Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

1928-1968

Born George Peter Witwer on September 6th, 1928, Peter was the son of a real estate developer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended school in New York City in the late 1940s and moved West in 1958. Part of San Francisco’s emerging gay scene, Witwer was walking home from the original Stud Bar on Folsom Street when he was brutally shot in the head without an apparent motive in 1968. The police report shows that the cash in his pocket was not removed, leading friends to believe that this may have been a hate crime. While living in New York from 1945-1958, Witwer was a contemporary of Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Hans Hoffman and witnessed their massive influence on Post WWII painting first hand. Shortly after Witwer’s arrival to San Francisco in 1958, he exhibited alongside David Park and Elmer Bischoff in the 1959 California Painters’ Annual at the Oakland Art Museum, where the first exhibition of Bay Area Figurative painting took place in 1957. The 1957 show, entitled “Contemporary Bay Area Figurative Painting” also included seminal works by Richard Diebenkorn, James Weeks, Bruce McGaw and Paul Wonner. Peter Witwer would never achieve the recognition of the aforementioned artists. In fact, he spent his life in relative obscurity, working during the day at the Rincon Post Office and City of Paris department store, and painting at night in the studio of his apartment on Waller Street in the Haight. In spite of this, his recently uncovered body of work brilliantly reflects two of the most important art movements of the last 60 years. The collection showcases a newly-discovered artist working on the leading edge of contemporary painting during his time. Within the Witwer collection, several distinct art movements can be seen. Works from 1961-1963 period show a strong tendency towards the New York school of Abstract Expressionism (Hans Hoffman, Jackson Pollock and others). Highly textured Colour-Field pieces from this early 60s period also reflect the influence of the European Decollage artists that tore into built-up surfaces to reveal the shreds of paper below. Witwer experimented with plaster-like compounds for sculpting under the surface of paintings; house paints; textile and found object collage; and large-scale canvases. As his work progressed through the 1960s, the paintings take-on distinct qualities of the Bay Area Figurative movement. These works merge the human form with painterly abstraction, drawing strong comparisons to the art of his contemporaries, David Park, Elmer Bischoff, Manuel Neri and Nathan Oliveira. In the Fall of 1968 Peter Witwer was shot dead as he walked home through his Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Since then, his life’s work of nearly a hundred finished paintings has been in hiding for four decades. Reflecting the dynamic evolution of American Mid-Century painting from the Abstract Expressionism of the 1940s/50s into the Bay Area Figurative movement of the 1950s/60s Witwer’s work is a spectacular timeline of the Bay Area art scene.

Artist: Peter Witwer

Peter WitwerPortrait of Man San Francisco Bay Area Figurative Movement Peter Witwer, 1958-68

$2,650

Portrait of Man San Francisco Bay Area Figurative Movement Peter Witwer

By Peter Witwer

Located in Soquel, CA

Portrait of Man San Francisco Bay Area Figurative Movement Figurative portrait of a man by San Francisco artist Peter Witwer (American, 1928-1968). Unsigned from a collection of his work. Provenance estate of Peter Witwer, Lost Art Solon. Image 32"H x 26"W Frame, 32.5"H x 26.5"W x 1.75"D Posthumous show of the artists work exhibit card on verso. Born George Peter...

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1950s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Antique American Abstract Expressionist Vintage Framed New York School Painting, 1940

$1,036Sale Price|20% Off

H 25 in W 19 in D 2 in

Antique American Abstract Expressionist Vintage Framed New York School Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique American modernist abstract painting. Oil on canvas, circa 1940. Housed in a vintage frame. Image size, 18L x 24H.

Category

1940s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Karnish ArtEvanescence: Painting, Large, Abstract, Acrylic, Bold, Blue, Figurative, Blues, 2024

$1,720

H 32.68 in W 46.46 in D 1.19 in

Evanescence: Painting, Large, Abstract, Acrylic, Bold, Blue, Figurative, Blues

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: Evanescence of Time Evanescence Painting Large Contemporary Bold Blue Statement Figurative Modern Texture Stories In this vibrant acrylic painting, I've infused the essence ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars

Anastasiia Danilenko"Juliet" Abstract Figurative Oil Painting 59 x 33.5" in by Anastasiia Danilenko, 2025

Unavailable|~~$4,500~~

H 59 in W 33.5 in

"Juliet" Abstract Figurative Oil Painting 59 x 33.5" in by Anastasiia Danilenko

By Anastasiia Danilenko

Located in Culver City, CA

"Juliet" Abstract Figurative Oil Painting 59 x 33.5" in by Anastasiia Danilenko Ships rolled in a tube Anastasiia Danilenko is an artist and graphic designer. But the area of he...

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21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Karnish ArtPainting, Modern, Abstract, Colorful, Contemporary, Invest, Artwork, Original, 2022

$1,730

H 33.08 in W 46.86 in D 0.2 in

Painting, Modern, Abstract, Colorful, Contemporary, Invest, Artwork, Original

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: The Guardians of Togetherness Painting, Modern, Abstract, Colorful, Contemporary, Invest, Artwork, Original The Guardians of Togetherness opens up the viewer to experience t...

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21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Canvas, Glaze, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Color Pencil, Wood, Str...

