Erle Loran was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1905. He attended the University of Minnesota for a while before studying at the Minneapolis School of Art, under Cameron Booth, and graduated in 1926. Loran was awarded a traveling scholarship from the Chaloner Foundation (Paris Prize) after graduation and spent the next four years in Europe, living in Cézanne’s studio. Loran had always been fascinated by the work of the artist Paul Cézanne, and it motivated him throughout his life both in his painting and writing. He would later pen several books and articles based on his time spent in what was once Cézanne’s world. Once he returned home, Loran moved to California and began not only painting and continuing his art career, but also took up teaching at the University of California, Berkeley. He served as chairman of the art department from 1952–56 and continued teaching there until his retirement in 1973, where he was awarded a University Citation. Berkeley once again awarded Loran, this time in 1981, declaring him an Emeritus Professor.
During the 1940s, Loran belonged to a group of some 20 artists that produced lithographs for the “Chronicle Contemporary Graphics” project. Around the same time, he published two books (one of which was the successful Cézanne Composition) and two articles in art magazines the following decade. By the late 1960s, Loran had changed focus and began painting more abstract images, fusing Op Art, Pop Art and Hard Edge. Perhaps his new direction was influenced by his time spent in New York learning under the artist Hans Hoffman, an artist from Europe who was heavily interested in bringing modern European techniques and philosophies to America. Loran was eventually hindered by visual impairment but continued painting until about a year before his death. He passed away in Berkeley, California, in 1999.
(Biography provided by Robert Azensky Fine Art)
Blacksmith (Untitled)
By Erle Loran
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Blacksmith (Untitled), 1936, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, 28 x 30 inches Erle Loran was an influential American painter, art historian, and educator, renowned for h...
Canvas, Oil
"Olympic Star" Large Scale Woman Surfer Figurative by Erle Loran
By Erle Loran
Located in Soquel, CA
"Olympic Star", Large Scale Woman Surfer Figurative by Erle Loran Vibrant hard edge painting of a surfer "Olympic Star," a bold and bright figurative piece by Erle Loran (American,...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Mid Century Abstract Figurative -- Navajo Hunters
By Erle Loran
Located in Soquel, CA
Dynamic, mid century multi colored abstract by Erle Loran (American, 1905-1999). Depicts a group of hunters and their horses participati...
Gouache, Archival Paper
Blue Woman - Figurative Abstract
By Erle Loran
Located in Soquel, CA
Bright and evocative San Francisco Abstract Expressionist painting with figure by Erle Loran (American, 1905-1999), c. 1980. Estate stamp on verso. Purchased directly form the Estate of Erle Loran. Provenance: Estate of Erle Loran; David Carlson...
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Orpheus and Eurydice, Mythological Cubist Oil Painting by Erle Loran
By Erle Loran
Located in Long Island City, NY
Orpheus and Eurydice Erle Loran, American (1905–1999) Date: 1949 Oil on Masonite, signed and dated lower left Size: 24 x 36 inches
Oil, Masonite
$10,000
H 59 in W 39 in
"Flight of the Stork" Abstract Painting 59" x 39" in by Ibrahim Khatab
By Ibrahim Khatab
Located in Culver City, CA
"Flight of the Stork" Abstract Painting 59" x 39" in by Ibrahim Khatab Ibrahim Khatab was born in Cairo 1984, works as a co-teacher in Cairo University, he mixes between painting, v...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$6,800
H 31 in W 37 in
NYC Subway Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
NYC Subway Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Contemporary David Atkins (1910 – 2012) Subway Train Departure 24 x 30 inches Oil on can...
Canvas, Oil
1930's French Cubist Signed Oil Nude Lady
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: by Henri Van Der Beck (French 1886-1956), signed Medium: oil on canvas, unframed Painting: 18 x 15 inches Provenance: private collection, France Condition: The p...
