Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Moody figurative abstract expressionist painting of a Victorian couple with an angel by artist David Rosen (American, 1912-2004), c. 1970. Signed "Rosen" lower right. Unframed. Image size: 30.25"H x 26.38"W. Born in 1912, Rosen grew up in Toronto, Canada before pursuing arts in the United States. Upon arriving, Rosen settled in New York City and attended the Cooper Union Art school in 1930. While participating in the Federal Arts Project, he worked for the program's mural department until 1941. He also worked with an artist collective, Siqueiros Art Workshop. There, Rosen met fellow FAP artist Jackson Pollack, and together, with artist Phillip Guston, they experimented with new painting techniques and mediums. Art movements are often reactions to the popular styles that precede them, and Abstract Expressionism applied a new and exciting method to Modern Art. Gradually, artists began to break away from an overly-studied, academic approach to painting and liberated their technique. During these workshops, Rosen was introduced to Pollack's groundbreaking "drip painting" before it changed the art world. As America became involved in World War II, the Federal Arts Project wound down, officially ending in 1942. Around this time, Rosen enlisted as a Merchant Seaman with the U.S Merchant Marines. During this time, he traveled to North Africa and Italy before concluding his service and moving to California where, in 1945, he devoted his full attention to building an art career. Within a couple of years, he landed a major exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1947, and his first one-man show, which opened to rave reviews, was held at Hollywood's Contemporary Art Gallery. The exhibition’s success led to mural commissions from Palm Springs' Hotel del Tahquitz, and he scored more solo shows at West Hollywood's Chabot Gallery. The early 1950s brought a surge of recognition for Rosen's career, and while his work was certainly still influenced by Abstract Expression, his painting style included elements of Surrealism, Figurative Art, and Cubism. Like his colleague Jackson Pollack, Rosen produced work inspired by drip painting; however, rather than splattering, his drips were the natural flow marks from painting freely without regard for "mistakes." Throughout Rosen's long career, he would acquire techniques from vastly different art styles which made for a varied, eclectic catalog of work. Rosen continued to build his California art career and settled at a Laguna Beach art colony in 1958. There, he entered his work in the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and was the first painter to contribute Abstract Art to the event. Rosen would participate in the festival for the next fifteen years. A year after his move, in 1959, Rosen opened his first studio gallery and began a 12-year collaboration with the Laguna Playhouse. For the next two decades, Rosen participated in 17 art exhibitions and 20 solo shows, and received considerable critical praise. Rosen's themes were as varied as his evolving painting style, and one of his themes focused on classic characters like Shakespeare's Hamlet. Rosen's close-up portraits of historical and literary figures, illustrated by the piece To Be or Not to Be: Soliloquy From Hamlet, capture the essence of the characters while remaining loose with the painting and even adding a slight cartoon feel. His ongoing Hamlet series, as a complete collection, makes an impact with the diversity of technique. Unlike the loose style of some of his works, the painting Madaam... that he is mad is true is influenced by the structure of Cubism, the flat dimensions of Byzantine Art, and his utilization of mixed media. After Rosen's death in 2004, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts sponsored an exhibition of his Hamlet paintings at the Wells Fargo Building gallery. Throughout Rosen's career, he amassed a great deal of critical, industry, and public praise for his work. His beloved town of Laguna Beach bestowed numerous awards that include the Laguna Beach Annual Art Gallery Award and Orange County's Annual Exhibit Award. Rosen's work flourished in California, and he received recognition from the San Diego County Fair, Los Angeles' Miracle Mile...

An abstract diptych by James Caughlin (American, 1926-1979). Signed lower right. Artist's studio label on verso. Displayed in a white mat with two win...

Artist: Elwood Howell, American (1933 - ) Title: Neritic No. 33 Year: 1979 Medium: Acrylic on Paper, signed l.r. Size: 22 in. x 30 in. (55.88 cm x 76.2 cm)

A dynamic, abstract expressionist painting by Les (Leslie Luverne) Anderson (American, 1928-2009). From the estate of Les Anderson in Monterey, California. Unsigned. Unframed. Image ...

Lovely geometric abstract painting by artist "Rick Vian," titled "The Seven Spirits." Oil on canvas painting with tones of red, yellow, purple, blue, and grey. Artist Statement: I ...

Abstracted and modernist painting of the Golden Gate Bridge by Mary Hahn (American, 20th century). Signed lower right. Presented in original bronze ...