Mougenot NatalyaContemporary abstract expressionist oil painting of woman canvas "Female Energy", 2023

$957

H 28.75 in W 19.69 in D 0.79 in

Contemporary abstract expressionist oil painting of woman canvas "Female Energy"

Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR

This vibrant and abstract painting, titled "Female Energy", is a powerful exploration of womanhood by French artist Natalya Mougenot. As part of her ongoing series dedicated to women...

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2010s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Karnish ArtMy Beloved - Painting Maximalism Abstract Figurative Love Contemporary Invest, 2021

$1,330

H 33.08 in W 46.86 in D 0.2 in

My Beloved - Painting Maximalism Abstract Figurative Love Contemporary Invest

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: The Guardians of my Beloved Mesmerizing Striking Abstract Figurative Love Peace Invest Contemporary Maximalism This work is part of a series. It is part of a story... It por...

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2010s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Acrylic, Gesso, Canvas, Pastel, Spray Paint

Natalya Mougenot Contemporary abstract floral painting on canvas "The wild flowers of Provence", 2023

$419

H 11.42 in W 11.42 in D 1.38 in

Contemporary abstract floral painting on canvas "The wild flowers of Provence"

Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR

"The Wild Flowers of Provence" — Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas by Natalya Mougenot Size: 29 × 29 × 3.5 cm (approx. 11.4 × 11.4 × 1.4 in) Medium: Oil painting on stretched canvas, r...

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2010s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cotton Canvas

Grace Hartigan"Pompeian Perfumer" Grace Hartigan, Roman Subject, Abstract Expressionist Artist, 1999

$45,000

H 74 in W 67 in

"Pompeian Perfumer" Grace Hartigan, Roman Subject, Abstract Expressionist Artist

By Grace Hartigan

Located in New York, NY

Grace Hartigan Pompeian Perfumer, 1999 Signed and dated lower right; signed, titled, and dated on the reverse Oil on linen 72 x 66 inches Grace Hartigan’s career began among the Ne...

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1990s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

Karnish ArtGuardians of Absoluteness: Extra Large. Abstract, Acrylic, Painting on Canvas, 2021

$2,000

H 43.31 in W 56.7 in D 0.2 in

Guardians of Absoluteness: Extra Large. Abstract, Acrylic, Painting on Canvas

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: The Guardians of Absoluteness Landscape Abstract Bold Modern Colorful Exclusive Investment Unique Painting Showstopper Striking Extra large artwork This work portrays the Ab...

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2010s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Acrylic, Gesso, Canvas, Spray Paint, Pencil

S ShorrockThe Reacher - Colourful Tribal Aboriginal Inspired Oil on Canvas Portrait Format, 2005

$4,438Sale Price|20% Off

H 47 in W 18.5 in D 1.75 in

The Reacher - Colourful Tribal Aboriginal Inspired Oil on Canvas Portrait Format

Located in Preston, GB

Colourful Tribal Aboriginal Inspired Oil on Canvas entitled “The Reacher” in Portrait Format Figure Reaching Toward the Sun Medium: Oil on canvas Attributed Artist: Contemporary in ...

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Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Karnish ArtLove Conquers All - Extra Large Abstract Painting, Bold Colors, New, Maximalism, 2022

$1,980

H 40.95 in W 58.27 in D 0.2 in

Love Conquers All - Extra Large Abstract Painting, Bold Colors, New, Maximalism

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: Love Conquers All - Omnia Vincit Amor Extra Large Abstract Investment Bold Color Large rendition in the Unchained Expressions series. It attempts to map the road to freedom...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Gesso, Canvas, Oil, Spray Paint, Color Pencil

Norman CartonNorman Carton, abstract cityscape, unique oil painting hand signed twice, Framed, ca. 1951

$10,000

H 19 in W 23 in D 2.5 in

Norman Carton, abstract cityscape, unique oil painting hand signed twice, Framed

By Norman Carton

Located in New York, NY

Norman Carton Mid Century Modern Cityscape, ca. 1951 Oil on canvas painting (signed twice) Signed twice: hand signed on the front and also signed on the back Unique Frame included: T...

Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Previously Available Items

Peter WitwerAbstract Flower Oil Painting Bay Area Abstract Expressionist Movement, 1958-68

Sold

H 32.5 in W 26.5 in D 1.75 in

Abstract Flower Oil Painting Bay Area Abstract Expressionist Movement

By Peter Witwer

Located in Soquel, CA

Flower Still Life Abstract Floral still life abstract painting by San Francisco artist Peter Witwer (American, 1928-1968). Unsigned from a collection of his work. Provenance estate of Peter Witwer, Lost Art Solon. Image, 28.25"H x 24.25"W Frame, 28.75"H x 24.75"W x 1.75"D Posthumous show of the artists work exhibit card on verso. Born George Peter Witwer on September 6th, 1928, Peter was the son of a prominent real estate developer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended school in New York City in the late 1940s and moved West in 1958 a part of San Francisco’s emerging gay scene...

Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Peter Witwer Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Peter Witwer figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Peter Witwer figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Peter Witwer in canvas, fabric, oil paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1950s and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Peter Witwer figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 27 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Honora Berg, Leslie Luverne Anderson, and Armand Rottenberg. Peter Witwer figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,120 and tops out at $2,120, while the average work can sell for $2,120.