Indisputably one of the most iconic American artists of the 20th century, Ed Ruscha has built a formidable body of work by staking a claim on the deceptively simple intersection of text and image, superimposing elliptical phrases (or, often, single words) over West Coast landscapes to create prints and paintings that can be read instantaneously yet evade easy understanding.
Alongside artists like Robert Irwin and Billy Al Bengston, Ruscha was a pioneer of the 1960s Los Angeles art scene as part of the famed Ferus Gallery. His embrace of Hollywood vernacular and the open Western road have tied him as closely to the identity of L.A. art as Jackson Pollock is to that of New York.
Coming to California in 1956 at the age of 18, Ruscha intended to become a commercial painter but found himself drawn to fine art, over time being shaped by three galvanizing influences: Marcel Duchamp, Pop art and the movies.
Meeting Duchamp when the Pasadena Art Museum (now the Norton Simon Museum) hosted the French Conceptual artist's first U.S. show, Ruscha was especially affected by his use of "readymade" objects and imagery, rendered unfamiliar through unexpected titles or text. Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup can paintings, meanwhile, were shown for the first time at the Ferus Gallery in 1962, opening up new vistas for Ruscha. Movies, then, provided another inspiration through their use of title cards, placing graphic text over filmic shots — The End, for instance — for maximum impact.
Ruscha began his famous series of word paintings in the 1960s, depicting various views of the Hollywood sign and the logos of studios like 20th Century Fox, but also roadside views like the Standard Oil stations dotting L.A.'s freeways. Over time these became more abstracted, pinning ambiguous, free-floating phrases (Wall Rockets is a famous example) to natural vistas, scenes of highways, or monochrome backgrounds. Beginning in about 1980, the artist began using a sharp font he designed himself, called Boy Scout Utility Modern.
A master printmaker who also works across the mediums of books, drawing, photography and even film — in 2009 he starred in a movie directed by the artist Doug Aitken — Ruscha has been an influence on a staggering array of artists, including Stephen Shore, Christopher Wool and Anselm Kiefer.
Ruscha's work has been featured in dozens of exhibitions around the world, including "Ed Ruscha: 50 Years of Painting" at London's Hayward Gallery (2009), "Ed Ruscha: Made in Los Angeles" at Madrid's Reina Sofia in 2002, a 2000 retrospective at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, a survey of his works-on-paper at the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1998, and a 1982 retrospective that traveled to the Whitney Museum. In 2005 he represented the United States at the 51st Venice Biennale, and in 2009 he received a National Arts Award.
Find a collection of original Ed Ruscha lithographs and other art for sale on 1stDibs.
Ed Ruscha Nine Swimming Pools and a Broken Glass 1968 (1st edition)
By Ed Ruscha
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Ed Ruscha Nine Swimming Pools and a Broken Glass 1968: 1st edition of Ed Ruscha's Nine Swimming Pools and a Broken Glass. The highly collectible Ed Ruscha artsit book featuring prin...
Paper
$17,800
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, 1st Edition Artist Book, Signed & inscribed
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
“I don’t have any Seine River like Monet, I’ve just got US 66 between Oklahoma and Los Angeles.” — Ed Ruscha True First Edition of Ruscha's most iconic book - hand signed with except...
Foil
$8,800
Artist Book Nine Swimming Pools and a Broken Glass Hand signed by Ed Ruscha LtEd
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Ed Ruscha Nine Swimming Pools and a Broken Glass (HAND SIGNED), 1976 Limited Edition Artist's Book Boldly signed by Ed Ruscha on the first front end page 7 × 5 1/2 inches This is the...
Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
Make New History
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Ed Ruscha multiple published on the occasion of the Gala of the 30th Anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Printed in an edition of approximately 1000 copies ...
Linen
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Ed Ruscha "Science is Truth Found Out" Scarf
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Ruscha, Edward Title: Science is Truth Found Out Series: (RED)ition Winter 2022 Date: 2022 Medium: Silk twill scarf Unframed Dimensions: 51.25" x 51.25" Comes folded in the original presentation box (13 1/2 x 13 1/2in) Signature: Printed signature Edition: 62/500 Produced by Massif Central...