Composition 1972 Oil on canvas Signed and Dated 73 x 60 cm The painting is framed. This beautiful painting is representative of David Lan Bar's 1970's compositions. David Lan-Bar ...

Artist: Elwood Howell, American (1933 - ) Title: Benders Fog Fold Sweep Year: 1976 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 50 x 50 in. (127 x 127 cm)

Artist: Josep Grau-Garriga, Spanish (1929 - ) Title: Untitled, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston TX Year: 1971 Medium: Mixed Media and Collage on Paper, signe...

Artist: Todd Boppel, American (1934 - 2000) Title: Manawa Year: 1977 Medium: Acrylic on Paper, signed and dated verso Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)

Artist: Todd Boppel, American (1934 - 2000) Title: Kennan Year: 1977 Medium: Acrylic on Paper, signed and dated verso Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)

Artist: Julia Marc Title : Bolder Strokes 27 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed upper right Size: 60.75 x 60.75 in. (154.31 x 154.31 cm) Frame Size: 61.25 x 61.25 inches

Artist: Gustav Rehberger, American (1910 - 1995) Title: Orchestra Year: 1971 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed Size: 48 x 96 in. (121.92 x 243.84 cm)

Intriguing modern figurative print with fantastical animals and a nude female figure with a blue cast in the foreground by artist and printmaker Robert R. Mal...

Artist: William Katz, American Title: Homage to Jackson Pollock Year: circa 1970 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 36 x 56 in. (91.44 x 142.24 cm) Frame Size: 37 x 57 inches

Expressive and colorful vintage abstract earth watercolor by Duane Albert Armstrong (American, b. 1938). Presented in a dark grey mat with wooden frame. Singed "D. Armstrong" and dat...

Large square expressionist painting. Blue, yellow and purple colors form a mass in the top right corner. Background is filled with yellow, green, and black splatters of paint. Art...

Abstract featuring graceful, sweeping lines evocative of bone fragments by an unknown artist. Illegibly signed lower left and dated "77". Presented in a metal frame. Image size, 18"H...

A dynamic, abstract expressionist image with lavender and earth tones by Les (Leslie Luverne) Anderson (American, 1928-2009). From the estate of Les Anderson in Monterey, California....

A modern abstract painting by American female New York City artist Irene Zevon titled "Abstraction 75" created in 1975. Zevon's love of history and ancient civilizations...

Harriet was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and lived with her husband in Park Slope for over 35 years. She attended the Brooklyn Museum School at age 14 where she establis...

Expressive abstract work in earth tones by Monterey Bay artist and gallery owner John O. Thomson. Signed lower right. Signed on verso J. Thomson and titled "So What How " "SC" for ...

Artist: Elwood Howell, American (1933 - ) Title: Nereides Series IX Year: 1979 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 49 x 66 in. (124.46 x 167.64 cm)

"Fantasy Bay", Large Scale Modern Abstract Geometric SF Salt Ponds Landscape Gorgeous large-scale abstract geometric landscape inspired by the San Francisco Cargill Salt Ponds, titl...

Wonderful vintage space abstract by Santa Cruz, California artist Ralph Edward Joosten (American, 1928-2009). Presented in a metal frame. Signed "R. Joos...

Gorgeous vintage pink and blue ombre abstract by Maureen Fenton-Hansen (American, 1946-2007). Signed and dated "Fenton '74" on verso. Unframed. I...

Abstract farm with seeds sprouting in a bold abstract expressionist painting by San Francisco, California artist Eleanor Perry (American, 1928-2014). Ele...

Substantial early work in watercolor, abstract expressionist painting of "Goldfish" By Norma Auer Adams (Norma Jean Anderson) painter and writer. Signed lower right N. Adams and exhi...

Dimensional Abstract by Jeffery Abouaf (American, b. 1949). Composed of rows of small "scenes," this piece gives the impression of a roll of film, or moments laid out next to one ano...

Vintage magenta abstract by Maureen Fenton-Hanson a Monterey artist (American, 1946-2007). Signed "Fenton" and dated "74" lower right and on verso. Unframed. Image size, 30"H x 22.5"...

