Skip to main content

Louis Schanker Art

American, 1903-1981

"Though much of my work is generally classified as abstract, all of my work develops from natural forms. I have great respect for the forms of nature and an inherent need to express myself in relation to those forms. No matter how far my experimental design may take me … there remains always a core of objective reality which I have no desire to destroy or even to impair but only to investigate, analyze, develop." Louis Schanker was one of many members of the American Abstract Artists who chose to base his art in the objects, patterns, and rhythms of nature. Although never a student of Hans Hofmann, Schanker's ideas about art had many parallels with Hofmann's. Concern for the spatial dynamics of a painting's surface, and an insistence on some aspect of nature as a starting point for art, are two areas that mirror a shared philosophy between the two artists. Although much of Schanker's later work is completely abstract, during the 1930s and 1940s he frequently used direct, identifiable themes—motifs drawn from sports, his early years working for a circus, and even socially conscious subjects not normally employed by abstract artists. During the mid 1930s, Schanker began making prints and subsequently became a graphic arts supervisor for the WPA. He also completed murals for radio station WNYC, the Neponsit Beach Hospital in Long Island, and the Science and Health building at the 1939 New York World's Fair. During World War II, Schanker worked as a shipfitter and began teaching the technique of color woodblock printing at the New School for Social Research. In 1949, he became an assistant professor at Bard College, where he remained until his retirement. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Schanker exhibited frequently in group shows both in museums and in commercial galleries. He became especially well known for his innovations as a printmaker. Schanker belonged to The Ten, a group that exhibited together in protest against the hegemony of Americanscene painting in Whitney exhibitions and in support of artistic experimentation and an international (rather than nativist) outlook in art.

to
3
3
3
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
10
6
3
1
4
2
6
3
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
5
4
3
1
1
10
10,218
2,810
2,500
1,398
5
10
Artist: Louis Schanker
Abstract Composition
Abstract Composition

Abstract Composition

By Louis Schanker

Located in Wiscasett, ME

Tempura on heavy paper, signed and dated 1945 lower left. The piece measures 23" x 30" including the frame and presents very well overall. Provenance: Willard Gallery, NYC Brad...

Category

1940s Abstract Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Tempera, Watercolor

Louis SCHANKER “Jai Alai”
Louis SCHANKER “Jai Alai”

Louis SCHANKER “Jai Alai”

By Louis Schanker

Located in San Francisco, CA

Louis Schanker : 1903-1981. Well, listed American abstract artist. He was well exhibited and is in the permanent collections of many important museums. This fabulous piece is a color...

Category

1930s Abstract Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

CARNIVAL

CARNIVAL

By Louis Schanker

Located in Portland, ME

Schanker, Louis CARNIVAL. Color woodcut, 1948. Edition of 30. Signed, titled and numbered 24/30 in pencil. 14 1/4 x 21 inches (image), 18 x 24 inches (sheet). Hinging residue, verso,...

Category

1940s Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

GIRL WITH LUTE

GIRL WITH LUTE

By Louis Schanker

Located in Portland, ME

Schanker, Louis (American 1903-1981). GIRL WITH LUTE. Johnson 18. Linocut in colors, 1938. Edition of 10. Titled, numbered 6/10 and signed in pencil. 5 1/2 x...

Category

1930s Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Linocut

Interior Scene with Figures
Interior Scene with Figures

Interior Scene with Figures

By Louis Schanker

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Interior Scene with Figures Ink and watercolor on paper, c. 1930's Signed with the Estate stamp lower center Condition: Loss upper right corner; two small tears lower margin ...

Category

1930s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Watercolor

POLO
POLO

POLO

By Louis Schanker

Located in Portland, ME

Schanker, Louis (American, 1903-1981). POLO. Woodcut, 1937. Edition of 30. Signed, titled, and numbered, all in pencil. Printed on Japan paper. 7 7/8 x 7 1/4 inches (image), framed t...

Category

1930s Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

CIRCLE IMAGE NO. 25

CIRCLE IMAGE NO. 25

By Louis Schanker

Located in Portland, ME

Schanker, Louis. CIRCLE IMAGE NO. 25. Relief Print in color, 1954-1955. Edition of 210 published by IGAS. Signed and numbered 17/200 (the edition included 10 artist's proofs). 14 x 1...

Category

1950s Abstract Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

Early American modernist abstract sculpture - Totem
Early American modernist abstract sculpture - Totem

Early American modernist abstract sculpture - Totem

By Louis Schanker

Located in Colfax, CA

A rare sculpture by a fascinating American modernists, Louis Schanker. Shanker was born in New York City in 1903. At a young age he quit school, ran away from home and joined the ci...

Category

1930s Abstract Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Wood, Oil

FIGURE NO. 1
FIGURE NO. 1

FIGURE NO. 1

By Louis Schanker

Located in Portland, ME

Schanker, Louis (American 1903-1981). FIGURE NO.1. Johnson 99. Wood etching in colors, 1949. Edition of 6. Titled and signed in pencil. 25 1/2 X 13 3/8 inches (image). Framed to 33...

Category

1940s Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

Related Items
Basement Systems

Kory TwaddleBasement Systems, 2019

$1,150

H 18 in W 12 in D 0.2 in

Basement Systems

By Kory Twaddle

Located in Kansas City, MO

Artist : Kory Twaddle Title : Basement Systems Materials : Acrylic, tempera, gouache, and glitter glue on cardboard drawing pad back Date : 2019 Dimensions : 18 x 12 x .2 in. Kory ...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Paint, Paper, Conté, Charcoal, India Ink, Acrylic, Tempera, Watercolor, ...

