A painter of both Social Realism and Abstract Expressionism and part of the New York School, James Brooks did many large-scale paintings that expressed a sense of cosmic space as though a high-powered telescope were penetrating space so deeply that one feels the color, the form and the surge of movement. He used much black, so that darkness seemed equal to the other colors of his canvases and conveyed a sense of void amongst floating and colliding bright colors.
In 1926, Brooks moved to New York City and worked as a commercial lettering artist, while taking night classes at the Art Students League from 1927 to 1930. From 1931 to 1934, he traveled and painted in the American West and Southwest, painting in a Social Realist style.
Between 1936 and 1942, he worked on murals for the WPA Federal Art Project including ones for Queensborough Public Library, Woodside Branch Library, and LaGuardia Airport. The LaGuardia mural called Flight, later destroyed, was especially impressive and huge — 12 feet by 235 feet. Brooks served in North Africa as an army artist during World War II, and the end of this service also marked the end of his painting in realistic styles.
In 1949, having observed Jackson Pollock's drip style, Brooks experimented with pouring pigment on the back of un-sized canvas, and became much lauded for his achieving of balance between spontaneity and control. In 1953, he abandoned that technique for much more densely packed, tightly controlled structure resembling Cubism. In the early 1960s, he added linear calligraphy to his painting.
From 1947 to 1975, Brooks taught at various colleges and universities including Pratt Institute, Columbia University, and Cooper Union in New York City, the Art Center in Miami, Yale University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In 1963, he was an artist-in-residence at the American Academy in Rome and in 1967 had a Guggenheim Fellowship.
Brooks died in East Hampton, New York, in 1992, having suffered from Alzheimer's disease beginning 1985.
Find original James Brooks paintings and other art on 1stDibs.
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Plant-like
By James Brooks
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
James Brooks (1906-1992). Plantlike, c.1945. Oil on canvas measures 18 x 24 inches; 24 x 30 inches in a painted wood frame of the period. Signed "J. David Brooks" lower right, Signed...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Concord
By James Brooks
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on white wove paper. Signed, dated and numbered 83/200 in pencil. Printed by Styria Studio, Inc., New York, with the blind stamp lowe...
Color, Screen
Concord, Abstract Expressionist Silkscreen by James Brooks
By James Brooks
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Brooks, American (1906 - 1992) Title: Concord from America: The Third Century Portfolio Year: 1975 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Paper...
Screen
Concord
By James Brooks
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Brooks, James Title: Concord Date: 1976 Medium: Silkscreen Unframed Dimensions: 30 x 22 Framed Dimensions: 38" x 30" Signature: Pencil Sig...
Screen
Concord, Abstract Expressionist Screenprint by James Brooks
By James Brooks
Located in Long Island City, NY
An abstract expressionist composition in bright and cheerful colors. Rather than opt for the moody and dark tone of other expressionists, this print uses almost youthful shades. The ...
Screen
The Basque Suite: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Edition of 150 104.1 x 71.7 cms (41 x 28 1/4 ins)
Screen
$88,585
H 41 in W 32.5 in D 2 in
Dark & Atmospheric Abstract Expressionist Art by Contemporary British Painter
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
Dark & Atmospheric Abstract Expressionist Painting by Contemporary British Painter Angela Wakefield - a rare early work. Entitled 'Accrington ...
Gesso, Canvas, Cotton, Paint, Varnish, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, ...
Composition, Float Series, Dale Chihuly
By Dale Chihuly
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Dale Chihuly (1941) Title: Composition, Float Series Year: 2017 Medium: Silkscreen and acrylic on Waterford paper Edition: 18/110 Size: 37 x 25 inches Inscription: Signed and...
Acrylic, Screen
$54,514
H 24 in W 27 in D 2 in
City Drive Abstract Expressionist Painting by Leading British Urban Artist
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
City Drive Abstract Expressionist Painting - a rare early work from Leading British Urban Artist, Angela Wakefield. Entitled 'City Drive', this moody and atmospheric artwork is from ...
