The drawings by artist Robert Longo are a sensory experience: They are monumental, detailed and hard-hitting in their subject matter, which often includes critiques of power, social unrest and consumer capitalism.
Longo has spent his career exploring mediums as varied as the Photorealistic charcoal drawings for which he is best known and film direction. In all of his work, however, he draws inspiration from his deep background in sculpture. “I always think that drawing is a sculptural process. I always feel like I’m carving the image out rather than painting the image. I’m carving it out with erasers and tools like that,” he once said.
The Long Island, New York, native attended high school with a man who was shot at Kent State University while protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War in 1970, and the famous image of this man lying dead on the ground influenced Longo so deeply that he began to consider all art political. Longo attended Buffalo State College, where he met and became friends with artist Cindy Sherman, and later the two moved to New York City together.
Longo’s revered work includes his charcoal and graphite “Men in the Cities” drawings. The Photorealist series, which debuted at Metro Pictures gallery in Manhattan in 1981, depicted people in formal business clothing. Posing in suspended animation in unusual contortions, the figures take on a choreographic quality and represent the career-minded “yuppies” of the era.
“Men in the Cities” was inspired by punk rock music and decades later has been cited as a visual reference for the opening sequence of the popular television drama Mad Men. The work was among the most recognizable and iconic of the Pictures Generation — the movement by artists who came of age in the 1970s and were disillusioned by the social and political conditions of the time. In 2014, Longo created 12 charcoal drawings for a series titled “Gang of Cosmos,” which were black-and-white depictions of famous Abstract Expressionist works by artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Lee Krasner.
Through his provocative, detailed and highly precise prints, drawings, photography and sculpture, Longo continues to challenge traditional sources of power and authority.
Find original Robert Longo art on 1stDibs.
Robert Longo Men In The Cities record art 1981 (vintage Robert Longo)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Men In The Cities album cover art: A rare highly sought-after 1981 record art cover featuring original artwork by Robert Longo on...
Offset
Robert Longo Men In The Cities announcement 1985
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Men in the Cities: Rare original 1985 announcement card published on the occasion of: Men In The Cities from November 9 - December 7, 1985 at Brooke Alexander, Inc.; 59...
Offset
$1,250
H 12.5 in W 9.75 in D 0.75 in
Cornucopia (limited edition hardback monograph hand signed by Damien Hirst)
By Damien Hirst
Located in New York, NY
Damien Hirst Cornucopia, 2010 Limited edition hardback monograph (hand signed by Damien Hirst) Hand signed in ink by Damien Hirst on the first front end page 12 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 3/4 inches This limited edition illustrated hardback monograph, with no dust jacket, exactly as issued, was published on the occasion of the artist's show at Musee Oceanographique de Monaco in April 2010, 'Cornucopia' celebrates Hirst's paintings and sculptures from 1994-2009." This book was gifted by Damien Hirst to a member of an American Rock & Roll band that Hirst befriended. Stated Limited Edition of 2000 (unnumbered) About the book: Publisher: Musée Océanographique de Monaco, 2010 Text: English / French. 160 pgs with color illustrations Limited Edition: 2000 (the regular edition is not signed; this was exceptionally hand signed by Hirst) About Damien Hirst: People are afraid of change, so you create a kind of belief for them through repetition. It’s like breathing. I’ve always been drawn to series and pairs. A unique thing is quite a frightening object. —Damien Hirst Since emerging onto the international art scene in the late 1980s, Damien Hirst has created installations, sculptures, paintings, and drawings that examine the complex relationships between art and beauty, religion and science, and life and death. From serialized paintings of multicolored spots to animal specimens...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$2,800
H 11.25 in W 12.5 in D 2 in
Edward Ruscha at the Texas Gallery vintage invitation, to Dennis Hopper, Framed
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
This rare exhibition invitation for Ed (Edward) Ruscha's 1974 exhibition at Texas Gallery, Houston, which Ruscha, himself, designed, was mailed to actor, photographer, collector and ...
Postcard
$1,761
H 0.79 in Dm 10.52 in
Derrick Adams, We Came to Party and Plan 38 - Limited Edition Plate
By Derrick Adams
Located in Hamburg, DE
Derrick Adams (American, b. 1970) We Came to Party and Plan 38, 2022 Medium: Porcelain plate (fine bone china) Dimensions: 26.7 cm diameter (10 1/2 in) Edition of 250: Printed signat...
Porcelain
$13,600
H 10.5 in W 14 in D 0.5 in
Scarce Lt. Ed. Monograph (book) hand signed and numbered by Jean-Michel Basquiat
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in New York, NY
This is a lifetime edition - hand signed and numbered by Jean-Michel Basquiat himself in Basquiat's lifetime. Many younger collectors don't appreciate the difference between the num...
Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$750
H 36 in W 24 in
Vintage Poster President Bill Clinton Pop Art Hand Signed Peter Max Lithograph
By Peter Max
Located in Surfside, FL
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Bill Clinton Inaugural, An American Reunion, New Beginnings, Renewed Hope Hand signed in marker with dedication Year: 1993 Medi...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,800
H 12.5 in W 9.75 in D 1.25 in
Roy Lichtenstein - Hardback monograph book autographed signed by Pop artist
By Roy Lichtenstein
Located in New York, NY
Roy Lichtenstein (after) Hardback monograph of drawings and prints autographed by artist, 1973 Hardback Monograph. Hand signed, inscribed and dated...
Offset
$3,500
H 4 in W 6 in
Art Card: Robert Rauschenberg, Creek, 1964 Hand Signed offset postcard, Framed
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Offset lithograph card Provenance: Collection of Dan Pope, CBS News photographer who amassed an impressive collection of signed artist cards during the 1980s-1990s, acquired directly...
Lithograph, Offset
$20,000
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 0.3 in
To Earl and Camilla Love Andy Warhol unique heart drawing in monograph Signed 2x
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
Andy Warhol To Earl and Camilla, Love Andy Warhol, 1979 Original Heart Drawing held in hardcover book with unique dedication to Earl and Camilla McGrath (Signed Twice by Andy Warhol)...
Mixed Media, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset
$15,000
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 1.2 in
Andy Warhol - Exposures (Deluxe Edition) Hardback Monograph LtEd Hand Signed #1
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
Andy Warhol Deluxe Collectors' Edition of Exposures (Hand Signed and Numbered), 1979 Hardcover Monograph in leather with gilt edge and stamped in gilt. Hand signed by Andy Warhol on...
Mixed Media, Graphite, Lithograph, Offset
The Yellow Belt
By Jim Dine
Located in New York, NY
Color woodcut and lithograph on Arches paper, 2005. Signed by the artist in pencil, lower right., and numbered 69/200 in pencil, lower left. Printed by Atelier Michael Woolworth, Pa...
Lithograph, Woodcut, Color
$700
H 11.25 in W 9 in D 0.7 in
Monograph: Christo The Gates Project for Central Park NYC (Signed and Inscribed)
By Christo
Located in New York, NY
Super rare original signed The Gates proposal book for famous art critic: Christo: The Gates Project for Central Park New York City (Hand Signed and Inscribed to art critic Anthony ...
Mixed Media, Pencil, Offset, Board, Lithograph
$18,000
H 12 in W 10.5 in D 2 in
Jean-Michel Basquiat monograph, autographed and numbered by Basquiat
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in New York, NY
Limited Edition Artist's Book with Offset Lithographs. Autographed and numbered by Jean-Michel Basquiat Hand signed and numbered 542/1000 by Basquiat in ink Published by Bruno Bischo...
Lithograph, Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo vinyl record art (Robert Longo Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Men In The Cities Album Cover Art, 1981: Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Orig...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Robert Longo Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the Cities" series. Year: 1981 Medium...
Offset
Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art: Off-set print on vinyl record. Unsigned. 12 inches in diameter. Excellent Condition. Published by Visionaire Fashion, 2007. Looks quite cool framed. Robert Longo burst onto the New York art scene as a brash 25-year-old with “Men in the Cities,” his iconic 1983 large-scale charcoal drawings of businessmen posing in uncanny contortions. “I always imagine that I want to make art that is going to kill you,” he said in 1984. “Whether it’s going to do it visually or physically, I’ll take either way.” Longo works and reworks his charcoal into thick-textured surfaces, giving his velvety drawings deep, blackened expanses and sharply contrasting whites; his forms are at once representational and softly elusive. Having been fascinated with popular culture as a child, Longo centers his practice on transposing images and the resulting transformation of meaning, linking him with the Pictures Generation. “An artist should know art history,” he says. “Shock value only lasts so long.” His recent works have included series depicting women in burkas, ocean waves, nuclear explosions, views of Sigmund Freud’s apartment, and zoo animals...
Offset
Robert Longo Men In The Cities announcement 1981
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Men in the Cities: Rare original 1981 Gagosian Gallery announcement card. A classic, much iconic vintage Robert Longo collectible...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Album Cover Art, 1981 Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the ...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the Cities" series. Year: 1981 Medium...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Album Cover Art, 1981 Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the ...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the Cities" series. Year: 1981 Medium...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the Cities" series. Year: 1981 Medium...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Rare Original Robert Longo Vinyl Record Art (Men In The Cities)
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Glenn Branca – The Ascension: A Rare Highly Sought After Vinyl Art Cover featuring Original Artwork by Robert Longo from his classic "Men in the Cities" series. Year: 19...
Offset