Many consider Donald Judd one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Three decades after death, his ideas still hold a strong influence in the fields of architecture, interior design, criticism and art.
Judd was the voice of minimalism, rejecting through his art expressions of metaphysical and metaphorical symbolism. He sought to convey the literal, physical characteristics of each project he worked on. Judd's fascination with hard-edged imagery — especially squares and boxes — is prevalent through many of his sculptures, prints and paintings, and perfectly expresses his pragmatic artistic vision.
Even though he was a minimalist in practice, Judd appreciated various forms and styles of art, with a special fondness for Abstract Expressionism. He spent many years writing as an art critic and spoke extensively on behalf of artist culture.
Born in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Judd joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in Korea until 1947. After returning home, he attended Columbia University, where he studied art history and philosophy while concurrently painting at the Art Students League.
Judd continued to paint until the early 1960s, when he abandoned the practice entirely in favor of sculpture. He found painting to be too illusionary and preferred the tactility of working in three dimensions.
As a strong proponent for art permanency, Judd purchased and refurbished many properties in Manhattan from the 1970s to the 1990s — primarily for the purpose of providing space to permanently hold and display his work and that of his colleagues. He obtained buildings throughout the downtown Cast Iron District. Other artists with the means to do so followed suit and helped develop the area, which is now known as SoHo — world-famous for cultivating artistic culture. Judd headed other political actions aimed at fostering artistic community and maintaining a healthy environment throughout New York City, especially in Manhattan.
In 1981, Judd moved with his wife, Julie Finch, to Marfa, Texas, where they established the Chinati Foundation. The 340-acre foundation site holds many of his own permanent installations and those of a number of his contemporaries, including American artists Dan Flavin, Carl Andre and John Wesley, as well as Russian artist Ilya Kabakov and many others.
Judd died from lymphoma in 1994, but a magnificent body of his work remains for all to relish for generations to come.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Donald Judd abstract prints, interior prints and sculptures.
Bookshelf 60 Minimalist black aluminum Shelf by Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
Located in Zug, CH
DONALD JUDD (1928-1994) Bookshelf 60 2017 Traffic black, RAL 9017 100 x 100 x 50 cm 39.37 x 39.37 x 19.69 inches Inscribed "Donald Judd TM
Metal
$437
H 8.5 in W 6 in D 3 in
"Lateral II" by Brian Bosworth; Ceramic Wall Hanging, Lava Glaze, Geometric
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This blue, white, and gold striped, geometric ceramic wall hanging by sculptor Brian Bosworth uses simplistic color and pattern. Along side the three-dimension form, which create an ...
Ceramic, Underglaze
$6,094
H 28.75 in Dm 13.39 in
Close to Heart 1 & 2 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova
By Zlata Kornilova
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Close to Heart 1 & 2 Limited edition of 12 (each sculpture) Dimensions: - Close to heart 1 (black): H. 73. x D. 34 cm - Close to heart 2 (natural): H. 82. x D. 22 cm Medi...
Steel
$950
H 11 in W 8 in D 8 in
Rare Antique Judaica Hanging Bronze Jewish Synagogue or Temple Oil Lamp w Chain
Located in Surfside, FL
Judaica Shabbat Continental Hanging Solid Brass Oil Lamp with Central Six Pointed Jewish Star Shaped Body Dimensions Approx: with Chain 23"H x 8 11 x 8 x 8 chain is 22" long Antique...
Brass, Bronze
$4,500
H 17 in W 23 in D 16 in
Corten Steel Sculpture Oleg Sohanievich Non Conformist Avant Garde Ukrainian
By Oleg Sohanievich
Located in Surfside, FL
Oleg Sohanievich (Soviet Ukrainian, American 1935-2017) Steel Stress Sculpture #3, 1982, Hand signed and dated Oleg Sohanievich '82 Dimensions: 17" h., 23" w., 16" d. Very heavy Th...
