the four seasons. These pieces were quite similar to the impressionist’s technique of observing different light and form under various circumstances and times of day. The decisive geometric elements that were hallmarks of his earlier work shifted as he matured. Von Wicht’s later pieces touched on the spiritual and natural realms of being, using color to reach viewers emotions directly though pure form. Von Wicht died of pneumonia on January 20th, 1970 in Brooklyn and was remembered by those who knew him as an “artist’s artist”.
- Creator:John von Wicht (1888-1970, American)
- Creation Year:1964-65
- Dimensions:Height: 38 in (96.52 cm)Width: 49 in (124.46 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good condition, appropriate for the age of this artwork.
- Gallery Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: VoJo1481stDibs: LU2465213386992
John von Wicht
John von Wicht John von Wicht (German American, 1888–1970) was known for his vibrant, geometric abstractions and later, more expressive compositions. Born in Malente, Germany, von Wicht began his art training at a young age, apprenticing in a painting and decorating shop and later studying lithography, stained glass, and mosaics at the Royal School of Fine and Applied Arts in Berlin. After World War I, he emigrated to the United States in 1923, where he initially worked in stained glass and mosaics. He settled in Brooklyn Heights, and quickly became involved in the American art scene. He exhibited with the American Abstract Artists group and in numerous solo shows in the 1940s, and gained some recognition. His work evolved from structured geometric abstractions to a freer, more emotive style, often inspired by the New York Harbor, where he served as a supply barge captain during World War II.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 1973
1stDibs seller since 2023
12 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Hudson, NY
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllUntitled Abstraction oil on panel by Sueo Serisawa
By Sueo Serisawa
Located in Hudson, NY
Untitled Abstraction
Oil on panel
18 ½" x 13"
22" x 16 ½"x 1 ½" framed
Signed "Serisawa" lower right
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Untitled Abstraction-008 casein tempera on board by Vaclav Vytlacil
By Vaclav Vytlacil
Located in Hudson, NY
Signed and dated "Vytlacil 38" lower left, and signed and dated verso.
Provenance: Estate of the artist #1602; Martin Diamond Fine Art
About this artist: Born in 1892 to Czechoslov...
Category
1930s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Tempera, Casein, Board
Fasnacht oil painting by Hans Burkhardt
By Hans Burkhardt
Located in Hudson, NY
Fasnacht, an oil painting by Hans Burkhardt, was gifted by the artist to his daughter. It focuses on the traditional Swiss carnival celebration prior to the beginning of Lent.
Abou...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Encaustic Abstract Untitled Painting 010 by Frederik Ottesen
Located in Hudson, NY
The bold texture of this artwork engages the viewer. The textures Ottesen created are not as apparent until seem from close up. A subtle stunner.
Framed this piece measures 29.25" ...
Category
1950s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Encaustic
Untitled Abstract Oil by Naohiko Inukai
Located in Hudson, NY
A richly colored abstraction by Japanese artist Naohiko Inukai. This early work demonstrates the artist's fluidity and expression with paint prior to wh...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Series 67 No.4 abstract oil painting by Jack Wolsky
Located in Hudson, NY
Series 67, No. 4 (1955)
Oil on masonite
48" x 24 ½"
49" x 25 ¼" x 1 ¾" framed
About this artist: Jack Wolsky was born in 1930 in Rochester, New York.
He taught in the Department o...
Category
1950s Abstract Abstract Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
You May Also Like
Deep Night
By Robert Petrick
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Deep Night
1988/89
24 inches x 30 inches
oil on canvas
Artist Statement: This is an early work I produced in my studio at 11th street and Ave 'B" NYC...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
The Night Will Share Its Secrets, Abstract Oil Painting
By Agata Kijanka
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
One of artist Agata Kijanka's earliest memories is watching - mesmerized and enchanted - as mysterious peaks and valleys of a moonlit landscape passed by as ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Large Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas John Von Wicht WPA Artist
Located in Surfside, FL
John von Wicht (German American, 1888-1970)
"On Blue"
1964
Oil and acrylic on canvas
Hand signed lower right "V. Wicht",
Hand signed, titled, and dated on the stretcher "1964-66"
D...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas, Acrylic
Night Lights II, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By Sarah Lapp
Located in Yardley, PA
Luscious texture and abundant scgraffito in this highly layers oil painting. All Archival, gallery wrapped canvas with painted sides, comes wired and ready to hang. Protected by varn...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Oil Painting 5, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Many layers of oil were applied in horizontal streaks over a few months. In the process video the non-linearity of how the layers are applied can be seen. At times a recent layer wil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
The Mystery of Night BY JO JENKINS, Original Contemporary Art, Abstract Art Sale
By Jo Jenkins
Located in Deddington, GB
Jo Jenkins
Large rectangular abstract painting in mixed media on canvas. Unframed, deep stretcher painted in dark tone. Geometric ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media
More Ways To Browse
St John Oil Paintings
Winter Night Painting
Interior Cathedral Paintings
American Farmhouse Painting
John Hampshire
Paintings Brooklyn Heights
Whitney Houston
Exotic Dancer
Malibu Art
Vintage Caribbean
Japanese Calligraphy Paintings
Oil On Canvas Michel
The Vanderbilt
Expressionist Floral Paintings
Santa Fe Paintings Large
Textured Mirrored Artwork
Tiger Paintings
Y S L