Louise Nevelson was one of the leading American female sculptors of the 20th century, and she did it on her own terms. She was a pioneer of installation art and created large-scale monochromatic sculptures that are today known for their provocative, compartmentalized forms. While her assemblages involved a range of materials, she is best known for her wooden sculptures. Working in a single color was her signature, and all-encompassing color demanded an all-encompassing focus for this artist — she even kept separate studios for work in black, white and gold.
Nevelson was born in what is now Ukraine in 1899 and emigrated to the United States with her family in 1905. She moved to New York City as a young woman in 1920 to study at the Art Students League. In the 1930s, Nevelson traveled around Europe, came into contact with the works of Picasso, studied with Hans Hofmann and assisted Diego Rivera in New York City.
Nevelson had her first solo show in 1941 at the Nierendorf Gallery in New York. In the late 1940s, she studied with Stanley William Hayter and worked as a ceramicist in the workshop of revered furniture designer Vladimir Kagan, who let her take scraps from the factory to use in her sculptures. (As a child, Nevelson had also worked with discarded wood from her father's lumber yard.)
By the early 1950s, Nevelson had traveled to Guatemala and Mexico. She was inspired by pre-Columbian art and the totemic works of ancient cultures. Nevelson began creating the first of her iconic wood sculptures and later participated in the legendary “Sixteen Americans” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Her work was acquired by prominent institutions in the years that followed.
Nevelson made reliefs in shadow boxes and was for a time affiliated with New York City’s Sidney Janis Gallery as its first female Abstract Expressionist artist (her work was abstract but she also drew on the Cubist and Constructivist movements). In the early 1960s, Nevelson showed her art in Chicago, Manhattan, Paris and West Germany. It was around this time that she exhibited at Pace Gallery in Boston and New York. The gallery represented her for the duration of her career.
Nevelson died in 1988, but her legacy is immense. Her work is held in virtually every major American art museum, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. Her permanent large-scale public sculptures are installed all over the country, including in Louise Nevelson Plaza in New York City's Financial District.
On 1stDibs, find original Louise Nevelson sculptures, prints and drawings.
Louise Nevelson Etching Pencil Signed Numbered Pace Gallery 1965 Abstract Modern
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract Modern Etching, entitled "Magnificent Jungle Cats", by Louise Nevelson, American, circa 1965. It is hand signed by the artist and numbered 13/20. A very limited edition of t...
Metal
$8,000 / set
Louise Nevelson "Facades" Four Works
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Dallas, TX
Louise Nevelson, American, 1899-1988. Four prints from the Facades portfolio, 1966. Silkscreens with acetate and collage. Each in a silver toned frame.
Paper
Louise Nevelson Serigraph Collage, Signed and Numbered 147/150, Archival Frame
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Louise Nevelson (American, 1899-1988) Untitled, 1980 Original five screen serigraph collage Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist. 147 of an edition of 150. See details in...
Aluminum
Ron English “Inbred Hybrid” Serigraph
By Ron English
Located in Doylestown, PA
One of the most prolific and recognizable artists alive today, Ron English has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in movies, books and ...
Paper
$850
H 18.13 in W 16.94 in D 1.75 in
Op-Art Artist Anne Youkeles New Perspective Signed 3-D Serigraph Collage, 1971
By Anne Youkeles
Located in St. Louis, MO
Anne Youkeles (Austrian/American b. 1920) Op-Art Artist 3-D Geometric Serigraph Collage titled "New Perspective" signed, number 43/210 and dated 1971. In fine condition, not examined...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.13 in W 33.63 in D 1.13 in
Framed Lithograph Landscape with View of the Lake and Boats Signed
By Henri Martin
Located in Miami, FL
A very colorful lithograph professionally framed, signed. This interesting work of art is attributed to Bernard Gatner. Will enhance any space. Measures: 26 1/8" H x 33 5/8" W x 1...
Paper
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in D 1 in
Mid-Century Modern Unframed Matted Monoprint Signed J. Hovadik 1965 8/25
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an original, abstract monoprint, signed by J. Hovadik, dated 1969. Matted and in excellent condition. The dimensions are 24" W x 30" H.
Paper
$2,600
H 17.25 in W 15 in D 1 in
Claes Oldenburg Lithograph, Pop Art, Hot Water Bottle, Pencil, Numbered, Signed
By Claes Oldenburg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Pop Art lithograph by the well known artist Claes Oldenburg ,pencil signed LR, numbered 26/100. Titeled on plate London 66(.image size along is 7.5 X 5.5 inches.) Framed.
Paper
Selection of Modernist Art Lithographs or Serigraphs
By Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne, (after) Henri Matisse, (after) Alexander Calder, Victor Vasarely
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of modernist art serigraphs or lithographs, circa 1950s-1970s. They are: 1) Victor Vasarely color lithograph, circa 1960s. It has been recently reframed in a clean lined bl...
