The name of painter, printmaker and writer Robert Motherwell (1915–91) is often taken as synonymous with the New York School, whose name he coined. Motherwell was the youngest of this group of Abstract Expressionists working in art, dance, poetry and music in 1950s and '60s New York City, which included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Philip Guston, Helen Frankenthaler and Mark Rothko.
Born in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1915, Motherwell had perhaps the broadest and best education of any of the New York School coterie, with an extensive background in philosophy, literature and art history. He earned a BA in philosophy in 1937 from Stanford University and was working toward a PhD in the subject at Harvard when he interrupted his studies for a yearlong trip to Europe, where he fell in love with European modernism.
After returning, in 1940 he enrolled Columbia to study art history. It was there that he met a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists, and encounter that proved influential on his style. Motherwell began to integrate the idea of “automatism” — unmediated gestures that reflect deeper psychological impulses — into his work, pioneering a new form of Abstract Expressionism that came to characterize the New York School.
Works like the 1967 Beside the Sea no. 45, an acrylic on canvas, and the 1966 lithograph New York International epitomize Motherwell’s use of simple shapes in boldly contrasting colors, executed in quick, gestural strokes that occasionally evoke figures, suggesting a latent narrative despite their obvious abstraction.
Throughout his career, Motherwell taught painting at Hunter College, in New York, and at Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, where his work influenced the likes of Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg and Kenneth Noland. His influence as one of the founding fathers of American Abstract Expressionism remains profound.
Africa Suite #6
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in Ameri...
Screen
Ulysses: The Hospital
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American abstract painters that radically defined abstraction and...
Etching
Robert Motherwell, Art Chicago, limited edition lithographic poster
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Robert Motherwell Art Chicago, 1981 Offset lithograph on wove paper Plate signed 39 × 27 1/2 inches Unframed This stunning ithographic poster was printed by Tyler Graphics Mt. Kisco...
Lithograph, Offset
Green Gauloises
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic, graphite and printed paper collage on board 42.6 x 36.8 cms (16 3/4 x 14 1/2 ins) This is the only collage in which Motherwell used a green package from Gauloises Caporal D...
Mixed Media
Octavio Paz Suite: Nocturne VI
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph and chine appliqué 64.5 x 54 cms (25 3/8 x 21 1/4 ins) Edition 50 Paper: Arches paper; Japanese Gampi handmade paper Other Collaborators: Image transferred from Mylar to...
Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph
Irish Suite #6
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in Ameri...
Etching
Mexican Night II
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 44.5 cms (17.5 x 17.5 ins) Edition of 70 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right ...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Samurai
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Signature: Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions: Numbered in pencil lower right; workshop chop mark lower right Edition: 16
Lithograph
Lyric Suite (Brown No. 4)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Ink on rice paper 27.9 x 22.9 cms (11 x 9 ins)
Ink
Norway
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
54.9 x 56.5 cms (21.6 x 22.25 ins) Edition of 50 Paper: Somerset paper Signature:Signed "RM" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right Proofs:20 AP, numbered I/XX-XX/XX, 2 HC, numbered I-II, 3 PP, 1 TP, other proofs (unrecorded) Publisher:Derriere LEtoile Studios, New York, for the Sonja Henie...
Color, Lithograph
In White with Green Stripe
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Rober Motherwell In White with Green Stripe 1987 Lithograph, relief print, embossing and collage 86.4 x 61 cms (34 x 24 ins)
Lithograph
$5,711
Sirens II - 20th Century, Robert Motherwell, Figurative, Print, Expressionist
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Köln, DE
An aquatint etching out of 1988 in a very good condition and bright colours. 57 x 66 cm. Edition of 90, signed and numbered.
Aquatint
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Dedication–Lincoln Center (B.App.23)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 29.25 ins (113 x 74.3 cms) Edition of 108 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower left Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower left; some impressions have artist's chop mark lower left Publisher:The Juilliard School...
Color, Mixed Media, Screen
Paris Suite 4 (Winter)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell Paris Suite IV (Winter) 1980 Lithograph on J.B. Green handmade paper, Edition of 60 47 x 45.7 cms (18.5 x 18 ins) RM17036 CR 267 18 1/2 ...
Lithograph
Robert Motherwell Red Sea I 1976 Signed Etching Edition of 100
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Robert Motherwell Title: Red Sea I, 1976 Medium: Lift-Ground Etching and Aquatint on Arches Cover Paper Image Size: 23.75" x 19.875" Sheet Size: 49.5" x 29" Edition: "Trial",...
Screen
Flags
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Created by Robert Motherwell in 1989, Flags is an original lithograph with embossing on red Moriki appliqué. Hand-initialed in pencil and numbered from the edition of 68, the artwork...
