Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
American, 1910-1962
Franz Kline (1910 – 1962) was an American painter. He is associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s. Kline, along with other action painters like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell and Lee Krasner, as well as local poets, dancers, and musicians came to be known as the informal group, the New York School. Although he explored the same innovations to painting as the other artists in this group, Kline's work is distinct in itself and has been revered since the 1950s.
Kline was born in Wilkes-Barre, a small coal-mining community in Eastern Pennsylvania. He studied art at Boston University from 1931 to 1935, then spent a year at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London where he met his future wife, Elizabeth V. Parsons, a British ballet dancer. She returned to the United States with Kline in 1938, and Kline worked as a designer for a department store in New York state. He moved to New York City in 1939 and worked for a scenic designer. It was during this time in New York that he developed his artistic techniques and gained recognition as a significant artist. He later taught at a number of institutions including Black Mountain College in North Carolina and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He spent summers from 1956 to 1962 painting in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Kline's artistic training focused on traditional illustrating and drafting. During the late 1930s and early 1940s he worked figuratively, painting landscapes and cityscapes in addition to commissioned portraits and murals. His individual style can be first seen in the mural series Hot Jazz, which he painted for a New York bar in 1940. The series revealed his interest in breaking down representative forms into quick, rudimentary brushstrokes. The personal style he developed during this time, using simplified forms, became increasingly more abstract. Many of the figures he depicted are based on the locomotives, stark landscapes, and large mechanical shapes of his native, coal-mining community in Pennsylvania. This is sometimes only apparent to viewers because the pieces are named after those places and objects, not because they actually look like the subject. With the influence of the contemporary New York art scene, Kline worked further into abstraction and eventually abandoned representationalism. From the late 1940s onward, Kline began generalizing his figurative subjects into lines and planes which fit together much like the works of Cubism of the time.to
1
3
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
3
1
3
2
1
2
2
2
1
3
3
1
1
1
7
922
406
282
279
2
3
Artist: Franz Kline
Seated Woman (Elizabeth)
By Franz Kline
Located in New York, NY
EX COLL.: the artist; to I. David Orr (1904–1997), Long Island, New York; to his estate, 1997 until the present
Originally trained as a figurative painter, Kline was an exceptional ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Paper, Ink
Seated Nude Figure
By Franz Kline
Located in New York, NY
Signed (at lower left): FK [in monogram]
EX COLL.: the artist; to I. David Orr (1904–1997), Long Island, New York; to his estate, 1997 until the present
Originally trained as a fig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Ink
Untitled
By Franz Kline
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Provenance:
Marlborough Gallery
David McKee, Inc.
Manny Silverman Gallery
Private collection, Los Angeles
Category
1950s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink
$104,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Related Items
Argentinian Tango, Mixed Media Abstract Expressionist
Located in Soquel, CA
Argentinian Tango, Mixed Media Abstract Expressionist
An abstract portrait in cool pastels accented in vibrant yellow and pink and lined in ink, by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American). Paper size: 17.75"H x 12"W
From a collection of Ricardo de Silva's work and memorabilia. DeSilva was born in Brazil and grew up in Los Angeles. He was a gallery owner, first in Santa Barbara in the 1960's and 70's, then in San Jose in the 1980's. He was dedicated to promoting the work of talented upcoming artists, including Kogyo and Hasui Kiyochika, Robert Frame, Jim Stuckenberg, Alice Robertson Carr, Deborah Eve Alastra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache, Ink, Watercolor
$636 Sale Price
20% Off
H 17.75 in W 12 in
Singed roses - abstraction art, made in cherry red, garnet red, white, grey
By Mila Akopova
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. The triptych is made with alcoholic ink in garnet red, cherry red, gray, white on Yupo paper. It can be in both horizontal and in vertical positions.
Each ...
Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink
Modern Dancers
By Mick Micheyl
Located in London, GB
'Modern Dancers', pastel, ink and gouache on fine art paper by French artist, singer and sculptor, Mick Micheyl (1964). Two elegant young men are depicted in a graceful dancing pose, arms outstretched, their lithe bodies so agile and limber. Perhaps one of the dancers was her friend, Philippe, to whom the painting is dedicated on the bottom. The dedication says: 'For you Philippe, all my friendship'. Signed: 'Mick Micheyl'. The work has been newly framed and glazed after having been acquired in the S. of France. It is in fair vintage condition commensurate with age showing minor blemishing on the paper. Upon request a video of the piece can be provided.