Textile, Silk
SIGNED Ed RUSCHA A Few Palm Trees (Ed Ruscha A Few Palm Trees 1st edition)
By Ed Ruscha
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Ed Ruscha A Few Palm Trees 1971 (1st edition): Hand-signed 1st edition of Ed Ruscha's A Few Palm Trees. The highly collectible Ed Ruscha artsit book featuring photographs of thirteen...
Paper
$1,000
Some Los Angeles Apartments - Artist Book published in a limited edition of 3000
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Ed Ruscha Some Los Angeles Apartments, 1970 Softback monograph with stiff wraps Second Edition Limited Edition of 3000 (the first edition in 1968 was 700) 7 × 5 1/2 inches Accompanie...
Paper, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$9,500
EDWARD RUSCHA - HARD AT WORK - note to museum director, Hand Signed by Ed Ruscha
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Autographed postcard to Ruth Fine, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC postmarked December 27, 1982 from Los Angeles A rare and highly engaging vintage piece of artist correspond...
Postcard, Graphite
Sweet Taters
By Ed Ruscha
Located in London, GB
Ed Ruscha Sweet Taters, 2021 Fine bone china Printed signature and edition details on verso Comes with custom artist box with printed signature Diameter: 10.5" / 26.7 cm Edition o...
Ceramic
$1,250
H 12.5 in W 9.75 in D 0.75 in
Cornucopia (limited edition hardback monograph hand signed by Damien Hirst)
By Damien Hirst
Located in New York, NY
Damien Hirst Cornucopia, 2010 Limited edition hardback monograph (hand signed by Damien Hirst) Hand signed in ink by Damien Hirst on the first front end page 12 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 3/4 inches This limited edition illustrated hardback monograph, with no dust jacket, exactly as issued, was published on the occasion of the artist's show at Musee Oceanographique de Monaco in April 2010, 'Cornucopia' celebrates Hirst's paintings and sculptures from 1994-2009." This book was gifted by Damien Hirst to a member of an American Rock & Roll band that Hirst befriended. Stated Limited Edition of 2000 (unnumbered) About the book: Publisher: Musée Océanographique de Monaco, 2010 Text: English / French. 160 pgs with color illustrations Limited Edition: 2000 (the regular edition is not signed; this was exceptionally hand signed by Hirst) About Damien Hirst: People are afraid of change, so you create a kind of belief for them through repetition. It’s like breathing. I’ve always been drawn to series and pairs. A unique thing is quite a frightening object. —Damien Hirst Since emerging onto the international art scene in the late 1980s, Damien Hirst has created installations, sculptures, paintings, and drawings that examine the complex relationships between art and beauty, religion and science, and life and death. From serialized paintings of multicolored spots to animal specimens...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$831
H 13.5 in W 13.5 in D 2 in
'Lemoneighbors' by Marie Kash Weltzheimer; Framed Oil on Linen, 13.5" x 13.5"
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This framed 13.5" x 13.5" x 2" oil on linen work by Oklahoma-based artist Marie Kash Weltzheimer portrays three lemons, arranged side by side. They are nestled in a striped blue and ...
Linen, Varnish, Oil
$1,500
H 11 in W 8 in D 2 in
Edgar Plans Sketch Book Signed & Numbered with Hand Finished Doodle
By Edgar Plans
Located in Draper, UT
Book with sketch 11 × 8 in 27.9 × 20.3 cm Edition 547/1000
Archival Paper, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil
1980's Basquiat Keith Haring announcements (set of 2)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring at Tony Shafrazi Gallery 1987: Set of two individual 1980’s exhibition announcements published during both artist’s lifetime. Looks very cool fr...
Offset, Paper, Lithograph
$200
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Raymond Pettibon record art, Sonic Youth Goo, 1st Pressing
By Raymond Pettibon
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Raymond Pettibon Sonic Youth Record Cover Art: Sonic Youth Goo; original European 1st Pressing, 1990 The most iconic of all Pettibon music-related images, as well as one of the most celebrated record covers of all time, the cover is a off-set illustration of Pettibon's drawing inspired by a paparazzi photo of Maureen Hindley and her first husband, David Smith, witnesses in the case of the Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, driving to the trial in 1966. Off-set lithograph on double-sided vinyl record cover...