Lithograph
$19,869
Australian Stone - Modern, Expressionism, Collage, Aquatint, Red, Abstract
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Köln, DE
Aquatint in colours and collage "Australian Stone" by Robert Motherwell from 1983-1984. The edition on Hawthorne comprises 67 copies. This present copy is signed, inscribed and n...
Mixed Media, Color, Aquatint, Etching
Harvest, with Orange
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
While Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) is known as one of the most important and influential artists associated with Abstract Expressionism, he is also revered for his work and promotio...
Lithograph, Screen
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Harvest, with Two White Stripes, 1960-1980
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Robert Motherwell – Harvest, with Two White Stripes 1960–1980 Medium: Lithograph on Paper Edition: 55/55 Artwork Size: 30 x 11.75 in Framed Size: 40.75 x 22.5 in Price: $14,500 Robe...
Paper
Tricolor with Dollar - Original lithograph (Mourlot 1973)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Paris, IDF
Robert MOTHERWELL Tricolor with Dollar, 1973 Original lithograph (Printed in Mourlot workshop) Printed signature in the plate On heavy paper 31 x 24 cm (c. 12 x 10 inch) Edited by ...
Lithograph
“Carnegie Hall”
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Warren, NJ
Robert Motherwell signed Carnegie Hall Numbered Ap 23/25 Unframed. 30x23 in good condition
Lithograph
Elegy Fragment II
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on Georges Duchene Hawthorne of Larroque handmade paper 87.6 x 61 cm (34 1/2 x 24 inches) Edition of 52
Etching, Aquatint
Octavio Paz Suite: Nocturne VIII
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph and chine appliqué to Arches paper. Siri Engberg and Joan Banach 'Robert Motherwell: The Complete Prints 1940-1991. Catalogue Raisonne', Walker Art Center and Hudson Hills...
Lithograph
Lincoln Center Mostly Mozart, 25th Anniversary, Lithograph by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Motherwell, American (1915 - 1991) Title: Lincoln Center Mostly Mozart, 25th Anniversary Year: 1991 Medium: Lithograph and Screenprint on ...
Lithograph, Screen
Untitled #1
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on JB Green paper, 1971. Signed by the artist in pencil and numbered 81/150 in pencil, lower right. With the artists blind stamp in the lower margin. Printed by K...
Screen
Carnegie Hall
By Robert Motherwell
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, titled "Carnegie Hall," from the suite New York, New York, 1982, is an original color lithograph with silkscreen and embossing by American ...
Lithograph, Screen
Game of Chance
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
88.3 x 69.9 cms (34.7 x 27.51 ins) Edition of 100
Mixed Media, Color, Aquatint, Lithograph
Original Robert Motherwell Etching, Signed, Penelope from Ulysses 1988
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Robert Motherwell Title: Penelope Medium: Etching on Johannot paper Date: 1988 Edition: 27/40 Sheet Size: 13" x 10" Image Size: 6" x 6" Signature: Initialed (RM) in pencil
Lithograph
$4,000
Robert Motherwell Gray Open with White Paint Signed Etching Edition of 79
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Robert Motherwell Title: Gray Open with White Paint Medium: Soft-Ground Etching and Pochoir on Gray Handmade Paper Year: 1981 Image Size: 20.5" x 26" Frame Size: 27.5" x 33" ...
Etching, Paper
$1,800
Robert Motherwell Lincoln Center Mostly Mozart 25th Anniversary Screen Print
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Plainview, NY
Robert Motherwell (American, 1915–1991) Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival, 25th Anniversary, 1991 Lithograph and screenprint on Coventry rag paper Edition of 800 Printer: Trest...
Screen
$12,968
Summer sign - Modern, Expressionism, Aquatint, Light Blue, Abstract, Symbol
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Köln, DE
Aquatint in colours with carborundum "Summer Sign" by Robert Motherwell from 1990. The edition on Whatman comprises 55 copies. The present copy is monogrammed in pencil below the...
Color, Aquatint, Carborundum Etching
The Basque Suite #5
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on J. B. Green paper, 1970-71. Initialed by the artist and numbered 123/150 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlborough Gra...
Screen, Color
$5,500
Untitled (State I), Modern Lithograph with Chine Colle by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Robert Motherwell, American (1915 - 1991) - Untitled (State I), Year: 1977, Medium: Lithograph with Chine Colle, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: trial proof, Size: 7 x ...
Lithograph
Naples Yellow Open
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Signature Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Publisher Artist; released by Tyler Graphics Ltd., Bedford Village, New York Printer Catherine Mosley, assisted by Diana Donaldson...
Etching, Aquatint
Chair - Lithograph by Robert Motherwell - 1972
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Roma, IT
Colored lithograph on BFK Rives paper realized in 1972. Hand signed and numbered by the Artist in pencil. Edition of 300. Printed by Erker Press St. Gallen. Excellent condition. ...
Lithograph
Lincoln Center Mostly Mozart, 25th Anniversary - Lithograph by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Robert Motherwell’s vibrant red lithograph features a collage-like composition with an intense contrast of black and red on top of sheet music. Lincoln Center Mostly Mozart...
