Michael Loew was born on May 8, 1907 and was the son of a New York City baker. After high school, he was an apprentice to a stained-glass maker and from 1926–29, he studied at the Art Students League. In 1929, he traveled to Paris, North Africa, Germany and Italy with a group of artists, including Max Schnitzler and Alfred Jensen. When he returned to New York City in 1931, the Great Depression hit Loew unexpectedly and for the next two years, he paid his apartment rent with his paintings. In 1935, he found work with the Works Progress Administration where he painted murals and partnered up with longtime friend Willem de Kooning in 1939 on a mural for the Hall of Pharmacy at the New York World's Fair. Their friendship lasted for the rest of their lives and in fact, Loew met his wife Mildred through a friend of de Kooning's. He traveled to Mexico in the late 1930s. Loew had a strong interest in artists' rights and activism and as president of the Artists Union, he led a protest which involved artists chaining themselves to poles in Union Square. After Pearl Harbor, Loew joined the Navy and served as the battalion artist for the Seabees in the Pacific. When he returned in 1946, his painting moved quickly toward abstraction. From 1947–49, he studied post-cubism at the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Arts. In 1948, he joined the Spiral Group, an organization of artists devoted to the exhibition of experimental art. The Artists Gallery in New York hosted his first one-man show in 1949 and one year later, he enrolled at the Atelier Léger in Paris. In 1956, he began teaching in the United States. By 1985 he had been an instructor at the Portland Museum School, University of California at Berkeley and the School of Visual Arts. His works are in the collections of prominent institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He died on November 14, 1985, in New York.
$7,500
Mural Study 1933 Depression Era Mid-Century WPA Modern American Scene Drawing
By Michael Loew
Located in New York, NY
Mural Study 1933 Depression Era Mid-Century WPA Modern American Scene Drawing. Study to Scale Mural Sketch for “Evolution of Textile Production” East. All,...
Egg Tempera, Board
$7,500
"Concert" Early 20th Century WPA Modernism American City Landscape Scene Ashcan
By Michael Loew
Located in New York, NY
"Concert" Early 20th Century WPA Modernism American City Landscape Scene Ashcan The size of the canvas 28 3/4 x 43 1/4 inches. The painting comes directly from the artist's estate. It is signed lower right as well as signed, titled and dated verso. We have available more than two dozen paintings and works on paper from the 1930s - 80s that come directly from the Loew estate. BIO Michael Loew (1907 – 1985) was the son of a New York City baker. After high school, he was an apprentice to a stained-glass maker, and from 1926-1929, he studied at the Art Students League. In 1929, he traveled to Paris, North Africa, Germany, and Italy with a group of artists. When he returned to New York City in 1931, the Great Depression hit Loew unexpectedly, and for the next two years he paid his apartment rent with his paintings. In 1935, he found work with the WPA where he painted murals and partnered up with longtime friend Willem de Kooning in 1939 on a mural for the Hall of Pharmacy at the New York World’s Fair. Their friendship lasted for the rest of their lives. In the mid-30’s he painted in Mexico and the Yucatán documenting the construction of a U.S. Naval airbase on Tinian Island. It was from this airbase that the Enola...
Canvas, Oil
$12,500
WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century
By Michael Loew
Located in New York, NY
WPA Mural Study 1940 American Scene Modern Social Realism Figurative Mid Century Michael Loew (1907-1985) Detail for Mural (Social Security Building Washington D.C.) 24 x 24 inches ...
Canvas, Oil
$15,000
BLUE EDGE 20th century oil painting Abstract 60s color field by Michael Loew
By Michael Loew
Located in New York, NY
This painting is sold with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Estate of Michael Loew. In the late 1920s Michael Loew was enrolled at the Art Student’s League and later was in France where he studied with Fernand Leger. Loew was close and longtime friends with Wilem de Kooning who influenced his work. After Pearl Harbor, Loew joined the Navy...
Canvas, Oil
$1,400
H 15 in W 19 in D 2 in
A Post-War, Modern Southwestern Realist Landscape, Adobe House in New Mexico
By Walter Burt Adams
Located in Chicago, IL
An Introspective, Post-War Modern Southwestern Landscape Painting of an Adobe House in New Mexico by Notable Chicago Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). A subtle tonal, archi...
Canvas, Oil
$2,300Sale Price|50% Off
H 24 in W 28 in D 2 in
God Bless Our Home, Social Realist Scene, Figurative Americana Interior Scene
Located in Doylestown, PA
"God Bless Our Home" is an interior and figurative scene of a woman sitting on her couch in serious and proper expression. The Americana style paint...
Canvas, Oil
$2,800
H 36 in W 50 in D 2 in
A Large, Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Figurative Landscape Painting by Rudolph Pen
By Rudolph Pen
Located in Chicago, IL
A large, dynamic Mid-Century Modern summer landscape painting with standing female bathers by notable Chicago artist, Rudolph T. Pen. A wonderful example of the artist's uniquely ex...
