Gene Davis Paintings

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.

Artist: Gene Davis

Gene DavisBatman Painting, Graphite and Acrylic on Raw Canvas, Mid-20th Century, 1975

$164,000

Batman Painting, Graphite and Acrylic on Raw Canvas, Mid-20th Century

By Gene Davis

Located in New York, NY

Gene Davis (1920-1985) American, Washington, D.C. “Batman” 1975 Graphite and acrylic on raw canvas Signed on reverse: Gene Davis 1975 Batman Davis is known primarily for the stripe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Graphite

Charles RobbHansa Echo - Abstract Acrylic Painting, 1980s, Large, Signed, 27.5x75, 1983

$10,000

H 27.5 in W 75 in

Hansa Echo - Abstract Acrylic Painting, 1980s, Large, Signed, 27.5x75

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This large abstract acrylic painting is by Charles Robb, son of the famous Canadian artist Jack Bush. Charles Robb’s lyrical, expressive paintings are highly regarded by critics an...

Category

1980s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Charles RobbOakville Mariner - Abstract Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 1980s, Signed, 1983

$16,000

H 48 in W 80 in

Oakville Mariner - Abstract Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 1980s, Signed

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This large abstract painting is by Charles Robert Bush, son of the famous Canadian artist Jack Bush. Charles Robert Bush’s lyrical, expressive paintings are highly regarded by critics and collectors worldwide. Like his internationally celebrated father, abstract artist, Jack Bush, he was a consummate colourist who painted under the name, Charles Robb. Robb’s distinctive rhythmic style also reflected another lifelong passion—music—for he was a professional jazz drummer who liked to listen to music as he painted. He typically began each painting by building up layers of paint and vibrant markings to produce a complex surface with visible depth and atmosphere. His colour palette often featured intriguing choices and unusual colour combinations. Robb’s paintings...

Category

1980s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Felix Ruvolo"Royal Performance" Monumental 60" x 81" Mid Century Color Field Painting Signed, 1968

$13,200Sale Price|20% Off

H 60 in W 81 in D 2 in

"Royal Performance" Monumental 60" x 81" Mid Century Color Field Painting Signed

By Felix Ruvolo

Located in Soquel, CA

"Royal Performance" Large Scale Mid Century Hard Edge Abstraction by Felix Ruvolo Dynamic piece by Felix Ruvolo (American, 1912-1992). This piece exemplifies late-1960s pop art and ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars

Douglas M. Olsen#28, Elemental Concerns (Abstract Expressionist Color Field Painting), 1979

$200

H 22.5 in W 15.5 in

#28, Elemental Concerns (Abstract Expressionist Color Field Painting)

By Douglas M. Olsen

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Douglas M. Olsen (b. 1960). #28, Elemental Concerns, 1980. Watercolor on rag paper, 15.5 x 22.5 inches. Signed, titled and dated on verso.

Category

20th Century Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Rag Paper, Graphite

Sherron Francis"Pete's Neck" Sherron Francis, Female Abstract Expressionist, Color Field, 1979

$35,000

H 69.5 in W 43 in

"Pete's Neck" Sherron Francis, Female Abstract Expressionist, Color Field

By Sherron Francis

Located in New York, NY

Sherron Francis Pete's Neck, 1979 Signed, titled and dated on the reverse Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 69 1/2 x 43 inches Provenance Houston, Texas, Watson/de Nagy & Company ...

Category

1970s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Deirdre SchanenContemporary abstract oil painting purple pink yellow green minimalist, 2009

$5,100

H 36 in W 50 in

Contemporary abstract oil painting purple pink yellow green minimalist

By Deirdre Schanen

Located in Milwaukee, WI

"Changing Memories 2" is an abstract acrylic on canvas by Deirdre Schanen, signed on verso. Layers of browns, pinks, golds, and purples fill the canvas, reflecting a style reminiscen...

