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Anton Refregier Paintings

American, 1905-1979

Anton Refregier was a painter and muralist active in Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project commissions, and in teaching art. He was a Russian immigrant to the United States. He is known, among other works, for his mural The History of California located in the Rincon Center, in downtown San Francisco, California. It depicts the state's history across 27 panels that he painted from 1940–48. The style of this historic mural had many of Refregier's key characteristics. The palette was composed of yellows, browns, and grays, punctuated by red in certain areas to evoke emotion. Earthy tones and the lack of bright colors remind viewers of the struggles and hardships he is depicting. Refregier also uses white to represent virtue in those inspired by a cause. His style is very flat and one-dimensional. Refregier uses solid blocks of color to denote shadows, along with depth and shade. His painting style appears to be very rudimentary and simple, but complex because of the way he uses color to evoke emotion and powerful images to tell a story. Refregier died in 1979 while in Moscow. Refregier was working on a mural for a medical center in his home city. The same year, his Rincon Mural was placed under the protection of the National Register of Historic Places.

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Artist: Anton Refregier
“Girl in the Grass”
“Girl in the Grass”

“Girl in the Grass”

By Anton Refregier

Located in Southampton, NY

Original oil on canvas painting by Anton Refregier of a young girl resting in the grass. Signed upper right and dated 1962. Condition is very good. The painting is in its original oa...

Category

1960s American Modern Anton Refregier Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Picnic, Modern Figurative Oil Painting by Anton Refregier
Picnic, Modern Figurative Oil Painting by Anton Refregier

Picnic, Modern Figurative Oil Painting by Anton Refregier

By Anton Refregier

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Anton Refregier Title: Picnic Year: 1959 Medium: Oil on Masonite, signed and dated l.r. Size: 24 x 44 inches (61 x 112 cm) Frame: 31.5 x 51.5 inches

Category

1950s American Modern Anton Refregier Paintings

Materials

Oil

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Previously Available Items
"Hop Scotch" Mid 20th Century Social Realism WPA Modern American Scene 1950s SF
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"Hop Scotch" Mid 20th Century Social Realism WPA Modern American Scene 1950s SF, .30 1/4 x 22 1/4 inches. Signed and dated 1951 lower right. Provenance: ACA Gallery label verso. BIO Anton Refregier was born March 20, 1905 in Moscow, Russia. He immigrated to the United States in 1920. He received his artistic training from the Rhode Island School of Design*, Providence, Rhode Island, 1921-1925; studied abroad with the sculptor Nicolai Vassilief in Paris in 1920; and with Hans Hofmann in Munich, 1927. From 1934 to 1940, Refregier, living in New York City, worked on various WPA Federal Art Projects* as a teacher, supervising artist, and mural supervisor. His most famous work is arguably the mural project at San Francisco's Rincon Center, the costliest and one of the most controversial of all the WPA commissions. It is a multi-scene panorama* that sparked national debate because of its inclusion of controversial events in California history. Refregier found inspiration in tragic events, which is reflected in his Depression Era-WPA work...

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“Flowers and Radishes”
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Anton Refregier paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Anton Refregier paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Anton Refregier in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Anton Refregier paintings, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Mervin Jules, Harold Vincent Skene, and William Harnden. Anton Refregier paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,875 and tops out at $13,000, while the average work can sell for $7,438.