Richard Artschwager was an eclectic artist whose unique style resisted categorization. His work has been described variously as minimalism and Pop art. At the core of his approach was the transformation of the mundane into the conceptual, and sometimes even the otherworldly.
Artschwager was born in Washington, DC, in 1923 and moved with his family to New Mexico in 1935. His parents were passionate about art and design and he started painting at a young age. He later studied mathematics and science at Cornell University. His studies were interrupted by World War II, but he completed his bachelor’s degree in 1948.
Artschwager spent a period taking odd jobs to support his growing family. Still, he found time to study art, including under French painter Amédée Ozenfant at his New York City studio. He exhibited his first series of paintings and watercolors at the Art Directions Gallery in New York in 1959.
The 1960s were a prolific time for Artschwager. He experimented with his style and participated in many exhibitions. The 1962 piece Handle, a wall-hung polished wood frame, is considered a breakthrough work. He had his first solo exhibition at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York in 1965.
In the 1970s, Artschwager moved into site-specific installations and produced paintings and drawings in a more architectural style. His success and acclaim grew over the next three decades.
He died in 2013 at the age of 89. His abstract prints and sculptures remain highly regarded. Many Neo-Geo artists in New York and Young British Artists in the United Kingdom have cited Artschwager as a major influence.
A few months after his death, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles held a career retrospective that displayed over 150 of Artschwager’s works.
On 1stDibs, find Richard Artschwager’s prints, mixed media, sculptures and more.
Hair Box
By Richard Artschwager
Located in New York, NY
"Hair Box," 1990 (for Parkett 23) Paint on rubberized hair, wood backing, 10 x 15 x 5” (25,4 x 38 x 13 cm), Ed. 100/XX, signed and numbered A material common...
Rubber, Paint
$200
H 9.5 in W 7.25 in
"Portalito", Abstract Patterns, Geometric Abstraction, Woodcut Monoprint
By Alexis Nutini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Portalito" is an original piece by Alexis Nutini and is made from a woodcut monoprint mounted on panel. This piece measures 7.25"h x 9.5"w. Born in Mexico City, ...
Panel, Monoprint, Woodcut
$1,085
H 17 in W 13 in
The Gates (c), from the Project for Central Park
By Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Located in New York, NY
This offset lithograph in colors from the Project for Central Park, New York City, was created by the artist in 2004. One of 300 hand-signed by the artist in pencil from an unnumbere...
Lithograph
Physichromie No. 1354”
By Carlos Cruz Diez
Located in Miami, FL
Carlos Cruz Diez (1923-2019) “Physichromie No. 1354” 2002 Plastic inserts and digital print on cardboard Ed. 2/3 11 7/8 x 12 in Provenance: Galerie Mark Hachem, Paris. Private Colle...
Plastic, Cardboard, Digital
Kusama Pumpkins (Set of Two)
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Yayoi Kusama Set of Two Pumpkins: Yellow and Black / Red and White: An iconic, vibrantly colored pop art set - these small Kusama pumpkin sculptures feature the universal polka dot p...
Resin
$395
H 11 in W 5 in
Warhol Basquiat Be@rbrick 400% figure (Basquiat Warhol Bearbrick)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Andy Warhol Jean-Michel Basquiat Bearbrick Vinyl Figures: (400% & 100%): A unique, timeless collectible trademarked & licensed by the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat & And...
Resin, Vinyl
The Gates (e), Project for Central Park
By Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Located in New York, NY
This offset lithograph in colors on wove paper from the Project for Central Park, New York City, was created by the artist in 2005. One of 300 hand-signed (in pencil) prints from an ...
Lithograph
$5,148
H 2.6 in W 1.97 in D 0.44 in
Jenny Holzer, Inflammatory Essays: Shriek When the Pain Hits...
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) Inflammatory Essays: Shriek When the Pain Hits During Interrogation, 1996 Multiple: Pewter multiple with engraved text Dimensions: 6.6 × 5 × 1.1 cm (...
Metal
Kusama Plush Pumpkin (Kusama red & white pumpkin)
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Yayoi Kusama Red & White Pumpkin (plush): An iconic, vibrantly colored pop art piece - this Kusama plush pumpkin features the universal polka dot patterns and bold colors for whi...
Nylon
$725
H 11 in W 5 in
Warhol Basquiat Bearbrick 400% figures set of 2 (Warhol Basquiat Be@rbrick)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Basquiat Andy Warhol Bearbrick 400% figures: Set of two works: Unique, timeless collectibles trademarked & licensed by the Estates of Jean-Michel Basquiat & Andy Warhol. The ...
Resin, Vinyl
$1,500
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 0.8 in
Medaglia 25 Anni Tecno Limited Edition bronze medallion plaque famous sculptor
By Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in New York, NY
ARNALDO POMODORO Medaglia 25 Anni Tecno (Two Sided Bronze Medallion), 1979 Bronze (incised signature) 2 1/2 × 2 × 7/10 inches Edition 196/1600 Unframed This beautiful two sided limit...
Bronze
KAWS TOGETHER Companion (KAWS Black Together)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Together Companion 2018: This rare 2018 KAWS TOGETHER features the artist's iconic “Companions” interlocked in a permanent hug. KAWS first debuted this embracing Together ...
Resin, Vinyl
$5,950
H 10 in W 7 in D 6.5 in
rare Maeght sculpted holiday card 1968 - collectors item mid century modern art
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Calder rare Maeght sculpted holiday card, 1968 Hand made sculpted paper collage on paper with embossing Embossed artist's monogram 10 × 7 × 6 1/2 inches This rare, fold-ou...
Paper, Mixed Media, Laid Paper, Lithograph, Offset