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.
Louise Nevelson "Untitled" Ebonized Wall Relief Sculpture
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
This "Untitled" ebonized wall relief sculpture by Louise Nevelson stands as a quintessential example of the artist's groundbreaking approach to assemblage. Created circa 1960, Nevels...
Wood
Louise Nevelson Etching Pencil Signed Numbered Pace Gallery 1965 Abstract Modern
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract Modern Etching, entitled "Magnificent Jungle Cats", by Louise Nevelson, American, circa 1965. It is hand signed by the artist and numbered 13/20. A very limited edition of t...
Metal
Louise Nevelson Inscribed & Signed Pace Catalog & Print, Nightsphere-Light, 1969
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Nevelson Recent Wood Sculpture The Pace Gallery, Copyright Pace Editions Inc. 1969 An exceptionally well-preserved, near mint condition personalized and artist-signed catalog of L...
Paper
Louise Nevelson Serigraph Collage, Signed and Numbered 147/150, Archival Frame
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Louise Nevelson (American, 1899-1988) Untitled, 1980 Original five screen serigraph collage Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist. 147 of an edition of 150. See details in...
Aluminum
$8,000 / set
Louise Nevelson "Facades" Four Works
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Dallas, TX
Louise Nevelson, American, 1899-1988. Four prints from the Facades portfolio, 1966. Silkscreens with acetate and collage. Each in a silver toned frame.
Paper
Alexander Calder Monograph (Inscribed by Artist)
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Monograph on American artist Alexander Calder, first edition thus, published in 1951 by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and distributed by Simon and Schuster. An expanded edition...
Paper
$195
H 11.25 in W 7.5 in D 0.25 in
Beatrice Wood Signed Book Exhibition Catalog Intimate Appeal The Figurative Art
By Beatrice Wood
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and rare signed softcover book/exhibition catalog by Beatrice Wood. The book is titled "Intimate Appeal: The Figurative Art of Beatrice Wood" and was released to coincid...
Paper
$850
H 18.13 in W 16.94 in D 1.75 in
Op-Art Artist Anne Youkeles New Perspective Signed 3-D Serigraph Collage, 1971
By Anne Youkeles
Located in St. Louis, MO
Anne Youkeles (Austrian/American b. 1920) Op-Art Artist 3-D Geometric Serigraph Collage titled "New Perspective" signed, number 43/210 and dated 1971. In fine condition, not examined...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Fortini Cast Bronze Figural Relief Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cast hollow bronze figural sculpture carved in relief (ca. early 20th Century Italy). No chips or losses; light patina throughout. Masterful work and appealing subject matter. Can be...
Bronze
"FritzHansen-Furniture" Catalog, 1963
By Fritz Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Hardcover catalog of Fritz Hansen furniture featuring work by Arne Jacobsen, Borge Mogensen, Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, Kaare Klint, Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen, Kristian Vedel, Mogen...
Paper
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.13 in W 33.63 in D 1.13 in
Framed Lithograph Landscape with View of the Lake and Boats Signed
By Henri Martin
Located in Miami, FL
A very colorful lithograph professionally framed, signed. This interesting work of art is attributed to Bernard Gatner. Will enhance any space. Measures: 26 1/8" H x 33 5/8" W x 1...
Paper
Ron English “Inbred Hybrid” Serigraph
By Ron English
Located in Doylestown, PA
One of the most prolific and recognizable artists alive today, Ron English has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in movies, books and ...
Paper
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in D 1 in
Mid-Century Modern Unframed Matted Monoprint Signed J. Hovadik 1965 8/25
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an original, abstract monoprint, signed by J. Hovadik, dated 1969. Matted and in excellent condition. The dimensions are 24" W x 30" H.
Paper
Unavailable|$995
H 61.5 in W 18 in D 2.5 in
Large Vintage Molded Semi-Nude Neoclassical Styled Female Relief Wall Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This mid-century era molded fiberglass wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1960 in a Neoclassical Revival style. The relief depicts ...
