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.
Mid century American Studio Craft Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful American studio craft Mid-Century Modern long black walnut 8-drawer dresser credenza with all solid walnut flat pull handles. Great design good vintage condition with stunn...
Walnut
$3,135Sale Price|40% Off
Richard Artschwager 3 drawer walnut Pedestal Desk New York 1950s
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Walnut custom narrow desk by renowned painter and sculptor, Richard Artschwager, who in 1953 designed a small collection of furniture in New York City. These pieces are sca...
Walnut
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Mid century American Studio Craft Walnut Dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful American studio craft Mid-Century Modern black walnut dresser with cabinet door all solid carved walnut pull handles. The Left side has ...
Walnut, Oak
Pair Mid century American Studio Craft Walnut Dressers by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Pair of American studio craft Mid Century Modern black walnut dressers with 5 drawers all solid carved walnut pull handles. Solid oak dr...
Oak, Walnut
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Walnut
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury American Studio Craft Richard Artschwager Walnut tall bookcase
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century American Studio craft Richard Artschwager 6 shelf walnut tall bookcase with adjustable shelves. Good vintage condition with beautiful walnut wood grains. Has 2 horizontal...
Wood, Walnut
Studio Craft Teak Desk by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Studio craft desk by American artist Richard Artschwager, c.1950s, USA. The desk features a boomerang style table top and three storage drawers on the right side, each showcasing a w...
Teak
Richard Artschwager Lithograph Mid Century Modern Signed 32" x 30"
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid century lithograph by Richard Artschwager (American, 1923-2013). Signed and dated 1981. Edition 4/20.
Glass, Wood, Paper
Richard Artschwager Blip Printed by Brooke Alexander with Leo Castelli ~ Framed
By Richard Artschwager
Located in New York, NY
Richard Artschwager Blip Printed by Brooke Alexander in Cooperation with Leo Castelli. Single fold announcement card announcing the publication of five multiples and a sculpture-con...
Metal
$6,080Sale Price|48% Off
H 25.6 in W 118.12 in D 15.75 in
Modern 24-Legged Bookcase by MAJJ Studio, Hand-Crafted Walnut, Turkey
By MAJJ STUDIO
Located in Istanbul, Kağıthane
24-Legged Bookcase can be located at various places in interiors according to usage. The size of the bookcase can be extended by adding modules. Each module is 150 cm length. The bookcase, which composed of two modules, has 24 wooden round legs. It is made of walnut veneered, silk matte varnish on mdf and raw walnut wooden lathe legs.
Walnut
Mid-Century American Modern Triple Dresser or Credenza in Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome clean line triple dresser with a classic arched front design. It features beautifully grained walnut with 9 generous drawers. Very clean and ready to use condition.
Walnut
$1,800
H 63 in W 48.04 in D 10.24 in
Tall Midcentury "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark 1960s
By C.M. Madsen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lejre, DK
"China" bookcase in patinated oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1954, this piece is made by CM Madsen Cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition. More shelves...
Oak
Burr Walnut Kidney Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
Elevate your workspace with this exquisite burr walnut kidney-shaped pedestal desk featuring a luxurious hand-tooled leather writing surface. Organize your essentials effortlessly wi...
Brass
$1,900
H 42.25 in W 32 in D 19.75 in
Mid-century Danish walnut roll top desk, dresser or secretary, circa 1950s
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mid-century modern walnut desk, secretary or dresser. Made in Denmark, 1950s Roll top, 3 big drawers on the bottom with original keys. 9 small drawers on the top. Leather topped retr...
Walnut
$1,290
H 31 in W 58 in D 10.25 in
Stickley Arts and Crafts Style Walnut Slat 3 Tier Low Bookcase (2 available)
Located in Pasadena, TX
This bookcase is made from solid walnut. It has 3 Tiers for plenty of storage. The back is made of solid walnut slats, it sits on 4 3" legs. There are 2 available price is per item
Walnut
$2,095
H 30 in W 62.25 in D 18 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut 7-Drawer Dresser by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern American Walnut Tall Skinny Lingerie Chest Dresser
By John Stuart, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern American walnut skinny tall and narrow unusual shape dresser high chest.
Walnut
Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A very smart and well made antique Victorian Walnut leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-80’s. It is of lovely quality and is a useful size...
Leather, Walnut
$2,800
H 63 in W 48.04 in D 10.24 in
Tall Midcentury "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark 1960s
By C.M. Madsen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lejre, DK
"China" bookcase in patinated oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1954, this piece is made by CM Madsen Cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition. More shelves...
Oak
Italian Desk, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 80 cm; W= 153 cm; D= 66 cm.
Brass
Art Deco Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Art Deco burr walnut pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1920-30’s. The quality is outstanding, this is a large and impressive size. Ther...
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 4 drawer dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage American Studio craft walnut 4 drawer dresser by Richard Artschwager. Good vintage condition with solid walnut round tapered knobs. clean inside and out.
Walnut
Vintage Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser by Richard Artschwager. elegant wood pulls with beautiful walnut wood grain.
Walnut
American MCM Solid Walnut Tallboy Dresser / Chest by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in San Diego, CA
American MCM solid walnut tallboy dresser / chest by Richard Artschwager, circa 1950s. This amazing piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 36"Wx 18"D x 77"H and has si...
Brass
Mid century American Studio Craft Walnut credenza by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful American studio craft Mid-Century Modern long black walnut credenza with all solid carved walnut pull handles. The right side has (4) drawer and the left has 2 cabinet door...
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 72 in D 36 in
Richard Artschwager Walnut Double Pedestal Executive Desk, Mid-20th Century
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking and refined executive desk by American artist and designer Richard Artschwager, crafted in richly figured walnut. The design features a floating rectangular top supported ...
Walnut
Vintage Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser by Richard Artschwager. elegant wood pulls with beautiful walnut wood grain.
Walnut
Richard Artschwager Dresser
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this midcentury oiled walnut dresser by Richard Artschwager. The dresser has been lightly restored to retain its original aged patina. The original finished...
Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 71.5 in D 17.5 in
Midcentury American Studio Craft Walnut 8-Drawer Dresser by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful American studio craft Mid-Century Modern long black walnut 8-drawer dresser credenza with all solid carved walnut pull handles. Great design good vintage condition with stu...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 35 in D 18 in
Midcentury American Studio Craft Richard Artschwager Walnut 4 Drawer Dresser
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury American Studio craft Richard Artschwager walnut 4 drawer dresser. Good vintage condition with solid walnut round tapered knobs. clean inside and out. circa 1960 made in N...
Wood
Sold
H 25 in W 62.5 in D 2 in
Scarce Midcentury Studio Crafted Walnut Queen Headboard Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Richard Artschwager (NY 1923-2013). fine and exceedingly rare Queen sized bed headboard in walnut. Artschwager started his career designing and making furniture in NYC. He had a numb...
Walnut
Richard Artschwager Eight Drawer Walnut Dresser Ca. 1960s
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Peabody, MA
An eight drawer dressing cabinet in walnut by the noted American artist Richard Ernst Artschwager (1923-2013). He was a fascinating American painter, illustrator and sculptor whose w...
Walnut
Sold
H 25.5 in W 18 in D 18 in
Superb Midcentury Studio Crafted Night Stand by Artist Richard Artschwager
By George Nakashima, Richard Artschwager
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Richard Artschwager (NY 1923-2013). Fine and exceedingly rare nightstand cabinet in walnut. Featuring one night stand with door and drawer in walnut. Artschwager started his career d...
Walnut