Striking large scale abstracted landscape oil depicting San Francisco Bay salt ponds by Erle Loran (American, 1905-1999), Unframed. Purchased as part of larger collection. Measures 72"H x 52"W x 2"D. Erle Loran was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He studied at the Minneapolis School of Art under the direction of Cameron Booth...

oil and wax on canvas Mala Breuer grew up attending classes in painting and drawing from a young age at the California College of Arts and Crafts. After high school she attended ...

This is an Abstract Expressionist torn and folded paper painted collage. The paper is metallicized through some process. they are very luminous and beautiful. it is mounted on heav...

Sherron Francis Strawberry 5, 1977 Signed, titled and dated on the reverse Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 56 1/2 x 22 inches Artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Louis, Da...

Friedel Dzubas, a prominent figure in the New York School, made a significant mark within the Color Field painting movement during the mid-twentieth century, persisting in his artist...

Embark on a journey through the vibrant and tumultuous spirit of the 1970s with this striking American modernist abstract expressionist oil painting. An unsigned masterpiece, this ca...

Robert Natkin For Duke Ellington, 1978 Acrylic on paper mounted on canvas 27 1/2 x 39 1/2 inches RNa005

Robert Motherwell Black Open 1973 Acrylic on canvas 182.9 x 91.4 cms (72 x 36 ins) RM9611 P735 Motherwell's fascination with black started when he was wo...

Robert Motherwell Alberti Suite No. 8 1970 Acrylic on canvas 101.6 x 75.6 cms (40 x 29 3/4 ins) RM9811 P526 One of the several variants Motherwell painted within the Open series. I...

Robert Motherwell Dr. Zhivago's Country Study 1975 Acrylic on canvas board 14 x 45.7 cms (5 1/2 x 18 ins) RM9816 P853 Recto, upper left: Motherwell \ 75 Verso: "Dr Zhivago's Country...

Robert Motherwell Untitled (Open in Yellow, Black and Blue) 1970 Acrylic and charcoal on canvas board 25.4 x 61 cms (10 x 24 ins) RM9819 P588 Signed lower right (recto) Artist's studio number P74-290 Provenance: Dedalus Foundation, New York...

Robert Motherwell Untitled (Red Open) ca. 1970 Acrylic and charcoal on canvas board 17.8 x 22.8 cms (7 x 9 ins) RM9923 P575 Artist's studio number P71-286 Signed (verso) Provenance...

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) Untitled (Ochre Open) 1972 Acrylic on Upson board 60.6 x 24.5 cms (23 7/8 x 9 5/8 ins) RM9997 P666 Recto, upper right: RM \ 72 Verso not signed, not da...

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) Great Wall of China No. 4 1971 Acrylic and charcoal on canvas 152.4 x 101.6 cms (60 x 40 ins) RM10101 P617 This work is part of the artist's Great Wall of China series, of which there are only five paintings, all of which are in private hands. Painted on a traditionally primed canvas, it is an exploration of the tension between foreground and background. The U-shaped forms in this series of paintings are closely related to the paintings in Motherwell's Open series of which there are a greater number of paintings and drawings. Great Wall of China series refer to a Franz Kafka short story about the Chinese landmark, which certainly served as a dividing line in its time, and perhaps also to contemporaneous events involving China, such as Henry Kissinger...

Premonition Open, with Flesh over Grey, 1974, belongs to an extended series of works that came to be called the Opens and which came about by a happy accident. Leaning a finished can...

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) Open No. 126: In Beige with Blue 1970 Acrylic on canvas 61 x 76.2 cms (24 x 30 ins) RM13967 P533 The dedication on the verso of this painting is to the artist and editor Alexander Liberman (1912-1999) and his wife Tatiana (1906-1991). Signed, titled, dated twice 1970 and inscribed Merry Xmas to Tatiana & Alex Liberman from their friend Bob Motherwell on the stretcher. Provenance: Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Liberman, New York (gift of the artist). High Museum of Art, Atlanta (gift of the above in 1991). Sotheby's New York, 14 November 2012, lot 138. Bernard Jacobson Gallery, London (acquired at the above sale). Exhibited: Galerie Templon, Paris, Robert Motherwell Open...

