Skip to main content

Gene Davis Art

American, 1920-1985
Davis was born in Washington D.C. in 1920 and spent nearly all his life there. Before he began to paint in 1949, he worked as a sportswriter, covering the Washington Football Team and other local teams. Working as a journalist in the late 1940s, he covered the Roosevelt and Truman presidential administrations, and was often President Truman's partner for poker games. His first art studio was in his apartment on Scott Circle; later he worked out of a studio on Pennsylvania Avenue. Davis's first solo exhibition of drawings was at the Dupont Theater Gallery in 1952, and his first exhibition of paintings was at Catholic University in 1953. A decade later he participated in the "Washington Color Painters" exhibit at the Washington Gallery of Modern Art in Washington, DC, which traveled to other venues around the US, and launched the recognition of the Washington Color School as a regional movement in which Davis was a central figure. The Washington painters were among the most prominent of the mid-century color field painters. Though, he worked in a variety of media and styles, including ink, oil, acrylic, video, and collage, Davis is best known by far for his acrylic paintings (mostly on canvas) of colorful vertical stripes, which he began to paint in 1958. The paintings typically repeat particular colors to create a sense of rhythm and repetition with variations. One of the best-known of his paintings, "Black Grey Beat" (1964), owned by the Smithsonian American Art Museum reinforces these musical comparisons in its title. The pairs of alternating black and grey stripes are repeated across the canvas, and recognizable even as other colors are substituted for black and grey, and returned to even as the repetition of dark and light pairs is here and there broken by sharply contrasting colors. In 1972 Davis created Franklin's Footpath, which was at the time the world's largest artwork, by painting colorful stripes on the street in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the world's largest painting, Niagara (43,680 square feet), in a parking lot in Lewiston, NY. His "micro-paintings", at the other extreme, were as small as 3/8 of an inch square. For a public work in a different medium altogether, he designed the color patterns of the "Solar Wall," a set of tubes filled with dyed water and backlit by fluorescent lights, at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Davis began teaching in 1966 at the Corcoran School of Art, where he became a permanent member of the faculty. His works are in the collections of, among others, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN, The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection in Albany, NY, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He died on April 6, 1985 in Washington, DC.
(Biography provided by Georgetown Frame Shoppe)
to
11
32
7
8
20
12
2
2
14
9
5
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
20
5
32
13
19
34
7,325
3,988
2,507
1,221
16
12
3
3
2
Artist: Gene Davis
Royal Curtain
By Gene Davis
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Gene Davis Title: Royal Curtain Medium: Screenprint on Arches paper Date: 1980 Edition: 188/250 Frame Size: 35" x 26 1/2" Sheet Size: 29 3/4" x 21 3/4" Signature: Hand signed...
Category

1980s Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Banjo, Minimalist Stripe Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis, American (1920 - 1985) Title: Banjo Year: 1981 Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Size: 21.25 x 28.5 in. (53.98 x 7...
Category

1980s Color-Field Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Green Giant, Minimalist Print by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis Title: Green Giant Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil verso Edition: 250 Paper Size: 26 x 28.5 inches
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Royal Curtain, Minimalist silkscreen by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis, American (1920 - 1985) Title: Royal Curtain Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen in Colors on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Paper Size: 29.75 x 21....
Category

1980s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Ferris Wheel
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis Title: Ferris Wheel Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Image Size: 18 x 25.5 in...
Category

1980s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Witch Doctor: abstract modern minimalist color field drawing with rainbow colors
By Gene Davis
Located in New York, NY
Vibrant magenta, yellow, orange, brown, purple, lime green, jungle green, dark green, cerulean, and sky-blue lines take on the organic quality of handmade paper, resulting in this su...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Homage to Barnett Newman /// Gene Davis Abstract Geometric Minimal Screenprint
By Gene Davis
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) Title: "Homage to Barnett Newman" *Signed and dated by Davis in pencil lower right Year: 1979 Medium: Original Screenprint on unbranded soft-...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Ferris Wheel: abstract modern minimalist color field drawing with rainbow colors
By Gene Davis
Located in New York, NY
This geometric, minimalist print glows in rainbow shades. Vibrant raspberry pink, magenta, yellow, lime green, and sky-blue lines take on the organic quality of handmade paper, resul...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Royal Curtain /// Gene Davis Contemporary Abstract Geometric Expressionist Art
By Gene Davis
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) Title: "Royal Curtain" *Signed by Davis in pencil lower right Year: 1980 Medium: Original Screenprint on Arches paper Limited edition: 250, (the number may differ from what is shown in the photos) Printer: Alpha Omega...
Category

1980s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Home Run: abstract modern minimalist color field drawing with rainbow colors
By Gene Davis
Located in New York, NY
Rainbow shades shine in this abstract, color field print. Vibrant red, yellow, orange, purple, and green lines take on the organic quality of handmade paper, resulting in this subtle...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Royal Curtain, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Royal Curtain Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 41/250, plus proofs Size: 30 x 21.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Sig...
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Shooting Star, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Shooting Star Year: 1979 Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper Edition: 202/250, plus proofs Size: 37.25 x 37 inches Condition: Good Inscription: S...
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Sonata, Minimalist Stripe Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis, American (1920 - 1985) Title: Sonata Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper, signed and numbered in pencil, verso Edition: 250 Paper Size: 20.75 x 28.5 inc...
Category