Glass, Paper, Wood
$2,995
H 28.25 in W 28.25 in D 1 in
Sister Mary Corita Kent Signed Limited Edition Large Abstract Serigraph Print
By Corita Kent
Located in Studio City, CA
Known as God's own Pop artist, Sister Mary Corita Kent went straight from high school into Catholic convent life in 1936. While serving her order and teaching art at Immaculate Heart...
Paper
Brutalist Collage Wall Sculpture in the Style of Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in La Mesa, CA
This striking wooden wall sculpture is a one-of-a-kind studio piece that embodies the bold architectural language of brutalist design, in the style of Louise Nevelson and mid-century...
Wood
$2,550
H 24.75 in W 20 in D 3.5 in
Louise Nevelson Style Abstract Assemblage Sculpture Mid Century Modern 24x20
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract Assemblage Wall Sculpture, in the style of Louise Nevelson, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. It measures an impressive 24.75" height x 20" width.
Wood
Jo Niemeyer Abstract Lithographs, Signed and Numbered, Set of 3
By Jo Niemeyer
Located in Miami, FL
Jo Niemeyer Abstract Lithographs, Signed and Numbered, Set of 3 Offered for sale is s vintage set of 3 lithos by Jo Niemeyer (Germany- 1946) that are signed and numbered. The abstra...
Metal
Custom Framed Lithograph by Marcel Vertes, Signed and Numbered
By Marcel Vertès
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a beautiful custom-framed lithograph by Hungarian-born French artist, Marcel Vertes, entitled "Circus Queens". The piece is signed, Vertes, in the lower right corner and numbered, "30/50" in the lower left corner. The image itself measures 23" high x 16" wide. The frame is a 2" thick 2 toned framed, black and a subtle cerused-like grey. It was originally sold through the Vincent Price...
Wood
$1,273
H 24.81 in W 32.49 in D 0.79 in
Luigi Veronesi Hand-Signed and Numbered Untitled Serigraph, 1976
By Luigi Veronesi 1
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This elegant untitled serigraph by Italian artist Luigi Veronesi, created in 1976, is a fine example of his mastery in blending geometric abstraction with color theory. Hand-signed b...
Paper
Sold
H 33.47 in W 27.56 in D 1.58 in
LOUISE NEVELSON - Night Tree 1970, Lead Intaglio Series 76 x 63.4 cm
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Vigevano, PV
LOUISE NEVELSON - Night Tree 1970, Lead Intaglio Series. Louise nevelson "night tree" italy, 1970 embossed lead on cm fabriano paper signed, titled and dated by the artist from an e...
Lead
Louise Nevelson Signed Limited Edition 78/90 Lithograph
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Hartford, CT
Although Nevelson is best known as a sculptor, like many of her contemporaries, Nevelson expanded her practice by exploring different branches of printmaking. As a printmaker Nevelso...
Paper
Sold
H 44.75 in W 30.75 in D 1.75 in
Original Louise Nevelson Painting of Mother and Child, 1940s, Signed
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Louise Nevelson painting of a mother and child. Oil on canvas. Very good condition. Signed by the artist. The original frame shows signs of wear.
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Untitled III, from the Double Imagery suite, by Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Rare and very early lithograph by Louise Nevelson from the Double Imagery suite, an experimental collaborative project at Tamarind Institute in 1968. From the edition of 10, printed ...
Paint
Untitled from the "Double Imagery" suite by Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Rare and very early lithograph by Louise Nevelson from the Double Imagery suite, an experimental collaborative project at Tamarind Institute in 1967...
Louise Nevelson City-Sunscape
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A nice example from this series Published by Pace Editions 75 of 150.
Resin
Louise Nevelson "Sunset"
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louise Nevelson "Sun-Set" edition of 125, Pace Editions Inc., 1981 Resin, metal label with signature and date.
Resin
Louise Nevelson Sculpture
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louise Nevelson City-Sunscape mixed media. Including resin and wood. Signed and dated 1979. Pace editions 47/150.
Louise Nevelson "Facade" Series Serigraph
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Title: "The Octogenarian." Louise Nevelson "Facade" series. circa 1966. Homage to Edith Sitwell. Original serigraphs. Executed at Chiron Press, Ne...
Louise Nevelson "Facade" Series Serigraph
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Title: Clown's Houses. Louise Nevelson "Facade" series, circa 1966. Homage to Edith Sitwell. Original serigraphs. Executed at Chiron Press, New York in collaboration with Pace...
Louise Nevelson "Facade" Series Serigraphs
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Title: "Nursery Rhyme." Louise Nevelson "Facade" series. circa 1966. Homage to Edith Sitwell. Original serigraphs. Executed at Chiron Press, New Y...
Louise Nevelson "Facade" Series Serigraphs
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Title: "The Wind's Bastinado." Louise Nevelson "Facade" series. circa 1966. Homage to Edith Sitwell. Original serigraphs. Executed at Chiron Press, New York in collaboration w...