Al Held Paintings

American, 1928-2005

Alvin Jacob Held, (1928-2005) Al Held earned his slot in the annals of American contemporary art with his bold, geometric canvases that took abstraction to another level. His free-floating, interlocked cubes, and planes invited the viewer into a vertigo-inducing landscape that seemed to stretch on into infinity. "Immense architectural structures curve and slice through these complex paintings, often enmeshing themselves in cellular structures," noted the Times of London. "Viewers felt that they were exploring some mysterious universe, and Held never lost his passionate belief in abstract painting's ability to create a sublime new world." Held grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and as a teenager, missed so many days of high school that it was suggested he consider leaving altogether. He eventually earned a night-school diploma, and spent two years in the U.S. Navy. Back in New York City, he enrolled in classes at the Art Students League, and went on to study at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris in the early 1950s. The first solo exhibition of his work was staged there, in 1952 at the Galerie Huit. Held's abstract work took on a more orderly, formal tone, aided by a switch from oil to acrylic paints in 1959, and he had his first solo show in New York City that same year at the Poindexter Gallery. "Finessing the gap between Minimalism and Color Field painting," wrote New York Times journalist Ken Johnson of the next decade of Held's career, "he produced smooth, simplified works based on enlarged letters of the alphabet. And in the late '60s and '70s he made complex black-and-white pictures of sharply outlined cubes, pyramids, and other geometric shapes floating in illusory spaces of indeterminate depth." Some of Held's best-known works are those floating black and white cubes, a series he began in 1967. One of the largest, which stretches more than 90 feet in length, was installed at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York. In the late 1970s, in an abrupt shift, he began using color again, and the geometric shapes became so precise that they were sometimes mistaken for computer-generated art. Held considered his images not unlike those of religious art, once telling an interviewer that "historically, the priests and wise men believed that it was the artist's job to make images of heaven and hell believable, even though nobody had experienced these places," he said, according to his Chicago Tribune obituary. Held spent 20 years teaching at Yale University's. Represented by the Robert Miller Gallery in New York City, which staged what would be his last exhibition of new work in 2003, Held's works were avidly sought by contemporary-art enthusiasts around the world, and were part of the permanent collections of many institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. — Carol Brennan

Artist: Al Held

Al HeldUntitled "D", 1961

$75,000

Untitled "D"

By Al Held

Located in London, GB

Signed and dated 'Al Held 61' (lower right) Price: $75,000 (+5% import VAT) Provenance: Robert Miller Gallery, New York (stock no.1179359 HELD-0075) Private collection, New York Private collection, New York (acquired from the above in 2012) Exhibited: New York, Queens Museum; Norfolk, Virginia, Chrysler Museum; Maine, Portland Museum of Art; Miami Beach, Bass Museum of Art; Washington, D.C., The Phillips Collection...

Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Al HeldScholes II, 1991

Price Upon Request

Scholes II

By Al Held

Located in New York, NY

This screenprint was created by the artist in 1991. Signed in pencil and numbered from the edition of 80 measuring 29 x 34 in. (73.7 x 86.4 cm.). Published by The Metropolitan Museu...

Category

20th Century Contemporary Al Held Paintings

Materials

Screen

Karina Gentinetta"Divine Spontaneity II" Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Abstract in Reds 48"x36", 2023

$11,000

H 49.5 in W 37.5 in D 2.5 in

"Divine Spontaneity II" Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Abstract in Reds 48"x36"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Divine Spontaneity II" 2023, 48" H x 36" W. An original vertical abstract painting consisting of acrylics, house paint, oil pastels, color pencils, and carbon pencils on canvas by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

House Paint, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Oil Pastel, Color Pencil

Karina Gentinetta"La Boheme" Large Scale Rose and Burgundy Acrylic & Oil Pastel Abstract 72"x72", 2026

$26,000

H 73.75 in W 73.75 in D 3.5 in

"La Boheme" Large Scale Rose and Burgundy Acrylic & Oil Pastel Abstract 72"x72"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"La Boheme", 2026, 72" H x 72" W. "La Boheme" is a monumental contemporary abstract painting consisting of acrylic, pencils, and oil pastels on canvas by Argentine-born artist Kari...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

Lee Cox"Spring Stroll" - Contemporary Abstract Expressionist in Orange and Earth Tones, 2024

$6,000

H 30 in W 30 in D 1.5 in

"Spring Stroll" - Contemporary Abstract Expressionist in Orange and Earth Tones

By Lee Cox

Located in Carmel, CA

Lee Cox (American, born 1941) "Spring Stroll" 2024 Acrylic Paint, Pencil, Canvas, Stretcher Bars, Wire The artist signed the bottom right of the painting. In “Spring Stroll,” Lee Co...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Wire

Ruben PopovianAutumn Palette, Abstract Original Painting, One of a Kind, 2023

$2,000

H 36 in W 24 in D 1 in

Autumn Palette, Abstract Original Painting, One of a Kind

By Ruben Popovian

Located in Granada Hills, CA

Artist: Ruben Popovian Work: Original painting, handmade artwork, one of a kind Medium: Acrylic on canvas Year: 2023 Style: Abstract Title: Autumn Pa...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Nicolas de Stael (after)Original Print Poster by Nicolas de Stael, Oeuvre Gravé, 1979, 1979

$400Sale Price|27% Off

H 31 in W 23.5 in D 2 in

Original Print Poster by Nicolas de Stael, Oeuvre Gravé, 1979

By Nicolas de Stael (after)

Located in Pasadena, CA

Nicolas DE STAEL, Oeuvre gravé, Bibliotheque Nationale Exhibition, 1979 Original print poster, size is framed Excellent condition

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Al Held Paintings

Materials

Offset, Screen

Ilana GreenbergDeep Dive, 2022

$640

H 48 in W 36 in D 1.5 in

Deep Dive

By Ilana Greenberg

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This large abstract acrylic painting on canvas is colored with deep blues, turquoise, and white. Wired and ready to hang, 36 in. wide x 48 in. high

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Patricia A. PearceRibbons and Poles - Augmented Screenprint, 1980

$439

H 21 in W 15 in D 0.07 in

Ribbons and Poles - Augmented Screenprint

By Patricia A. Pearce

Located in Soquel, CA

Augmented (Hand painted) screenprint by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). Presented in a new double mat of black and gray. Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of Pearc...