Canvas, Oil
$4,800
H 22 in W 26 in D 1 in
Interior J&L Works, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania American Industrial Scene Painting
Located in Marco Island, FL
An interior scene of industrial America where workers kept the production of steel going in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This detailed and atmospheric painting shows the hard work and ...
Oil, Board
$950
H 10.5 in W 19.75 in D 1.25 in
A Bustling, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Summer Harbor Scene of Martha's Vineyard
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Bustling 1950s Mid-Century Modern Harbor Scene of Martha's Vineyard by Famed Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A busy harbor scene of sandy shoreline, docks and boat...
Canvas, Oil
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 28 in D 3 in
Mid Century Modern Jazz Ensemble -- The Band Box Quartet, Signed
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Modern Jazz Quartet Figurative -- "The Band Box" Signed A vivid, mid-century modernist interpretation of a jazz ensemble by Louis M. Centofanti (American, 1921-2018). "B...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$18,000
H 49.5 in W 46.5 in
"New York Skyline" Adelaide Lawson Gaylor, Modernist Landscape, Female Artist
By Adelaide Lawson Gaylor
Located in New York, NY
Adelaide Lawson Gaylor New York Skyline, circa 1925 Oil on canvas 48 x 45 inches Modernist artist Adelaide Jaffrey Lawson Gaylor was born in New York City and studied at the Art St...
Canvas, Oil
$1,100
H 27 in W 35 in D 1.5 in
A Compelling 1940s American Scene, Social Realism Oil Painting, "Tenement Ruins"
Located in Chicago, IL
A Brooding, Compelling 1940s American Scene, Social Realist Oil Painting, "Tenement Ruins" by Notable Canadian / American artist Emil Weddige (1907-2001). Oil on canvas, dating from...
Canvas, Oil
$1,600
H 18.5 in W 36 in D 1.75 in
"Cowboy Serenade", A Cheerful Southwestern Modern New Mexico Landscape Painting
By Walter Burt Adams
Located in Chicago, IL
"Cowboy Serenade", A Large, Cheerful Southwestern, New Mexico Landscape Painting by Notable Chicago Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1...
Canvas, Oil
The Sculptress
By William Robert Shulgold
Located in West Hollywood, CA
William Robert Shulgold (1897-1989), studied under Arthur Watson Sparks, head of Carnegie?€™s art department. He specialized in figurative genre subjects, displaying within his paintings a quality and understanding akin to 19th century impressionism...
Oil
$1,200
H 36.5 in W 31 in D 1.5 in
A Large, Compelling Mid-Century Modern Figurative Painting- Equestrienne & Clown
By Gerrit Hondius
Located in Chicago, IL
A Large, Compelling Mid-Century Modern Figurative Painting by New York Artist, Gerrit Hondius, Titled "Equestrienne & Clown". Artwork size: 30 x 24 inches (Oil on Masonite); Frame...
Masonite, Oil
Sun Image
By Jerre H. Murry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sun Image, 1936, oil on canvas, signed lower right, 30 x 24 inches, presented in a newer frame Jerre Murry was a California modernist painter. Born in Columbia, Missouri, Murry stu...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 28 in W 33 in D 1 in
"Refugees" Mexican American Oil Painting Depression Era WPA Mid-Century Modern
By Michael Loew
Located in New York, NY
"Refugees" Mexican American Oil Painting Depression Era WPA Mid-Century Modern. The Whitney Museum's current exhibition, VIDA AMERICA, prompts us to share this Michael Loew work, which he painted in Mexico in 1937. The 28 x 33 inch oil on canvas is unframed. You may already be familiar with Michael Loew for his abstract expressionist works. But earlier in his career, he worked for the WPA and in the late 1930's he traveled to Mexico. We are currently working with the Loew estate which owns many photographs he took in Mexico and the diaries of his time there. We can share lots of details. This particular painting, Refugees, was in the artist's estate when he died in 1985 and has been in storage since that time. It is in fine vintage condition. There is some paint loss but the colors are vibrant and it will restore beautifully. This painting, and other works by Loew, are available. Michael Loew was born in 1907 and was the son of a New York City baker. After high school, he was an apprentice to a stained-glass maker, and from 1926-1929, he studied at the Art Student's League. In 1929, he traveled to Paris, North Africa, Germany, and Italy with a group of artists, including Max Schnitzler...
Canvas, Oil
Red Above Blue, 1966
By Michael Loew
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Michael Loew (1907-1985). Red Above Blue, 1966. Acrylic on canvas, 39 x 56 inches. Signed lower right. Signed, titled and dated en verso. Excellent condition. Biography: Michael Loew was born in 1907 and was the son of a New York City baker. After high school, he was an apprentice to a stained-glass maker, and from 1926-1929, he studied at the Art Student’s League. In 1929, he traveled to Paris, North Africa, Germany, and Italy with a group of artists, including Max Schnitzler...
Linen, Acrylic