Joseph Levin was an artist in New York and Paris, born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1894 and died in New York in 1979. His abstract paintings reflect the influence of the avant-garde movements of these great centers of art. He was promoted by the famous French art critic George Waldemar, who is noted for discovering Chaim Soutine. While living in Russia, Levin was influenced by the Pioneer Russian abstract painter Kasimir Malevich (1878-1935), who was the first to exhibit abstract paintings in 1913 and published The Non-Objective World in 1926, describing his Suprematist theories. Malevich’s influence on Avante-Garde artists was so important that some art historians claim without him there would be no Marcel Duchamp. In 1922, Levin traveled to China and exhibited his paintings in Peking and Tianjin, where Chinese calligraphy would influence his abstract works. Prior to1925, he moved to Paris, becoming part of the School of Paris painters. This group of painters included such notables as Marc Chagall (1887-1985), who also traveled between Russia and Paris; and Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) among many other notables. Levin’s early works combine his study of Suprematist theories in Russia, Chinese calligraphy and School of Paris influences including Chagall’s dreamlike mixture of cubism, folklore and country life. He moved to New York after World War II and continued to explore theories of Surconsciencilisme. His theory was similar to that of Mark Rothko (1903-1970), Adolf Gottlieb (1903-74) and Barnett Newman’s (1905-1970) use of mythology and writings of Freud and Jung concerning dreams and archetypes of collective unconscious operating in a space of human consciousness that transcends specific history and culture. A show in 1959 at Galerie Marcel Bernheim in Paris exhibited modern works from this period. Recently a large number of abstract works were found in an attic that were originally from Levin's estate, which has renewed research and interest in his works.
Mid-Century Abstract Expressionist Gouache on Paper, Signed, 41x55 cm
By Joseph Levin
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid-century abstract expressionist geometric gouache on paper by Russian artist Joseph Levin. Signed to the bottom right and presented in a black passepartout. This artwork is a str...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
$1,600
H 24 in W 30 in
A Colorful 1956 Gouache Titled "Sunday in Torromolinos, Spain" by Samuel Butnik
Located in Chicago, IL
A Colorful 1956 Gouache Titled "Sunday in Torromolinos, Spain" by Samuel Butnik. Artwork size: 18" x 25". Archivally matted to: 24" x 30". Biography...
Paper, Gouache
$491
H 18.75 in W 25.5 in
Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Black Ink Gestural Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Black Ink Gestural Painting Medium: Black ink/ gouache painting on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 18.75 inches x 25.75 (h...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
$484
H 25.25 in W 19.75 in
Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Ink Wash Modernist Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Ink Wash Gestural Painting Medium: Black ink and wash on paper, unframed French, circa 1950...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
$484
H 25.75 in W 19.75 in
Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Black Ink Gestural Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Black Ink Gestural Painting Medium: Black ink/ gouache painting on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 25.75 inches x 19.75 (h...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
$482
H 24.75 in W 18.75 in
Mid Century French Abstract Tree Expressionist Ink Gouache Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Tree Expressionist Ink Gouache Painting Medium: Black ink/ gouache painting on paper, unframed French, circa ...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
$518
H 19.75 in W 25.25 in
Mid Century French Abstract Reclining Figure Expressionist Ink Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Reclining Figure Expressionist Ink Painting Medium: Black ink/ gouache painting on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 19.75 inches x 25.25 ...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
$15,000
H 17.6 in W 31.5 in
Boxing Scene Painting, Abstract Figurative Art, Signed 1961, 17.6x31.5
By Bob Peak
Located in Miami, FL
Many in the art world today dismiss illustrators as being commercial simply because their work was done on assignment for a client, rather than for themselves. Sadly, these art world people have limited imagination and a restricted sense of curiosity. Rembrandt and Leonardo were commercial artists. This boxing illustration/painting was done for Sports Illustrated...
Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil, Paper
$498
H 25.75 in W 19.75 in
Mid Century French Abstract Tree Expressionist Ink Wash Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Tree Expressionist Ink Wash Painting Medium: Black ink and wash on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 25.75 inches x 19.75 (height x width) Condition: The work is structurally sound though with visible creasing, surface rippling and age related toning throughout the sheet. There is light edge wear and handling marks consistent with storage. The ink and wash remain stable. This would benefit from professional flattening and framing. Provenance: from a large collection in Paris Description: A striking mid-century French abstract expressionist ink painting on paper, executed in bold black gestural marks with a strong sense of movement and rhythm. The composition reads as a lively field of calligraphic brushwork, with sweeping strokes, broken textures, and clustered forms that suggest foliage, energy, or a landscape fragment without becoming literal. The confident use of black against the raw paper creates a dramatic, graphic impact, making this an ideal piece for modern interiors, particularly for collectors drawn to monochrome abstraction, post-war European modernism, and expressive works on paper. In this particularly elegant example, the composition resolves clearly into a stylised tree form. A strong central trunk rises vertically from the lower edge, branching outward into sweeping limbs that extend across the upper half of the sheet. The addition of grey wash introduces tonal variation and a subtle sense of depth, softening certain areas while reinforcing the organic structure of the branches. The upward movement of the limbs creates a sense of growth and vitality, while the spareness of the background allows the form to stand boldly against the natural tone of the paper. The work captures the essence of a winter tree or windswept branches through expressive, economical brushwork, aligning closely with the spirit of post-war French Art Informel and modernist landscape abstraction. This fabulous mid century original French expressionist abstract tree painting...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
Abstract Expressionist Bay Area Hills Landscape
By Honora Berg
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist painting of Bay Area Hills by Honora Berg Berkeley San Francisco Bay Area abstract expressionist landscape by Honora Berg (American, 1897-1985). A brilliant e...
Archival Paper, Gouache
$1,500
H 22 in W 16 in
Abstract Expressionist Landscape Jay Milder Rhino Horn Painting American Pop Art
By Jay Milder
Located in Surfside, FL
This came from the collection of the Horace Richter Gallery, Old jaffa, Israel These were done in the 1990's Hand signed and dated. titled Old Jaffa. Jay Milder (born 1934) is an Am...
Paper, Gouache
$4,900
H 63 in W 51.19 in D 1.58 in
French Contemporary Art by Sandra Detourbet - Le Célestine
By Sandra Detourbet
Located in Paris, IDF
Ink, gouache on canvas & handmade paper Sandra Detourbet is a French artist born in 1967 who works & lives in Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris. She is graduated in 1997 from ENSAD in Pari...
Canvas, Gouache, Handmade Paper, Ink
$498
H 23.75 in W 15.75 in
Mid Century French Abstract Tree Expressionist Ink Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Tree Expressionist Ink Painting Medium: Black ink and wash on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 23.75 inches x 15.75 (height x width) Condition: The work is structurally sound though with visible creasing, surface rippling and age related toning throughout the sheet. There is a horizontal fold line across the centre and light edge wear consistent with storage. The ink remains bold and stable. This would benefit from professional flattening and framing. Provenance: from a large collection in Paris Description: A striking mid-century French abstract expressionist ink painting on paper, executed in bold black gestural marks with a strong sense of movement and rhythm. The composition reads as a lively field of calligraphic brushwork, with sweeping strokes, broken textures, and clustered forms that suggest foliage, energy, or a landscape fragment without becoming literal. The confident use of black against the raw paper creates a dramatic, graphic impact, making this an ideal piece for modern interiors, particularly for collectors drawn to monochrome abstraction, post-war European modernism, and expressive works on paper. In this particularly powerful example, the abstract gestures resolve into a sculptural tree form. A thick, sweeping trunk rises from the lower edge of the sheet, curving upward into branching limbs that extend dramatically across the upper half of the composition. The bold, loaded brushstrokes create dense black passages, contrasted with dry-brushed edges that reveal the speed and physicality of execution. The central mass gives the composition weight and presence, while the upward branching creates a sense of growth and vitality. The organic structure is rendered through expressive, economical mark making, aligning closely with the spirit of post-war French Art Informel and modernist landscape abstraction. This fabulous mid century original French expressionist abstract tree painting...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
Sold
H 51 in W 38 in
Sur-Consciencilisme, Centrifuge, large abstract impressionist painting on canvas
By Joseph Levin
Located in Cotignac, FR
Large Abstract Expressionist oil on canvas by Joseph Levin (1894 -1979). This important early work forms part of his exploration and elaboration in abstract form of his idea of a centrifugal force, the universal movement he called 'Sur -Consciencilisme'. Levin was born in St Petersburg in 1894. he studied at the Imperial Institute in Moscow and the National Academy of Design in New York. He was thus fortunate to spend his most artistically productive years in the cultural capitals of Moscow, New York and later between 1926 and 1935 in Paris. He studied with and was influenced by the Russian avant-garde artists Mikhail Larionov and Kazimir Malevich, New York abstract expressionists Mark Rothko and Adolf...
Canvas, Oil
Modernist Still Life
By Joseph Levin
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist kitchen still life painting by Joseph Levin (1894-1979). Oil on canvas, circa 1960. Signed lower left, "Levin". Displayed in a modernist fr...
Canvas, Oil
Abstract Expressionist Composition
By Joseph Levin
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist-style abstract painting by Joseph Levin (1894-1979). Oil on canvas, circa 1960. Signed lower right, "Levin". Displayed in a giltwood frame, hang...
Canvas, Oil