Skip to main content

Leon Polk Smith Art

American, 1906-1996
Leon Polk Smith (1906 -1996) holds a unique place in a long tradition of American geometric abstract painting, which includes such artists as Bourgoyne Diller, Fritz Glarner, Al Held, and Ellsworth Kelly. Born near Chikasha, a Native American territory later annexed by the U.S. as the state of Oklahoma, Smith’s parents, who were of Cherokee ancestry, raised him with both a strong sense of his heritage and an abiding respect for the land. Art would eventually draw Smith to New York where he would quickly embrace elements of geometric abstraction in his work. His visual vocabulary was influenced by such historical figures as Hilla Rebay, both an abstract painter and the first director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Dutch De Stijl painter Piet Mondrian. However, many of Smith’s hard-edge compositions could be viewed as distillations of imagery drawn from the Oklahoma landscape and Native American art forms of his youth. Polk Smith’s exploration of non-objective imagery in the late 1950s put him at the forefront of movements including Color Field, Minimalist, and Hard Edge painting. Robert Buck, former director of the Brooklyn Museum, described Polk Smith as “an influential pioneer in the development of American Modernism”, adding, “He created a new vocabulary in painting that has had a far-reaching influence on subsequent generations of artists.” One of Smith’s earliest and most successful forays into printmaking came in 1968 when he received a grant to work at June Wayne’s Tamarind Lithography Workshop in Los Angeles. Smith would create sixteen untitled prints at Tamarind. These bold and vibrant prints incorporate a variety of his painting motifs, many of which relate to his Correspondence Series of 1960-1967, with their interplay of organic forms on solid color backgrounds. Prints would continue to be an important aspect of Smith’s creative output. The artist would go on to make over 50 print editions in this country and Europe.
to
6
2
8
7
5
2
1
Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996) - Serigraphy on Fabriano paper - 1983
Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996) - Serigraphy on Fabriano paper - 1983

Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996) - Serigraphy on Fabriano paper - 1983

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Varese, IT

Serigraphy on Fabriano paper, edited in 1983. Limited edition of 125 pieces, numbered as 46/125 in lower left corner. Signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner. Paper size: 68...

Category

1980s Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

C Print

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview D, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview D, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview D, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Long Island City, NY

An original hand-signed and numbered minimalist silkscreen from the Werkubersicht/Work-Overview Portfolio. Leon Polk Smith is credited with the founding of the hard-edge art movement...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview F, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview F, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview F, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Long Island City, NY

An original hand-signed and numbered minimalist silkscreen from the Werkubersicht/Work-Overview Portfolio. Leon Polk Smith is credited with the founding of the hard-edge art movement...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview I, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview I, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview I, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Long Island City, NY

An original hand-signed and numbered minimalist silkscreen from the Werkubersicht/Work-Overview Portfolio. Leon Polk Smith is credited with the founding of the hard-edge art movement...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview J, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview J, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview J, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Long Island City, NY

An original hand-signed and numbered minimalist silkscreen from the Werkubersicht/Work-Overview Portfolio. Leon Polk Smith is credited with the founding of the hard-edge art movement...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview E, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview E, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview E, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Long Island City, NY

An original hand-signed and numbered minimalist silkscreen from the Werkubersicht/Work-Overview Portfolio. Leon Polk Smith is credited with the founding of the hard-edge art movement...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996) - Serigraphy on Fabriano paper - 1983
Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996) - Serigraphy on Fabriano paper - 1983

Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996) - Serigraphy on Fabriano paper - 1983

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Varese, IT

Serigraphy on Fabriano paper, edited in 1983. Limited edition of 125 pieces, numbered as 43/125 in lower left corner. Signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner. Paper size: 68...

Category

1980s Abstract Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

C Print

Constellation Blue Violet Green Red - Post War Abstract Shaped Acrylic Painting
Constellation Blue Violet Green Red - Post War Abstract Shaped Acrylic Painting

Constellation Blue Violet Green Red - Post War Abstract Shaped Acrylic Painting

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Palm Desert, CA

"Constellation Blue Violet Green Red” is a Post-War Abstract, shaped canvas painting by Hard-Edge American Painter, Leon Polk Smith. The artwork is signed verso, “Leon Polk Smith Con...