Steel
$52,241
H 91.74 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Viga 1 by Tom Price - Abstract sculpture, wood, resin, synthetic, mineral, life
By Tom Price
Located in Paris, FR
Viga 1 is a sculpture by contemporary artist Tom Price. This sculpture is made of resin, tar, steel, wood, dimensions are 233 × 45 × 45 cm (91.7 × 17.7 × 17.7 in). The indicated dime...
Steel
Gold Medallion, Abstract Face 11/20
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Santa Monica, CA
(after) PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Tête en forme d'horloge 2 1/16 in (5.2 cm) (diameter) (Conceived in 1956 and executed in gold by François & Pierre Hugo in a numbered edition of...
Gold
$94
H 7.88 in W 5.12 in D 2.37 in
Just the Two of Us Palm Wax Candle, Sculptural Design, 20 cm Tall
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
"Just the Two of Us" Palm Wax Candle This artsy candle Just the Two of Us is created in the shape of a ceramic sculpture by Ukrainian artist Sofia Horbachevska. The set includes wo...
Wax
$13,531
H 78.94 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Synthesis S by Tom Price - Resin, tar, acrylic, steel and LED sculpture
By Tom Price
Located in Paris, FR
Synthesis S is a sculpture by the English artist Tom Price. Resin, tar, steel, acrylic, LED. 200.5 cm × 40 cm × 40 cm (Dimensions include the stand). In the Synthesis series, Tom Pr...
Steel
$14,825
H 106.3 in W 35.44 in D 33.47 in
Pillar Phantom by Pavlína Kvita - Contemporary Totem Sculpture, Outdoor Art, Red
By Pavlína Kvita
Located in Paris, FR
Pillar Phantom is a unique pigmented glass fiber reinforced concrete, raw steel plinth sculpture by contemporary artist Pavlína Kvita, dimensions are 270 × 90 × 85 cm (106.3 × 35.4 ×...
Concrete, Steel
$400
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 0.5 in
Holocaust Remembrance Logo Pin enamel Pendant in bespoke box incised artist name
By Judy Chicago
Located in New York, NY
Judy Chicago Logo Pin and Pendant, 1993 Enameled pin with pendant loop in original presentation box 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 1/5 inches Judy Chicago's incised name and date on the verso Comes...
Metal, Enamel
$950
H 6.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Rare Antique Judaica Hanging Bronze Jewish Synagogue or Temple Oil Lamp w Chain
Located in Surfside, FL
6.5 X 4.5 X 4.5 18" chain Antique Judaica brass hanging Sabbath or Synagogue Oil Lamp with seven wick oil reservoir. Heavy brass or bronze chain and hook for hanging. Estimated to the 19th century or earlier. there are no markings but similar pieces have been in the Bezalel Museum collection and the Israel Museum collection and the Jewish Museum collection in New York city.. Judaic Shabbat...
Brass, Bronze
$3,047
H 32.29 in Dm 8.67 in
Close to Heart 2 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova
By Zlata Kornilova
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Close to Heart 2 Limited edition of 12 Mediums: old pine, steel, acrylic hand painted, oil CLOSE TO HEART - Collection Working on the series I used a “wood with history”...
Steel
Sold
H 29.53 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Seat/Table/Shelf/Seat 59 Minimalist Donald Judd black aluminium chair
By Donald Judd
Located in Zug, CH
DONALD JUDD (1928-1994) Seat/Table/Shelf/Seat 59 2017 Painted aluminium, Black blue, RAL 5004 75 x 100 x 50 cm 29.53 x 39.37 x 19.69 inches Signed, inscribed, dated and numbered "Don...
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Armchair 47/48 American Minimalist Judd Chair Turquoise blue painted aluminum
By Donald Judd
Located in Zug, CH
DONALD JUDD (1928-1994) Armchair 47/48 2017 Painted aluminium, Turquoise blue, RAL 5018 75 x 50 x 50 cm 29.53 x 19.69 x 19.69 inches Signed, inscribed, dated and numbered "Donald Jud...
Metal
Chair 45
By Donald Judd
Located in Zug, CH
A beautiful example of furnuiture created by Judd. This example is part of an ongoing open edition registered and numbered with the estate. Inscribed "Donald Judd TM; Swiss made by L...
Brass