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.
Pull Out All Flags, iconic Abstract Expressionist 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...
Etching, Aquatint
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 ...
Color, Etching, 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
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...
Canvas, Paper, Acrylic
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
$16,800Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
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
Price Upon Request
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...
Paper, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
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 ...
Paper, Ink, Aquatint
Price Upon Request
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)
Acrylic, Graphite
Price Upon Request
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)
Paper, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
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)
Paper, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
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)
Paper, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
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)
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
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)
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Untitled
By Piero Dorazio
Located in Summit, NJ
Gorgeous aquatint in reds and oranges by Piero Dorazio (Italian 1927-2005). This aquatint is on heavy "Umbria" Fabriano paper. It is signed and dated 1964 in the lower margin in penc...
Aquatint
$75,000
H 37.25 in W 48.88 in
Fields I /// Joan Mitchell Large Diptych Etching Aquatint Female Abstract Artist
By Joan Mitchell
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Joan Mitchell (American, 1925-1992) Title: "Fields I" Portfolio: Fields *Signed and numbered by Mitchell in pencil (on second sheet) lower right Year: 1992 Medium: Original E...
Etching, Aquatint, Intaglio, Handmade Paper
$19,200
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Symphony" - Stunning Dynamic Abstract Expressionist Painting in Cool Palette
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Symphony" 2019 Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom left and the back of the paint...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$1,923
H 13.47 in W 12.01 in D 0.04 in
Zao Wou-ki - Moments - Original Aquatint with Hand-Signed Justification
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Zao Wou-ki - Moments - Original Aquatint Edition of 130 Dimensions: 34.2 x 30.5 cm Vellum paper BFK Rives 1996 Bibliography: Jørgen Ågerup, Zao Wou-Ki: The Graphic Work, A Catalogue ...
Aquatint
Baby, Baby
By Louisa Chase
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Baby, Baby Etching & aquatint printed in colors, 1991 Signed, dated, titled & numbered in pencil (see photos) Edition: 35 (4/35) plus 10 AP Condition: Excellent, colors fresh Image/...
Aquatint
Untitled 13-42
Located in Crested Butte, CO
Original abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas, affixed to Windsor Newton paper. The moods and whims of nature influence the work of Sarah Van Beckum. ...
Canvas, Paper, Acrylic
$2,885
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
Jean Miotte - Abstract Composition - Original Signed Lithograph
By Jean Miotte
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Jean Miotte - Rare Original Signed Lithograph Title: Abstract Composition Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm Edition: 64/99 Signed and Numbered in pencil Jean Miotte, 1926 - 2016 Miotte came o...
Aquatint
Head
By Bram Van Velde
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph, 1969 Edition : 60/300 Publisher : Edition Prisunic (Paris) Printer : Imprimerie Clot, Bramsen & Georges (Paris) Catalog : [Rivière 49, p.67] 65.50 cm. x 48.00 cm. 25...
Lithograph
Valentine
By Katherine Bello
Located in Kansas City, MO
Artist : Katherine Bello Title : Valentine Materials : Acrylic and paper on board Date : 1/2020 Dimensions : 18"x18"x.75" Signed and Dated by Hand COA Provided Katherine Bello's aim as an artist is to capture a sense of place, a moment of time, or a feeling - to evoke a sense of wonder. Bello loves paint and paint brushes; bold, gestural mark-making and the interplay of color. She is influenced by light and landscape, poetry, history and science. Formerly educated in Chemical Engineering and Interior Design, Bello is drawn to the process of creating Something out of Nothing. Abstract, sbstract art...
Canvas, Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board
$1,450
H 26.5 in W 21.75 in D 0.25 in
African American Abstract Expressionist Etching Aquatint "Anatomy of Aphrodite"
By Warrington Colescott
Located in Portland, OR
An important abstract expressionist color aquatint etching by the celebrated African American artist (1921-2018), titled "An Anatomy of Aphrodite", signed & dated 1959. Colescott was...
Etching, Aquatint
$5,500
H 60 in W 72 in
Contemporary American Abstract Expressionist Landscape Painting Japanese screen
By Monica Angle
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original mixed media monotype and painting by American contemporary artist Monica Angle. This work was featured in a major exhibition for the artist at the Burchfield Penney Art ...
Canvas, Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
$24,000
H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Challenge 16" - Energetic Abstract Expressionist in Blue, Red, Black, and White
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, born 1965) "Challenge 16" 2019 Oil paint, Acrylic paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom right and the back of the painting....
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Cor Anglais
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Robert Motherwell Cor Anglais, 1976 acrylic and printed paper collage on paper 22h x 15w in SIGNATURE signed with the artist's initials and dated 'RM 11 Feb 76' (lower left) EXHIBITIONS New Jersey, Montclair Art Museum, Robert Motherwell: The Music Collages...
Acrylic
Sold
H 30 in W 22 in D 2 in
"Redness of Red" Lithograph Screenprint Collage Contemporary Abstract Abex 1/100
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
"Redness of Red" Lithograph Screenprint Collage Contemporary Abstract Abex 1/100 Redness of Red by Robert Burns Motherwell (1915-1991) Lithograph Scree...
Paper, Lithograph, Screen
Summer Light Series: Harvest With Leaf
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
91.4 x 46.4 cms (36 x 18.3 ins) Edition of 54 Paper:Georges Duchêne Hawthorne of Larroque handmade paper; Ernte cigarette label; Ernte cigarette carton label Proofs:12 AP numbe...
Mixed Media, Color, Lithograph
Summer Light Series: Harvest With Leaf
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
36 x 18.3 ins (91.4 x 46.4 cms) Edition of 54 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; workshop chop mark lower...
Lithograph, Mixed Media
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 ri...
Aquatint, Color, Etching