A New York artist, known as a second-generation Abstract Expressionist, Lester Johnson was born to a large Lutheran family in Minneapolis. He studied at the Minneapolis School of Art and the St. Paul Art School. There, he was introduced to Hans Hofmann's teaching approach, particularly the push and pull effects of form and color by St. Paul teachers Alexander Masley and Cameron Booth, both of whom had studied with Hofmann in Munich. After further study at the Chicago Art Institute, Johnson moved to New York City in 1947 and became one of the first downtown loft-dwellers. He shared a lower East Side studio with Larry Rivers and attended some of Hofmann's New York classes. Rents were cheap, but Johnson was broke much of the time as he tried to support his painting through a variety of part-time jobs, including teaching art. In 1950, he and realist figurative painter Philip Pearlstein shared studio space. Lester's wife, Jo, had introduced the two artists at a time when she and Pearlstein were studying art history at New York University.
Johnson's various studios, on the Bowery and elsewhere, were always one flight up with a view of Manhattan's active street life. No wonder, for over 50 years, street scenes have been a dominant part of his art. Johnson adopted the working techniques of action painting, which meant he used a great deal of paint. A tube of oil paint might be expended in seconds as he, like Pollock, physically projected himself into the work. The images that Johnson produced were not decorative, but stubbornly confrontational, oversize, brooding, thickly encrusted, scarred surfaces that were alive with recognizable objects and figures. Even today, few realize how radical it was for Johnson to depict a recognizable subject in an adamantly pro-abstract-expressionist climate. Sculptor George Segal recalled, "The Abstract Expressionists were legislating any reference to the physical world totally out of art. This was outrageous to us." The rebellion came naturally to Lester Johnson, and he remained tenaciously outside the mainstream. Nonetheless, he produced a body of work that influenced several generations of younger painters and confounded an art establishment in need of neat categorization. He remains one of the few painters whose work holds significance for both abstract and figurative artists. Johnson's animated men and women, with all their nervous energy, yield themselves only gradually to analysis and will no doubt be reinterpreted for many years to come.
Lester Johnson Lithograph Signed Numbered
By Lester Johnson
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Artist: Lester Johnson, American (1919 - 2010) Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200
Paper
$398
H 22 in W 26 in D 1 in
Lithograph Signed & Numbered by Listed Artist Jerome Rettich Tennis "Return"
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful colors embossed litho signed and numbered , circa 1980's listed artist Jerome Rettich nicely framed in aluminium with plexi great condition nice colors not faded mated. Gre...
Aluminum
$514
H 7.88 in W 11.82 in D 0.04 in
Signed, Numbered and Dated Limited Edition Colored Lithograph by Corneille
By Guillaume Cornelis van Beverloo (Corneille)
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This example is untitled, but depicts a cat and bird with head of a woman, and is numbered 54/99 and signed and dated 1999 and is in perfect condition. The artist is Guillaume Bever...
Paper
$3,500
H 13.75 in W 21.75 in D 1 in
Joan Miro Lithograph Titled "Miro Sculptor Japan, " Signed and Numbered
By Joan Miró
Located in New York, NY
This is a Joan Miro lithograph. Titled: Miro Sculptor Japan. It was a print exclusively for Collector's Guild members. Signed in the stone. Numbered 2/1000 in pencil. Framed measures...
Paper
$2,600
H 17.25 in W 15 in D 1 in
Claes Oldenburg Lithograph, Pop Art, Hot Water Bottle, Pencil, Numbered, Signed
By Claes Oldenburg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Pop Art lithograph by the well known artist Claes Oldenburg ,pencil signed LR, numbered 26/100. Titeled on plate London 66(.image size along is 7.5 X 5.5 inches.) Framed.
Paper
Jo Niemeyer Abstract Lithographs, Signed and Numbered, Set of 3
By Jo Niemeyer
Located in Miami, FL
Jo Niemeyer Abstract Lithographs, Signed and Numbered, Set of 3 Offered for sale is s vintage set of 3 lithos by Jo Niemeyer (Germany- 1946) that are signed and numbered. The abstra...
Metal
Custom Framed Lithograph by Marcel Vertes, Signed and Numbered
By Marcel Vertès
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a beautiful custom-framed lithograph by Hungarian-born French artist, Marcel Vertes, entitled "Circus Queens". The piece is signed, Vertes, in the lower right corner and numbered, "30/50" in the lower left corner. The image itself measures 23" high x 16" wide. The frame is a 2" thick 2 toned framed, black and a subtle cerused-like grey. It was originally sold through the Vincent Price...
