The legendary Los Angeles art scene of the 1960s produced many spectacular visual artists, such as Ed Moses, Billy Al Bengston and James Turrell. Painter and sculptor Larry Bell is arguably among the most influential of the era’s marquee names. A quintessential contemporary abstract artist, Bell explored light with glass sculptures that are difficult to categorize, while his abstract prints are a meditation on color. Whether working in two or three dimensions, Bell's artistic intuition always leads the way.
Bell was born in 1939 in Chicago and grew up in California. From 1957 to 1959, he attended the Los Angeles Chouinard Art Institute where he created monochromatic abstract oil paintings that drew on Abstract Expressionism. Soon, he began incorporating mirrors and glass in his designs, which eventually evolved into provocative sculptural works.
During the mid-1960s, Bell developed his signature technique of modifying how light moves through and is reflected in his sculptures. Working with glass cubes he built, Bell used an industrial process that sees vaporized metals becoming thin plastic films to be added to the works’ interior panels. He essentially turned his transparent boxes into tapestries of diffuse color. Bell showed his cubes at a solo exhibition at Pace Gallery in New York City in 1965. The show was a huge success, selling out on its first day.
Bell continued experimenting with new methods and techniques, shifting his focus to larger and more monumental works in the late 1960s. In the 1970s, he developed adjustable glass sculptures with as many as fifty-six panels. He also dabbled in bronze sculpture and furniture design.
Throughout his career, Bell has exhibited widely, with shows at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Norton Simon Museum in California, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Denver Art Museum, Carré d'Art-Musée d'art contemporain de Nîmes in France and Tate Britain, among many others.
In 2019, gallerist Peter Blake held a show celebrating West Coast minimalism, including the work of Bell as a respected and influential veteran in the space. Later, in 2022, Hauser & Wirth gallery in Los Angeles held a joint exhibition featuring the work of Bell and artist John Chamberlain. The two artists were lifelong friends who met in the 1960s Los Angeles art scene. In a sense, the show brought Bell back full circle.
Find original Larry Bell art on 1stDibs.
Nude 1, Large Conceptual Art Nude Screenprint by Larry Bell
By Larry Bell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Larry Bell, American (1939 - ) Title: Nude 1 Year: 1974 Medium: Screenprint with Flocking, signed, dated and numbered in pencil Edition: 17/60 Image Size: 71 x 28.5 inches Si...
Screen
Larry Bell, Untitled (Fraction of Fractions), mixed media, unique, signed
By Larry Bell
Located in New York, NY
Larry Bell Untitled (Fraction of Fractions), 2000 Pink, green and black painted elements with applied canvas and paper strips on French watercolor paper Pencil signed and dated lowe...
Fabric, Canvas, Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Barcelona, Abstract Geometric Lithograph by Larry Bell
By Larry Bell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Larry Bell, American (1939 - ) - Barcelona, Year: 1989, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 62/75, Size: 30 x 22 in. (76.2 x 55.88 cm)
Lithograph
$2,500
Larry Bell - Rare Fragments poster, Signed and Inscribed to Charles Rand Penney
By Larry Bell
Located in New York, NY
Larry Bell Rare, historic Signed and Inscribed Poster, 1981 Silkscreen Poster Exhibition entitled "Fragments and other Considerations" Hand Signed, inscribed and dated by the artist ...
Screen
Fraction Series (4522) 12/21/98
By Larry Bell
Located in London, GB
Larry Bell Fraction Series (LB 4522) 1998 Mixed media and collage on paper 25.4 x 25.4 cms (10 x 10 ins) LB 4368
Mixed Media
Fractions Series (LB 4970)
By Larry Bell
Located in London, GB
Larry Bell Fractions Series (LB 4970) 1999 Collage on paper 25.4 x 25.4 cms (10 x 10 ins) LB11
Mixed Media
$3,000
Fraction
By Larry Bell
Located in London, GB
FRACTIONS The Fractions are a large body of small works on paper that Larry Bell made using collaged pieces of discarded Mirage works. Each Fraction is composed of one or more 3×3” s...
Mixed Media
Musings, Abstract Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Terri Bell exhibits a series of organic shapes in varying sizes combined to create a double grid. She presents each abstract form as a unique design el...
Mixed Media
Untitled: White House
Located in New York, NY
Unidentified/ Unknown Artist, "Untitled: White House" , Mixed Media (Charcoal, Oil Paint) Landscape Drawing on Paper, 17.75 x 23, Mid to Late-20th Century ...