Category

1980s Minimalist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Ink, Acrylic, Screen

Jose Guedes"Ellsworth Kelly", 1/1, Painting on cut aluminium, Pop Kinetic art, 60 x 60 cm, 2023

$2,523

H 23.63 in Dm 14.18 in

"Ellsworth Kelly", 1/1, Painting on cut aluminium, Pop Kinetic art, 60 x 60 cm

By Jose Guedes

Located in Carballo, ES

The root of Guedes's work is located in the MADÍ movement, of Argentine origin and little repercussion in Spain, which attaches great importance to the tensions that are established ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Al Held Paintings

Materials

Digital Pigment

Jose Guedes"Sol LeWitt (2)", Painting on cut aluminium, Pop Kinetic art, 60 x 60 cm, 2023

$2,523

H 23.63 in Dm 23.63 in

"Sol LeWitt (2)", Painting on cut aluminium, Pop Kinetic art, 60 x 60 cm

By Jose Guedes

Located in Carballo, ES

The root of Guedes's work is located in the MADÍ movement, of Argentine origin and little repercussion in Spain, which attaches great importance to the tensions that are established ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Al Held Paintings

Materials

Digital Pigment

Howard HodgkinSpringtime, 2015-2016

$13,500

H 14.24 in W 16.5 in

Springtime

By Howard Hodgkin

Located in Indianapolis, IN

Howard Hodgkin (1932-2017) Springtime (2015-2016) Hand-painted sugar-lift aquatint from 1 plate, printed in Vine Black, then hand-painted in Carbon Black, Spring Green and Ultramari...

Category

20th Century Abstract Al Held Paintings

Materials

Paper, Aquatint

Gary DenmarkLarge Gary Denmark Contemporary Abstract Flora Monotype Print Monoprint Artist, 1993

$950

H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 1.5 in

Large Gary Denmark Contemporary Abstract Flora Monotype Print Monoprint Artist

Located in Surfside, FL

Gary Denmark (American, born 1953). A monotype art print on Arches paper. Titled, "Being in Salgadoland," produced 1993. An abstract work with shapes a...

Category

1990s Contemporary Al Held Paintings

Materials

Monotype

Kind of CyanArt Deco Brick Triptych, Blue Miami Architecture, Unique Monotype Cyanotype, 2026

$1,170

H 40 in W 83 in

Art Deco Brick Triptych, Blue Miami Architecture, Unique Monotype Cyanotype

By Kind of Cyan

Located in Barcelona, ES

“Art Deco Crick Triptych” is a unique handmade monotype cyanotype triptych inspired by Miami Art Deco architecture. Repeating geometric forms echo breezeblock facades, while soft cya...

Category

2010s Post-Modern Al Held Paintings

Materials

Handmade Paper, Monotype

Jose Guedes"Sol LeWitt (1)", Painting on cut aluminium, Pop Kinetic art, trompe l'oeil, 2023

$2,410

H 23.63 in Dm 23.63 in

"Sol LeWitt (1)", Painting on cut aluminium, Pop Kinetic art, trompe l'oeil

By Jose Guedes

Located in Carballo, ES

The root of Guedes's work is located in the MADÍ movement, of Argentine origin and little repercussion in Spain, which attaches great importance to the tensions that are established ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Al Held Paintings

Materials

Digital Pigment

Carolina PonteCarolina Ponte - Crochet (Abstract Painting Large Scale), 2016

$28,500

H 60 in W 200 in D 2.5 in

Carolina Ponte - Crochet (Abstract Painting Large Scale)

By Carolina Ponte

Located in New York City, NY

CAROLINA PONTE Crochet, 2016 60 x 200 inches (150 x 500 cm) Acrylic on Linen Magnificent Acrylic Painting on Linen. Unique. The extended present time...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Linen, Acrylic

Cymn WongPurple Abstract Composition I: Violet Resonance, 2026

$2,288

H 24 in W 48 in D 1.5 in

Purple Abstract Composition I: Violet Resonance

By Cymn Wong

Located in Rockville, MD

Keywords: Purple/Violet Composition、Abstract Expressionism、calligraphic gestures Purple Abstract Composition I: Violet Resonance is a contemporary acrylic painting distinguished b...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Al Held Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic

Previously Available Items

Al HeldCamerata XVI, 1989

Sold

H 18 in W 23.75 in

Camerata XVI

By Al Held

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Al Held (1928-2005) was one of the most prominent and successful American artists. associated with the hard-edge painting. He was a pioneer in the evolution of abstraction and redefi...

Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Al Held Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Al Held paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Al Held paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Al Held in paint, acrylic paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Al Held paintings, so small editions measuring 24 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Larry Zox, Larry Poons, and Joseph Glasco. Al Held paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75,000 and tops out at $100,000, while the average work can sell for $75,000.