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.
The Basque Suite #4
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprinton J. B. Green paper, 1970-71. Initialed by the artist and numbered 85/150 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlborough Graph...
Screen, Color
Primal Sign I, 1979-80
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Robert Motherwell – Primal Sign I 1979–1980 Medium: Color Aquatint & Lift-Ground Etching on Cream Whatman Paper Edition: 38/60 Artwork Size: 23.5 x 18 in Framed Size: 34.75 x 28.25 i...
Paint
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
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
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
$2,305
H 29.93 in W 22.84 in
Untitled from "Kinderstern" - Max Bill, Hard Edge, Color Field, Bright Colors
By Max Bill
Located in Köln, DE
Screenprint by Max Bill. From the portfolio "Kinderstern". No Title, 1989 76 x 58 cm Copy 61/100 Edition of 100 (approx.)
Screen
$2,800
H 27.25 in W 27.25 in D 2 in
Richard Paul Lohse - Geometric Abstraction Silkscreen on velin Signed/N, Framed
Located in New York, NY
RICHARD PAUL LOHSE Penetration of Four Interlaced Colour Groups (Durchdringung von vier verschränkten Farbgruppen), 1970 Color Silkscreen on velincarton (thin board) Edition 32/50 P...
Screen
$7,000
H 26.5 in W 19.5 in
"Untitled" Richard Serra, Black and White, Sculptural, Simple Abstracted Form
By Richard Serra
Located in New York, NY
Richard Serra Untitled, 1990 Signed and dated lower left, stamped Gemini G.E.L. on the reverse Screen-print on PTI Supra paper 26 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches 430/500 Known for large-scale ...
Paper, Screen
INTERFACE
By Thomas Barrett
Located in Portland, ME
Barrett, Thomas. INTERFACE. Screenprint in colors, not dated. Edition of 100. Numbered 48/100, titled and signed and dated in pencil. 22 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches. In excellent condition.
Screen
Untitled #1
By Howard Bradford
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "untitled #1" 1978 is an original color serigraph on Wove paper by Canadian/American artist Howard Bradford, 1919-2008. It is hand signed,...
Screen
$349
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 0.08 in
Abstract Composition - Screen Print by Carlo Lorenzetti - 1969
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract composition is a screen print realized by Carlo Lorenzetti in 1969. Editor Segnapassi Pesaro. Hand-signed. Numbered, Edition, 45/60. Very...
Screen
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
Forest Abstractions - Spring Break, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist John Jaster paints an impressionistic view of a golden aspen forest. Tall trees painted in bold yellow, green and blue sprea...
Acrylic
Love
By Howard Bradford
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Love" 1978 is an original color serigraph on Wove paper by Canadian/American artist Howard Bradford, 1919-2008. It is hand signed,...
Screen
Fauquier County Farm, Virginia, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Doug Cosbie paints a summer pastoral scene with barns and farmhouses in the distance. "There are many old family farms west of Washington DC in the county of Fauquier," says Doug. He includes the Stars and Stripes barn found near Delaplane, VA. Vivid hues of blue and green color the breezy natural landscape.
About the Artist
Artist Doug Cosbie presents the vibrancy found in nature with his impressionist, rural architecture centered artwork. Longing to create something that connects with people, Cosbie spent countless years perfecting how he portrays the world on canvas. Within his journey, he studied as an apprentice in the studios of Sam Black and Jack Shadbolt. As a plein air artist, Doug's studio is a portable pochade box. He begins by finding a location that speaks to him, makes a sketch, and continues to add depth and dimension with oil on canvas. "Creativity when making art is not about interpreting exactly as you see it. New ideas are formed by interesting contrasts, and interesting paintings happen when things are out of place." In the rare cases when he is not painting, you can find him reading, traveling, sailing, and spending quality time with his family. Cosbie's creations have been showcased at galleries in Canada. He is an alumnus of Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Words that describe this painting: barns, farm, landscape, Virginia, USA, United States, summer, hills, structures, buildings, architecture, pastoral, rural, town, sky, oilpaint, travel, impressionism, architecture, impressionism, travel, oil painting, blue
Oil
Study for Guidance, Oil Painting
By Onelio Marrero
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints a tender mother and daughter moment in a river. Created as a figurative study for a larger painting of the same setting. The subj...
Oil
August Koi, Oil Painting
By Onelio Marrero
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero displays a stunning koi pond in mesmerizing shades of deep blue and green. Part of his series of paintings exploring ponds, waterlilies,...
Oil
Untitled- From Ten Works X Ten Painters
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
This stunning screen print with collage was realized by the esteemed Abstract Expressionist artist Robert Motherwell in 1964. It features an anthropomorphic form- reminiscent of a st...
Africa
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
ROBERT MOTHERWELL "AFRICA" TAPESTRY, 1970 $6,000 Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American a...
Wool