Skip to main content

Thornton Willis

Working Man, Large Oil Painting by Thornton Willis 1981
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Thornton Willis, American (1936 - ) Title: Working Man Year: 1981 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Large Oil Painting Louisa Chase Grotto Floral Garden Abstract Neo Expressionist
By Louisa Chase
Located in Surfside, FL
, George Noel, Susan Rothberg, Joan Thorne, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis and Edward Youkilis.
Category

1980s Neo-Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1978 Joy Walker Pattern & Decoration Color Field Abstract Op Art Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
, Nassos Daphnis, Sari Dienes and Perle Fine. As well as Pat Lipsky, Jay Milder, Thornton Willis, and Kes
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

1978 Joy Walker Pattern & Decoration Color Field Abstract Op Art Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
, Nassos Daphnis, Sari Dienes and Perle Fine. As well as Pat Lipsky, Jay Milder, Thornton Willis, and Kes
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

1978 Joy Walker Pattern & Decoration Color Field Abstract Op Art Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
, Nassos Daphnis, Sari Dienes and Perle Fine. As well as Pat Lipsky, Jay Milder, Thornton Willis, and Kes
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

1978 Joy Walker Pattern & Decoration Color Field Abstract Op Art Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
, Nassos Daphnis, Sari Dienes and Perle Fine. As well as Pat Lipsky, Jay Milder, Thornton Willis, and Kes
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

1978 Joy Walker Pattern & Decoration Color Field Abstract Op Art Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
, Nassos Daphnis, Sari Dienes and Perle Fine. As well as Pat Lipsky, Jay Milder, Thornton Willis, and Kes
Category

1970s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Pillar of Zen #124, unique signed gouache painting Andre Zarre Gallery, 1959
By Charmion von Wiegand
Located in New York, NY
subsequent generation are Pat Lipsky, Jay Milder, Thornton Willis, and Kes Zapkus.1 And this list does not
Category

1950s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Large Colorful 1980s New York Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Joan Thorne
By Joan Thorne
Located in Surfside, FL
Hennessy, Elizabeth Murray, George Noel, Susan Rothberg, Joan Thorne, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis
Category

1980s Post-Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Oil

Large Colorful 1980s New York Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Joan Thorne
By Joan Thorne
Located in Surfside, FL
Hennessy, Elizabeth Murray, George Noel, Susan Rothberg, Joan Thorne, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis
Category

1980s Post-Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Oil

Recent Sales

Large Oil Painting Louisa Chase Grotto Floral Garden Abstract Neo Expressionist
By Louisa Chase
Located in Surfside, FL
, George Noel, Susan Rothberg, Joan Thorne, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis and Edward Youkilis.
Category

1980s Neo-Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large Colorful Bold 1980s New York Abstract Expressionist Painting Joan Thorne
By Joan Thorne
Located in Surfside, FL
, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis and Edward Youkilis.
Category

1980s Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel, Archival Paper

Large Colorful 1980s New York Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Joan Thorne
By Joan Thorne
Located in Surfside, FL
Hennessy, Elizabeth Murray, George Noel, Susan Rothberg, Joan Thorne, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis
Category

1980s Post-Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Oil

Large Colorful 1980s New York Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Joan Thorne
By Joan Thorne
Located in Surfside, FL
Hennessy, Elizabeth Murray, George Noel, Susan Rothberg, Joan Thorne, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis
Category

1980s Post-Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Oil

Michael David, Mugual Indian Star Abstract Expressionist Color Etching Print
By Michael David
Located in Surfside, FL
.) 1980 “Seven Young Americans,” Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, NY (Sean Scully, Thornton Willis etc
Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Etching

Untitled (Abstract Expressionist Painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
First Underground Show,’ Group exhibition curated by painter Thornton Willis, 456 Broome Street, New
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Moon (Abstract Expressionist Painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Underground Show,’ Group exhibition curated by painter Thornton Willis, 456 Broome Street, New York City, NY
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Untitled (Abstract Expressionist Painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
, NY. 1984 ‘The First Underground Show,’ Group exhibition curated by painter Thornton Willis, 456
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Large Colorful Bold 1980s New York Abstract Expressionist Painting Joan Thorne
By Joan Thorne
Located in Surfside, FL
, Catherine Warren, Thornton Willis and Edward Youkilis.
Category

1980s Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel, Archival Paper

Michael David Jewish Star of David Color Etching Abstract Expressionist Judaica
By Michael David
Located in Surfside, FL
.) 1980 “Seven Young Americans,” Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, NY (Sean Scully, Thornton Willis etc

People Also Browsed

White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
By Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
These WHITE WASH collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture which is meditative, sanded to a s...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Framed Stunning Chinese Qing Dynasty Kesi Peacock Third Rank Badge
Located in Atlanta, GA
A silk civil rank badge panel beautifully framed in a gilt Baux bamboo carved wood frame circa Qing dynasty mid-19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese as Buzi which ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Textiles

Materials

Silk

French Limed Oak Armoire
Located in Antwerp, BE
Limed oak two door armoire. Height 210 cm. Width 127 cm. Depth 64 cm.
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Oak

French Limed Oak Armoire
French Limed Oak Armoire
$2,641
H 82.68 in W 50.01 in D 25.2 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970
By Florence Knoll, Annemarie Davidson
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets

Materials

Enamel

"Under the Parasol", 20th Century Oil on Canvas Attributed to Laureano Barrau
Located in Madrid, ES
ATTRIBUTED TO LAUREANO BARRAU Spanish, 1863 - 1957 UNDER THE PARASOL unsigned oil on canvas 35-1/2 x 26 inches (90 x 66 cm.) framed: 44-1/4 x 35-1/2 inches (112 x 90 cm.) PROVENANCE...
Category