Rainstorm Sunset

Rainstorm Sunset

By Robert Noel Blair

Located in Buffalo, NY

You are viewing a modernist American watercolor painting by Robert Noel Blair. Robert Noel Blair (American, 1912-2003) was an American artist, painter, sculptor, printmaker and te...

Category

American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Lotus

Hiroki MorinoueLotus, 2010

$6,500

H 26 in W 47.25 in

Lotus

By Hiroki Morinoue

Located in Lyons, CO

Color woodcut, Edition 30. Lotus is a twenty-six color woodcut from seven woodblocks printed in an edition of 30, plus proofs, on white Thai Mulberry paper. In this print, a compe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

Estes Park Colorado American Modernist Watercolor Landscape Painting, WPA 1930s
Estes Park Colorado American Modernist Watercolor Landscape Painting, WPA 1930s

Estes Park Colorado American Modernist Watercolor Landscape Painting, WPA 1930s

By James Russell Sherman

Located in Denver, CO

Vintage 1930s watercolor and ink painting of Estes Park, Colorado, by American artist James Russell Sherman (1906-1989). This captivating work features a detailed view of storefronts...

Category

1930s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Watercolor

Watercolor Painting American Modern Painting Bridge Harbor Female Artist 1950
Watercolor Painting American Modern Painting Bridge Harbor Female Artist 1950

Watercolor Painting American Modern Painting Bridge Harbor Female Artist 1950

Located in Buffalo, NY

Dorothy Rivo Untitled (Bridge Tower), c. 1960s–70s Acrylic on paper, floated in a mat Framed dimensions: 30 in. H × 24 in. W Contemporary walnut or black wood frame with white archiv...

Category

1940s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Archival Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper, Acrylic

Farm Landscape, Zoar, Ohio, Early 20th Century
Farm Landscape, Zoar, Ohio, Early 20th Century

Farm Landscape, Zoar, Ohio, Early 20th Century

By August F. Biehle

Located in Beachwood, OH

August Frederick Biehle (1885-1979) Farm Landscape, Zoar, c. 1923 Gouache, litho crayon and graphite on paper Signed lower right 14 x 19 inches 17 x 23 inches, framed A versatile pa...

Category

1920s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Crayon, Gouache, Graphite

Fires of Spring in Big Woods
Fires of Spring in Big Woods

Fires of Spring in Big Woods

By Charles E. Burchfield

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamp lower right

Category

20th Century American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

'LUV', 2023, Contemporary Abstract Print
'LUV', 2023, Contemporary Abstract Print

Harland Miller'LUV', 2023, Contemporary Abstract Print, 2023

Unavailable|$72,000

H 73.5 in W 50.5 in D 1 in

'LUV', 2023, Contemporary Abstract Print

By Harland Miller

Located in New York, NY

Harland Miller's 'LUV', 2023 is a contemporary woodcut print with masterful play of neon colors that creates beautiful visual harmony between line, typography, and depth. Miller emul...

Category

2010s Young British Artists (YBA) Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

"Radio City Rockette"
"Radio City Rockette"

Ruth Adele Mysel"Radio City Rockette", Circa 1945

$275Sale Price|35% Off

H 13.75 in W 10 in D 0.5 in

"Radio City Rockette"

By Ruth Adele Mysel

Located in Southampton, NY

Watercolor on paper of a Radio City Music Hall Rockette done in the late 1940's or early 1950's. Ruth Adele Mysel grew up in Boston and attended the New Eng...

Category

1940s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Watercolor

"Showgirl"
"Showgirl"

Ruth Adele Mysel"Showgirl", Circa 1945

$275Sale Price|35% Off

H 13.75 in W 10.25 in D 0.5 in

"Showgirl"

By Ruth Adele Mysel

Located in Southampton, NY

Very well executed watercolor on paper by Ruth Adele Mysel of a beautiful showgirl. Signed lower right. Circa 1940 to 1950. Ruth Adele Mysel was raised in Boston and attended the Ne...

Category

1940s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Watercolor

Mountain Vineyard Landscape Watercolor
Mountain Vineyard Landscape Watercolor

Henry Hank VolleMountain Vineyard Landscape Watercolor

$700Sale Price|20% Off

H 29.25 in W 35.25 in D 1.5 in

Mountain Vineyard Landscape Watercolor

By Henry Hank Volle

Located in Soquel, CA

Beautiful watercolor landscape of a white farmhouse beside a colorful California vineyard with tall mountains fading into the distance Henry Hank Volle (American, 20th Century). This scene was painted on Hecker Pass in the Santa Cruz mountains...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Starburst
Starburst

Ruth LeafStarburst, 2007

$400

H 18.5 in W 24.65 in D 0.01 in

Starburst

By Ruth Leaf

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Starburst" 2007,is an original colors woodcut on thin rice paper paper by noted American artist Ruth Leaf, 1923-2015. It is hand signed, titled, dated and inscri...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

Previously Available Items
CYCLONE, CONEY ISLAND ca 1933
CYCLONE, CONEY ISLAND ca 1933

CYCLONE, CONEY ISLAND ca 1933

By Louis Schanker

Located in Santa Monica, CA

LOUIS SCHANKER (1903 – 1981) CYCLONE, CONEY ISLAND ca 1933 Lithograph 10 7/8 x 12 ½” signed, and with no. 1/10. Rare thus! Annotation: Coney Island. ...

Category

1930s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Lithograph

Louis Schanker art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Louis Schanker art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Louis Schanker in woodcut print, paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Louis Schanker art, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Warrington Colescott, Fred Nagler, and Howard Norton Cook. Louis Schanker art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $10,500, while the average work can sell for $1,500.