1980s Minimalist Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled (Yellow, Gray and Pink)
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Yellow, Gray and Pink) Pastel on paper, 1981 Signed and dated lower right Condition: Excellent Sheet size: 12 x 18 inches Frame size: 15 x 21 inches Provenance: Jan Cowles ...
Category

1980s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Pastel

Banjo, Abstract Minimalist Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gene Davis’s captivating Color Field compositions of vertical lines and evolving color is demonstrated in this print. Alternating from blue to yellow and then red, the vertical strip...
Category

1980s Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Carousel, Minimalist Stripe Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis Title: Carousel Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Image 13.5 x 20 inches Paper Size: 17 x 24 inches
Category

1980s Color-Field Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Green Giant, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Giant Green Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 43/250, plus proofs Size: 29.75 x 32.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Si...
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Royal Curtain 1980 Signed Limited Edition Lithograph
By Gene Davis
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Gene Davis Royal Curtain - 1980 Print - Silkscreen, on Arches archival paper 30'' x 22'' inches Edition: signed in pencil and marked 180/250 Unframed Known for his dazzling and ...
Category

1980s Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Sonata, Minimalist Stripe Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis, American (1920 - 1985) Title: Sonata Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper, signed and numbered in pencil, verso Edition: 250 Paper Size: 20.75 x 28.5 inc...
Category

1980s Minimalist Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Narcissus Gene Davis minimalist abstract color field lithography with blue
By Gene Davis
Located in New York, NY
Vertical lines in muted colors take on the organic quality of handmade paper, resulting in this subtle iteration of Gene Davis’ iconic color field stripe paintings. The title "Narcis...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Lilac, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Lilac Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 247/250, plus proofs Size: 22.5 x 28.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Signed a...
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Yellow Jack, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Yellow Jack Year: 1979 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 241/250, plus proofs Size: 22.5 x 25 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription:...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled (Purple and Yellow)
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Purple and Yellow) Pastel on paper, 1981 Signed and dated lower right Provenance: Collection of Jan Cowles Jan Cowles was married to Gardner Cowles owner of Cowles Media Company (1935–1998) which owned newspapers, magazines and information publishing company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States. The company operated Cowles Business Media, Cowles Creative Publishing, and Cowles Enthusiast Media units. Owners of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune from 1935 to 1998, other newspapers owned at one time by Cowles Media and its affiliates included the Des Moines Register, the Buffalo Courier...
Category

1980s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Pastel

Tightrope: abstract modern minimalist color field drawing with rainbow colors
By Gene Davis
Located in New York, NY
Rainbow shades shine in delicate clusters of vertical lines, in this abstract, geometric lithograph. Vibrant yellow, green, magenta pink, blue and brown take on the organic quality o...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Gene Davis, Blackwatch III, Op Art Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large, minimalist stripe print entitled "Black Watch III" by American Color Field artist, Gene Davis. The print is signed and numbered in pencil a...
Category

1970s Minimalist Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

GENE DAVIS Untitled 1983 Colorfield Painting canvas Blue Red Black White Yellow
By Gene Davis
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
GENE DAVIS Untitled Colorfield Composition in Blue, Red, Black, White & Yellow 1983 Acrylic painting on canvas Provenance: Charles Cowles Gallery, New York, NY Signed & Dated verso
Category

1980s Abstract Geometric Gene Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Lilac, Minimalist Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis Title: Lilac Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Paper Size: 21.75 x 30 inches
Category

1980s Minimalist Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Adam's Rib, Minimalist Stripe Lithograph by Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis Title: Adam's Rib Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph on Arches Paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250 Size: 19 x 27 in. (48.26 x 68.58 cm)
Category

1980s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Lithograph

Shooting Star 1979 Large Signed Screen Print
By Gene Davis
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Shooting Star - 1979 Print - Silkscreen 36.5'' x 36.75'' Edition: Signed in pencil, dated and marked 238/250 Unframed
Category

1970s Color-Field Gene Davis Art

Materials

Screen

Homage to Barnett Newman
By Gene Davis
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on white wove paper. Signed and numbered 248/250 in pencil by Davis. Based on a series of oil paintings made by Davis, completed afte...
Category

1970s Color-Field Gene Davis Art

Materials

Color, Screen

Yankee Doodle /// Gene Davis Abstract Geometric Huge Screenprint Colorful Modern
By Gene Davis
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) Title: "Yankee Doodle" *Signed and numbered by Davis in pencil lower right Year: 1972 Medium: Original Screenprint on wove paper, laid down t...
Category

1970s Abstract Gene Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Screen

Sky Cycle
By Gene Davis
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gene Davis, American (1920 - 1985) Title: Sky Cycle Year: 1978 Medium: Oil on Raw Canvas, signed and dated verso Size: 47 x 33 in. (119.38 x 83.82 cm) Frame Size: 49 x 35 i...
Category

1970s Minimalist Gene Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gene Davis art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Gene Davis 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, orange, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Gene Davis in lithograph, screen print, canvas 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 Gene Davis art, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Raymond Parker, Mark Tobey, and Melissa Meyer. Gene Davis art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $960 and tops out at $60,000, while the average work can sell for $2,500.

Artists Similar to Gene Davis

Questions About Gene Davis Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    In art, the meaning of Realism is an art movement that emerged during the 19th century. Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Realist printmakers such as Honoré Daumier explored social and political issues in biting lithographic prints. Painters like Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painted people, particularly the working class, with all their imperfections, navigating everyday life. This was a response to the then dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history. Find a diverse assortment of Realist art on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All