Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Robert Motherwell
Grey Open

1981

About the Item

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American artists that radically defined abstraction and established New York City as the center of the post-war art world. Motherwell was also the unofficial spokesman of the New York School, writing, teaching, and lecturing extensively on behalf of abstract expressionism, his fellow artists, and the merits of abstraction. In addition to his accomplishments as a painter and scholar Motherwell was also one of the most accomplished American printmakers of the 20th century. He is one of the most innovative and prolific printmakers of the 20th century. He was always searching for new techniques, whether at his own printmaking atelier or collaborating with others, to expand his ideas and express his aesthetic. In 1967, Motherwell introduced his "Open" series, a study that would continue to evolve for nearly two decades, extending into the 1980s. While Motherwell will forever be associated with abstract expressionism, this body of work, is perhaps his way of responding to minimalism. The "Open" series came about entirely by chance. While in his studio, the artist was captivated by the silhouette of a recent painting, "Summertime in Italy," which leaned against a larger, freshly primed canvas. Intrigued by the proportions, Motherwell used charcoal to trace the canvas's contours, resulting in a simple but bold rectangular shape formed by three lines. "Grey Open with White Paint" is a quintessential example of this series. A sweeping plane of warm mink or stone grey hosts a rectangle comprised of three fine black lines. Swathes of stark white embrace the corners of the form, accentuating its crisp angles. Like the best of this series, the top of the rectangle is left unlatched, as if representing a window, a swing, or opening into a world beyond. Click here and here to see other "cousins" within this family of prints. While Motherwell is renowned for black gestural forms, the influence of Minimalism in the 1960s is especially apparent in this body of work. This results is arguably one of the most intriguing phases within his entire oeuvre, and a reminder of his mastery and contribution to American abstraction. Questions about this piece? Contact us. Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment. "Gray Open with White Paint" USA, 1981 Soft-ground etching and pochoir Grey Auvergne à la Main Richard de Bas handmade paper Signed "RM" and numbered by the artist. From an edition of 79 20.25”H 26.25”W (work) Very good condition Provenance: The Dedalus Foundation
  • Creator:
    Robert Motherwell (1915-1991, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1981
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)Width: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Very good condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    Toronto, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 03-241stDibs: LU215214046872

More From This Seller

View All
Reflections II
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However during the last decade of her life, her palette expands notably with her printmaking. "Reflections II" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contains signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of tangerine, translucent Prussian blue, and mint green that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Purple Stripe
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States and Italy. Many of the leading, ground-breaking American abstract artists experienced success in post-war Europe. Nevelson was notably well-embraced in Italy arguably because of parallels to Arte Povera in her work. She had an important and enduring connection to Italy, beginning with representing America at the Venice Biennale in 1962. Nevelson would then exhibit at the legendary Studio Marconi in Milan during the succeeding decades. This fruitful relationship led Nevelson to start working with Italian printmakers during the 1970s. This impressive aquatint is a paradigm of both the era and Nevelson's later printmaking, notable for its use of metallic elements, color, and collage. This work features unexpected shades of magenta, lime green, and rust, which punctuate her signature monochromatic black forms that sweep the surface of the page creating an intriguing architectural form. This work is an example from Nevelson's 1973 portfolio, "Aquatints Portfolio (B. 116)" which comprised six aquatints with metallic elements. Click here to see another example from this body of work. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Reflections V
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However, during the last decade of her life, her palette expands notably with her printmaking. "Reflections V" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contain signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace, and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of fluorescent turquoise and fuschia that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Reflections III
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However, during the last decade of her life, her palette expanded notably with her printmaking. "Reflections III" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contain signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace, and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of fuchsia, crimson, and Prussian blue that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Reflections I
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However, during the last decade of her life, her palette expands notably with her printmaking. "Reflections I" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contain signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace, and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of crimson and translucent rose and Prussian blue that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Seaside Studio
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American abstract painters that radically defined abstraction and...
Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

You May Also Like

Abstract portrait of a Woman Finely Detailed Collotype on paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract portrait of a Woman Finely Detailed Collotype on paper Finely detailed abstract collotype of a woman by Heather Speck a San Francisco. Californi...
Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Ink, Etching, Oil, Gouache

"Insignia #2" Abstract Mixed Media on Handmade Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
"Insignia #2" Abstract Mixed Media on Handmade Paper Tactile Abstract on handmade paper by David Dodsworth (English, b. 1952) - David’s work is typifi...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Insignia" #1 Hand Made Paper Aquatint Abstract
Located in Soquel, CA
"Insignia" #1 Hand Made Paper Aquatint Abstract Tactile Abstract on handmade paper by David Dodsworth (English, b-1952) David’s work is typified by his...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Gold Leaf

South Ridge Series #66, Abstract Landscape
By Katherine Chang Liu
Located in Soquel, CA
A beautiful abstracted landscape, mixed media print and painting, in soft pastel hues by California artist Katherine Chang Liu (American, 20th-century). Signed and dated "Katherine C...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Ink, Oil, Archival Paper, Etching

Vintage Abstract Series #39 Fireworks
By Katherine Chang Liu
Located in Soquel, CA
Period mixed media print and painting by California artist Katherine Chang Liu (American, 20th-century). Signed "Fireworks Series #39" Katherine Chang Liu '87. Presented with a white...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Ink, Oil, Archival Paper, Etching

Untitled
By Henri Goetz
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled Signed in pencil lower right (see photo) Edition: 25 (9/25) (see photo) Engraving, drypoint & carborundum Printed by the artist Condition: Excellent, slight residue on rever...
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Recently Viewed

View All