Philip Perkins
American, 1907-1970
From a small town in west Tennessee, Philip Perkins became an abstract painter widely acknowledged for his work. He is best known for his geometric, cubist influenced work of the forties. While most abstract art used flat unshaded color areas, Perkins shaded geometric forms through deepening colors to give the work more body and a sense of rhythm.
During the fifties, his work became more abstract expressionist in style with more spontaneous brush strokes and less distinct forms. It was during the fifties that he began a series of religious work in a semi-abstract style. By the late sixties, his paintings had become more hard edge abstract through the use of bold shapes and the heavy application of paint with the pallet knife.
Philip Perkins was born in 1907 in Waverly, Tennessee. He studied at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee from 1925 to 1926 and at the Chicago Art Institute from 1926 to 1931.
Perkins left Paris in 1940 and moved to New York City where he shared a studio with Yves Tanguy. In 1947 he participated in the International Surrealist Exhibition, Galerie Maeght, Paris, France. Perkins returned to Nashville in 1948 to teach at the University of Tennessee at Nashville.
Emily Genauer, a renowned art critic from New York, selected his painting DEBRIS OF SUMMER to be included in her book "Best of Art," a survey of the best contemporary paintings that was published in 1948. Also included was work by Yves Tanguy, Marc Chagall, Henry Varnum Poor, Stuart Davis, Walt Kuhn, and Max Weber. She describes the Perkins painting by saying,
In 1953, after a visit to Epiphany Mission Episcopal Church and Garden in Sherwood, Tennessee, Perkins offered to paint a new altarpiece for the church a gift.
After months of work, the completed triptych was installed and presented to the church on Easter, 1954. The triptych depicted the baptism of Christ and was painted in a style reminiscent of El Greco. A fire in 1960 destroyed the church and the painting.
Perkins returned to Paris to live and paint in 1959. In 1960, during his one-man exhibition at the Galerie Clert, Paris, the prominent European art critic Barnet D. Conlan wrote a series of articles on Perkins that was published in European and American publications. Conlan wrote that, "Unlike many abstract artists of recent times, Perkins has had a long training in figurative art . . . He thus acquired an intimate acquaintance with modern French art and with the tradition from which it springs. It is this, which has enabled him to make a synthesis of both tendencies in a style that is neither abstract nor figurative, but a new compound possessing the qualities of both. And because of this, one might say he is one of the most advanced painters in Paris at the present moment."
In 1961 Perkins again returned to Nashville to live. He died there of cancer in 1970 at the age of 63.to
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
10,200
3,932
2,505
2,240
Creator: Philip Perkins
Signed Philip Perkins Vintage Cubist Painting
By Philip Perkins
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful painting dated 1970 that has great planes of color and field is by the abstract painter, Philip Perkins. His resume is impressive with early studies in Europe with maj...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Wood, Paint
Painting by Philip R. Perkins (1914-1968)
By Philip Perkins
Located in Richmond, VA
Original painting by Philip R. Perkins, circa late 1950's.
Painting depicts an Egyptian woman, signed in the upper left corner. Painting is oil on board and displayed in it's origin...
Category
1950s American Egyptian Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Wood, Paint
Related Items
Impressionist Plein Air Signed Philips
Located in Redding, CT
Impressionist Plein Air Impressionist Painting by Philips. Hand Carved solid wood frame.
Very reminiscent of Monet.
Category
Mid-20th Century Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Abstract Oil Painting circa 1968 by Louis Zansky
By Zonsky
Located in New York, NY
Abstract oil on canvas titled "House," by artist Louis Zansky (1920-1978), signed 1968. Framed with linen matting and carved gilt wood frame.
Painting measures 16" width x 12" height...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins
Materials
Gold Leaf
Oil Painting of Montmartre, Paris 1968 – Signed Dalian
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This expressive oil on canvas captures the timeless charm of Montmartre, one of Paris’s most iconic and romantic neighborhoods. Signed “Dalian” and dated 1968 in the lower right corn...
Category
20th Century French Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Large Signed Southwestern Desert Landscape Painting
Located in Redding, CT
Large Signed Southwestern Desert Landscape Painting on board. Signed Jeanine 2003. Vast expansive view of the desert , its rolling clouds and its mountains in the background. Distres...
Category
Early 2000s Country Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1968 José García Narezo Seahorses Oil Painting, Mexican
By José García Narezo
Located in Miami, FL
José García Narezo Seahorses Oil Painting, Mexico
Offered for sale is an oil painting on Masonite board titled "Caballitos de Mar" by the Spani...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins
Materials
Wood, Masonite, Paint
Harris Strong Painting Titled Grove Signed Brent
By Harris Strong
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Harris Strong Studio was a prominent American design studio renowned for its innovative and artistic approach to ceramic and tile work during the mid-20th century. Founded by artist ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage Haitian Village Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th century Haitian oil on canvas of a village painted in hues of black, white, grey, and pale pink. Signed by the artist, bottom right, Nicolas Jose Perez and held in a wooden frame.
Category
Mid-20th Century Haitian Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Philip Neri Framed Abstract Painting 1970
By Philip Neri
Located in Encino, CA
This striking, textured piece by Neri floats inside of a black custom-made wooden frame.
It is in original condition and adds a beautiful splash of color to its surroundings. The ...
Category
20th Century Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cityscape Painting "Skyline v" by M. Baker Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cityscape Oil Painting "Skyline V" by M. Baker Signed and Dated 1978.
Features an impasto on board depiction of Hong Kong's skyline, framed with a antique...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Wood, Paint
$780
H 20 in W 24 in D 2 in
Signed Vintage Seriagraph by Dietrich Grunewald
By Dietrich Grunewald
Located in Redding, CT
Signed vintage Seriagraph by Hermann Dietrich Grunewald
Hermann Dietrich Grunewald. (1916-2003). Born in Oskarstm, Sweden.
He was an impressionist...
Category
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Unique Monumental Engraved Bronze Painting 1960s, Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Monumental and unique engraved painting, a combination of the “Horses Plaque” and “Peasants Plaque”, in patinated bronze and pewter with vibrant hand-applied enamel cloisonne in blue...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
$28,000
H 94 in W 30 in D 2 in
Large Impressionist Oil Painting on Canvas Signed R. Blum
Located in Houston, TX
Large Impressionist oil painting on canvas Signed R. Blum.
Beautifully executed antique impressionist oil painting on canvas signed R. Blum. This lovely large oil painting possibly d...
Category
1920s European Other Vintage Philip Perkins
Materials
Canvas
Philip Perkins furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Philip Perkins furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Philip Perkins furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Philip Perkins were created in the modern style in united states during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Lowell Nesbitt, Paul Maxwell, and Robert Natkin. Prices for Philip Perkins furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,600 and can go as high as $6,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,600.