Emerson Woelffer

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.

Creator: Emerson Woelffer

Vintage Emerson Fan, St. Louis

$315

Vintage Emerson Fan, St. Louis

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Napa, CA

Large vintage fan with with turquoise blades and manufacturer medallions on front and back reading "Emerson Electric Fan St. Louis."

Category

20th Century American Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Metal

Emerson Woelffer Clay Sculptures, Abstract, Signed and Dated

$3,200

Emerson Woelffer Clay Sculptures, Abstract, Signed and Dated

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Icon modernist artist, in these two clay sculptures. Prized individually at $ 3000.00 each Measures are different in each, please contact dealer for more curate size.

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Emerson Woelffer Lithograph, 50/50 Signed, Dated, Unframed, Modern 74

$1,400

Emerson Woelffer Lithograph, 50/50 Signed, Dated, Unframed, Modern 74

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Nice lithograph, of the well-known modernist artist Emerson Woelffer. Signed, numbered 50/50. Dated 74.

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Paper

Violin Color Lithograph, Modern Style, Signed, 20th Century, 83/90

$1,100Sale Price|21% Off

H 24.5 in W 17 in D 0.88 in

Violin Color Lithograph, Modern Style, Signed, 20th Century, 83/90

By Irving Amen

Located in Miami, FL

Fine color lithograph titled "Violin" by Irving Amen. Pencil signed by the artist, numbered 83/90. This fine quality contemporary and decorative artwork by Irving Amen would enhanc...

Category

20th Century American Modern Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Paper

St. Louis Blues Movie Poster

$551

H 41 in W 27 in D 0.1 in

St. Louis Blues Movie Poster

Located in London, GB

Original US movie poster for the 1958 music biography staring Nat King Cole, Eartha Kit, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Dee.

Category

1950s American Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Antique Map of St. Louis and Chicago

$144Sale Price|20% Off

H 14.18 in W 17.21 in D 0.02 in

Antique Map of St. Louis and Chicago

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique map titled 'The City of St. Louis Missouri - The City of Chicago Illinois'. Dual map on single page showing St. Louis and Chicago. Finely produ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Paper

Mid Century Modern Abstract Art Lithograph Signed Aki Kimoto

$360Sale Price|20% Off

H 19.1 in W 27.76 in D 0.1 in

Mid Century Modern Abstract Art Lithograph Signed Aki Kimoto

Located in Miami, FL

Original modern art lithograph by Japanese artist Aki Kimoto. This colorful piece bears an original signature and is number 12/150 of the limited edition. Combining cubic images as w...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Paper

D. Peterson Ceramic Pitcher and Cups Set Dated 1956

$500 / set

H 9.5 in Dm 6.25 in

D. Peterson Ceramic Pitcher and Cups Set Dated 1956

By D. Peterson

Located in Chicago, IL

This handmade ceramic pitcher and cups set has classically simple forms. The glaze treatment is wonderfully irregular, embracing the spontaneity of the process. The darker glaze on t...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Art Painting, Dated and Signed "LM 91"

$1,200

H 33.08 in W 24.81 in D 1.58 in

Contemporary Art Painting, Dated and Signed "LM 91"

Located in Aalsgaarde, DK

Contemporary art painting, dated and signed "LM 91" Measures: H. 84 W. 63 cm H. 33 W. 24.8 in.

Category

1990s European Mid-Century Modern Emerson Woelffer

Industrial Electric Black Fan Dutch Design, 1930s

$1,320 / item

H 19.69 in Dm 13.78 in

Industrial Electric Black Fan Dutch Design, 1930s

Located in Antwerp, BE

Electric fan manufacture E.M.I. Utrecht Holland. Black and brass robust industrial fan from the 1930s.E.M.I. Utrecht Holland. The fan has a cast iron ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Brass, Iron

Hernández Pijoan Untitled, Signed an Dated 1971

$12,722

H 15.75 in W 27.56 in D 2.37 in

Hernández Pijoan Untitled, Signed an Dated 1971

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Hernández Pijoan (1931-2005) untitled Gouache and pencil on paper. Signed an dated 1971.

Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Paint

Curtis Jere Peacock / Swan Wall Sculpture, Signed and Dated 1987, Brass Finish

$2,950

H 39 in W 58 in D 3.5 in

Curtis Jere Peacock / Swan Wall Sculpture, Signed and Dated 1987, Brass Finish

By Curtis Jeré

Located in Kansas City, MO

Large Curtis Jere wall sculpture of a peacock / swan. Completely original in very good to excellent condition metal sculpture with a brass finish and applied patina creating the dark...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Metal

Vintage St. Dupont Soubreny lighter from 1990

$800

H 1.78 in W 1.38 in D 0.6 in

Vintage St. Dupont Soubreny lighter from 1990

By S.T. Dupont

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Vintage St. Dupont Soubreny Lighter from 1990 This vintage St. Dupont Soubreny lighter dates from 1990 and features an elegant two-tone design in black Chinese lacquer and gold plati...

