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.
Lee Reynolds Abstract Expressionist Painting in Earth Tones, Mid-Century Modern
By Lee Reynolds
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking large-scale abstract painting by celebrated American artist Lee Reynolds, this dynamic composition captures the enduring appeal of mid-century abstraction while feeling re...
Paint
Vintage Mid Century Original Art The Marshland by Lee Reynolds
By Lee Reynolds
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful original landscape scene by acclaimed artist Lee Reynolds. This piece titled “Marshland” from the 1960s showcases a sunset marshland landscape done in a vivid, expressiv...
Paint
$1,350
H 7.75 in W 28.5 in D 0.5 in
Folk Art Watermelon Painting by Lester Gaba Circa 1960 Mid Century Modern
Located in Atlanta, GA
Folk Art watermelon painting by Lester Gaba, American, circa 1960.
Wood, Paint
Arts And Crafts Antique Pyrography Portrait Zodiac Figure Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
A sensitive and superb antique Arts and crafts pyrography portrait of an elegant Victorian lady holding a branch. This unique work of art was hand incised likely in the early 20th ...
Wood, Mahogany
$1,236
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in D 0.79 in
Danish Artist Otto Petersen, Mid-Century Modern Painting, 1960's
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Otto Petersen (1938 - 2003) was active/lived in Denmark, Germany. Otto Petersen is known for Cubist and abstract figurative nude women sculpture, ...
Canvas
$795
H 5 in W 26.25 in D 1.5 in L 5 in
Japanese Asian Hand Painted Lacquered Temple Shrine Plaque Horses, 19th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and intricate work likely originally from a Japanese temple. The hand painted scene depicts a single rider and group of frolicking horses set against a gorgeous countrysi...
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
$450
H 21.25 in W 59 in D 3 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Brutalist Gilt Metal Horse & Chariot Wall Art
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Gilt Metal Brutalist Horse & Chariot Wall Art by Hillside Original. Item features a wood frame, formica /laminate backing,...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Clown Painting, USA, 1950, Unknown Artist
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Expressive clown painting - signed "Jen" circa 1950 - great frame Frame size = 22.5 x 26.5 Image size = 15.5 x 19.5.
Paint
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 31.75 in D 15 in
Arts And Crafts Fire Screen, Signed Arthur Grinnell 1854-1924
Located in South Burlington, VT
From an important thirty year old New England collection of American Folk Art Pyrography Arthur Grinnell Fire Screen (1854-1924) This original circa 1910 fire screen- framed pyrogr...
Wood
$4,200
H 48.5 in W 35.5 in D 1.75 in
Stunning Original Haitian Folk Art Masterpiece by Philippe Dodard
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Haitian culture with this breathtaking original acrylic painting on canvas by the celebrated artist Philippe Dodard, signed and dated 19...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
$832Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.5 in W 36 in D 1 in
Margaret Smith Signed Mid-Century Abstract Expressionist Painting
Located in Seattle, WA
Vibrant mid-century abstract expressionist painting signed Margaret Smith. This original work features a dynamic palette of teal, orange, ochre, and earthy greens, blended and layere...
Wood, Canvas
$795
H 4.5 in W 26 in D 1.25 in
Japanese Asian Hand Painted Lacquered Temple Shrine Plaque Peacock, 19th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and intricate work likely originally from a Japanese temple. The hand painted scene depicts a majestic peacock posed against a gorgeous countryside landscape. Would be...
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
Japanese Fine Art Drawing of Water Lilies by Toru Suzuki, 1960s
Located in London, GB
A fine Japanese Fine Art drawing of water lilies by Toru Suzuki Acrylic Crayon mixed media, Beautiful and elegant example Ex Gallery Kabtoya Tokyo,...
Canvas
$550
H 14 in W 10 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Folk Art Landscape Oil Painting on Panel - Initialed - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage folk art landscape oil painting on composite panel - indistinctly initialled in the lower right corner - mid 20th century. Fair vintage condition - loss at the corners and e...
Wood, Paint