The only artist of the New York school to participate directly in European modernism, Hans Hofmann became known as the major exponent of Abstract Expressionism.
Hans Hofmann paintings are known for their manic, exuberant energy. Among 20th-century masters, he was the first to consolidate and codify the lessons of modernism into a teaching system. Hofmann was also a widely influential art instructor with schools in New York City and Provincetown, Massachusetts. He was described by New York Times critic Clement Greenberg as "the most important teacher of our time" (Peter Falk, Who Was Who in American Art). Approximately six-thousand students studied modernist art with him, among the well-known names are Helen Frankenthaler, Jane Freilicher, Wolf Kahn, Larry Rivers and Nell Blaine.
Hofmann was born in Weissenberg, Germany, showed a precocious interest in music and science, and had early training in mechanics while working for the Director of Public Works of Bavaria between 1896 and 1898. On that job, he invented the electromagnetic comptometer, the precursor of the adding machine.
Hofmann began to study art in 1898 in Munich where he was introduced to Impressionism. From 1904 to 1914, he studied in Paris and was exposed to many of the avant-garde artists and movements of that time including Fauvism, Cubism, and Surrealism. He was much taken with the exploration of pure color for its own sake, especially as investigated by Picasso, Braque, Matisse, and Delaunay. In Munich at the outbreak of World War I, he founded an art school and was highly successful until 1932 when he emigrated to America, having spent the summers in 1930 and 1931 teaching at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1932, he began teaching at the Arts Students League in New York and the following year opened his own schools in New York and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
During the 1930s and 1940s, American Scene painting was prevalent, but Hofmann resisted that style, staying with the modernism to which he had been exposed in Europe. Hence he was later credited as a courageous pioneer in America of European modern art. He closed both of his schools in 1958 so he could devote himself full time to his own painting. He died in New York City in 1966.
Hofmann said he always based his paintings on the subject of nature, and he used vivid colors such as bright blues, greens oranges and yellows and applied them with palette knives in long slashing strokes. He viewed the surface of the canvas as alive, responsive, and active, often with opposing forces which he created with his theory of "push and pull," and which is closely tied to theories of Paul Cezanne. He also experimented with dripping paint onto the canvas, a method Jackson Pollock learned and later made famous.
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(Biography provided by Fine Art San Diego)
"Untitled" Hans Hofmann, circa 1943 Navy Blue Olive Green Early Abstract Work
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Hans Hofmann Untitled, circa 1943 Signed lower right Oil and watercolor on paper 22 1/4 x 30 3/4 inches The only artist of the New York school to participate directly in European m...
Paper, Oil, Watercolor
Astral Image No. 1
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Astral Image No. 1 (M-1133)" is an abstract Post War oil on canvas painting by Hans Hofmann in 1947. The artwork is 48 x 60 inches and with the frame is 50 x 62 x 1 3/4 inches, weig...
Canvas, Oil
$3,522
1967 original exhibition poster for Hans Hofmann's at the André Emmerich Gallery
By Hans Hofmann
Located in PARIS, FR
The 1967 original exhibition poster for Hans Hofmann's at the André Emmerich Gallery in New York is a vibrant and captivating visual representation of the renowned artist's abstract ...
Paper, Lithograph
$715,000
Baal
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Baal (M-1128)" is an abstract Post War oil on canvas painting by Hans Hofmann in 1947. The artwork is 59 3/8 x 47 1/4 inches and with the frame is 68 x 56 x 3 1/8 inches, weighing l...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape No. 108
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Landscape No. 108" is an abstract Post War oil on panel painting by Hans Hofmann in 1941. The artwork is 23 1/4 x 29 1/4 inches and with the frame is 31 1/8 x 37 1/8 x 2 5/8 inches,...
Oil, Panel
$200,000
The Indian
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"The Indian" is an abrtsact Post War mixed media on paper work by Han Hofmann in 1944. The artwork is 22 x 15 inches and, with the frame, is 29 1/4 x 22 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches, weighing ...
Paper, Mixed Media
$20,000
Untitled
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Color crayons and ink on white wove paper. Initialed and dated "VI . 24 . 43" in ink, lower right recto, and annotated and dated in ink, verso. This work is registered in the record...
Crayon, Ink
$1,000
Hans Hofmann at Andre Emmerich, scarce early 1970s Abstract Expressionist poster
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Hans Hofmann Hans Hofmann at Andre Emmerich Gallery Poster, 1973 Offset lithograph poster Plate signed on the bottom right front Frame Included (held in original vintage metal frame)...
Lithograph, Offset
original lithograph
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1950 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 19...