Category

20th Century French Post-Modern Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Lacquer

Large Signed Abstract Ceramic Sculpture

$2,520Sale Price|40% Off

H 22 in W 17 in D 9 in

Large Signed Abstract Ceramic Sculpture

Located in Dallas, TX

Creative abstract ceramic sculpture with many layers, hollow core, polished glaze. Stamped M$.

Category

20th Century North American Organic Modern Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Ceramic

Schumacher Emerson 18" x 12" Pillow in Sky

$258 / item

H 12 in W 18 in D 5 in

Schumacher Emerson 18" x 12" Pillow in Sky

By Schumacher

Located in New York, NY

This pillow features Emerson. Inspired by a quatrefoil, Emerson in sky is a fun small-scale print with a big personality. Imperfect by design, this casual cotton fabric has a lovely ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Cotton

Previously Available Items

Emerson Woelffer Abstract Expressionist Ceramic Sculptures, 1979

Sold

H 11.5 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

Emerson Woelffer Abstract Expressionist Ceramic Sculptures, 1979

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1914 - 2003 He was an "American original" stated Ed Ruscha, whom was once a student of Mr. Woelffer. Mr. Woelffer taught in art schools throughout the U.S. He even had a brief stint...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Ceramic

Emerson Woelffer Abstract Expressionist Painting, 1955

Sold

H 15 in W 11 in D 0.05 in

Emerson Woelffer Abstract Expressionist Painting, 1955

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Wonderful abstract composition in mix media by Emerson Woelffer. Signed and dated lower right, 1955. Measures: 15" H x 11" W Frame size: 26" H x 12 3/4" W Best known for his a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Emerson Woelffer

Emerson Woelffer Abstract Painting, 1975

Sold

H 38 in W 32 in D 1 in

Emerson Woelffer Abstract Painting, 1975

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Chicago & Los Angeles Artist Emerson Woelffer (1914-2003) Acrylic and Spray Paint, 1975 Measures 30" H x 22" W. Signed and Dated Lower Left. Unframed, in a black archival mat. E...

Category

Late 20th Century Emerson Woelffer

Emerson Woelffer Bonze Sculpture, Abstract Face, Signed, Dated, Numbered

Sold

H 7 in W 2 in D 3 in

Emerson Woelffer Bonze Sculpture, Abstract Face, Signed, Dated, Numbered

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Nice modern abstract Face, by the well known artist, Emerson Woelffer. Signed, numbered 1/4 and dated 1947.

Category

1940s American Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Bronze

Original, 1979 Paper Collage

Sold

H 63 in W 43 in

Original, 1979 Paper Collage

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Signed and dated, original collage by American artist, Emerson Woelffer.

Category

1970s American Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Emerson Woelffer Oil/ Mixed Media on Paper Painting, Signed Dated, Framed

Sold

H 16 in W 19 in D 0.5 in

Emerson Woelffer Oil/ Mixed Media on Paper Painting, Signed Dated, Framed

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Great work for the well known modernist artist Emerson Woelffer signed LL and dated 57 and titled " Birds" in the back with Paul Kantor Gallery label. Very important Beverly Hills ga...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Mixed Media, Paper

Emerson Woelffer Collage Painting "Apple" Titled "Green Mirror" Dated

Sold

H 23 in W 20 in D 1.5 in

Emerson Woelffer Collage Painting "Apple" Titled "Green Mirror" Dated

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a great work for the very well known modernist artist Emerson Woelffer.Original label in the back and measures including the frame, original to the work as well. approx 23 x ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Paint

Emerson Woelffer collage/mixed media painting, signed.

Sold

H 17.5 in W 13.5 in D 1 in

Emerson Woelffer collage/mixed media painting, signed.

By Emerson Woelffer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Emerson Woelffer was native of Chicago where he worked at the institute of Design under Moholy-Nagy.In the 40's he brought modernism to Los Angeles and had an amazing career in, now,...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Emerson Woelffer

Materials

Mixed Media

Emerson Woelffer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Emerson Woelffer furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Emerson Woelffer furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Emerson Woelffer were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Jerry Meatyard, Richard Faralla, and Pietro Consagra. Prices for Emerson Woelffer furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $315 and can go as high as $3,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,550.