Emerson Woelffer Art
American, 1914-2003
Once dubbed “the Grandfather of L.A. Modernism,” the Chicago-born Emerson Seville Woelffer was active as an innovative painter, collagist, and educator throughout his long and prolific career. A pioneering Abstract Expressionist, Woelffer’s brightly colored work with jagged forms reveals Cubist and Surrealist influences.
Coming of age in Chicago during the Great Depression, Woelffer appreciated the improvisational nature of jazz music, a sensibility he would later apply to painting through gestural variation, energetic strokes, and a rhythmic use of line. From 1935 to 1938, Woelffer, a high school dropout, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago while employed as a janitor, early evidence of his enduring work ethic.
He joined the Works Progress Administration arts program in 1938 as an easel painter, followed by a two-year stint as a topographical draftsman for the United States Air Force. The director of the Chicago Institute of Design, László Moholy-Nagy, invited Woelffer to join the faculty in 1942. His experiences there brought him into contact with the modernist idiom of the day, and his interactions with students caused him to re-examine his own practice.
He also exhibited in group shows at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, participated in the Whitney Museum Annual (1949) and won the Pauline Palmer Prize for painting at the Art Institute of Chicago (1948).
In 1949 Emerson Woelffer and his wife Dina, a fine art photographer, were invited by Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner to New York before they headed to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Exposure to Pre-Columbian art led Woelffer to incorporate totemic figures and vibrant colors into his abstract paintings.
In 1959 Woelffer joined the faculty at the Chouinard Art Institute (later the California Institute of the Arts) in Los Angeles, where he instructed notable emerging artists until 1973 and where he was instrumental in bringing Modernism to LA. Ed Ruscha was one of his students. In 1974, Woelffer was named chair of the art department at the Otis Art Institute (now the Otis School of Art and Design). His tenure lasted until his retirement in 1989, and he was widely admired for his interdisciplinary approach in the classroom. An endowed scholarship fund in his name provides support for promising young artists and designers. Suffering from macular degeneration, Woelffer switched to drawing with white crayon on black paper in his final years of artistic activity.
Emerson won a prestigious Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in 1967 and then went to wprk in Europe. Woelffer’s work is represented in the collections of such distinguished institutions as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art, among others.to
2
1
3
2
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
9
1
2
2
1
1
9
4
3
4
3
2
2
2
12
9,081
2,810
2,504
1,348
3
9
Artist: Emerson Woelffer
Untitled, 1968
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in San Francisco, CA
This lithograph is by Emerson Woelffer (1914-2003), a noted American abstract artist. The print is untitled, but it depicts a pair of lips, an image that Woellfer used in a number of...
Category
1960s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Lithograph
Abstract Expressionist "Forms Divide" Like Franz Kline
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Miami, FL
It's 1951. Who was doing painting like this? Franz Kline, Arshile Gorky, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Adolph Gottlieb, Clyfford Still, Robert Motherwell, Lee Kra...
Category
1950s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Biomorphic Forms - Early Abstract Expressionist - like Arshile Gorky
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Miami, FL
It's 1945. What artists were making totally abstract, non-objective paintings like this? Work characterized by organic forms and flattened picture planes, with solid bold colors dr...
Category
1940s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Canvas, Found Objects, Oil
Emerson Woelffer, Bold Torn-Edge Collage, Signed Abstract Expressionist Work
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Buffalo, NY
Emerson Woelffer
Untitled Abstract Collage, 1989
Mixed media collage on paper
Dimensions: 32 x 26 inches (framed)
Signed and dated lower right
A striking example of Emerson Woelffer...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Acrylic, Archival Paper
Abstract Form No. 2
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Columbia, MO
EMERSON WOELFFER
Abstract Form No. 2
1979
Terra cotta on wooden plinth
3.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches
Category
20th Century Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Wood, Terracotta
Abstract Form No. 1
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Columbia, MO
EMERSON WOELFFER
Abstract Form No. 1
1979
Porcelain on wooden plinth
3.5 x 3.5 x 11.5 inches
Category
20th Century Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Wood
Early Abstract Expressionist - Black Mountain College Teacher, Franz Kline
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Miami, FL
With Abstract Expressionist painting, one could argue that the earlier, the more historically important. This stunning non-objective action painting is characterized by vast swaths o...
Category
1950s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Oil, Fiberboard
Untitled, Oil Stick and Collage on paper, Abstract, 1989, Manny Silverman Col
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in New York, NY
Once dubbed “the Grandfather of L.A. Modernism,” the Chicago-born Emerson Seville Woelffer was active as an innovative painter, collagist, and educator throughout his long and prolif...
Category
1980s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Mixed Media
UNTITLED 1977, Paper Collage, 29" x 23" framed orange, green, blue and black
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in New York, NY
Once dubbed “the Grandfather of L.A. Modernism,” the Chicago-born Emerson Seville Woelffer was active as an innovative painter, collagist, and educator throughout his long and prolif...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Mixed Media
Related Items
Contemporary impressionist expressive floral oil canvas "Vase with Pink Roses"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This contemporary vibrant, expressive abstract floral painting, "Vase with Pink Roses", is a striking work by French artist Natalya Mougenot, ren...
Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$564
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 1.46 in
Original-Magic Bell in the Day -UK Awarded Artist-Botanical Abstract Expression
Located in London, GB
In her latest series, "The Weaver," Shizico explores forms, layers, and time onto canvases. Applying the format of diptychs and triptychs, she creates lyrical narratives, capturing t...
Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Gesso, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$691
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
GALAXY ART – Celestial Wall Sculpture with Astronaut Figure on Lunar Relief
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
GALAXY ART is a mixed media wall sculpture by Vera Vizzi that fuses astronomy-inspired painting with tactile lunar relief. Created with foam clay, acrylic and enamel on a circular 30...
Category
2010s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Enamel
$865 Sale Price
20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 11.82 in
Large Scale Mid 20th Century Acrylic Painting by Vanguard Studios by Van Gaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large Scale Mid 20th Century Acrylic Painting by Vanguard Studios Signed Van Gaard
Classic 1950s to 1960s acrylic painting of a guitar against a colorful ab...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
$985
H 50 in W 32 in D 3 in
Close to Heart 1 & 2 - Wood sculpture 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Steel
$6,224
H 28.75 in Dm 13.39 in
Light – Contemporary Surrealist Lunar Relief with Acrylic and Clay on Wood
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Light (Leggero) is a mixed media wall sculpture by Vera Vizzi combining modeling clay and acrylic paint on a circular fir wood support. This 30 cm Ø piece presents a textured lunar r...
Category
2010s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Enamel
$865 Sale Price
20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 11.82 in
Abstract Expressionist Painting American Late 1960's Mid Century New York Brown
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid Century Modern, American Abstract Expressionist Painting on Masonite.
This wonderful work in hues of blue comes house in a contemporary natural wood frame presentation..
The ar...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Black Table Red Legs
By Darius Yektai
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A painting from the popular "black table" series by Darius Yektai.
Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Epoxy Resin, Oil, Canvas
Razz Ma Tazz No. 1 / ceramic wall sculpture
By Jane B. Grimm
Located in Burlingame, CA
Ceramic wall sculpture from Pop Art pioneer Jane B. Grimm, whose minimal and meditative sculptures and wall reliefs are comprised of ceramic, using a low fire method. New works take ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Op Art Redux II / ceramic wall sculpture - blue, white, 3D
By Jane B. Grimm
Located in Burlingame, CA
Ceramic abstract wall sculpture in blue and white. A neutral in color - minimal, clean work created with low-fire ceramic over white wood from Pop Art pioneer Jane B. Grimm, whose mi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
$1,200
H 18 in W 18 in D 1 in
Abstract Expressionist Painting American Late 1960's Mid Century Black White
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid Century Modern, American Abstract Expressionist Painting on artist board.
This lively action painting has wonderful interjections of color within the predominantly black and whi...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
$711 Sale Price
20% Off
H 24 in W 20 in
Joan Miró - MARAVILLAS CON VARIACIONES... Lithograph Contemporary Art Abstract
By Joan Miró
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Joan Miró - Maravillas con variaciones acrósticas en el jardín de Miró XVIII
Date of creation: 1975
Medium: Lithograph on Gvarro paper
Edition: 1500
Size: 49,5 x 35,5 cm
Observations...
Category
1970s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Lithograph
$955
H 19.49 in W 13.98 in
Previously Available Items
"Untitled, " Emerson Woelffer, Color Field, Blue Orange Abstract Expressionism,
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in New York, NY
Emerson Woelffer (1914 - 2003)
Untitled, 1965
Oil on canvasboard
23 x 18 1/2 inches
Signed and dated lower left
Provenance:
Private Collection, Pennsylvania
Once dubbed “the Grand...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Oil, Board
Mid Century Modern Abstract Expressionist Signed Original Color-Field Painting
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American abstract expressionist oil painting by Emerson S Woelffer (1914 - 2003). Oil on canvas, circa 1969. Signed. Displayed in a period modern frame. Image, 16"L x 20"H.
Category
1960s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Madrid & Forio
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in New York, NY
This is a striking and rare pair of 1959 abstract expressionist works by West Coast artist and teacher, Emerson Woelffer, dubbed “the grandfather of L. A. Modernism”. He had a brilliant career teaching at Black Mountain College, the California Institute of the Arts and was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Grant amongst many other distinctions. His works are at the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the list continues. 1959 is a great and desirable date!
Taylor Graham...
Category
1950s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil
The Judgement by Emerson Woelffer
By Emerson Woelffer
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist abstract oil painting by Emerson Woelffer (1914-2003). Oil on canvas, circa 1945. Signed lower left, "E. Woelffer". Displayed in a period grey wood frame. Ima...
Category
1940s Abstract Emerson Woelffer Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Emerson Woelffer art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Emerson Woelffer art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art 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, red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Emerson Woelffer in lithograph, paint, wood 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 Emerson Woelffer art, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Gerome Kamrowski, August Mosca, and Thom Cooney-Crawford. Emerson Woelffer art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $12,500, while the average work can sell for $6,240.