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, Acrylic, 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
“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
Mid-Century Modern "Lee Reynolds" Marshland Sunset Oil Painting – Newly Framed
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Incline Village, NV
Presenting an exceptional, atmospheric 1970s expressionist landscape painting from Vanguard Studios, hand-signed with stylized signature under the iconic commercial trade name "Lee R...
Canvas, Paint, Mixed Media
$164,829
H 94.49 in W 85.44 in D 1.19 in
Oil on Canvas Painting Portrait of the Italian Noble Family of Zanardi Count
By Lucia Casalini Torelli
Located in Firenze, IT
This museum quality old master oil on canvas formal portrait painting depicting the family of the Count Zanardi is signed by the artist- the female painter Lucia Casalini Torelli- and published in a book dedicated to Casalini Torelli’s workshop and academy. This palatial masterpiece artwork comes directly from the ancient Villa Maraini Guerrieri - Palidano di Gonzaga (Mantua), an historic Italian heritage building owned by the descendants of the family portrayed for more than two centuries, until 1998. The big scale of this oil on canvas masterpiece painting states the relevance of Lucia Casalini Torelli as a painter. The present artwork is a formal family portrait painting that aim to introduce the characters depicted according to their social role in the society. The noble family is all gathered under a loggia overlooking a park, the landscape in the background is partially covered by a beautiful red cloth on the right side. The father stands up and holds the hand of his eldest son, proudly introducing his future heir. The son wears a light-blue dress and red boots, he is depicted in a serious pose holding a black tricorn hat under his arm and a rapier sword on his belt. The mother wears an elegant gold and dark green brocade dress, she is sitting with her youngest daughter on her knees while her second son is by her side. The little daughter wears a lovely long red and dress with white lace and holds an apple on her hand. The son stands next to his mother and is dressed in a brown priestly clothes. This palatial old masters piece was probably painted in 1740 due to the similarities with Cardinal Doria’ s portrait, now on display at the Doria Palace Museum, the official residence of the Prince of Genoa. The painting features original canvas (“prima tela”) and antique original patina, it is in excellent overall condition considering the age, use and its large scale. A formal detailed condition report and the results of the inspection with the UV lamp accompanied by photos is available on request. As well as for its exceptional quality and quite perfect state of conservation, this painting is particularly important and even more valuable both for the artist who painted it and for its absolutely exclusive provenance. Lucia painted the most prominent and powerful noble families of her time, the location of these paintings is unknown to the art market as it is extremely likely that the portraits are still kept in private collections. Furthermore, Lucia was one of the most appreciated artists of her time, so important that she was admitted as a member of the academy at a time when women were forbidden to attend these studies. In 1706, Felice Torelli...
Canvas, Oil
soft place to land
Located in New Orleans, LA
Kristin Cronic says of her work... I create large scale gestural paintings of nature forms. The live oaks of my birthplace, uprooted tree carcasses, and rock formations magnify the ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
The Piano
By KOKO HOVAGUIMIAN
Located in La Canada Flintridge, CA
The piece is called ‘The Piano’ because it is the central instrument in the orchestra arrangement and composition. -"As a pianist myself, one of my favorit...
Oil
Vintage Oil Still Life - Copper Pot & Artichokes
By Raymond Bailly
Located in Houston, TX
This charmingly impressionist oil still life depicts an antique copper pot, a glass bottle, and two artichokes by French artist Raymond Bailly, 1970s. Original artwork on paper dis...
Oil, Paper
$3,296
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 1.97 in
Nuenen memories 2 En Plein Air Nuenen- 21 st Century Contemporary Landscape
By Joost Verhagen
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Joost Verhagen Memory of Nuenen 80 x 100 cm Acrylic paint on canvas Shipping on a roll in a tube we can offer, worldwide, for free. If you decide to purchase the painting framed an...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,693
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 1.19 in
"White Landscape" l Abstract Painting, Contemporary Art by Marilina Marchica
By Marilina Marchica
Located in Agrigento, AG
White Landscape mixed media on canvas 50x50 cm 2019 original Artwork Ready to Hang My painting tells of the relationship between man, nature and time, the landscape, the sign a...
Enamel
$2,150
H 40 in W 40 in
Monstera 6, Vibrant Abstract Expressionist Foliage Original Mixed Media Painting
By Giuseppe Beddru
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In the realm of vibrant expressions, Italian artist Giuseppe Beddru masterfully brings to life abstracted flora in a spectacular fusion of color and form. The canvas dances with an o...
Canvas, Mixed Media
$9,000
H 24 in W 36 in D 1 in
Musicians oil painting on canvas, Geometric Musicians, Horizontal painting.
By KOKO HOVAGUIMIAN
Located in La Canada Flintridge, CA
Geometric Musicians is Koko Hovaguimian’s first major painting completed in 2026 and marks an important continuation of his evolving abstract language. In this work, fragmented geome...
Oil
$2,800
H 51.19 in W 63 in D 0.79 in
Raventos Landscape of Vineyar Big expressionist mixed media painting
By Maria Asuncion Raventos
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
landscape of vineyar - original expressionist mixed media painting RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of F...
Canvas, Mixed Media
$2,949
H 35.44 in W 51.19 in D 0.79 in
Light 18 August 18:26, Modern Landscape Painting, Minimalistic, Abstract, Sea
By Robert Motelski
Located in Hallein, AT
Robert Motelski's paintings are exceptional visions of nature, visions of space which surrounds us. They tell about being, fate and passing. They depend on the season of year, the ti...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
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Located in New Orleans, LA
Kristin Cronic says of her work... I create large scale gestural paintings of nature forms. The live oaks of my birthplace, uprooted tree carcasses, and rock formations magnify the ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Color Pencil
Vintage French Oil Still Life - The Painter's Box
Located in Houston, TX
Warmly hued oil on paper still life of open wooden box with artist's supplies spilling out, circa 1930. Signed lower right. Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with ...
Oil, Paper
Vintage Oil Landscape - Autumn Trail
By Raymond Bailly
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely oil on paper landscape of autumn colored trees lining a small pathway in a park by artist Raymond Bailly, 1966. Original one-of-a-kind artwork on paper displayed on a white ...
Oil, Paper
Violin in Case
By Raymond Bailly
Located in Houston, TX
Vibrant French oil still life painting of violin in blue lined violin case by artist Raymond Bailly, circa 1965. Signed lower right. Original artw...
Oil
Vintage French Oil Still Life - Roses & Reading
Located in Houston, TX
Spectacular oil painting on paper of an elegant bouquet of roses in a decorative pitcher sitting upon a leather bound book by French artist Marrot, 1942. Signed and dated lower left....
Oil, Paper
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