Category

Early 2000s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Charles RobbDusk Sprint - Abstract Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 1980s, Excellent, 1983

$14,000

H 48 in W 79 in

Dusk Sprint - Abstract Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 1980s, Excellent

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This large abstract painting is by Charles Robb, son of the famous Canadian artist Jack Bush. Charles Robb's lyrical, expressive paintings are highly regarded by critics and collect...

Category

1980s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Milly RistvedtSummer Window - large, bright, colourful, yellow, abstract, acrylic on canvas, 1973

$29,000

H 114 in W 60 in

Summer Window - large, bright, colourful, yellow, abstract, acrylic on canvas

By Milly Ristvedt

Located in Bloomfield, ON

Washes of sun yellow are edged in dashes of bright colors - mauve, cerise, lime and rust -- in this monumental color-field canvas by Milly Ristvedt. "Summer Window" from 1973 was cr...

Category

1970s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Larry ZoxLarry Zox - Dexter's Choice State II, signed watercolor (unique variant), Framed, 1990

$10,000

H 42 in W 62 in D 1.5 in

Larry Zox - Dexter's Choice State II, signed watercolor (unique variant), Framed

By Larry Zox

Located in New York, NY

Larry Zox Dexter's Choice, State II, ca. 1990 Mixed media, Watercolor pochoir, and Oil stick Wax, Water-Based Crayons, on heavy Arches museum watercolor rag paper with deckled edges ...

Category

1990s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Crayon, Mixed Media, Oil, Watercolor, Graphite, Monoprint

Mala Breuer10.15.95, 1995

$5,000

H 30 in W 30 in

10.15.95

By Mala Breuer

Located in Phoenix, AZ

acrylic on gessoed canvas 1927 - 2017 Mala Breuer grew up attending classes in painting and drawing from a young age at the California College of Arts and Crafts. After high schoo...

Category

1990s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Canvas, Acrylic

Stephen Sprouse"Untitled, c. 1990" Large Abstract Color Field Grey White Stripes Louis Vuitton, Circa 1990

$7,500

H 41.5 in W 41.5 in

"Untitled, c. 1990" Large Abstract Color Field Grey White Stripes Louis Vuitton

Located in Yardley, PA

An exceptionally rare and large painting by renowned American fashion designer and 80s icon Stephen Sprouse (1953-2004). This excellent composition by Sprouse includes interplaying ...

Category

Late 20th Century Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Douglas M. OlsenThe Purple People Eaters 9Abstract Expressionist Color Field Painting), 1979

$200

H 22.5 in W 15.5 in

The Purple People Eaters 9Abstract Expressionist Color Field Painting)

By Douglas M. Olsen

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Douglas M. Olsen (b. 1960). The Purple People Eaters, 1979. Watercolor on rag paper, 15.5 x 22.5 inches. Signed, titled and dated on verso.

Category

20th Century Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Rag Paper, Graphite

Previously Available Items

Gene DavisPopsicle, 1969

Sold

H 68.5 in W 67.5 in

Popsicle

By Gene Davis

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Gene Davis Title: Popsicle Medium: Acrylic on canvas Date: 1969 Edition: Unique Canvas Size: 68 1/2" x 67 1/2" Signature: Stamped signature, verso

Category

1960s Abstract Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Gene DavisLunar Sand Box, 1970

Sold

H 65 in W 67 in

Lunar Sand Box

By Gene Davis

Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

PROVENANCE: Max Protetch Gallery, Wshington, D.C.; Private Collection, Washington D.C. Signed, titled and dated verso. Framed

Category

1970s Color-Field Gene Davis Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Gene DavisSky Cycle, 1978

Sold

H 49 in W 35 in

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 Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gene Davis paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Gene Davis paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Gene Davis in canvas, fabric, 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 minimalist style. Not every interior allows for large Gene Davis paintings, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Yvette Cohen, Jan Maarten Voskuil, and Clifford Singer. Gene Davis paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,000 and tops out at $60,000, while the average work can sell for $36,000.