Items Similar to Abstract Expressionist -- Figure in Motion
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Norman LiebmanAbstract Expressionist -- Figure in Motion1980s
1980s
About the Item
Bold brushstrokes of deep green, black, burnt umber, gold and more result in an exciting, dynamic abstract by Norman Liebman (American, 20th c.). Signed "Liebman" lower right. Unframed. Image, 50"H x 38"L.
Norman Liebman paints what he feels. And what we often feel as well. Usually portraying an abstract figure or more often a type of abstracted portraiture, he is a painter of a singular, eloquent and colorfully emotional voice.
Liebman's paintings have a visceral and yet unworldly quality. There is a deep beauty underscoring his work. Some might say, even Liebman himself, that his other job as a surgeon for over thirty years informed this quality.
The old cliche that medicine is an art and art is medicine sort of works with his art. But there is much more of a layered seeing and personal even universal feeling when encountering Norman Liebman's pieces.
The artist, now in his vibrant ninth decade of life, portrays aspects of the suffering, decay and death that he witnessed in his medical practice. However, there is always an echo of humanity and life lived hauntingly expressed as well.
These works are expressions of man's and (more prominently) woman's very human plight of joy, sorrow, frustration, yearning and even pain. In a way, they are reminiscent of the works of Modigliani.
The artist sometimes expresses what appears to be anger in his paintings. He suggests that this comes from existential concerns rather than personal hostility, frustration or disgust. There is often a wistful sadness to the work as well, though this can be seen balanced at times with an exuberant joyfulness. This joyfulness is expressed by color.
Form is often ambiguous in Liebman's work. He frequently works in series over months or even years. Similar subject matter paintings are differentiated by nuance, color application, texture and even aesthetic accidents.
There is a thoughtful lack of control in his art. This is a Jackson Pollock or De Kooning-like mindlessness, an unconscious awareness that sometimes develops into a wordless, but quite visual poetry. Liebman feels that his work attempts to come to terms with his subconscious in a very personal aesthetic manner. This process is further modified and altered by the artist often many times in a single painting.
To appreciate the overall very painterly effects, the paintings visually work up very close to the canvases as well as from a distance. Though he makes a very personal painterly signature, his work has been greatly influenced by his study of contemporary art styles. His strongest stylistic influence is the COBRA group.
COBRA (or CoBrA) was a shortlived European avant-garde movement active from 1948 to 1951. The name was coined in 1948 by Christian Dotremont from the initials of the members' home cities: Copenhagen (Co), Brussels (Br) and Amsterdam (A). Its most prominent member was Karel Appel.
The primary focus of the group was semi-abstract paintings with brilliant color, violent brushwork, and distorted human figures inspired by primitive and folk art. There is a strong connection to American action painting as well. Most influenced and informed by the work of member artist Asger Jorn, Liebman's own prolific art strongly reflects COBRA's elements.
Norman Liebman started painting as a child. Traditionally trained, he pursued his art full time starting in middle age eventually developing his own personal visually and emotionally accessible style. His work has been widely shown and highly praised.
Liebman paints every day in his studio. His evocative work is centered around what is real and what is felt. The result is a visceral beauty that asks and tells us about aspects of unspoken life.
- Creator:Norman Liebman
- Creation Year:1980s
- Dimensions:Height: 50 in (127 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good conditon. Professionally cleaned. UV protective conservation varnish applied.
- Gallery Location:Soquel, CA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1986
1stDibs seller since 2014
2,520 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Soquel, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Abstract Expressionist Figurative -- Nude Under the TreeBy Kristin Cohen BucciLocated in Soquel, CAA bright, multicolored abstract expressionist nude torso by Kristin Cohen (American, b. 1963), a California abstract expressionist artist she studied at Humboldt State University and with Michael Dee...Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Mid Century Multi-Color Abstract Expressionist FigurativeBy Honora BergLocated in Soquel, CAExceptional mid century Abstract Expressionist figurative painting from her study with David Park by Honora Berg (American, 1897-1985). Signed lower right "Honora Berg" and on verso. Unframed. Image 36"H x 30"W. Berg studied at the San Francisco Art Institute with David Park, Elmer Bischoff, and James Budd Dixon. Berg's friend Edith Truesdell...Category
1950s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Abstract Expressionist -- Figurative Walk in Golden Gate Park Oil on CanvasLocated in Soquel, CAWonderful abstract expressionist painting of couple walking through Golden Gate Park titled, "Memorable Day" by California artist and poet Mary Rudge (American, 1929 - 2014), Circa 1...Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Newsprint
- Mid-Century Modern Dancers Figurative Abstract, Bay Area Figurative School 1960sLocated in Soquel, CAMid-Century Modern Dancers Figurative Abstract, Bay Area Figurative School 1960s A gorgeous and colorful mid-century modern figurative abst...Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Portrait of a Woman Reading - Bay Area Figurative School Abstract ExpressionistLocated in Soquel, CAPortrait of a Woman Reading - Bay Area Figurative School Abstract Expressionist Abstracted portrait of a woman reading by San Francisco artist Heather Speck (American, b. 1978). A w...Category
Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas, Foam Board
- The House - Mother & Child Figurative AbstractBy Kristin CohenLocated in Soquel, CAThe House - Mother & Child Figurative Abstract Wonderfully vibrant mother and child abstract expressionist painting by Kristin Cohen (American, b. 1963). A stylized mother and child...Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
You May Also Like
- «Self portrait» Contemporary Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas, 2017 ExpressionismBy Julia KiryanovaLocated in Oslo, NOFor Julia Kiryanova, painting is a dialogue – a dialogue which she beautifully facilitates, layering her work with various techniques. At the heart of much of her work an inherent fascination for people lies, intimately displaying abandoned figures seemingly floating in an abstract dream world, where time has stopped everything, but them. Julia Kiryanova has exhibited work at Amsterdam museum, Museum Op Solder and The Holocaust Museum...Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Magaiver, 60 x 66, quirky surreal figurative work paying homage to PicassoBy Erin HaldrupLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSurrealistic abstract figurative painting paying homage to Picasso. Bright and vivid colors. Provenance only artist collection to gallery inventory. Hand-signed by the Artist. Certif...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- La nascita delle coseLocated in Milano, MIAfter touring Europe on a motorcycle, he arrived in Berlin in 2012, where he won a residence for artists with a pictorial series on massification and nihilism. In 2014 he was invited...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- A visit. Figurative acrylic on canvas painting, Animal, Horse, Polish artistBy Piotr ButkiewiczLocated in Warsaw, PLContemporary oil on canvas painting by Polish artist Piotr Butkiewicz. Painting is titled 'A visit' and it's color pallete is mostly pastel green and pink. Composition shows a woman ...Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- "Chained" Oil Painting 35" x 27" inch by Anastasiia DanilenkoBy Anastasiia DanilenkoLocated in Culver City, CA"Chained" Oil Painting 35" x 27" inch by Anastasiia Danilenko Anastasiia Danilenko is an artist and graphic designer. But the area of her occup...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- "Naked" Oil Painting 35" x 27" inch by Anastasiia DanilenkoBy Anastasiia DanilenkoLocated in Culver City, CA"Naked" Oil Painting 35" x 27" inch by Anastasiia Danilenko Anastasiia Danilenko is an artist and graphic designer. But the area of her occupat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil