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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.

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Artist: Louis Schanker
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

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

Cows in a Field (Recto) Two Figures in an Interior (Verso)
By Louis Schanker
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Cows in a Field (Recto) Two Figures in an Interior (Verso) Watercolor on heavy textured paper, 1938 Signed in ink verso image of Two Figures, unsigned ...
Category

1930s American Modern Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Watercolor

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
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

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

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

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

CAFE NO. 1
By Louis Schanker
Located in Portland, ME
Schanker, Louis (American 1903-1981). CAFE NO.1. Johnson 14. Woodcut in colors, 1938. Edition of 35. Titled, numbered 8/35 and signed in pencil. 9 x 5 1/2 inches (image), plus marg...
Category

1930s Louis Schanker Art

Materials

Woodcut

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Previously Available Items
CYCLONE, CONEY ISLAND ca 1933
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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.

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