Dimensions with Frame:
H 75 cm / 29.5"
W 61 cm / 24"
Dimensions without Frame:
H 56 cm / 22"
W 42 cm / 16.5"
About the Artist: Mick Micheyl (1922 - 2019) was born in Lyon and had a busy and rewarding artistic career as a singer, producer, reviewer, metal sculptor, artist. After having received training at the School of Fine Arts in Lyon she became a painter and decorator in the theatre but then commenced a career in the musical activities of a theatrical troupe. She won the ABC competition in Paris in 1949 with a song, Le Marchand de Poésie, which she composed herself. She then performed in many cabarets: L'Échelle de Jacob, Harlequin and Liberty's. In the 1950s she was one of the most important French cabaret singers of that period. One of her titles, 'Un Gamin de Paris', became one of the French standards and also performed by Yves Montand and Robert Clary...
Category
1960s Modern Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Ink, Gouache
Willem de Kooning, (Reclining Female Nude) A Special Gift For His Dear Friends
By Willem de Kooning
Located in San Francisco, CA
With such fondness, 20th-century artistic titan Willem de Kooning gifted this charcoal sketch on paper to his close East Hampton friends Roger and Lucia Wilcox...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
$165,000
H 17.5 in W 23.75 in
Contemporary Drawing "Blue Prayer" Draw, Pastel, Ink And Colored Pencils
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Drawing, pastel, Pencil, Petal Flowers, Color and Ink on Paper.
The base of this drawing is ordinary yellow paper of 80 gr. I use natural dyes from flowers, herbs, leaves, and tree ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Ink, Pencil, Color Pencil
I Can’t Stay Away From You 1980s Vintage Painting Mature Female Nude In Cornwall
By John Emanuel
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
John Emanuel .
English ( b.1930 ).
I Can’t Stay Away From You.
Watercolor & Ink.
Signed Lower Right.
Image size 28.3 inches x 19.9 inches ( 72cm x 50.5cm ).
Frame size 35.2 inches x...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor
$3,820
H 35.24 in W 26.58 in D 1.58 in
Sleeping Female Nude
By Nathan Oliveira
Located in New York, NY
Nathan Oliveira's "Female Sleeping Nude" is a captivating artwork that elegantly combines style, technique, and layered interpretation, offering a rich and multifaceted experience to...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Graphite
“Untitled” Orange, Blue & Yellow Abstract Portrait of George Washington
Located in Houston, TX
Orange, blue, and yellow abstract figurative portrait by Texas artist Ike E. Morgan. This pastel drawing depicts an abstract figure of George Washington against a yellow halo on a re...
Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Archival Paper
$2,200
H 25.88 in W 37.75 in D 1.5 in
Modernist Reclining Nude
By David Stephens
Located in Soquel, CA
Light and airy portrait of a reclining nude by David Stephens (American, 20th century). Signed lower right. From a collection of his works. Unframed. Image, 10"H x 12"L.
About the ...
Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
Venusian Tree Of Hope - Drawing by Parimah Avani-2022
Located in Roma, IT
Venusian Tree Of Hope is an original painting realized by Iranian artist and poet Parimah Avani in 2022.
China ink and acrylic on ivory-colored Cans...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, India Ink, Acrylic
$574
H 11.62 in W 15.95 in D 0.04 in
Judith Brenner, Sophie Dancing 2, Original Abstract Impressionist Nude Sketch
By Judith Brenner
Located in Deddington, GB
Judith Brenner
Sophie Dancing 2
Original Nude Drawing
Mixed Media on Paper
Sheet Size: H 84.1cm x W 59.4cm x D 0.1cm
Sold Unframed
(Please note that in situ images are purely an indi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor
$1,350
H 33.12 in W 23.39 in D 0.04 in
Revolutions, dynamic surreal purple drawing on paper of pretty girl dancing
By Patsy McArthur
Located in Dallas, TX
"Revolutions" is a dynamic and unique ink and pastel drawing on paper by Patsy McArthur showing a fashionable female figure dancing. The energy and movement makes it fun and whimsica...
Category
2010s Realist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Archival Paper, Ink
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
H 33.08 in W 25.2 in D 0.4 in
Previously Available Items
Kitska
By Franz Kline
Located in New York, NY
Signed (at lower left): FK [artist's monogram]
EX COLL.: the artist; to I. David Orr (1904–1997), Long Island, New York; to his estate, 1997 until the present
Originally trained as...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Ink, Watercolor
Elizabeth (Seated Figure with Cat)
By Franz Kline
Located in New York, NY
EX COLL.: the artist; to I. David Orr (1904–1997), Long Island, New York; to his estate, 1997 until the present
Originally trained as a figurative painter, Kline was an exceptional ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Franz Kline Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Ink
Franz Kline drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Franz Kline drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Franz Kline in ink, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1950s and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Franz Kline drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sam Francis, Robert Motherwell, and Erle Loran. Franz Kline drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $104,000 and tops out at $104,000, while the average work can sell for $104,000.