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Gustav Likan Art

Born in Yugoslavia in 1912, Gustav Likan early in life achieved international fame as an artist. He has long been noted in Europe for his portraits of royalty and heads of state. Since coming to America, his color genius caught fire and he emerged as one of the most important colorists of the twentieth century. Considered a prodigy, Likan won early acclaim in academic circles. So great was his grasp and talent, he flew through the ordinarily rigorous years of required draftsmanship and human figure drawing in half the usual time. Recognizing his extraordinary talents, the Munich Academy of Fine Arts bestowed the special honor of Master Student upon Likan. He was given his own private studio and model. Considering the orthodoxy and conservatism of this institution, the elevation of a mere boy to such a status stands as a tribute to genius discovered. Likan studied restoration under the best European masters of this rare art. This served to further develop his skills. Summers were spent in Holland, Italy and France...haunting the museums, sketching and painting 10 to 14 hours a day even during vacations. After earning his fame as a portrait artist, Likan immigrated to South America, where in 1948 he was hired by Eva Peron to paint murals for the country's churches, hospitals and schools, and then to the United States, arriving in Chicago in 1957. He was immediately appointed to the staff of the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts as an instructor, where he taught until 1967, and where his lushly colored canvases earned him the title "father of acrylics".
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Artist: Gustav Likan
Nursing Mother Sketch
Nursing Mother Sketch

Nursing Mother Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan 4" x 5.5" Pencil on Paper Framed Size: 14.25" x 14.25" A sketch of a mother nursing her baby. From Likan's 1944 series depicting his wife Barbara and son Michael. About the Artist: Born in Yugoslavia in 1912, Gustav Likan achieved international fame as an artist early in life. He has long been noted in Europe for his portraits of royalty and heads of state. After coming to America, his color genius caught fire and he emerged as one of the most important colourists of the twentieth century. Likan studied restoration under the greatest European masters...

Category

1940s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Pencil

"Birds at the Chicago Zoo" Modernist Nature Scene Flamingo Parrot Palm Ivy Green
"Birds at the Chicago Zoo" Modernist Nature Scene Flamingo Parrot Palm Ivy Green

"Birds at the Chicago Zoo" Modernist Nature Scene Flamingo Parrot Palm Ivy Green

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Artist: Gustav Likan Title: Pond in the Jungle Size: 50" x 39.5" Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Signed, lower left. About the Artist: Born in Yugoslavia in 1912, Gustav Likan achieved ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Fauvist Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Nursing Mother" Ink Sketch
"Nursing Mother" Ink Sketch

"Nursing Mother" Ink Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan 7" x 7" Ink on Paper 1944 Framed Size: 16" x 15.5" This intimate piece depict a mother nursing her infant. This piece is part of Likan's portrayals of his wife Barb...

Category

1940s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Still Life with Oranges
Still Life with Oranges

Still Life with Oranges

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Gustav Likan, who lived from 1912 to 1998, has emerged as one of the most important colorists of the twentieth century. Early in life, he achieved international fame as an artist and was honored as a Master Student at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. Over the course of his life, Likan lived, studied, and taught in various European countries, South America, Chicago, and later, Austin, Texas. During his time in Argentina, Eva Peron...

Category

Early 20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Mother and Child in Cradle Sketch
Mother and Child in Cradle Sketch

Mother and Child in Cradle Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan A depiction of a mother putting her child to bed in a cradle, dated 1944. 6" x 5" Pencil on Paper Framed Size: 13.75" x 12.75" From Likan's collection of depictions ...

Category

1940s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Pencil

"At the Table" abstract portrait of child with glass of red juice, blue napkin
"At the Table" abstract portrait of child with glass of red juice, blue napkin

"At the Table" abstract portrait of child with glass of red juice, blue napkin

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Canvas Size: 20 x 16 in. Framed Size: 24 x 20 in. Signed, bottom right. In this vibrant and stylized composition, Gustav Likan, often hailed as the "Father of Acrylics," showcases h...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Jungle
Jungle

Jungle

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Canvas Size: 60 x 50 in. Frame Size: 62 x 52 in. Signed, bottom right. This vivid and evocative painting captures a dense, mystical jungle scene rendered i...

Category

Mid-20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Fiesta de Loco
Fiesta de Loco

Fiesta de Loco

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

"Fiesta de Loco" Artist: Gustav Likan Medium: Mixed media Size: 10" x 13" Framed

Category

Late 20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Mixed Media

"Painter in Montmarte" Modernist City Scene
"Painter in Montmarte" Modernist City Scene

"Painter in Montmarte" Modernist City Scene

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Size: 24 x 20 inches Framed: 31 x 26 inches Signed, Lower Right. About the Artist: Born in Yugoslavia in 1912, Gustav Likan achieved international fame as an artist early in life. H...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Figures in a Strange Room
Figures in a Strange Room

Figures in a Strange Room

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

This strange scene depicts two orange figures conversing in a large magenta room with a checkered wall, and a green furnace. This piece is executed in acrylic on canvas and measures ...

Category

20th Century Fauvist Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Art Class, Fauvist Acrylic on Canvas Scene
Art Class, Fauvist Acrylic on Canvas Scene

Art Class, Fauvist Acrylic on Canvas Scene

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

This intimate and sentimental fauvist painting by Gustav Likan depicts a scene of students conversing in an art class. It features a warm color palette of orange yellow red and magen...