Lithograph
Works On Paper - Poster - Hans Hofmann -
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Monogrammed in print In great condition On light cardboard
Color, Lithograph
Works On Paper - Poster - Hans Hofmann
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Monogrammed in print In great condition On light cardboard
Color, Lithograph
Works On Paper - Poster - Hans Hofmann
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Monogrammed in print In great condition On light cardboard
Color, Lithograph
Works On Paper - Poster - Hans Hofmann -
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Monogrammed in print In great condition On light cardboard
Color, Lithograph
Untitled Expressionist Drawing, Pencil on Paper, 20th Century, Framed
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Description Hans Hofmann Untitled On the reverse a pencil sketch Pencil on paper 14 x 16 7/8 in. Provenance Herbert Matter, New York / Lillian Heidenberg Gallery, New York / Bunny...
Pencil, Paper
HANS HOFMANN Provincetown Drawing - Pen & Ink - 1942 - Massachusetts
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Title: "Provincetown Drawing" Medium: pen and ink on paper Dimensions: 14 x 16 3/4 inches Signed: Initialed and dated 1942 Provenance: Manny Silverman Gallery...
Paper, Ink, Pen
$380,000
The Zoo
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"The Zoo" is an abstract Post War oil on panel painting by Hans Hofmann in 1944. The artwork is 21 3/8 x 24 1/2 inches and, with the frame, is 22 1/4 x 25 1/2 x 2 inches. "The Zoo...
Oil, Panel
Untitled Expressionist Drawing, Pencil on Paper, 20th Century, Framed
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Description Hans Hofmann Untitled Pencil on paper 16 7/8 x 14 in. Provenance Herbert Matter, New York / Lillian Heidenberg Gallery, New York / Bunny Williams, New York / William E...
Pencil, Paper
A NEW TOMORROW
By Alexandra Nechita
Located in Aventura, FL
Lithograph on paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included. Edition of 195. Image size: 27.5 x 18.5 i...
Paper, Lithograph
$965
H 19.49 in W 13.98 in
Joan Miró - MARAVILLAS CON VARIACIONES... Lithograph Contemporary Art Abstract
By Joan Miró
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Joan Miró - Maravillas con variaciones acrósticas en el jardín de Miró VIII Date of creation: 1975 Medium: Lithograph on Gvarro paper Edition: 1500 Size: 49,5 x 35,5 cm Condition: In...
Paper, Lithograph
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 40 in D 0.25 in
Abstract Expressionist Original Gouache on paper Collage style of de Kooning
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Original Gouache on paper and Collage Abstract Gouache and Paper Collage by Harold Winer (American, 1913-2006). Image 30"H x 40"W Slat with white paint .25" ...
Gouache, Illustration Board, Laid Paper
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 33 in D 0.75 in
Heavily Textured Abstract Expressionist Composition in Oil on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Heavily Textured Abstract Expressionist Composition in Oil on Canvas Bold, textured, abstract composition by California artist Harald "Harry" Dry Schmidt (American, 1933-1979). Brig...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
Yellow Tail I
By Sherron Francis
Located in Austin, TX
Waterline Fine Art, Austin, TX is pleased to present the following work: Acrylic and mixed media on canvas. Signed, titled, and dated verso. 40 x 76.5 in. 41.75 x 78.25 in. (framed) Custom framed in a solid, unfinished maple floater. Provenance Watson/de Nagy & Company, Houston Private Collection, New York Sherron Francis was born in 1940, in Downers Grove, IL outside of Chicago. She originally enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, but later transferred to the Kansas City Art Institute to focus more on art. Initially, Francis' practice was focused on figurative art, with visiting professor and renowned modern realist Philip Pearlstein remarking on Francis’ draftsman acumen. In the early 1960s, art dealers and gallerists from New York would visit the Institute to entice promising artists by offering scholarships and financial aid. Because such financial arrangements were only made for men, Francis had to persuade the school's leadership to allow for women to also be eligible for merit-based aid. Her advocacy was successful, and she ultimately graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1963. She would then proceed to obtain her MFA from the University of Indiana, before assuming a teaching position at Eastern Michigan University. In 1968, with only $300 on hand, Francis moved to 16 Waverly Place in SoHo, New York. The neighborhood was a hotbed for young AbEx artists of the day, and she quickly befriended the likes of Peter Reginato, Walter Darby Bannard, Michael Steiner, Peter Young, Peter Bradley...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Carmel California" Impressionist Landscape
By Forrest Moses
Located in Austin, TX
By Forrest Moses (American, b. 1934) Carmel California, 1967 Medium: Oil on Canvas Size: 18" x 24" Framed Size: 22.5" x 28.5" About the Artist: Fo...