Oil
$3,500
H 40.5 in W 50.5 in D 1.25 in
A Large, Fabulous Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Chicago Night Club, Burlesque
Located in Chicago, IL
A Fabulous, Large and Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Chicago Night Club by Notable Chicago Artist, Rudolph T. Pen (Am. 1918 - 1989). Painted circa 1948, this is a large, a...
Canvas, Oil
$25,000
H 34 in W 28 in D 2 in
"Sock Hop" Mid-Century American Modernism WPA Female Artist 20th Century Realism
By Kyra Markham
Located in New York, NY
"Sock Hop" Mid-Century American Modernism WPA Female Artist 20th Century Realism. 30 x 24 inches. Oil on canvas. Signed on stretcher, c. 1940s. Frame is likely original to the painting. Realist painter-printmaker Kyra Markham...
Canvas, Oil
$2,650
H 40 in W 28 in D 3 in
Mid Century Modern Jazz Ensemble -- The Band Box Quartet, Signed
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Modern Jazz Quartet Figurative -- "The Band Box" Signed A vivid, mid-century modernist interpretation of a jazz ensemble by Louis M. Centofanti (American, 1921-2018). "B...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$1,765
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in
Terpsichore III – Muse of Dance, Modern Cubist Depiction, Acrylic, 35x27cm
Located in PÉRIGUEUX, FR
Terpsichore III Acrylic on Canvas 35 x 27 cm Terpsichore III by Grégoire Mathias is a vibrant and dynamic portrayal of Terpsichore, the muse of dance, rendered in the artist's signa...
Canvas, Acrylic
Seated Figure
Located in Rockland, ME
Sally Michel Biography American, 1902-2003 Sally Michel Avery was an American painter known for her lyrical depictions of everyday life. Though she used techniques and stylized form...
Oil
$2,571
H 36 in W 29 in
Fine 20th Century French Modernist Cubist Nude Woman Oil Painting Portrait
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Cubist Nude by Laure Noetzin-Azam (French 1929-2024) pupil of André LHOTE oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 36 x 29 inches signed verso Provenance: all the paintings we have by this ar...
Oil
$2,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 48 in W 48 in D 0.75 in
The Artist's Apartment Mid-Century Fauvist Interior Scene Original Oil on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
The Artist's Apartment Mid-Century Fauvist Interior Scene Original Oil on Canvas Vibrant interior scene by Santa Cruz California artist Frances Rinaldo (American, b. 1943). A bright...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$1,200
H 36.5 in W 31 in D 1.5 in
A Large, Compelling Mid-Century Modern Figurative Painting- Equestrienne & Clown
By Gerrit Hondius
Located in Chicago, IL
A Large, Compelling Mid-Century Modern Figurative Painting by New York Artist, Gerrit Hondius, Titled "Equestrienne & Clown". Artwork size: 30 x 24 inches (Oil on Masonite); Frame...
Masonite, Oil
$7,800
H 45 in W 46 in D 1.5 in
"Summer Cafe" - Colorful Bright Abstract Impressionism of a Sunlit Cafe Scene
Located in Carmel, CA
Maura Petersen (American, born 1956) "Summer Cafe" 2025 Acrylic Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom right of the painting. In “Summer Cafe,” Maura Petersen re...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Mid Century Figurative -- Navajo Weaver Hogan
By Erle Loran
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful modernist watercolor of a Navajo hogan with figure by Erle Loran (American, 1905-1999). Estate signed with provenance on verso. Presented in rustic black painted wooden fra...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Reclining Blonde, C. 1970s
By Erle Loran
Located in Soquel, CA
Rare figurative painting of blonde woman reclining with bright and vibrant abstracted Bay Area landscape in background by Erle Loran (American, 1905-1999). You could say she is on to...
Acrylic, Canvas
Three Dreams by Erle Loran 1944
By Erle Loran
Located in Soquel, CA
San Francisco Bay Area oil painting, Three Dreams, by Erle Loran (American, 1905-1999), a modernist of urban and coastal views and geometric painting. Signed lower right "Loran '44,"...
Masonite, Oil