A sculptor, painter, ceramicist and furniture and lighting designer, Isamu Noguchi was one of the most prolific and protean creative forces of the 20th century and a key figure in the development of organic modernism. Noguchi’s sculptures and designs — his chairs and tables as well as his timeless Akari lamp and other lighting fixtures — share a common spirit: one of lyrical abstraction, tempo and flow and harmonious balance.
Noguchi was born in Los Angeles to an American mother and Japanese father, and spent most of his childhood in Japan. He returned to the United States at age 13, went to high school in Indiana and enrolled at Columbia University to study medicine. At the same time, he took night courses in sculpture.
Within three months, Noguchi left college to pursue art full time. Noguchi was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1927 and traveled to Paris to work under Constantin Brancusi. It marked a turning point. Inspired by Brancusi, Noguchi embraced abstraction and began to sculpt in the expressive, rhythmic style that would be the hallmark of his work.
Once back in New York, Noguchi was introduced to design by what would become a lifelong collaboration creating sets for choreographer Martha Graham. His first industrial designs were in Bakelite: the sleek Measured Time kitchen timer created circa 1932, and his famed Zenith Radio Nurse intercom, from 1937.
Ten years later, Herman Miller introduced Noguchi’s now-iconic glass-topped coffee table with an articulated wooden base. His washi paper and bamboo Akari light sculptures, handmade in Japan, debuted in 1951. In the late 1950s, Noguchi designed for Knoll, creating such pieces as his dynamic Cyclone table and rocking stool.
For collectors, Noguchi’s furniture and lighting designs remain his most accessible work — they have the same power and presence that Noguchi brought to his art.
Find vintage Isamu Noguchi floor lamps, table lamps, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$5,800
RARE Art Card: The Cry, 1957 (Hand Signed and inscribed by Isamu Noguchi) Framed
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in New York, NY
This is an extraordinarily rare hand signed card of a modern master -- we likely won't see the likes of this again. Framed and ready to hang. Makes a great gift. Isamu Noguchi Offs...
Postcard
Modern Pair of Oriental Numbered and Signed Etching
Located in Roma, IT
1970s Pair of black and white important numbered and signed etching. Japan 1973. Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by S...
Paper, Lithograph
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 1.19 in
1980s Signed Mario Schifano Artwork on Paper
By Mario Schifano
Located in Roma, IT
Materic silkscreen print “Ondate di gelo” (Frost Waves) by Mario Schifano. Signature and numbering in pencil on front side. Dry stamp of the artist on front. Edition F.C. (Not for...
Paper
$800
H 25 in W 14 in
Berggruen abstract lithographic poster by Wassily Kandinsky, 1972
By Wassily Kandinsky
Located in New York, NY
This colorful modern lithographic poster by Wassily Kandinsky was printed in 1972 at the Atelier Mourlot in Paris to promote an exhibition of his watercolors and drawings at the Gale...
Lithograph
$1,030
H 35.8 in W 21.5 in
Antagonismes by Pierre Soulages (1960) - lithographic poster
By Pierre Soulages
Located in New York, NY
Made for an exhibition of artist Pierre Soulages works at the Musee Des Arts Decoratifs (museum of decorative arts and design) at the Palais du Louvre in Paris, 1960. The original im...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Very good impressions of these 4 color screenprints on white wove paper. Each signed, dated and numbered 15/25, 18/36, 15/39 or 6/40 in pencil.
Color, Screen
$750
H 39.5 in W 25 in
Olympische Spiele Munchen by Marino Marini -poster for 1972 olympics in Munich
By Marino Marini
Located in New York, NY
Classic Poster Paper - Good Condition A Original lithographic poster created by Marino Marini for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. It is both ...
Lithograph
Poster for Peace
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color offset lithograph with strong colors. Signed, dated and numbered 230/250 in pencil by Rauschenberg. Published by S...
Color, Lithograph, Offset
$175Sale Price|36% Off
H 16.75 in W 12.75 in D 1 in
Untitled Composition II (Gestural Abstraction, Lyrical, Tachisme, Expressionism)
By Otto Greis
Located in Kansas City, MO
Otto Greis Untitled Composition II Original Silkscreen on Fine Vellum Year: 1960 Sheet Size: 7.6 × 5.625 inches (19.30 × 14.29 cm) Mat Size: 10.6 × 8.125 inches (26.92 × 20.64 cm) Fr...
Vellum, Screen
Spirale Nebula
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this large color lithograph on Arches. Signed and numbered 94/100 in pencil by Calder. Printed and published by Mourlot, Paris.
Color, Lithograph
$3,801
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 0.04 in
Pablo Picasso - Painter and His Model - Original Lithograph
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Pablo Picasso - Painter and His Model - Original Lithograph 1964 Dimensions: 30 x 20 cm Edition of 200 (one of the 200 on Vélin de Rives) Mourlot Press, 1964 Cramer, 128 Unsigned an...
Lithograph
Deux Têtes
By Karel Appel
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color lithograph on Arches. Signed, dated and numbered 141/200 in pencil by Appel.
Color, Lithograph
Senza titolo (Concetto Spaziale)
By Lucio Fontana
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color photolithograph with strong colors on Magnani Pescia paper. Signed and numbered 101/150 in pencil by Fontana. Printed by Le Arte Grafiche Pardini...
Color, Lithograph