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Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

American, 1915-1991

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.

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Artist: Robert Motherwell
"Birthday Party / Robert Motherwell / January 24. 1975" Robert Motherwell, AbEx
"Birthday Party / Robert Motherwell / January 24. 1975" Robert Motherwell, AbEx

"Birthday Party / Robert Motherwell / January 24. 1975" Robert Motherwell, AbEx

By Robert Motherwell

Located in New York, NY

Robert Motherwell Birthday Party / Robert Motherwell / January 24. 1975, 1975 Signed on the reverse Mixed media, lithograph and collage 10 x 24 inches Robert Motherwell was among t...

Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Mixed Media, Lithograph

Untitled
Untitled

Untitled

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

29.88 x 22.36 ins (75.9 x 56.8 cms) Edition of 96 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right ...

Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Color, Etching, Aquatint

Robert Motherwell - Pull Out All Flags, iconic etching & aquatint, SIgned 33/50
Robert Motherwell - Pull Out All Flags, iconic etching & aquatint, SIgned 33/50

Robert Motherwell - Pull Out All Flags, iconic etching & aquatint, SIgned 33/50

By Robert Motherwell

Located in New York, NY

Robert Motherwell Pull Out All Flags (Engberg, Banach 263), 1980 Aquatint and etching in colors, on German Etching paper, with full margins Hand-signed by artist, Pencil signed and n...

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Green Gauloises

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...

Category

20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Mixed Media

Dedication–Lincoln Center (B.App.23)

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...

Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Color, Mixed Media, Screen

Irish Book

Irish Book

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic and pasted papers on canvas mounted on board 50.8 x 40.6 cms (20 x 16 ins) This collage includes a fragment of a 1985 print, Burning Sun. Although Motherwell signed...

Category

20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Canvas, Paper, Acrylic

America - La France Variations IX - Modern, Expressionism, Collage, Lithograph

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...

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Mixed Media, Handmade Paper, Lithograph

Perpetual Summer

Perpetual Summer

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

60 x 42.9 cms ( 23.62 x 16.89 ins) Edition of 26 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right Publ...

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Color, Etching, Aquatint

Brasileira

Brasileira

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Robert Motherwell Brasileira 1975 Acrylic, graphite and printed paper collage on canvas laid on board 121 x 91 cms (47 5/8 x 35 7/8 ins) Provenance: Ace Gallery, Los Angeles Doug...

Category

1970s Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

The Red and Black No. 52
The Red and Black No. 52

The Red and Black No. 52

By Robert Motherwell

Located in Houston, TX

Robert Motherwell's "The Red and Black No.52" is an abstract collage that incorporates oil based etching ink, pasted papers, and aquatint on paper. The piece was created between the ...

Category

1980s Modern Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Paper, Ink, Aquatint

Study for Open Series

Study for Open Series

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic and graphite on paper. 15.2 x 21 cms (6 x 8 1/4 ins)

Category

20th Century Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Acrylic, Graphite

Red, White and Blue No. 2

Red, White and Blue No. 2

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic and pasted paper on paper 21.6 x 17.8 cms (8 1/2 x 7 ins)

Category

20th Century Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Red, White and Blue No. 1

Red, White and Blue No. 1

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic and pasted paper on paper 21.6 x 17.8 cms (8 1/2 x 7 ins)

Category

20th Century Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

The Brown Stripe

The Brown Stripe

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic and pasted papers on paper 35.6 x 21 cms (14 x 8 1/2 ins)

Category

20th Century Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Cabaret No. 2

Cabaret No. 2

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic, pasted papers, and graphite on paper 56 x 26 cms (22 x 10 1/4 ins)

Category

20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic

Cabaret No. 8

Cabaret No. 8

By Robert Motherwell

Located in London, GB

Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper 55.9 x 26 cms (22 x 10 1/4 ins)

Category

20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Mixed Media

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic

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Robert Motherwell mixed media for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Motherwell mixed media available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of mixed media to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, purple, red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Motherwell in acrylic paint, paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Robert Motherwell mixed media, so small editions measuring 7 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Mark Palmer, Dale Chihuly, and Varujan Boghosian. Robert Motherwell mixed media prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,000 and tops out at $500,000, while the average work can sell for $100,000.
Questions About Robert Motherwell Mixed Media
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
    No, Robert Motherwell was not a Surrealist painter. The American artist was the youngest member of the New York School, a group of Abstract Expressionists working in art, dance, poetry and music in the 1950s and '60s. However, Motherwell did meet a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists while attending Columbia University to study art history in the 1940s. This encounter proved influential in his style. Inspired by their work, 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. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Robert Motherwell art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Robert Motherwell was a part of the art movement called Abstract Expressionism. Artists who participated in the movement sought to express emotions through abstract forms. You'll find a range of Robert Motherwell art from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.