Lee Reynolds Burr opened his Vanguard Studios in Beverly Hills, California, in 1964 to make oil paintings an attainable decoration for any American household. With seascapes, nautical scenes, still lifes, bullfights, cowboys, pastoral views, hot-air balloons, horse races and abstractions, there was a Vanguard Studios creation to match any taste and interior.
Born in Los Angeles, Burr studied art at the University of Southern California. After graduating and a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked in a local studio as a painter before becoming a home decor entrepreneur with financial support from his mother.
Only a fraction of the alleged hundreds of thousands of oil paintings produced by Vanguard were actually painted by Burr, even though they were signed “Lee Reynolds,” “Lee Burr” or just “Reynolds.” (As he would later state, those signed solely “Lee Reynolds Burr” were by his own hand, and he would sometimes include a thumbprint as proof.) Instead, a team of artists organized in an assembly line hand-painted and copied works on an eclectic range of subjects, the originals often being created by Burr while other canvases were purchased at auctions in Europe and reproduced at Vanguard. Sold in furniture stores and through interior decorators nationwide, the Reynolds-signed paintings soon became ubiquitous above couches in living rooms all over the United States.
These paintings regularly mirrored art-world trends, such as the Abstract Expressionism of the 1960s, but at prices that were much more affordable than fine art. Vanguard Studios was sold to the Kirsch Company in 1974, but Burr’s name was still used on Vanguard paintings. Burr would start East Park Gallery in 1981 and continue to produce works in a more contemporary style until his retirement in 1998.
In the collection of Impressionist and abstract paintings on 1stDibs, find a range of authentic Lee Reynolds paintings.
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
“Cityscape”
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Southampton, NY
Original oil and acrylic painting on canvas of a contemporary cityscape.. Signed Lee Reynolds lower right. Vanguard Studio label verso. Circa 1975. Condition is excellent. The pain...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
“Woman putting on lipstick”
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Warren, NJ
Lee Reynolds Painting Oil Canvas Original 4’x5’ “woman Putting on Lipstick”. Stunning painting in good condition. Buyer must pickup or hire shipping service
Oil
Red Abstract OiI Compostion by Lee Reynolds
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Pasadena, CA
Modern Abstract Year: 1960-1970 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed lower right Size: Abstract oil on canvas by Lee Reynolds was a popular artist in the 1960s known for oversized, color...
Oil
Red Abstract OiI Compostion by Lee Reynolds
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Pasadena, CA
Modern Abstract Year: 1960-1970 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed lower right Size: Abstract oil on canvas by Lee Reynolds was a popular artist in the 1960s known for oversized, color...
Oil
"Water lilies"
By Evgeny Chernyakovsky
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The painting evokes a sense of peace, a dissolution of form and light. The viewer seems to be looking at the surface of a quiet pond, reflecting the sky, trees, and clouds. Water lil...
Canvas, Oil
$1,695
H 10.5 in W 10.5 in D 1.75 in
Miniature Painting of Victoria Embankment London & Houses of Parliament in Rain
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
Miniature Painting of Victoria Embankment London & Houses of Parliament, Westminster in the Rain - a unique original from leading Contemporary Cityscape Artist, Angela Wakefield. Par...
Gesso, Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Board
$5,500
H 27.5 in W 34.5 in D 1 in
Untitled Abstract Painting, Oil on Canvas, Circa 1960s, Unframed
By Ron Stonier
Located in Vancouver, CA
Ron Stonier (1933-2001) was a dedicated Vancouver artist celebrated for his exploration of abstract painting, influenced by his mentors Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt, as well as by ...
Canvas, Oil
$3,600
H 28 in W 21.5 in D 2 in
Untitled Abstract Geometric Painting, Oil on Paper, Framed, 1960s
By Ron Stonier
Located in Vancouver, CA
Ron Stonier (1933-2001) was a dedicated Vancouver artist celebrated for his exploration of abstract painting, influenced by his mentors Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt, as well as by ...
Paper, Oil, Board
$3,250
H 25.25 in W 21.25 in D 2 in
Florence Graziano “Galaxie #122” 1971 Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting
By Florence Graziano
Located in Denver, CO
An exceptional 1971 abstract oil painting by American artist Florence Mercolino Graziano (1913–1996), “Galaxie #122” is a luminous example of late mid-century Abstract Expressionism....