Lithograph, Offset
$325
H 8.5 in W 12 in
Basquiat Enrico Navarra Gallery 2000 (vintage Basquiat announcement)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat Enrico Navarra Gallery Paris 2000: Rare vintage Basquiat announcement published on the occasion of: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gallery Enrico Navarra Paris during the...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Rare 1980s Keith Haring Vinyl Record Art
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
1980s Keith Haring Record Art: David BOWIE "Without You" A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring original cover artwork by Keith Haring. Year: 1983. Medium: Off-Set Li...
Lithograph, Offset
Rare 1980s Keith Haring record art (vintage Keith Haring)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring album art 1987: A rare vinyl art cover featuring original offset artwork by Keith Haring. Truly vibrant colors that make for stand-out wall art. Looks very cool framed. ...
Lithograph, Offset
$575
H 8.5 in W 12 in
Basquiat Enrico Navarra Gallery 1999/2000 (vintage Basquiat announcements)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat Enrico Navarra Gallery Paris 1999-2000: A set of 2 rare vintage Basquiat announcement cards published on the occasion(s) of: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gallery Enri...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Rare 1980s Keith Haring Vinyl Record Art
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
1980s Keith Haring Record Art: David BOWIE "Without You" A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring original cover artwork by Keith Haring. Year: 1983. Medium: Off-Set Li...
Lithograph, Offset
$625
H 7.25 in W 7.25 in
Basquiat Keith Haring Tony Shafrazi Gallery 1991 (Basquiat Keith Haring 1991)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat Keith Haring 1991: Rare historic invitation to a joint Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition entitled, “Paintings”, at the legendary Tony Shafrazi Gal...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
$880
H 13 in W 10.25 in D 1 in
Photos In+Out City Limits: Boston (hand signed by Robert Rauschenberg) Boxed Set
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Robert Rauschenberg Photos In+Out City Limits: Boston (hand signed by Robert Rauschenberg), 1981 Monograph held in slipcase (Hand signed in graphite pencil) Hand signed by Robert Rau...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Board, Lithograph, Offset
Ed Ruscha Records 1971 (1st edition)
By Ed Ruscha
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Ed Ruscha Records 1971: Ed Ruscha's "Records" is a introspective photographic survey of thirty vinyl phonograph records (and their album covera) from the artist's personal collection...
Paper
Ed Ruscha Colored People (1st edition)
By Ed Ruscha
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Ed Ruscha Colored People 1972: In this first and only edition, Ruscha indirectly addresses the sociological meaning of the term “colored people” by paradoxically depicting no literal...
Paper
Sold
H 11 in W 11 in
Signed Edition by ED RUSCHA OKLAHOMA 2021 Hardcover Catalog Contemporary Art
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Draper, UT
OKLA 2021 Catalog: Limited edition of 100 copies signed by artist Ed Ruscha This fully illustrated catalogue documents the landmark exhibition as installed at Oklahoma Contemporary...
Archival Paper
Sold
H 10.5 in W 8.75 in D 5 in
OLD SMOBILE (Hand signed and inscribed to famous California native Stan Smith)
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Ed Ruscha OLD SMOBILE (Hand signed and inscribed to famous California native Stan Smith), 1989 Limited Edition Softcover monograph (Hand signed and inscribed to famous California nat...
Paper, Acrylic Polymer, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Dubai, Dubai
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha 1983 Offset lithograph on paper size - 24 × 36 1/5 in 61 × 92 cm Open edition Mint condition Gallery / description text in margin alo...
Paper, Lithograph
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Dubai, Dubai
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha 1983 Offset lithograph on paper size - 24 × 36 1/5 in 61 × 92 cm Open edition Mint condition Gallery / description text in margin alo...
Paper, Lithograph
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Dubai, Dubai
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha 1983 Offset lithograph on paper size - 24 × 36 1/5 in 61 × 92 cm Open edition Mint condition Gallery / description text in margin alo...
Paper, Lithograph
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Dubai, Dubai
A Particular Kind Of Heaven by Ed Ruscha 1983 Offset lithograph on paper size - 24 × 36 1/5 in 61 × 92 cm Open edition Mint conditio...
Paper, Lithograph
Ed Ruscha, He Up and Went Downtown, Porcelain Plate, 2020
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Ed Ruscha, He Up and Went Downtown, Porcelain Plate, 2020 Porcelain plate From a limited edition of 175 10.5 × 10.5 in (26.7 × 26.7 cm) Sold in the original packaging and in mint /...
Porcelain