Lithograph
Three Poems: Nocturne V, Abstract Lithograph by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Motherwell, American (1915 - 1991) Title: Three Poems: Nocturne V, collaboration with Octavio Paz Year: 1987 Medium: Lithograph on Japon with Chine Colle Edition: 750...
Rice Paper, Lithograph
The Razor's Edge
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A superb impression of this scarce color aquatint and lift-ground etching on German Etching paper. Signed and numbered 27/36 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Catherine Mousley in t...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Roth-Handle
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
CR 168 Paper:Auvergne à la Main Richard de Bas handmade paper; offset-printed Roth Händle cigarette label Signature:Signed "RM" in pencil upper right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil ...
Aquatint
Harvest With Blue Bottom, from Summer Light Series
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Robert Motherwell Harvest With Blue Bottom, from Summer Light Series 1973 Lithograph with collage 36 x 18 in. Edition of 55 Pencil signed and numbered; accomp...
Lithograph, Mixed Media
The Basque Suite #2
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on J. B. Green paper. Initialed and numbered 134/150 in pencil by Motherwell. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlboro...
Color, Screen
Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival - 25th Anniversary
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Robert Motherwell, American (1915 - 1991) Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival, 25th Anniversary. Lithograph, Edition of 800, unsigned and unnumber...
Lithograph, Screen
El General
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting...
Handmade Paper, Lithograph
Mediterranean Light
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph on white Tyler Graphics Ltd. (TGL) handmade paper 32 1/2 x 76 in. (82.6 x 193 cm) Edition of 40
Color, Lithograph
$8,000
Poet II - Lithograph, Abstract Print, 20th Century by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Edition of 35 75.6 x 53.7 cms (29.76 x 21.14 ins)
Lithograph
$7,500Sale Price|25% Off
Africa Suite: Africa 9
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
The original studies from the 'Africa Suite' were a group of ten works selected from a series of ink-on-paper drawings from the same year. The large autom...
Screen
America - La France Variations IX - Modern, Expressionism, Collage, Lithograph
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Köln, DE
Collage and lithograph in colours "America - La France Variantions IX" by Robert Motherwell from 1983-1984. The edition on handmade paper comprises 78 copies. The present copy is...
Mixed Media, Handmade Paper, Lithograph
Lyric Suite
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Ink on rice paper 27.9 x 22.9 cms (11 x 9 ins)
Ink
The Basque Suite: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
104.1 x 71.8 cms (41 x 28.25 ins) Edition of 150 Paper: J.B. Green Paper Signed "RM" in pencil lower right; signed "Motherwell" in screen lower right Inscriptions: Numbered in ...
Color, Screen
Gesture I (State I)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on J.B. Green paper 89.5 x 66.7 cms (35 1/4 x 26 1/4 ins) Edition of 75
Color, Lithograph
Aberdeen Stone
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Motherwell was already a major Abstract Expressionist painter, but he believed printmaking wasn’t secondary—it was a thinking tool. Aberdeen Stone is a great example of him using pri...
Lithograph
Black Sounds
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell Black Sounds 1984 Lithograph, relief print, and collage 99.1 x 63.5 cms (39 x 25 ins) RM14197
Lithograph
Summertime in Italy (with Lines)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph on Rives BFK paper 61.6 x 43.18 cms (24 1/4 x 17 inches) Edition of 100
Lithograph
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph and chine colle 73.9 x 56.9 cms (29.1 x 22.4 ins) Edition of 19
Lithograph
The Basque Suite: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Colour screenprint on J.B. Green paper 104.1 x 71.7 cms (41 x 28 1/4 ins) Edition of 150
Color, Screen
Samurai II
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
144.8 x 62.2 cms (57 x 24.5 ins) Edition of 49 Lithograph and chine appliqué Paper:Two joined sheets of natural Nepal handmade paper; natural Sekishu handmade paper Proofs: 1 archiv...
Color, Lithograph
Summer Light Series: Pauillac, No.2
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell Summer Light Series: Pauillac, No.2 1973 Lithograph, screenprint, pochoir, and collage, Edition of 55 91.4 x 45.7 cms (36 x 18 ins) RM12795
Lithograph
America - La France Variations I
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
118.1 x 81.6 cms (46.5 x 32.1 ins) Edition of 70 Published by Tyler Graphics, New York Signed and numbered in pencil
Color, Lithograph
Lyric Suite
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Ink on rice paper 27.9 x 22.9 cms (11 x 9 ins)
Ink
Octavio Paz Suite: Nocturne VIII
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph and chine appliqué 64.5 x 54 cms (25 3/8 x 21 1/4 ins) Edition of 50 Paper: Arches paper; Japanese Gampi handmade paper Other Collaborators: Image transferred from Mylar...
Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph