Louise Nevelson was one of the leading American female sculptors of the 20th century, and she did it on her own terms. She was a pioneer of installation art and created large-scale monochromatic sculptures that are today known for their provocative, compartmentalized forms. While her assemblages involved a range of materials, she is best known for her wooden sculptures. Working in a single color was her signature, and all-encompassing color demanded an all-encompassing focus for this artist — she even kept separate studios for work in black, white and gold.
Nevelson was born in what is now Ukraine in 1899 and emigrated to the United States with her family in 1905. She moved to New York City as a young woman in 1920 to study at the Art Students League. In the 1930s, Nevelson traveled around Europe, came into contact with the works of Picasso, studied with Hans Hofmann and assisted Diego Rivera in New York City.
Nevelson had her first solo show in 1941 at the Nierendorf Gallery in New York. In the late 1940s, she studied with Stanley William Hayter and worked as a ceramicist in the workshop of revered furniture designer Vladimir Kagan, who let her take scraps from the factory to use in her sculptures. (As a child, Nevelson had also worked with discarded wood from her father's lumber yard.)
By the early 1950s, Nevelson had traveled to Guatemala and Mexico. She was inspired by pre-Columbian art and the totemic works of ancient cultures. Nevelson began creating the first of her iconic wood sculptures and later participated in the legendary “Sixteen Americans” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Her work was acquired by prominent institutions in the years that followed.
Nevelson made reliefs in shadow boxes and was for a time affiliated with New York City’s Sidney Janis Gallery as its first female Abstract Expressionist artist (her work was abstract but she also drew on the Cubist and Constructivist movements). In the early 1960s, Nevelson showed her art in Chicago, Manhattan, Paris and West Germany. It was around this time that she exhibited at Pace Gallery in Boston and New York. The gallery represented her for the duration of her career.
Nevelson died in 1988, but her legacy is immense. Her work is held in virtually every major American art museum, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. Her permanent large-scale public sculptures are installed all over the country, including in Louise Nevelson Plaza in New York City's Financial District.
On 1stDibs, find original Louise Nevelson sculptures, prints and drawings.
"Abstract Figure with Face" Louise Nevelson, American Female, Anthropomorphic
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Louise Nevelson Abstract Figure with Face, circa 1945 Incised "LN" on the reverse Tattistone 6 inches high x 14 inches wide x 5 1/4 inches deep Provenance The artist The artist's ni...
Cast Stone
$26,437
Untitled, Collage abstract expressionistic wooden collage, monochrome black
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Zug, CH
Nevelson’s compositions explore the relational possibilities of sculpture and space, summing up the objectification of the external world into a personal landscape. Although her prac...
Wood
Price Upon Request
SKY CASE XII
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
wooden sculpture of found objects painted black. case with lid and hinges.
Wood
$1,300
H 11.82 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in
"Smile 2.0" Abstract Sculpture, Textile & Wood, Handmade, 30x18 cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
This series of sculptures is called Emotional States. It was created in 2023 in Kyiv (Ukraine). I lived and worked all year in my hometown in the middle of a Big war. I experienced a...
Textile, Wood, Acrylic
$961Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.68 in W 7.88 in D 9.85 in
Architectural Layered Hanging Cement Head with Wood Framework Project 24
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural layered hanging cement head sculpture extends the conceptual language of anthropotecture by treating the human head as a suspended built...
Concrete
$961Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 7.09 in D 7.49 in
Architectural Layered Hanging Cement Head Sculpture with Chestnut Wood Elements
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural layered hanging cement head sculpture forms part of the Proyectos subseries within José Perozo’s broader framework of anthropotecture. P...
Concrete
$961Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 7.09 in D 7.49 in
Architectural Layered Cement and Wood Head Sculpture Project Number 8
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural layered cement head sculpture examines the body as a durable dwelling, constructed through stacked volumes and structural fragments. Part of José Perozo’s Proyecto...
Concrete
$1,950
H 6.5 in W 2.75 in
Eugene Caples "Bronze Sculpture I" Abstract Bronze Sculpture
By Eugene Caples
Located in Detroit, MI
This small exquisite "Bronze Sculpture I" is in excellent condition and a perfect example of Eugene Caples craftsmanship. Although it is mainly abstract, there are bits that look figurative either an arm or a leg attempting to emerge from a fold or attempting to hold a pose such as in yoga. It cries out to be touched and held, looked at and caressed. The beautiful patina on the surface gives voice to the many hands that have done these things. Eugene Caples is a designer and craftsman who worked in Kansas City in the 1960s and later through the early 21st century. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute, earning his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Industrial Design in 1959. In 1963 he was accepted to Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The Cranbrook Academy of Art was designed by architect and faculty member, Eliel Saarinen who collaborated with Charles and Ray Eames on chair and furniture design. Numerous creative artists are alumni of Cranbrook and include: Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jack Lenor Larsen, Donald Lipski, Duane Hanson, Nick Cave, Hani Rashid, George Nelson, Urban Jupena (Nationally recognized fiber artist), Artis Lane (the first African-American artist to have her sculpture, "Sojourner Truth," commissioned for the Emancipation Hall in the Capital Visitor Center in Washington DC), Cory Puhlman (televised Pastry Chef extraordinaire), Thom O’Connor (Lithographs), and Paul Evans (Created Brutalist-inspired sculpted metal furnishings.) Gene worked...
Bronze
$4,250
H 6.25 in W 6 in D 2 in
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Edward Arcenio Chavez
By Edward Arcenio Chavez
Located in Denver, CO
This captivating mid-20th-century abstract bronze sculpture by Edward (Eduardo) Arcenio Chavez (1917–1995) is a powerful example of the artist’s modernist sculptural language. Cast i...
Granite, Bronze
$3,500
H 15.5 in W 11.75 in D 5 in
Abstract Serpentine Stone Sculpture by G. Krueger
Located in Soquel, CA
Organic abstract sculpture by G. Krueger. The Serpentine stone has gorgeous earth-toned green, yellow, and orange hues, sculpted into a flowing shape in the style of Herman Miller Sc...
Stone
$961Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.08 in W 8.08 in D 3.35 in
Architectural Wall Cement Head Sculpture with Chestnut Wood Structure Project 22
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural wall-mounted cement head sculpture introduces a spatial configuration distinct from other works in the Proyectos subseries. In Project 2...
Concrete
$1,201
H 9.85 in W 9.45 in D 3.94 in
Architectural Wall-Mounted Cement Head Sculpture with Wood Framework Project 13
By Jose Perozo
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This architectural wall-mounted cement head sculpture features a distinctive horizontal chestnut wood framework that extends across the sides of the face, creating a striking interpl...
Concrete
$6,500
H 12 in W 10.5 in D 2.5 in
Milton Hebald Mid Century Bronze Menorah Sculpture WPA Artist Modernist Judaica
Located in Surfside, FL
Milton Hebald (American, 1917-2015) Lion of Judah menorah bronze on a white marble plinth base signed in bronze 12" H x 10.5" W x 2.5" D Milton Elting Hebald (1917 – 2015) was a s...
Marble, Bronze
$1,500
H 18 in W 16 in D 9 in
American Craft Studio Handmade Sculpture Welded Bronze Kinetic Vessel Op Art
Located in Surfside, FL
Great studio piece. It does not appear to be signed. Welded bronze an openwork vessel or vase Verdigris patina, might be suitable for outdoors Dimensions: 18 X 16 X 9 inches Provena...
Bronze
$40,000
H 20 in W 29 in D 27 in
"Zofar" Boaz Vaadia, Human Body, Bronze and Stone, Anthropomorphic Sculpture
By Boaz Vaadia
Located in New York, NY
Boaz Vaadia Zofar, 1997 Bronze, bluestone, and boulder Overall 20 x 29 x 27 inches From the edition of 7 Provenance Elaine Baker Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida Boaz Vaadia is the in...
Stone, Bluestone, Bronze
Sold
H 8 in W 21 in D 8 in
"Reclining Figure" Louise Nevelson, Modernist, Human Form, Abstracted Body
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Louise Nevelson Reclining Figure, circa 1943 Tattistone 8 inches high x 21 inches wide x 9 inches deep With base 10 inches high x 21 3/4 inches wide x 9 1/2 inches deep Provenance T...
Cast Stone
Collegiate
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this fantastic tabletop sculpture by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. In the 197...
Wood
Canada Series
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Canada Series" is a Post War abstract sculpture made with plexiglass with metal fasteners by Louise Nevelson in 1968. The artwork is 44 1/4 x 31 x 11 1/2 inches and weighs 80 lbs. ...
Metal
American Book Award
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) is one of the most revered and unique artists of the 20th century. There has been a tremendous renewal of interest and appreciation for Nevelson’s work...
Wood, Paint
Night Blossom
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) is one of the most revered and unique artists of the 20th century. There has been a tremendous renewal of interest and appreciation for Nevelson’s work...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 12.75 in W 12.75 in D 2.25 in
Night Leaf, USA, 1973 Painted wood multiple Incised initials
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this impressive resin sculpture by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered artists of the 20th century. During the late 60s, Nev...
Resin
Winter Chord
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this fantastic sculpture by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Over the last few y...
Wood
Sold
H 14.57 in W 9.45 in D 1.38 in
Louise Nevelson - Winter Chord - Hand-Signed Black Painted Wood Sculpture, 1974
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Varese, IT
Louise Nevelson ( 1899 - 1988 ) - Winter Chord - hand-signed black painted wood sculpture, 1974 Additional information: Material: Black p...
Wood
Tree of Life
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Painted wood multiple. Numbered 150/950 in red ink and with the artist's initials ink stamp, lower edge.
Wood, Acrylic
Night Leaf
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this impressive resin sculpture by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered artists of the 20th century. During the late 60s, Nev...
Resin
Sold
H 15.25 in W 15.75 in D 2.25 in
The Louise Nevelson Sculpture for the American Book Award
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Wood multiple painted in black, from an edition of 100. Numbered "43" on the justification label on verso. Published by Nevelson. Some minor scuffing and wear, but in otherwise good...
Wood, Paint
Untitled
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An artwork by Louise Nevelson. "Untitled" is a found-object, assemblage, abstract sculpture, painted wood, violin key and clothespin in a black palette by Post War artist Louise Nevelson. Louise Nevelson was an early conceptual artist who worked in a variety of media before engrossing herself with wood sculpture. Her sculptures are made of intricately cut and built wood pieces that create puzzle-like compositions. Often, these sculptures were painted black to incorporate every color – for Nevelson, black was not the absence of color, but the totality of it. Later in her career, she began to incorporate white and gold into her repetoire, however the sculptures remained monochromatic. Nevelson was a prolific artist, who was accorded the highest critical acclaim yet achieved by an American woman artist. Her artwork is held in a number of exceptional private and public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Cleveland Art Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Provenance: Gertrude Stein Gallery, New York The Arthur and Anita Kahn...
Wood, Mixed Media