Charcoal, Mixed Media, Oil
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 20 in D 0.25 in
"Orange Row", Abstract Geometric Minimalist Composition w Ovals, Limited Edition
By Geoffrey Bowman
Located in Soquel, CA
"Orange Row", Abstract Geometric Minimalist Composition w Ovals, Limited Edition Delicate and perfect ovals in orange, yellow, red, and blue are purposefully arranged on lined paper...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph, Etching
$19,200
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Symphony" - Stunning Dynamic Abstract Expressionist Painting in Cool Palette
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Symphony" 2019 Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom left and the back of the paint...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$2,800
H 36.63 in W 27.13 in
Susan Sheehan Gallery (Ellsworth Kelly Posters 1951-2001) Poster (Signed) Color
By Ellsworth Kelly
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Ellsworth Kelly (American, 1923-2015) Title: "Susan Sheehan Gallery (Ellsworth Kelly Posters 1951-2001)" *Signed by Kelly in pencil lowe...
Lithograph
Black Roses
By Donald Sultan
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on Somerset Satin White paper. Initialed and dated in pencil, and titled and numbered 80/100 in pencil. Printed by Watanabe Studio, N...
Color, Screen
$635
H 9 in W 9 in
Glowing Sunset II - Original Vibrant Warm Tone Textured Abstract Artwork Framed
By Frederic Paul
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The delicate and poetic artworks of painter Frederic Paul reference his Asian roots in expressive and elaborate compositions. Inspired by the bold colors, spices, flora, and landscap...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Rice Paper
$750Sale Price|50% Off
H 22 in W 17.5 in
Untitled from El Circulo de Piedra portfolio
By Agustín Cárdenas
Located in Miami, FL
Agustin Cardenas (1927-2003) Untitled from El Circulo de Piedra, 1971 One of fifteen original lithographs, signed and numbered by the artist, commissioned t...
Lithograph
Composition C n°III in Red, Blue and Yellow - Lithograph
By Piet Mondrian
Located in Paris, IDF
Piet MONDRIAN (after) Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow Lithograph (8 colors) Printed signature in the plate Justified HC (Hors commerce) Blind stamp of the editor in the marg...
Lithograph
$635
H 9 in W 9 in
Caribbean Sea - Original Textured Blue Tone Abstract Landscape Artwork Framed
By Frederic Paul
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The delicate and poetic artworks of painter Frederic Paul reference his Asian roots in expressive and elaborate compositions. Inspired by the bold colors, spices, flora, and landscap...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Rice Paper
Valentine
By Katherine Bello
Located in Kansas City, MO
Artist : Katherine Bello Title : Valentine Materials : Acrylic and paper on board Date : 1/2020 Dimensions : 18"x18"x.75" Signed and Dated by Hand COA Provided Katherine Bello's aim as an artist is to capture a sense of place, a moment of time, or a feeling - to evoke a sense of wonder. Bello loves paint and paint brushes; bold, gestural mark-making and the interplay of color. She is influenced by light and landscape, poetry, history and science. Formerly educated in Chemical Engineering and Interior Design, Bello is drawn to the process of creating Something out of Nothing. Abstract, sbstract art...
Canvas, Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board
$15,200
H 40 in W 50 in D 1.5 in
"Love for Meadow VII" - Colorful Rainbow Textured Impasto Contemporary Abstract
By Sveta Hessler
Located in Carmel, CA
Sveta Hessler (Russian, born 1973) "Love for Meadow VII" 2025 Acrylic paint, Gel, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. The artist notes th...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars, Mixed Media
Untitled (In Barcelona Suite), Larry Bell
By Larry Bell
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Larry Bell (1939) Title: Untitled (In Barcelona Suite) Year: 1989 Medium: Color Aquatint on Arches paper Edition: 53/75, plus proofs Size: 30 x 22 inches...
Aquatint
Untitled (In Barcelona Suite), Larry Bell
By Larry Bell
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Larry Bell (1939) Title: Untitled (In Barcelona Suite) Year: 1989 Medium: Color Aquatint on Arches paper Edition: 75, plus proofs Size: 3...
Aquatint
Cube # 32 (Amber / Green)
By Larry Bell
Located in London, GB
Larry Bell Cube # 32 (Amber / Green) 2005 Coloured glass coated with inconel 50.8 x 50.8 x 50.8 cms (20 x 20 x 20 ins) LB9551
Glass
Cube #7 (Green / Clear)
By Larry Bell
Located in London, GB
Larry Bell Cube 7 (Green / Clear) 2006 Coloured glass coated with inconel, green clear and water clear coated glass 38.1 x 38.1 x 38.1 cms (15 x 15 x 15 ins)
Glass
Untitled
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Paper
Untitled (Horizontal Fade Ellipse)
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Paper
MSMS 20
By Larry Bell
Located in Houston, TX
Mixed media abstract by Larry Bell.
Canvas, Mixed Media
Untitled
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Brass
Untitled
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Glass
Cube #20-2-92
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Glass
Lux III ED. 35/150
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Canvas, Mirror
Lux III
By Larry Bell
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Larry Bell is most commonly known for his Minimalist sculptures—transparent cubes that thrive on the interplay of shape, light, and environment— that champion the ideas of the Light ...
Canvas, Mirror