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Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

American, 1900-1973
Born in Freiburg, Germany, Carl Holty moved with his parents to a Germain community in Milwaukee when he was an infant. He began studying art at the Milwaukee Normal School under instructors who had trained in Europe and later continued his studies at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1919, following a summer at an artists' colony in Saugatuck, Michigan, Holty enrolled at Parsons School of Design and the National Academy of Design, both in New York. He briefly considering entering medical school, his father’s profession, though with the help of his grandfather, returned to Germany to continue his art education. It was at Hans Hofman’s school that Holty would be introduced to the principles of modernist composition and ideas in painting and drawing, an influence he would consider his main focus throughout his career. Hofmann "first opened my eyes to the plastic nature of drawing." Holty once recalled. Displaying no interest in the predominant style of expressionism, popular in Germany at the time, Holty focused on the tenants of Cubism, Fauvism, and Futurism which lead him, in 1928, to relocate to Paris. Holty quickly became part of the active artistic community in the nation’s capital associating with many of the major figures of international avant-garde art including Miro, Mondrian, Arp, and Delaunay, the latter of which sponsored Holty to become one of only two American members of the Abstraction-Creation group founded by Theo Van Doesburg. Holty returned to America in 1936 becoming a significant figure in the development of abstract art. He reconnected with his old mentor Hans Hofmann and developed friendships with many of the City’s rising artist’s including Vaclav Vytlacil whom he had known in Paris. It was this group that formed the American Abstract Artists association, where Holty would serve as chairman in 1938 and with whom he’d exhibit with through 1944. It was during this period Holty abandoned Cubism for Biomorphism, leaving behind edges to explore shapes and forms that ultimately lead to his color field paintings of the mid 1950s and through the remainder of his career.
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Artist: Carl Holty
Blue and Green Summer Abstract
Blue and Green Summer Abstract

Blue and Green Summer Abstract

By Carl Holty

Located in New York, NY

A fresh and intriguing composition that keeps you looking at it. The composition is composed of summer greens, whites, blues and lavenders and also conveys figures and movement. Ho...

Category

1950s Abstract Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Twelfth Night Blue, Contemporary Color Field painting
Twelfth Night Blue, Contemporary Color Field painting

Twelfth Night Blue, Contemporary Color Field painting

By Carl Holty

Located in New York, NY

Conceived of as one half of a diptych, together with Twelfth Night Red, the title of this painting suggest a reference to William Shakespeare’s play Twel...

Category

Late 20th Century Color-Field Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Color Theory #546 Red, White, Blue, Green
Color Theory #546 Red, White, Blue, Green

Color Theory #546 Red, White, Blue, Green

By Carl Holty

Located in New York, NY

A unique and impactful small "color theory" work by great American artist Carl Holty. Holty spanned one of the longest and most eventful careers on the American abstract front. Bei...

Category

1950s Color-Field Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Winter Lights
Winter Lights

Winter Lights

By Carl Holty

Located in Austin, TX

Waterline Fine Art, Austin, TX is pleased to present the following work: Carl Holty Winter Lights, 1966 Oil on canvas. Signed lower right. 60 x 46 in. 62 x 48 in. (framed) Custom...

Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Bold German American Abstract Expressionist Color Field Oil Painting Carl Holty
Bold German American Abstract Expressionist Color Field Oil Painting Carl Holty

Bold German American Abstract Expressionist Color Field Oil Painting Carl Holty

By Carl Holty

Located in Surfside, FL

Carl Robert Holty (American 1900-1973) Abstract Expressionism Oil on Masonite board. Abstract with greens blues and red, Dimensions 12 x 9-1/2 inches. Framed 17 X 14 inches Hand...

Category

20th Century Abstract Expressionist Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Flying Dutchman
Flying Dutchman

Flying Dutchman

By Carl Holty

Located in New York, NY

Watercolor on wove paper, circa 1960. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right recto. Titled in pencil on the verso.

Category

20th Century Abstract Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Untitled (Abstract Composition)
Untitled (Abstract Composition)

Untitled (Abstract Composition)

By Carl Holty

Located in New York, NY

Color pastels on paper, 1964. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower left recto. Framed dimensions 13.75 x 15.5 inches. Provenance: Graham Gallery, New York, with the label on ver...

Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Mountain Wall
Mountain Wall

Mountain Wall

By Carl Holty

Located in Missouri, MO

Carl Holty (1900-1973) "Mountain Wall" 1962 Unframed: 12" x 9" Framed: 19.5" x 16.5" Signed Lower Left Known for his floating, luminous, highly-colorful forms, Carl Holty belongs to...

Category

20th Century Abstract Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Blue with Green and Grey Spots
Blue with Green and Grey Spots

Blue with Green and Grey Spots

By Carl Holty

Located in Missouri, MO

Blue with Green and Grey Spots By Carl Holty (1900-1973) Signed Lower Right Unframed: 16" x 20" Framed: 17" x 21" Known for his floating, luminous, highly-colorful forms, Carl Holty...

Category

20th Century Abstract Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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Previously Available Items
Abstracted pair of oil paintings by Carl Holty
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These artworks by Carl Holty are only sold as a pair. Each painting measures 9" x 11" and framed 18" x 20.25" x 2.5" The red and gold work is signed "Carl Holty" in the lower right. About this artists: Carl Holty was awakened to his interest in art as a child through visits to the Layton Art Gallery of Milwaukee, and began painting lessons with Friedrich Wilhelm Heine at a young age. Though born in Freiburg, Germany, in 1900, he was raised in Wisconsin and enrolled at Marquette University. Before long, Holty abandoned his pre-medical studies in order to pursue art. He spent a summer at the School of the Chicago Art Institute in Saugatuck, Michigan, and set off for New York in 1920. He then studied at the National Academy of Design under Francis Coates Jones...

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1940s Abstract Expressionist Carl Holty Abstract Paintings

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Federation, pastel colored abstraction
Federation, pastel colored abstraction

Federation, pastel colored abstraction

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Dark Blue Abstraction
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Carl Holty abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Carl Holty abstract paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of abstract 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 and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Carl Holty 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 abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Carl Holty abstract paintings, so small editions measuring 7 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Raymond Parker, Bette Ridgeway, and John Little. Carl Holty abstract paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,500 and tops out at $55,000, while the average work can sell for $18,000.