Gesso, Canvas, Cotton, Paint, Varnish, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, ...
Dusk in August
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) Dusk in August (1967) Lithograph with embossing Size: 17 x 22.25 in (43 x 56.4 cm) Frame size: 21.75 x 26.75 in (55.25 x 67.95 cm) Edition of 100, this i...
Lithograph
$136,286
H 40 in W 43 in D 2.5 in
Blue Red & Green Abstract Expressionist Painting by British Contemporary Artist
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
Blue, Red & Green Abstract Expressionist Painting, entitled 'Tropical City #1', an extremely rare early work from leading British Contemporary Artist...
Gesso, Canvas, Cotton, Paint, Varnish, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, ...
WORKING ON IT INCESSANTLY
By Mary Corita (Sister Corita) Kent
Located in Santa Monica, CA
CORITA KENT (Sister Mary Corita) 1918–1986 WORKING ON IT INCESSANTLY, ca. 1970 Color serigraph. Signed and numbered in ink 200/. In generally good condition. Image 22 3/8 x 11 1/2, sheet 23 x 12 1/4 inches. Provenance: Marjorie Kauffman Graphics on original period label. Sister Corita is highly important in the development of modern use of serigraphy with highly charged social and political content expressed in strong colors and dynamic composition. She often made biblical and well as literary references as a major part of the composition. She taught printmaking at Immaculate Heart...
Screen
$34,071
H 30 in W 40 in D 1.5 in
Abstract Musician in Practice Room Original Painting by Contemporary Artist
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
Abstract Musician in Practice Room Original Painting by Contemporary Artist An extremely rare early work from leading British Contemporary Artist, ...
Gesso, Canvas, Cotton, Paint, Varnish, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, ...
$400
H 12 in W 10 in D 1 in
High Slope, Abstract Expressionist Painting, Oil on Canvas, 2010+
By Evy Olsen Halvorsen
Located in Kingston, WA
I blended abstract and realistic elements to capture the raw energy of a mountain’s slope, a natural expression of memory. I was born surrounded by mountains, steep imposing rocks o...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
$816
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.6 in
Contemporary impressionist mountains landscape oil painting on canvas
By Natalya Mougenot
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This vibrant artwork exudes an intense harmony of colors, embodying the serene yet dynamic essence of nature. The canvas bursts with a remarkable landscape, primarily dominated by a ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Sonata
By Mark Tobey
Located in New York, NY
A very good, richly-inked impression of this color screenprint on Japon nacré. The deluxe, Roman numeral edition of 60 on Japon nacré, aside from the regular edition of 100. Signed a...
Color, Screen
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...
Screen
“Untitled”
By James Brooks
Located in Southampton, NY
Original black and white abstract lithograph on archival paper by the well known American modernist artist, James Brooks. Signed in pencil by the artist and dated 1961 lower right. ...
Archival Paper, Lithograph
Sold
H 32.5 in W 40 in
South Fork, Abstract Expressionist Screenprint by James Brooks
By James Brooks
Located in Long Island City, NY
South Fork by James Brooks, American (1906–1992) Date: 1974 Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 5/55 Image: 27 x 34.75 inches Size: 32.5 x 40 in. (82.55 x 101.6 cm)
Screen
Dally
By James Brooks
Located in Columbia, MO
JAMES BROOKS Dally 1981 Acrylic on canvas 36 x 60 inches Framed: 37.5 x 61.5 inches
Acrylic
“Untitled Abstract”
By James Brooks
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil on canvas painting by the well known East Hampton, New York artist, James Brooks. Signed lower right. Circa 1975. Condition is excellent. The painting has a wonderful three dimensional quality to it and is very typical of the artist’s abstract expressionist style. The painting is housed in its original thin rounded pewter colored frame. Overall framed measurements are 25 by 25 inches. Born in St. Louis, MO (1906). Attended Southern Methodist University (1923-25). Moved to New York City (1926). Studied at the Art Students League with Kimon Nicolaides...
Canvas, Oil