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
$3,000
H 17 in W 13 in D 2 in
Gold Gilt Bronze Sculpture Pendant Israeli Tumarkin Abstract Modernist Jewelry
Located in Surfside, FL
Measures about 4.25 X 2.25 inches. Box frame is 17 X 13 inches. Signed by artist verso. From the literature that I have seen I believe the edition size was limited to 10, I do not kn...
Gold, Bronze
$2,500
H 2.7 in Dm 2.7 in
Double Sided Gold Plated Medallion (Limited Edition; Signed and Stamped)
By Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in New York, NY
ARNALDO POMODORO Double Sided Gold Plated Medallion, 1985 Bronze with Gold Patina 2 7/10 × 2 7/10 × 3/10 inches Limited Edition of 500 Signed by artist with incised signature; Stampe...
Gold, Bronze
$2,150
H 12 in W 12 in D 4 in
Contemporary Organic Modern Porcelain Wall Sculpture “Alcyon” by Heather Knight
By Element Clay Studio
Located in Savannah, GA
“Alcyon” is a contemporary sculptural porcelain wall piece by Heather Knight, founder of Element Clay Studio, a Savannah-based studio recognized for organic modern ceramic wall works...
Porcelain, Ceramic
$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
$3,200
H 31 in W 12 in D 8 in
She Carried Water (Minimalist Standing Sculpture in Shades of White and Gray)
By Dai Ban
Located in Hudson, NY
"She Carried Water", 2019 (Abstract Free Standing Tabletop Sculpture in Shades of White, Grey and Black) 31 x 12 x 8 inches Precision board, Venetian plaster, pigments, beeswax The ...
Steel
$2,000
H 3.8 in W 3.8 in D 0.3 in
Limited Edition Bronze Plaque (Placca), registered with the Pomodoro Foundation
By Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in New York, NY
Arnaldo Pomodoro Plaque (Placca), 1980 Bronze 3 4/5 × 3 4/5 inches Edition of 500 Incised signature on the front top left, and foundry mark on the bottom; Rotary Club of Palermo plaq...
Bronze
$400
H 1.8 in W 1.5 in
Architect Olabuenaga Vintage Cloisonne Enamel Art Necklace Acme studios Necktie
Located in Surfside, FL
Worn like a bolo tie around the neck. This is new old stock vintage Jewelry from the legendary Acme Studio collection, which created many revolutionary jewelry items. It was handmade in the 1980s using the intricate cloisonné process, an ancient technique for decorating metal; hence any imperfections within the colors are to be expected and inherent which makes it unique and one-of-a-kind. The Memphis...
Metal, Enamel
$2,800
H 6.6 in W 12 in D 4 in
Untitled signed sculpture, from the collection of Dick Polich, Tallix Foundry
By Stephen Talasnik
Located in New York, NY
Stephen Talasnik Untitled sculpture, from the collection of Dick Polich, Tallix Foundry, ca. 1997 Cast light metal signed by the artist on the work (see close up photograph) 6 3/5 × 12 × 4 inches Provenance Estate of Dick Polich, founder of the legendary Tallix Foundry and Polich Art works Beacon, NY Manufacturer Stephen Talasnik at Tallix Foundry, Beacon, New York This work is signed by the artist (see close up photograh) Abstract metal sculpture The work is lightweight so it is believed to be in aluminum or an aluminum alloy, Provenance: acquired from the Estate of Dick Polich - founder of the legendary Tallix foundry and Polich Art Works. Polich and Tallix fabricated significant sculptural works over many years, collaborating with such as, Willem de Kooning, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler, ERTE, Julian Schnabel, Richard Artschwager, Isamu Noguchi, Isaac Witkin...
Metal
$7,500
H 5.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Abstract Geometric, small abstract bronze, dark brown patina, life cast, marble
By Allan Houser
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Abstract Geometric, small abstract bronze, dark brown patina, life cast, marble limited edition Allan Houser (Haozous), Chiricahua Apache (1914-1994) Selec...
Marble, Bronze
$3,000
H 17 in W 13 in D 2 in
Gold Gilt Bronze Sculpture Brooch Art Israeli Tumarkin Abstract Surrealist
Located in Surfside, FL
Measures about 4 X 3.75 inches. Box frame is 17 X 13 inches. Signed by artist verso. From the literature that I have seen I believe the edition size was limited to 10, I do not know ...
Gold, Bronze
$18,000
H 45 in W 26 in D 14 in
Oh, by John Reeves, rotating, bronze, sculpture, shape shift, granite, edition
By John Reeves
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Oh, by John Reeves, rotating, bronze, sculpture, shape shift, granite, edition Oh, John Reeves rotating, bronze, sculpture, shape shift, granite, edition Oh, rotating bronze sculpt...
Granite, Bronze
Untitled
By Donald Judd
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled" is an abstract extruded anodized aluminum sculpture by Donald Judd in 1991. The artwork is 5 7/8 x 41 3/8 x 5 7/8 inches. It is stamped on plaque, "Don Judd...
Metal
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
Sold
H 24.02 in W 20.08 in D 2.64 in
Untitled -- Sculpture, Steel, Minimalism, Contemporary Art by Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
Located in London, GB
Untitled, 1967 Donald Judd From Ten From Leo Castelli Folded stainless steel multiple Signed in black felt-tip pen and numbered from the edition 186 of 200 on a paper label affix...
Stainless Steel
Corner Chair 46
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...
Copper
Sold
H 24.02 in W 20.08 in D 2.64 in
Untitled -- Sculpture, Steel, Minimalism, Contemporary Art by Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
Located in London, GB
DONALD JUDD Untitled, 1967 From Ten From Leo Castelli Folded stainless steel multiple Signed in black felt-tip pen and numbered from the edition of 200 on a paper label affixed to...
Stainless Steel