Canvas, Oil
$4,800
H 26 in W 29 in D 2 in
Blue and Green Tablescape (WPA abstract still life painting c. 1960)
By Lionel Gilbert
Located in Hudson, NY
Blue and Green Tablescape (Post-War Modern Abstract Oil Painting on canvas) by New York School Painter and WPA artist, Lionel Gilbert Mid century modern, abstracted still life painti...
Canvas, Oil
$1,900
H 28.75 in W 19.69 in
"Owl by Night" A Post-War Expressionistic Oil Painting by British Joseph Duncan
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Introducing a beautifully gripping post-war oil painting by British artist Joseph Duncan. Within this intense expressionistic work, the powerful use of c...
Oil, Canvas
$2,990
H 36.23 in W 27.56 in D 1.58 in
1963 Post-War Grey Modern Abstract Painting By Ferdinand Spindel
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Introducing a captivating post-war modern painting by German artist Ferdinand Spindel. In a stunning abstract composition, this piece features a harm...
Oil, Wood Panel, Mixed Media
$224Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.13 in W 22.13 in D 0.13 in
"Summer Series 2/6" Black and White Abstract Lithograph Signed L. Siekman
Located in Pasadena, CA
An otherworldly greyscale, abstract lithograph signed L. Siekman.
Wood, Paper, Lithograph
$3,947
H 26.78 in W 26.78 in
TAKASHI MURAKAMI: Chaos: Primordial Life - Superflat, Japanese Pop Art
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CHAOS: PRIMORDIAL LIFE Date of creation: 2017 Medium: Offset lithograph with cold stamp on paper Edition: 300 Size: 68 x 68 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never fram...
Paper, Varnish, Lithograph, Offset
$880
H 11.7 in W 10 in D 2 in
Monograph, Hand Signed by Francesco Clemente and inscribed with a small drawing
By Francesco Clemente
Located in New York, NY
Francesco Clemente Clemente (Hand Signed by Francesco Clemente and inscribed with a small drawing), 1998 Large Illustrated Softback Exhibition Catalogue. (Hand signed and inscribed t...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
Sold
H 10.5 in W 8 in
"Untilted composition" Hans Hofmann, Abstract Expressionist, Vibrant, Gestural
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Hans Hofmann Untilted composition, 1956 Signed and dated lower right Watercolor on paper 10 1/2 x 8 inches Provenance Kootz Gallery, New York Collection of Samuel Kootz New York Est...
Paper, Watercolor
Sold
H 16 in W 13.75 in
"Untitled Nude Drawing" Hans Hofmann, Abstracted Nude Sketch Composition
By Hans Hofmann
Located in New York, NY
Hans Hofmann Untitled Nude Drawing Ink on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches The only artist of the New York school to participate directly in European modernism, Hans Hofmann became known as...
Paper, Ink
Untitled
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) was a pre-eminent figure of postwar American art and one of the most important artists (and instructors) of the 20th century. Born in Germany, Hofmann immigr...
Paper, Crayon
original lithograph
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1951 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 19...
Lithograph
Abyss
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Greenville, DE
ATTRIBUTED to Hans Hofmann. Initialed "HH" lower right. Oil on Masonite, Ca 1959. Forty - Seventh Street Gallery, 25 W. 47th St. New York label on reverse.
Masonite, Oil
Yellow Vase
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Hans Hofmann. "Yellow Vase" is still-life abstract painting, oil on panel executed in the primary colors by Post-War Abstract Expressionist H...
Oil, Panel
Composition in Blue
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original signed screenprint with extensive hand-painted gouache additions on wove paper by German-American artist Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) titled "Composition in Blue...
Gouache, Screen
Sold
H 32 in W 26 in
Original Oil on Paper Titled Upward Abstract Signed Hans Hofmann 1946
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an original, framed, oil on paper painting, entitled "Upward," signed by Hans Hofmann, 1946. This piece done in typical Hofman abstract expressionist urban ...
Oil
Hans Hofmann Untitled
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Provenance: Ameringer and Yohe Gallery Private Collection, CA
Paper, Oil, Gouache
Landscape
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Color offset lithograph "Landscape" by Hans Hofmann, monogrammed in print.
Offset
The Chair
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An abstract painting by Hans Hofmann. "The Chair" is an oil on panel, abstract painting executed in bright yellows, lime green, blues, violets and oranges b...
Oil, Panel
Untitled
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Greenwich, CT
Abstract Expressionist drawing.
Gouache, Ink, Paper