Robert Rauschenberg was one of the preeminent American artists of the 20th century, occupying a singular position that straddled the Abstract Expressionist and Pop art movements, drawing on key elements of each. An artistic polymath equally adept at painting, collage and silkscreening, Rauschenberg is best known for for the complex assemblages of found objects he termed “combines.”
Rauschenberg was born in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1925. He first began to seriously consider a career in art in 1947, while serving in the U.S. Marines. After leaving the service, he briefly studied art in Paris with support from the G.I. Bill, then moved to North Carolina to attend Black Mountain College, home to a flourishing cross-disciplinary art community. Among his peers there were choreographer Merce Cunningham and composer John Cage, both of whom became friends and artistic collaborators.
Relocating to New York in the mid-1950s, Rauschenberg was initially put off by what he perceived as the self-seriousness of the adherents of Abstract Expressionism, then the dominant movement in the New York art world. Like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Rauschenberg was drawn to the visual landscape of popular culture and mined its imagery for inspiration. He used unorthodox materials like house paint and tried novel techniques in his studio like running paper over with a car whose wheels he had inked. Shortly after his inaugural solo exhibition at Leo Castelli Gallery, which featured paintings and drawings, he pivoted to a new format, creating his first found-object combines, which became his signature. The most famous of these is the 1959 Monogram in which a taxidermied goat is surrounded by a car tire, recalling the way a person’s initials are interwoven in the design referred to by the title.
Later in the 1960s, Rauschenberg turned his attention to silkscreening, creating prints that feature iconic figures of the day, very much in line with the style and content of Pop art. One such work, 1965's Core, which was created to commemorate the Congress of Racial Equality, combines photographs of President Kennedy, an unidentified Native American man, and a statue of a Civil War soldier with images of highways, amusement parks, street signs, and other features of the built environment. A circular color-test wheel sits at the composition’s formal core, reflecting the work’s commentary on race and ethnicity.
Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, Rauschenberg experimented with printing on unusual materials, such as Plexiglas, clothing and aluminum. Venturing even further afield, he created performance works, such as his 1963 choreographed piece “Pelican” and the 1966 film Open Score. In 1998, the Guggenheim Museum presented a large and comprehensive retrospective of Rauschenberg’s work, highlighting his influence on American art in the second half of the 20th century.
Find original Robert Rauschenberg art for sale on 1stDibs.
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
Photos In+Out City Limits: Boston (hand signed by Robert Rauschenberg) Boxed Set
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Robert Rauschenberg Photos In+Out City Limits: Boston (hand signed by Robert Rauschenberg), 1981 Monograph held in slipcase (Hand signed in graphite pencil) Hand signed by Robert Rau...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Board, Lithograph, Offset
Robert Rauschenberg "Broken Harp" Pencil Signed Lithograph 24/500 executed 1989
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Dallas, TX
Signed and numbered lithograph on woven paper designed by Robert Rauschenberg titled "Broken Harp". An early edition, number 24 of only 500 prints ever made. Executed on woven paper ...
Paper
Untitled (Ship Captain Faces Charge in Oil Spill)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
From the Peace Portfolio I. Color litho on Rives BFK. Signed, numbered (50/175), dated in pencil in lower right corner. Blind stamp lower right. Printed by Solomon and Company, New ...
Lithograph, Color
Untitled Limited Edition Porcelain Plate (Guggenheim Museum) Robert Rauschenberg
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Robert Rauschenberg Rare lifetime edition Untitled Limited Edition Porcelain Plate (Guggenheim Museum), 1997 Porcelain Plate (Limited Edition Exclusively for Guggenheim) 10 2/5 in di...
Porcelain, Screen
Brake (from the Stoned Moon series)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Lithographon Arches Cover, 1969. Signed by the artist, dated, and numbered 50/60 in pencil, lower margin. Printed by Robert Petersen. Published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, with ...
Lithograph
25 Exhibition Louis Vuitton Foundation Poster
By David Hockney
Located in London, GB
Set of 3 original posters from the 2025 exhibition at Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris 2025 Offset lithograph 70 x 50 cm each David Hockney (born 1937) is one of the most influentia...