Wood
$8,000
H 33 in W 44 in D 1.25 in
1987 Mexican Leonora Carrington Surrealist Lithograph, Signed, Numbered #93/150
By Leonora Carrington
Located in Miami, FL
1987 Mexican Leonora Carrington Surrealist Lithograph, Signed, Numbered #93/150 Offered for sale is a Surrealist lithograph by British-born artist, Leonora Carrington (1917–2011). ...
Brass
Victor Vasarely Signed and Numbered Silk Screen Lithograph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful silk screen litho is signed and numbered 209 of 250. Frame is original to period. Psychedelic patterns that emerge from early computational experiments parallel Optica...
Glass, Paper
Signed and Numbered Yaacov Agam Lithograph: Colors of Love
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed and Numbered Yaacov Agam, Colors of Love, Serigraph
Paper
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.5 in W 34.5 in D 0.5 in
Cuban Artist Cundo Bermudez Lithograph, Signed, Numbered with COA
By Cundo Bermúdez
Located in Miami, FL
Cuban Artist Cundo Bermudez Lithograph, Signed, Numbered with COA Offered for sale is a 2007 lithograph of a Mid-century painting by the Cuban artist Cundo Bermúdez (1914-2008). This is a print from the artist's authorized lithographic production or one of his earlier works prior to his death. The print is # 77/700 as printed in Spain and includes the original COA in an envelope affixed to the back. The work is nicely framed and ready to hang. Bermúdez was a painter associated with the Cuban Modernist movement, and best known for his colorful and humorous depictions of everyday life. Born in Havana, he studied painting at the Alejandro School of Fine Art in Havana, and later traveled to Mexico City to study drawing at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Art. There, he was strongly influenced by Mexican artists, such as Diego Rivera, and José Clemente Orozco as well as by the previous generation of Cuban artists, such as Amelia Peláez and Carlos Enríquez...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$22,000
H 40.25 in W 47.25 in D 1.5 in
Helen Frankenthaler "Dream Walk" Lithograph, Signed and Numbered 39/47
By Helen Frankenthaler
Located in Toledo, OH
Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) Six color lithograph, Dream Walk, 1977. Number 39 from an edition of 47, pencil lower left corner. Signed and dated 1977 in pencil in lower right cor...
Paper
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.25 in W 24.25 in D 1 in
Signed and Numbered Lithograph "Bathers" by Jan De Ruth
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Immerse in the artistic beauty of Jan De Ruth's "Bathers" Lithograph, a limited edition piece signed and numbered by the artist. This exquisite lithograph portrays a tranquil scene, ...
Paper
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H 21 in W 21 in D 1 in
Lester Johnson Crowd Portrait Signed Modern Etching Aquatint 27/44 Framed 1977
By Lester Johnson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An expressive etching aquatint in color on wove paper titled "Crowd Portrait" by Lester Johnson. Signed in pencil on the bottom right with an annotation of 27/44 on the bottom left. Published 1977. Gallery tag on verso from Donald Morris Gallery, Birmingham, MI. A quintessential subject by the artist depicting a tightly crowded group of people in conversation or dancing. This artwork makes a lovely modern accent. It also works well with a grouping of art on a gallery wall. From a private collection. Dimensions: 21"h x 21"w. (In very good vintage condition). Lester Johnson (1919-2010) was an American artist and educator. Johnson was a member of the Second Generation of the New York School during the late 1950s. The subject of much of his work is the human figure. His style is considered by critics and art historians to be in the figurative Expressionist mode. In New York, Johnson exhibited at the Martha Jackson Gallery, Zabriskie Gallery...
Paper
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H 42.5 in W 34.5 in D 1.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Framed Lithograph City Scene Signed Numbered Lester Johnson
By Lester Johnson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a wonderful, framed lithograph, signed and numbered by Lester Johnson, 126/175. In excellent condition. The dimensions of the frame are 34.5" W x 42.5" H an...
Mid-Century Modern Lester Johnson Lithograph Signed Numbered 126/175
By Lester Johnson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic print, signed and numbered by Lester Johnson, New York Dancers numbered 126/175. In excellent condition. The dim...
Lester Johnson Signed Serigraph 5/37 Titled Lafayette Street
By Lester Johnson
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Lester Johnson signed serigraph. Limited edition of 37. Signed lower right. Label on verso. Scratches to frame.