Category

20th Century Fauvist Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Conversation with Friends" Line Drawing of Three People at a Table Socializing
"Conversation with Friends" Line Drawing of Three People at a Table Socializing

"Conversation with Friends" Line Drawing of Three People at a Table Socializing

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Graphite on Natural Toned Paper Art Size: 9 x 6 inches Framed: 15.5 x 18 inches An expressive drawing of three friends sitting around a table rendered in lively gestural lines of gr...

Category

Mid-20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Graphite

Plains Children Playing
Plains Children Playing

Plains Children Playing

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Watercolor on paper 10 x 12 in. image 19.25 x 17.5 traditional frame with gold leaf finish and white matte A cheerful scene depicting village life in a settlement of Native America...

Category

Mid-20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

"Monk Parakeet" Eva Peron Mural Sketch
"Monk Parakeet" Eva Peron Mural Sketch

"Monk Parakeet" Eva Peron Mural Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan A painting of a green aThis pieces is from the Eva Perón commissioned mural sketch collection from Likan's time as a commissioned artist in Argentina between 1950 and...

Category

1950s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Title: "Moulin Rouge" Artist: Gustav Likan Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 17.5" x 14.25" Framed

Category

20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Figurative Farmer Holding Chickens and Pots
Figurative Farmer Holding Chickens and Pots

Figurative Farmer Holding Chickens and Pots

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan Framed Size: 19.5" x 16" Figurative Farmer Holding Chickens and Pots. This piece uniquely focuses the subject by isolating him from his surroundings. About the Artist: Born in Yugoslavia in 1912, Gustav Likan achieved international fame as an artist early in life. He has long been noted in Europe for his portraits of royalty and heads of state. After coming to America, his color genius caught fire and he emerged as one of the most important colourists of the twentieth century. Likan studied restoration under the greatest European masters...

Category

20th Century Modern Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

"Portrait of Barbara"
"Portrait of Barbara"

"Portrait of Barbara"

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan The only known portrait of Gustav Likan's wife Barbara. 16" x 9.25" Oil on Canvas Framed Size: 22" x 15" 1982

Category

1980s Fauvist Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Trees with Flowers and Fruits" Eva Peron Mural Sketch
"Trees with Flowers and Fruits" Eva Peron Mural Sketch

"Trees with Flowers and Fruits" Eva Peron Mural Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan This pieces is from the Eva Perón commissioned mural sketch collection from Likan's time as a commissioned artist in Argentina between 1950 and 1952. 6.5" x 8" Water...

Category

1950s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Watercolor

"Three Perched Birds"
"Three Perched Birds"

"Three Perched Birds"

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Watercolor piece depicting birds perched on a tree branch by Gustav Likan. Watercolor on paper. 7" x 8.5"

Category

20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

Still Life with Fruit
Still Life with Fruit

Still Life with Fruit

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

Still life by Gustav Likan 16" x 20" Acrylic on Canvas signature located on lower right side and dated '64

Category

1960s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Acrylic

"Sleeping Infant" Sketch
"Sleeping Infant" Sketch

"Sleeping Infant" Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan 5" x 5" Pencil on Paper Framed Size: 15.75" x 14.5" 1944 This sketch by Gustav Likan portrays a sleeping infant. This piece is one of a series by Likan depicting the...

Category

1940s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Pencil

"Mother Sitting by Cradle" Watercolor
"Mother Sitting by Cradle" Watercolor

"Mother Sitting by Cradle" Watercolor

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan 6.5" x 8.5" Water Color on Paper This intimate scene depicts a mother sitting at a table next to her baby in a cradle. It is part of Likan's series depicting his wif...

Category

Mid-20th Century Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

Mother and Baby Watercolor
Mother and Baby Watercolor

Mother and Baby Watercolor

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan 8" x 5" Watercolor on Paper Framed Size: 15.75" x 12.5" A mother holding a and comforting her baby. 1965 This piece is part of Likan's series depicting his wife Bar...

Category

1960s Modern Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

"Tropical Scene in Gold and Purple" Eva Peron Mural Sketch
"Tropical Scene in Gold and Purple" Eva Peron Mural Sketch

"Tropical Scene in Gold and Purple" Eva Peron Mural Sketch

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

By Gustav Likan This pieces is from the Eva Perón commissioned mural sketch collection from Likan's time as a commissioned artist in Argentina between 1950 and 1952. 8.25" x 10.5" A...

Category

1950s Modern Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

German Street Scene
German Street Scene

German Street Scene

By Gustav Likan 1

Located in Austin, TX

German street scene by Gustav Likan in a sepia-esque tone. 5" x 8" Watercolor on Paper Framed Size: 15" x 17.75"

Category

1940s Gustav Likan Art

Materials

Watercolor, Archival Paper

Gustav Likan art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Gustav Likan 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, pink, red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Gustav Likan in paint, canvas, fabric 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 Gustav Likan art, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Marshall Goodman, Simka Simkhovitch, and Francesco Spicuzza. Gustav Likan art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $18,000, while the average work can sell for $3,550.

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