Category

Mid-20th Century Hard-Edge Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Related Items
Untitled #1
Untitled #1

Ian TysonUntitled #1, 1970

$600

H 25 in W 38 in D 0.01 in

Untitled #1

By Ian Tyson

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork "Untitled #1" 1970 is an original silkscreen on Wove paper by noted British artist Ian Tyson, born 1933. It is hand signed, dated and numbered 60/75 in pencil by the art...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Aylesbury Estate
Aylesbury Estate

Keith CoventryAylesbury Estate, 2014

Unavailable|$1,308

H 18.12 in W 13.78 in

Aylesbury Estate

By Keith Coventry

Located in London, GB

Screenprint in colours, 2014, signed, edition of 50, 54 x 42 cm. (21¼ x 16½ in.) Keith Coventry was born in Burnley in 1958 and lives and works in London. He attended Brighton Polytechnic 1978– 81 and Chelsea School of Art London 1981– 82. He was featured in the seminal exhibition Sensation at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in 1997 and in 2006, he received a mid-career retrospective at Glasgow's Tramway (Art Centre). He was also a co-founder and curator of City Racing, an influential not-for-profit gallery in Kennington, South London from 1988-98. His work has been exhibited widely in the UK and Europe and is included in collections worldwide, including the British Council; Tate Modern; Arts Council of England; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis;, and The Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 2010 Coventry was awarded the John Moores Painting...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Abstract Geometric 1970s Vintage Silkscreen Screen Print Manner of Vasarely
Abstract Geometric 1970s Vintage Silkscreen Screen Print Manner of Vasarely

Abstract Geometric 1970s Vintage Silkscreen Screen Print Manner of Vasarely

By Paul M. Levy

Located in Surfside, FL

Paul Levy (American, b. 1944) An established designer and illustrator, Paul M. Levy was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1944. He received his B.S. in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1968, returning later to do independent study there. He also did independent study at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, in 1969 and received an M.F.A. in Sculpture and Printmaking from Ohio University, Athens. From 1964 through 1971 he worked for design firms in Ohio, New York and California. From 1971 through 1973 he taught at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University, Athens. He has exhibited in galleries, museums and art groups. In 1971 he was one of a number of artists who created enormous outdoor murals in a Cincinnati project called "Urban Walls." His graphic designs and illustrations for such firms as Container Corporation of America have appeared in publications such as Fortune, Business Week...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Dark Forest, Giclée Print Diptych Landscape, Blue Tones Impressionist Leaves
Dark Forest, Giclée Print Diptych Landscape, Blue Tones Impressionist Leaves

Dark Forest, Giclée Print Diptych Landscape, Blue Tones Impressionist Leaves

By Cyd Fontaine

Located in Barcelona, ES

Cyd Fontaine (Lausanne, 1992) is a contemporary artist renowned for her captivating use of dreamy atmospheric gradients, which has helped her carve a distinctive niche in the world o...

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Arctic Bloom /// Josef Albers Blue Orange Screenprint Homage to the Square Print
Arctic Bloom /// Josef Albers Blue Orange Screenprint Homage to the Square Print

Arctic Bloom /// Josef Albers Blue Orange Screenprint Homage to the Square Print

By Josef Albers

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

Artist: Josef Albers (German-American, 1888-1976) Title: "Arctic Bloom" Portfolio: Soft Edge - Hard Edge *Unsigned edition Year: 1965 Medium: Original Screenprint on Mohawk Superfine...

Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Black Watch II, signed and numbered 39/150 screen print
Black Watch II, signed and numbered 39/150 screen print

Black Watch II, signed and numbered 39/150 screen print

By Gene Davis

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This is a signature color-field composition with multiple thin colored stripes created by Gene Davis. Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) Screenprint Black Watch I, II and III, 1974 ...

Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Screen

Meon Shore II - Blue + White 20th Century Abstract Print by William Crozier
Meon Shore II - Blue + White 20th Century Abstract Print by William Crozier

Meon Shore II - Blue + White 20th Century Abstract Print by William Crozier

By William Crozier

Located in Kingsclere, GB

William Crozier 1930-2011 Meon Shore II, 1997 carborundum 57 x 76 cm 22 1/2 x 29 7/8 in signed, titled and dated in pencil, aside from the edition William Crozier was a late 20th ce...