Oil
$3,119
H 38 in W 30.5 in D 1 in
Francesco Solimena (Workshop), The Virgin & Child With Saint Joseph
By Francesco Solimena
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This early 18th-century oil painting by an artist active in the workshop of Francesco Solimena (1657-1747) depicts the Virgin Mary holding the sleeping Christ Child, with Saint Josep...
Canvas, Oil
$3,600
H 28.25 in W 21.75 in D 1 in
Untitled Abstract Painting, Oil on Paper, Framed, Circa 1960s
By Ron Stonier
Located in Vancouver, CA
Ron Stonier (1933-2001) was a dedicated Vancouver artist celebrated for his exploration of abstract painting, influenced by his mentors Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt, as well as by ...
Paper, Oil, Board
$5,500
H 27.5 in W 34.5 in D 1 in
Untitled Abstract Painting, Oil on Canvas, Circa 1960s, Unframed
By Ron Stonier
Located in Vancouver, CA
Ron Stonier (1933-2001) was a dedicated Vancouver artist celebrated for his exploration of abstract painting, influenced by his mentors Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt, as well as by ...
Canvas, Oil
$12,000
H 15.5 in W 26 in D 1.75 in
Doris Lee American Scene Landscape, Colorado Mountain Town, Modernist Art
By Doris Lee
Located in Denver, CO
A vibrant mid-century landscape painting by American artist Doris Lee, depicting a small Colorado mountain town in summer. Executed in oil on board, the...
Oil
$3,600
H 28.25 in W 21.75 in D 1 in
Untitled Abstract Painting, Oil on Board, Signed, Circa 1660
By Ron Stonier
Located in Vancouver, CA
Ron Stonier (1933-2001) was a dedicated Vancouver artist celebrated for his exploration of abstract painting, influenced by his mentors Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt, as well as by ...
Oil, Board, Archival Paper
$1,500
H 16.31 in W 12.37 in
"Flower Composition" Colorful Modern Still Life Oil Painting, signed and framed
By Amy Florence
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A detailed oil painting of a composition of flowers. Artfully composed, this work is an excellent example of the artist's oeuvre. Bright colors depict forms of daisies, roses, blossoms, stems, eucalyptus...
Oil, Panel
$4,800
H 30.5 in W 40.5 in D 1.25 in
Edward Marecak 1980s Three Figures Semi Abstract Oil Painting Modern Art
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
This original 1980s oil on canvas by Edward Marecak presents a compelling example of the artist’s mature style, blending semi-abstract composition with recognizable human forms. The ...
Oil
Sold
H 31.5 in W 88.19 in
Extra-large 1990 abstract contemporary oil painting in pastel colors
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
This extra-large contemporary oil painting by American artist Lee Reynolds Burr from 1990 hangs as a relaxing and joyful interior element. In this co...
Canvas, Oil
Large Red and Orange Abstract Painting
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Houston, TX
Large Lee Reynolds abstract painting that incorporates hues of Red, Orange, and White. The painting is framed and signed in the bottom right corner. Dimensions Without Frame: H 48 in. x W 60 in. x D 1.5 in. Artist Biography: Born in Los Angeles, Lee Reynolds Burr has a BFA from the University of Southern California. He has served as Chairman, Board of Directors of East Park Gallery in Los Angeles. Lee was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1936 to Hazel Stuart Burr and Charles Reynolds Burr. He attended Los Angeles High School and received his fine arts degree at USC. Lee enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1956. Upon his return to Los Angeles Lee worked for a local studio as a painter. He quickly realized he wanted to start his own art business and in the 1960’s used a small loan from his mother to found Vanguard Studios in Beverly Hills, CA. He was the director for Vanguard Studios in Beverly Hills, California in the late sixties and many thousands of artworks bear the signature "Lee Reynolds" or "Lee Burr...
Canvas, Oil, ABS
Sold
H 30.25 in W 60.25 in
Lee Reynolds Vanguard Studios Mid Century Abstract Oil Painting c.1960s
By Lee Reynolds
Located in San Francisco, CA
Lee Reynolds Vanguard Studios Mid Century Abstract Oil Painting c.1960s Fabulous sixties abstract painting created at Vanguard Studios in Beverly Hills, California. Original oil on...
Canvas, Oil