Lithograph, Offset
25 Exhibition Louis Vuitton Foundation Poster
By David Hockney
Located in London, GB
Original poster from the 2025 exhibition at Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris 2025 Offset lithograph 70 x 50 cm David Hockney (born 1937) is one of the most influential 20th century B...
Lithograph, Offset
$625
H 70 in W 60 in
Jeff Koons Monkey Train beach towel (Jeff Koons Monkey Train blue)
By Jeff Koons
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jeff Koons Monkey Train beach towel 2008: A highly decorative limited edition 2008 Jeff Koons Monkey Train towel. Measuring 70x60 inches - this work would look outstanding framed. This outstanding Jeff Koons Monkey Train collectible...
Cotton, Digital, Lithograph, Screen
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
$575
H 6 in W 8 in
Basquiat Annina Nosei Gallery 1982 (Basquiat anatomy announcement)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Annina Nosei Gallery, New York, 1982: Rare Basquiat announcement card published by Annina Nosei Gallery to advertise the release of ‘Basquiat Anatomy’ (a suite ...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
$425
H 12.9 in W 12.9 in
Robert Rauschenberg Talking Heads Speaking in Tongues (new/sealed)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Rare unopened Robert Rauschenberg designed Talking Heads Speaking in Tongues: In 1983, legendary pop artist Robert Rauschenberg designed the album cover for Talking Heads’ acclaimed...
Lithograph, Offset
$892
H 12 in W 19 in D 1 in
Twentieth Century Untitled Abstract Limited Edition Stone Lithograph Joan Miro
By Joan Miró
Located in ludlow, GB
Twentieth Century Untitled Abstract Limited Edition Stone Lithograph by Joan Miro. This is a limited edition lithograph that is untitled. It was originally in a catalogue and consequ...
Lithograph
Two Pembroke Studio Chairs
By David Hockney
Located in London, GB
A striking original lithograph from Hockney's popular The Moving Focus series with Cubist influences. Hockney depicts his studio interior with varying perspectives, shadows, views an...
Handmade Paper, Lithograph
$500
H 9 in W 9 in
Keith Haring lithographic insert 1982 (Keith Haring Tony Shafrazi 1982)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Lithograph 1982: Double-sided lithographic insert from the seminal spiral bound, 1982 Tony Shafrazi catalog published on the occasion of Haring's first gallery solo exhi...
Lithograph, Offset
$5,500
H 54 in W 40 in D 0.05 in
Robert Rauschenberg 'Earth Day' Limited Edition, Signed Lithograph Print
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in San Rafael, CA
This listing is for the limited edition lithograph, not the mass produced poster. Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925-2008) Earth Day, 1970 Lithograph with chine collé Signed, dated, numbered by the artist Edition 11/50, Full sheet: 52 1/2 x 37 1/2 in. With mat: approx 55 x 40 in Published by the American Environment Foundation Printed by Gemini G.E.L. Los Angeles, with blindstamp to lower center Catalog Raisonné: RRF 70.E016 Provenance: Butterfield & Butterfield (now Bonhams) Lot 3115, sale 5367L February, 24, 1993 This Robert Rauschenberg lithograph...
Lithograph
$1,500
H 5.1 in W 3.9 in D 0.8 in
Francoise Gilot Monograph 1940-2000 (hand signed and inscribed to famed actress)
By Françoise Gilot
Located in New York, NY
Françoise Gilot Francoise Gilot Monograph 1940-2000 (hand signed and warmly inscribed to renowned actress), 2000 Hardback monograph in a slipcase, hand signed and inscribed by Franco...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$14,000
H 22 in W 30 in
Through The Ages by Toko Shinoda, black and white signed lithograph calligraphy
By Toko Shinoda
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Through The Ages by Toko Shinoda, black and white signed lithograph calligraphy 11/35 obituary published by CNN March 2021 Celebra...
