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
$19,695
H 41 in W 53 in D 1.75 in
Large Original Painting of Broadway New York City from 2011 - early 21st Century
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
Large Atmospheric Black & Yellow Painting of Broadway New York City by British Urban Landscape Artist, Angela Wakefield. This unique original...
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic, Gesso, Linen, Mixed Media, Oil
$6,100
H 49 in W 67 in
Whisper - Large Scale Original Pastel Tone Oceanscape Sunset Painting on Canvas
By Charlotte Elizabeth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charlotte Elizabeth has been working with paint professionally for over fifteen years. Elizabeth’s training in theatre design preceded a busy career as a Theatrical Scenic Artist in ...
Gold Leaf
$1,739
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
Monumental Gold Tone Abstract Painting by MacMillan c.1970
Located in San Francisco, CA
Magnificent monumental abstract painting circa 1970s. Signed lower right "MacMillan". This painting will be the centerpiece of any interior. It's a large, and elegant painting fill...
Canvas, Oil
$3,034
H 35.44 in W 51.19 in D 0.79 in
Light 5 July 04:23, Modern Landscape Painting, Minimalistic, Abstract, Sea View
By Robert Motelski
Located in Salzburg, 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
Farmyard Friends
By Edgar Hunt
Located in Belgravia, London, London
Farmyard Friends by Edgar Hunt British, 1876–1953 Oil on Board Board size: 14 x 12 inches Framed size: 20 x 18 inches
Canvas, Oil
Oil Water Landscape with Mountains
By Alfred Thompson Bricher
Located in Fredericksburg, VA
Alfred Thompson Bricher, an American artist celebrated for his exquisite marine and landscape paintings, created "Boats Sailing Between Mountains." This piece exemplifies Bricher’s m...
Paper, Oil
$32,500
H 59.06 in W 59.06 in D 1.19 in
Large Colourful Exotic Impressionistic Landscape Painting "African Sky Blue"
By Claire Denarie-Soffietti
Located in Cape Town, ZA
A unique, large scale figurative painting with a vivid, exotic background. The painting style shows influences from the post-impressionists, yet is undeniably contemporary, with an u...
Canvas, Varnish, Wax, Oil, Acrylic
Harvest on a Hillside
By Alfred Augustus Glendening Senior
Located in Belgravia, London, London
Oil on canvas Canvas size: 20 x 32 inches Framed size: 25 x 36.5 inches Signed and dated lower right, 1868
Canvas, Oil
$750
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 2 in
"My Cotton Candy Heart" Purple & Pink Pop Oil Painting with White Floater Frame
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
Motivated by bold color and fast brushwork, we are moved by the simplicity and thick textured oil paints in these works. Shaoul’s “My Heart Collection” is a vibrant and energetic dis...
Oil, Board
$750
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 2 in
"My Marshmallow Heart" White Oil Painting on Wood with White Floater Frame
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
Motivated by bold color and fast brushwork, we are moved by the simplicity and thick textured oil paints in these works. Shaoul’s “My Heart Collection” is a vibrant and energetic dis...
Oil, Board
$750
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 2 in
"My Lucky Heart" White & Green Pop Oil Painting on Wood with White Floater Frame
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
Motivated by bold color and fast brushwork, we are moved by the simplicity and thick textured oil paints in these works. Shaoul’s “My Heart Collection...
Oil, Board
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