1920s Naturalistic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Period American Impressionist World Columbian Expositian Fair 0f 1893
Located in New York, NY
Antique American Impressionist painting by Hugh Ditzler (1871-1949) dated 1893. Painting is an original oil on canvas depicting the 1893 Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. Actu...
Category

1890s Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

ITALIAN IMPRESSIONIST MOTHER & CHILD IN GARDEN
Located in New York, NY
Adolfo Belimbau (1845-1938) Italian Impressionist painting of a mother and a child in a Garden playing. Beautiful quality and colors quality! Adolfo Belimbau is a famous Italian Je...
Category

Early 19th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Chan Coffee Table 1960
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
From the Historical Civilization Series depicting the past civilizations of China, Greece, and Egypt, Chan is among the most recognized motifs in the artistry of Philip and Kelvin La...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Pewter

Gordon & Jane Martz Side Table or Occasional Table Figured Walnut & Ceramic Tile
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by wife & husband duo Gordon & Jane Martz, this table was produced by Marshall Studios in the 1950s. A shining example of Mid-Century as a whole, this piece features everyth...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Nino Caruso, Abstract sculpture in glazed ceramic, Italy, 1974
By Nino Caruso
Located in Argelato, BO
Nino Caruso ( Tripoli 1928 - Rome 2017 ) Abstract Sculpture in Black Glazed Ceramic. 1974, Signed and dated under the base. Italian ceramist, sculptor and designer, Nino Caruso was ...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Nino Caruso, Abstract sculpture in glazed ceramic, Italy, 1974
Nino Caruso, Abstract sculpture in glazed ceramic, Italy, 1974
$1,345 Sale Price
20% Off
H 9.45 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
L'hymne du Roi David (King David's Dream)
By Marc Chagall
Located in Boca Raton, FL
L'hymne du Roi David (King David's Dream) Oil on wood by Marc Chagall c late 70's Comes with Numbered and Verified Certificate of Authenticity from Comite Chagall in Paris signed and...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

1970's Op Art Cintique Geometric Abstract Color Gradations Silkscreen Domberger
Located in Surfside, FL
Silkscreen serigraph Op art print. Luitpold Domberger (1912-2005 ) was a pioneer of artistic screen printing in Germany. Luitpold (Poldi) Domberger studied from 1928 at the art and ...
Category

1970s Op Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Screen

1970s B&B Italia Olinto Lacquered Cabinet w/ Glass Shelving by Kazuhide Takahama
By B&B Italia, Kazuhide Takahama
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a tall, lacquered wood Olinto cabinet with glass doors, designed in the 1970s by Japanese architect Kazuhide Takahama for B&B Italia. Takahama’s collection featured a serie...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cabinets

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Laredo Armchair, 3-Legged Contemporary Ergonomic Design w/Laquer Finish
By Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
Influences from Mexico, Japan and Stickley are rendered in solid wood using traditional tongue and groove joinery. This sculptural 3-legged contemporary armchair is comfortable becau...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Minimalist Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Thornton Willis", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Thornton Willis For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of thornton willis available on 1stDibs. Today, if you’re looking for editions of these works and are unable to find the perfect match for your home, our selection also includes. Thornton willis available on 1stDibs span a range of colors that includes brown, gray, black, orange and more. There have been many well-done artworks of this subject over the years, but those made by Joan Thorne and Michael David are often thought to be among the most beautiful. The range of these distinct pieces — often created in fabric, paint and oil paint — can elevate any room of your home. Large thornton willis can be an attractive addition to some spaces, while the smaller iterations available — each spanning 18 inches in width — may make for a better choice for a more modest living area.

How Much are Thornton Willis?

Thornton willis can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price for items in our inventory is $4,000, while the lowest priced sells for $850 and the highest can go for as much as $22,000.

Finding the Right Abstract-paintings for You

Bring audacious experiments with color and textures to your living room, dining room or home office. Abstract paintings, large or small, will stand out in your space, encouraging conversation and introducing a museum-like atmosphere that’s welcoming and conducive to creating memorable gatherings.

Abstract art has origins in 19th-century Europe, but it came into its own as a significant movement during the 20th century. Early practitioners of abstraction included Wassily Kandinsky, although painters were exploring nonfigurative art prior to the influential Russian artist’s efforts, which were inspired by music and religion. Abstract painters endeavored to create works that didn’t focus on the outside world’s conventional subjects, and even when artists depicted realistic subjects, they worked in an abstract mode to do so.

In 1940s-era New York City, a group of painters working in the abstract mode created radical work that looked to European avant-garde artists as well as to the art of ancient cultures, prioritizing improvisation, immediacy and direct personal expression. While they were never formally affiliated with one another, we know them today as Abstract Expressionists.

The male contingent of the Abstract Expressionists, which includes Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Robert Motherwell, is frequently cited in discussing leading figures of this internationally influential postwar art movement. However, the women of Abstract Expressionism, such as Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell and others, were equally involved in the art world of the time. Sexism, family obligations and societal pressures contributed to a long history of their being overlooked, but the female Abstract Expressionists experimented vigorously, developed their own style and produced significant bodies of work.

Draw your guests into abstract oil paintings across different eras and countries of origin. On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive range of abstract paintings along with a guide on how to arrange your wonderful new wall art.

If you’re working with a small living space, a colorful, oversize work can create depth in a given room, but there isn’t any need to overwhelm your interior with a sprawling pièce de résistance. Colorful abstractions of any size can pop against a white wall in your living room, but if you’re working with a colored backdrop, you may wish to stick to colors that complement the decor that is already in the space. Alternatively, let your painting make a statement on its own, regardless of its surroundings, or group it, gallery-style, with other works.

Read More