Lithograph
Sold
H 12.9 in W 12.9 in
Robert Rauschenberg Talking Heads Speaking in Tongues (new/sealed)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Rare unopened Robert Rauschenberg designed Talking Heads Speaking in Tongues: In 1983, legendary pop artist Robert Rauschenberg designed the album cover for Talking Heads’ acclaimed studio album, Speaking in Tongues. Rauschenberg’s design features three spinning plastic discs set amidst a collage of images, including a wrecked car, highway billboard, and suburban bedroom that can all be spun to produce different effects. Also included, is a clear vinyl LP...
Offset
Sold
H 10 in W 13 in
Signed Robert Rauschenberg exhibition catalog (Gagosian 1986)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Hand-signed 1980s Robert Rauschenberg exhibition catalog Rauschenberg: The Black and White Paintings 1949-1952. New York: Larry Gagosian Gallery, 1986. First edition. Metal spiral binding beautifully illustrated with a classic photo of the artist on the front page. 1st edition. 28 pages; 12 color plates. 2 black & white text illustrations. The contents include: a four-page introduction by Roberta Bernstein and a detailed checklist of works in the exhibition. Dimensions: 10 x 13 inches (folded closed; opening to 10 x 26 in.) Strong hand-signature which is free from fading or smudging; fine overall condition with the exception of some minor fading and residue on back cover. A rare, standout original Rauschenberg collectible that should not be passed upon. Artist biography Robert Rauschenberg’s enthusiasm for popular culture and, with his contemporary Jasper Johns, his rejection of the angst and seriousness of the Abstract Expressionists led him to search for a new way of painting. A prolific innovator of techniques and mediums, he used unconventional art materials ranging from dirt and house paint to umbrellas and car tires. In the early 1950s, Rauschenberg was already gaining a reputation as a true art world rebel rouser...
Sold
H 8.5 in W 6.25 in
Rauschenberg Spreads and Scales (Castelli announcement)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Rauschenberg, Leo Castelli Gallery 1977 Vintage Robert Rauschenberg announcement card designed by the artist in conjunction with the exhibition: Robert Rauschenberg: Spreads and Scales: April 23–May 23, Leo Castelli and Sonnabend Gallery, New York, April 23 - May 14, 1977. Front-side printed in red in over silver foil, verso in blue ink with handwritten exhibition information (off-set printed). A unique vintage Rauschenberg collectible featuring the artist's signature collage style. Well-sized and suitable for framing. Off-set lithograph in colors on silver-foil based card stock. 1977. 6.25 x 8.5 inches (22.5 x 15.1 cm) Minor signs of handling; otherwise very good condition Scarce form an edition of unknown Artist biography Robert Rauschenberg’s enthusiasm for popular culture and, with his contemporary Jasper Johns, his rejection of the angst and seriousness of the Abstract Expressionists led him to search for a new way of painting. A prolific innovator of techniques and mediums, he used unconventional art materials ranging from dirt and house paint to umbrellas and car tires. In the early 1950s, Rauschenberg was already gaining a reputation as a true art world rebel rouser...
Offset
Sold
H 8.5 in W 6.25 in
Rauschenberg Spreads and Scales (Castelli Invitation)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Vintage (after) Robert Rauschenberg announcement card Published in conjunction with: Robert Rauschenberg: Spreads and Scales: April 23–May 23, Leo Castelli and Sonnabend Gallery, Ne...
Offset
Talking Heads Vinyl Record Art (Sealed)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in NEW YORK, NY
In 1983, legendary pop artist Robert Rauschenberg designed the album cover for Talking Heads’ acclaimed studio album, Speaking in Tongues. Rauschenberg’s design features three spinning plastic discs set amidst a collage of images, including a wrecked car, highway billboard, and suburban bedroom that can all be spun to produce different effects. Also included, is a clear vinyl LP...
Offset
From the Seat of Authority
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Hand collage and hand silkscreen on paper Signed L/L
Sold
H 30.5 in W 23 in
2, 003 and falling (+ 400 and rising; 2 works from L.A. flakes)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in East Hampton, NY
2,003' and Falling; 400' and Rising from L.A. Flakes(G. 1041; 1046), 1982 Etchings in color with embossing on Georges Duchêne Colombe paper, signed in pencil, dated and numbered 18/3...