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Emil Bisttram Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

American, Hungarian, 1895-1976
Emil James Bisttram Born Hungary, 1895 Died New Mexico, 1976 Emil Bisttram was born in Hungary in 1895 and emigrated with his parents when he was eleven to America. Bisttram choose a more economically promising career in commercial art design due to his economic conditions. Bisttram opened his own art agency at the young age of twenty and during this time took classes with Leon Kroll at the Art Student League and with Jay Hambidge, an advocate of Dynamic Symmetry, at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (renamed the Parsons School of Design). Dynamic Symmetry is a system of spacial balances and had a lifelong impact on Bisttram. Bisttram taught at Parsons from 1920 to 1925 and at the New York Master Institute of United Arts at the Roerich Museum from 1925-1930. The Institute was a spiritual inspiration to Bisttram because it advocated linking the fine arts together. His style of painting however was more influenced by Kandinsky and he began to experiment in non-objective art. Bisttram received many awards including a Guggenheim fellowship in 1931 to study mural painting. However, he decided to go to Mexico study with the great Mexican Muralist Diego Rivera. After returning from Mexico, Bisttram participated in an exhibition at the Whitney Museum for Guggenheim fellows in 1933 and received a commission to create a mural for the Taos, New Mexico courthouse. The Taos School of Art (renamed Bisttram School of Fine Art) which explored spiritualism and meditation was opened by Bisttram in 1932 where he taught some famous painters including Florence Miller Pierce. Together with Raymond Jonson and Lauren Harris, the Transcendental Painting Group was formed in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 1938-1942. This group was considered very radical for the time and the community reacted with much disdain. Bisttram continued to teach and paint and it is thought that Bisttram’s art truly represents transcendental ideas.
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Artist: Emil Bisttram
Lady with Flower
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "E.JB." at lower right 21 7/8 x 17 inches including frame
Category

1920s Modern Emil Bisttram Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Waterfall: Abstract Pastel by Taos Artist Emil James Bisttram in Earth Tones
Located in Denver, CO
Waterfall, is a stunning original pastel artwork by celebrated Taos artist Emil James Bisttram, is a captivating example of abstract expressionism. Featuring neutral earth tones like...
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Emil Bisttram Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

The Couple
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "EJB" at lower left 21 13/16 x 17 inches including frame
Category

1920s American Modern Emil Bisttram Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Untitled, Still Life of Shell
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled, Still Life of Shell Graphite on paper, 1945-1951 Signed lower right in pencil "Bisttram" (see photo) Condition: Excellent Sheet size: 9.63 x 7 .5 inches EMIL BISTTRAM (189...
Category

1940s American Modern Emil Bisttram Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite

The Couple
Located in Dallas, TX
signed "EJB." at lower right 21 3/4 x 17 inches including frame
Category

1920s Modern Emil Bisttram Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

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Previously Available Items
Transcendental Image (Sun God)
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The Passing Shower
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The Passing Shower
The Passing Shower
H 25 in W 29.75 in D 1 in
Standing Figure, Cubist Drawing by Emil Bissttram
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A cubist portrait by Modern artist Emil Bisttram. While known for his modern abstract pieces this portrait is a departure from his previous works. Elongated triangles compose the bac...
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Abstract Geometric WPA Painting Transcendental Art Modern Non Objective 1940s
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Born in Hungary, Bisttram went on to become a prolific artist creating many thousands of paintings and drawings that embraced styles from realism through abstraction. A member of the WPA, he was best known as one of the founders of Transcendental Art...
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Emil Bisttram drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Emil Bisttram drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of drawings and watercolor paintings 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 and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Emil Bisttram in paint, watercolor, encaustic paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Emil Bisttram drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Leon Kelly, Philomena Marano, and Charles Ragland Bunnell. Emil Bisttram drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $8,500, while the average work can sell for $6,000.

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