Category

Late 20th Century Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

C Print

Opium

Damien HirstOpium, 2000

$16,530

H 20.48 in W 18.9 in

Opium

By Damien Hirst

Located in London, GB

Damien Hirst Opium, 2000 Lambda C-Type print on Gloss Fuji Archive paper. Signed by the artist, lower right on recto Numbered on verso 48 x 43.7 cm 52 x 48 cm (framed) Edition of 500...

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

C Print, Lambda

Cave of Lights, Abstract Geometric Triptych, Earth Tones Color Transitions
Cave of Lights, Abstract Geometric Triptych, Earth Tones Color Transitions

Cave of Lights, Abstract Geometric Triptych, Earth Tones Color Transitions

By Cyd Fontaine

Located in Barcelona, ES

Cave of Lights is a limited-edition giclée print triptych that explores the quiet power of geometric modernism through subtle gradations of color and form. Expanding squares emerge f...

Category

2010s Post-Minimalist Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée

City 368
City 368

Risaburo KimuraCity 368, circa 1972

$750

H 28.75 in W 22.75 in D 0.1 in

City 368

By Risaburo Kimura

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist: Risaburo Kimura– Japanese/American (1924-2014 ) Title: City 368 Year: circa 1972 Medium: Serigraph Sight size: 25 x 19.75 inches. Sheet size: 28.75 x 22.75 inches. Signatur...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Paper, Screen

Yankee Doodle /// Gene Davis Abstract Geometric Huge Screenprint Colorful Modern
Yankee Doodle /// Gene Davis Abstract Geometric Huge Screenprint Colorful Modern

Yankee Doodle /// Gene Davis Abstract Geometric Huge Screenprint Colorful Modern

By Gene Davis

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

Artist: Gene Davis (American, 1920-1985) Title: "Yankee Doodle" *Signed and numbered by Davis in pencil lower right Year: 1972 Medium: Original Screenprint on wove paper, laid down t...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Canvas, Screen

Previously Available Items
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview H, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith
Werkubersicht/Work-Overview H, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

Werkubersicht/Work-Overview H, Large Silkscreen by Leon Polk-Smith

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Long Island City, NY

An original hand-signed and numbered minimalist silkscreen from the Werkubersicht/Work-Overview Portfolio. Leon Polk Smith is credited with the founding of the hard-edge art movement...

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Black & White Repeat (1953-1987)

Black & White Repeat (1953-1987)

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A geometric abstract screen print executed in black and white by contemporary artist Leon Polk Smith. Signed lower right, "LPS". Edition lower left, "36/90 1952 - 1987".

Category

1980s Contemporary Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled (1983-1987)

Untitled (1983-1987)

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A geometric abstract screen print by Post War artist Leon Polk Smith depicting a black rectangle and a deep red tiled rectangle on a neutral background. Signed lower right, "LPS". Ed...

Category

1980s Post-War Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled (1949-1987)

Untitled (1949-1987)

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A screen print by Post War artist Leon Polk Smith depicting a deep red maroon sphere with abstracted black geometric shapes on a neutral background. Signed lower right, "LPS". Editio...

Category

1980s Post-War Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Color Forms (B)

Color Forms (B)

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in New York, NY

1974, screenprint, edition of 150

Category

1970s Color-Field Leon Polk Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Leon Polk Smith "Torn Drawings" Portfolio
Leon Polk Smith "Torn Drawings" Portfolio

Leon Polk Smith "Torn Drawings" Portfolio

Sold

H 19.25 in W 14.75 in D 1.75 in

Leon Polk Smith "Torn Drawings" Portfolio

By Leon Polk Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Leon Polk Smith Set of prints, series of Ten. The characteristic of a drawing is its property to render a form, idea or emotion by the use of a line. One may draw by using a pencil,c...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Leon Polk Smith Art

Leon Polk Smith art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Leon Polk Smith art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, purple, green and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Leon Polk Smith in screen print, lithograph, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Leon Polk Smith art, so small editions measuring 18 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Kyohei Inukai, Charles Hinman, and Peter Halley. Leon Polk Smith art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,000 and tops out at $58,000, while the average work can sell for $7,500.

Artists Similar to Leon Polk Smith