Fiberglass
Unavailable|$995
H 60 in W 21.5 in D 3 in
Large Vintage Molded Semi-Nude Neoclassical Styled Female Relief Wall Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This mid-century era molded fiberglass wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1960 in a Neoclassical Revival style. The relief depicts ...
Fiberglass
$2,995
H 28.25 in W 28.25 in D 1 in
Sister Mary Corita Kent Signed Limited Edition Large Abstract Serigraph Print
By Corita Kent
Located in Studio City, CA
Known as God's own Pop artist, Sister Mary Corita Kent went straight from high school into Catholic convent life in 1936. While serving her order and teaching art at Immaculate Heart...
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
Sold
H 33.47 in W 27.56 in D 1.58 in
LOUISE NEVELSON - Night Tree 1970, Lead Intaglio Series 76 x 63.4 cm
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Vigevano, PV
LOUISE NEVELSON - Night Tree 1970, Lead Intaglio Series. Louise nevelson "night tree" italy, 1970 embossed lead on cm fabriano paper signed, titled and dated by the artist from an e...
Lead
Sold
H 14 in W 6.75 in D 6.75 in
Louise Nevelson Abstract Modern Patinated Bronze Sculpture on Wood Base
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A unique abstract modern bronze sculpture by Louise Nevelson. On a wooden base with the name plaque. Original gallery and auction stickers on bottom of the base. The sculpture has a unique textural effect with small markings and a patina that is consistent with age. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, Nevelson had traveled to Guatemala and Mexico to view Pre-Colombian art and there is a tribal or animal-like quality to this sculpture which could have been inspired by her travels. The composition has a transcendent quality which provides a visual interplay of object and space. An extraordinary sculpture for collectors of modern art. From a private collection. Dimensions: 14”h x 6.75”w x 6.75”d. In very good condition. Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) was an American sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures. For her brilliant compositions in varied mediums critics hailed her as the leading sculptor of the twentieth century. A pioneering grand dame of the art world, Nevelson's iconic persona was characterized by her skilled mixing and matching of ethnic clothing...
Bronze
Louise Nevelson Signed Limited Edition 78/90 Lithograph
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Hartford, CT
Although Nevelson is best known as a sculptor, like many of her contemporaries, Nevelson expanded her practice by exploring different branches of printmaking. As a printmaker Nevelso...
Paper
Louise Nevelson "Full Moon"
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louise Nevelson wall sculpture "Full Moon" pace edition 66/125.
Resin
Sold
H 44.75 in W 30.75 in D 1.75 in
Original Louise Nevelson Painting of Mother and Child, 1940s, Signed
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Louise Nevelson painting of a mother and child. Oil on canvas. Very good condition. Signed by the artist. The original frame shows signs of wear.
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Untitled III, from the Double Imagery suite, by Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Rare and very early lithograph by Louise Nevelson from the Double Imagery suite, an experimental collaborative project at Tamarind Institute in 1968. From the edition of 10, printed ...
Paint
Untitled from the "Double Imagery" suite by Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Rare and very early lithograph by Louise Nevelson from the Double Imagery suite, an experimental collaborative project at Tamarind Institute in 1967...
Louise Nevelson City-Sunscape
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A nice example from this series Published by Pace Editions 75 of 150.
Resin
Louise Nevelson "Sunset"
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louise Nevelson "Sun-Set" edition of 125, Pace Editions Inc., 1981 Resin, metal label with signature and date.
Resin
Sold
H 10 in W 8.5 in D 0.5 in
Dawns + Dusks Taped Conversations with Diana MacKown, Signed by the Author
By Louise Nevelson
Located in valatie, NY
Dawns + Dusks: Taped conversations with Diana MacKown, by Louise Nevelson. Signed by the author and accompanied with a letter from Roy Leaf, former president of Skowhegan School of P...
Paper
Louise Nevelson "Full Moon"
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louise Nevelson wall sculpture "Full Moon" pace edition 48/125.
Resin
Louise Nevelson "City-Sunscape" Sculpture
By Louise Nevelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louise Nevelson sculpture "City-Sunscape" for the Benefit of Sloane Kettering Institute. Signed and dated. Edition of 150 123/150.
Resin