Original oil paint and acrylic paint on canvas by the well known American artist, Syd Solomon. Signed bottom middle. Titled and dated verso, 1977/1978. The location for the painting is Midnight Pass near where the artist once lived in Sarasota, Florida. Condition is excellent. The painting is housed in its original gallery frame with silver edge. Overall framed measurements are 51 by 38 inches. Provenance: A Sarasota, Florida collector. American, 1917-2004 SYD SOLOMON BIOGRAPHY: Written by Dr. Lisa Peters/Berry Campbell Gallery “Here, in simple English, is what Syd Solomon does: He meditates. He connects his hand and paintbrush to the deeper, quieter, more mysterious parts of his mind- and he paints pictures of what he sees and feels down there.” --Kurt Vonnegut Jr. from Palm Sunday, 1981 Syd Solomon was born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1917. He began painting in high school in Wilkes-Barre, where he was also a star football player. After high school, he worked in advertising and took classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the war effort and was assigned to the First Camouflage Battalion, the 924th Engineer Aviation Regiment of the US Army. He used his artistic skills to create camouflage instruction manuals utilized throughout the Army. He married Ann Francine Cohen in late 1941. Soon thereafter, in early 1942, the couple moved to Fort Ord in California where he was sent to camouflage the coast to protect it from possible aerial bombings. Sent overseas in 1943, Solomon did aerial reconnaissance over Holland. Solomon was sent to Normandy early in the invasion where his camouflage designs provided protective concealment for the transport of supplies for men who had broken through the enemy line. Solomon was considered one of the best camoufleurs in the Army, receiving among other commendations, five bronze stars. Solomon often remarked that his camouflage experience during World War II influenced his ideas about abstract art. At the end of the War, he attended the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Because Solomon suffered frostbite during the Battle of the Bulge, he could not live in cold climates, so he and Annie chose to settle in Sarasota, Florida, after the War. Sarasota was home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and soon Solomon became friends with Arthur Everett “Chick” Austin, Jr., the museum’s first Director. In the late 1940s, Solomon experimented with new synthetic media, the precursors to acrylic paints provided to him by chemist Guy Pascal, who was developing them. Victor D’Amico, the first Director of Education for the Museum of Modern Art, recognized Solomon as the first artist to use acrylic paint. His early experimentation with this medium as well as other media put him at the forefront of technical innovations in his generation. He was also one of the first artists to use aerosol sprays and combined them with resists, an innovation influenced by his camouflage experience. Solomon’s work began to be acknowledged nationally in 1952. He was included in American Watercolors, Drawings and Prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. From 1952–1962, Solomon’s work was discovered by the cognoscenti of the art world, including the Museum of Modern Art Curators, Dorothy C. Miller and Peter Selz, and the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Director, John I. H. Baur. He had his first solo show in New York at the Associated American Artists Gallery in 1955 with “Chick” Austin, Jr. writing the essay for the exhibition. In the summer of 1955, the Solomons visited East Hampton, New York, for the first time at the invitation of fellow artist David Budd...

Dorothy Napangardi was one of the leading Australian Aboriginal artists who has had her work hung at museums around the world. On the verso of this ...

A moody and engaging oil on canvas painting with loads of texture and layers by American modernist artist Martha McKay. Paris 1951 - 1956 After graduating from the Corcoran art school in Washington, D.C., in 1951, McKay relocated to Paris and enrolled in Ecole Fernand Léger. During this time, McKay produced a series of canvases inspired by Léger cubistic style. These proved to be very successful and were exhibited in several galleries in America. Her time in Paris also brought about McKay’s marriage to Thomas Barnett, a fellow Corcoran graduate and Léger student. Soon after, Barnett began painting under the name Thomas Mather. He later dropped the pseudonym. McKay and Barnett had a son while in Paris. They named him André. After graduating from Ecole Fernand Léger, McKay began experimenting with abstract imagery: a direct influence of her newfound mentor, the French art critic Michel Tapié. Tapié’s involvement and promotion of the Japanese “Gutai...

Léon Zack Lyrical Abstract Composition Signed Oil on Canvas 50 x 61 cm Léon Zack (1892-1980) Léon Zack was a Russian émigré who became a leading exp...

Fritz Bultman set himself apart from other Abstract Expressionists with his meticulously organized abstract compositions, use of sculpture, and the adoption of collage as a core prac...

Fritz Bultman set himself apart from other Abstract Expressionists with his meticulously organized abstract compositions, use of sculpture, and the adoption of collage as a core prac...

Fritz Bultman set himself apart from other Abstract Expressionists with his meticulously organized abstract compositions, use of sculpture, and the adoption of collage as a core prac...