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.
Robert Rauschenberg 1975 Screenprint "Deposit, from America: The Third Century"
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in St. Louis, MO
Robert Rauschenberg American, (1925-2008) Deposit, from America: The Third Century, 1975 Screenprint in colours with hand-colouring, on wove paper, ed. 45/200, co-published by APC Ed...
Paper
Robert Rauschenberg Quarry" Lithograph
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rauschenberg color lithograph for Gemini, Gel. Signed and editioned Print size: 33 3/4" x 25 3/4" W.
Paper
Robert Loughlin Original Drawing on Cardboard
By Robert Loughlin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great original drawing by Robert Loughlin on cardboard. Image of 'the Brute' with cigarette facing to the right. Signed RL on the back. Water stain on bottom right. Over 20 original ...
Paper
Early Untitled Lithograph by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Stamford, CT
"Untitled" by Robert Motherwell was printed as part of "9", a portfolio with works of 9 other abstract expressionist artists including Willem de Kooning, Sam Francis, Ellsworth Kelly...
Paper
Joan Miró Lithographs
By Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple t...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Joan Miró Lithographs
By Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. Only the lithograph in the center is available. The lithographs on the right and left have been sold. We purchased a gr...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Joan Miró Lithographs
By (after) Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple t...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Abstract Lithograph Painting by Robert Natkin
By Robert Natkin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1979 Abstract lithograph painting by American listed artist Robert Natkin (1930-2010). Pencil signed, numbered 61/75 and dated 1979. Newly framed with black lacquer frame, floated o...
Linen, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Robert Rauschenberg, Tate Gallery, 1981 (Exhibition Poster)
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Lithograph poster by Robert Rauschenberg for The Tate Gallery Publications Dept., printed in 1981 in Great Britain by the Hilingdon Press Uxbridge, Middlesex. Archivally-hinged, with...
Plexiglass, Paper
Vintage Robert Rauschenberg 'Envelope' Lithograph
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Robert Rauschenberg lithograph, 1970 Title: "Envelope" Photo: mechanical lithograph on laminated paper with a centre fold. Features dou...
Paper
$2,000
H 30.32 in W 53.94 in D 1.97 in
The Creature from the Black Lagoon · Intervened Painting · Oil on Canvas
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Contemporary intervention art · Oil on original landscape painting, antique gold paste frame Someone bought a romantic landscape — snow-capped mountains, birch trees, a serene river...
Canvas
Joan Miró Lithographs
By Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple that lived in France from 1951-1983. These ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Joan Miró Lithographs
By (after) Joan Miró
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Joan Miro color lithographs, France, circa 1960s. We purchased a group of these color lithographs from the estate of a couple that lived in France from 1951-1983. These ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Robert Rauschenberg triptych 'Autobiography', 1968
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Dallas, TX
Robert Rauschenberg triptych 'Autobiography', 1968 Each framed work measures 50.5 x 68 Rauschenberg’s monumental print Autobiography (1968) is a summation work that brings togethe...
Paper
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H 10.5 in W 10.5 in D 10.5 in
Limited Edition Robert Rauschenberg Guggenheim Museum Retrospective Plates
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in East Quogue, NY
Complete Set of 6 Guggenheim Museum Retrospective Limited Edition Robert Rauschenberg porcelain plates dated 1997. Each plate features a different screen-printed image of Rauschenb...
Porcelain
"Quarry Local One" Lithograph by Robert Rauschenberg
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful offset lithograph by Robert Rauschenberg for Amalgamated Lithographers of America and Color Lithographers service, Inc. Very characteristic of Rauschenberg, this ...
Paper
Vintage Richard Anuszkiewicz Lithograph
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Richard Anuszkiewicz lithograph, 1970 Title: "Yellow Reversed" Off-set lithograph in colors Size: 11.25 x 16.75 inches Center fold-line as originally issued; Very good co...
Sold
H 66.5 in W 45.5 in D 2 in
Contemporary Samarkand Stitchings by Robert Rauschenberg Unique Signed, 1988
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a gorgeous quilt, entitled "Samarkind Stitches" by Robert Rauschenberg, signed and dated 1988, framed in Lucite. I...
Robert Rauschenberg "Angel Food" Screen-print on Paper, circa 2000
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This item is 25% off in celebration of Harveys on Beverly's 50th Anniversary! Robert Rauschenberg screen-print on Paper titled "Angel Food" limited to 100 prints and number 78 of 100, circa 2000. Print: 35.5" X 29.5" Frame: 40" X 33.5" Challenging the notions of art as singular, isolated, and complete object, Robert Rauschenberg complicates the perceptual and ideological presumptions of documentation, exacerbating the ambiguities of art and the appearance of actuality, particularly in his iconic “combines” evoked here in this screen-print, “Angel Food”. Recalling the conceptual ideas and contributions of Marcel Duchamp, Rauschenberg’s collage...
Paper
Robert Rauschenberg" Opal Gospel" Mixed-Media Work of Art
By Robert Rauschenberg, Racolin Press
Located in North Miami, FL
This standing portfolio of ten hand silkscreened transparent acrylic panels include American imagery stories, songs and poetry which there are 9 American Indian poems. It was always ...
Stainless Steel
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H 25 in W 32 in D 1 in
Robert Rauschenberg Color Lithograph Miami Herald Custom Framed / SUMMER SALE
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in North Miami, FL
This color lithograph by Robert Rauschenberg was a surprise in the edition of the Miami Herald in 1979. This lithograph that was saved is dated Dec. 30, 1979 and signed in the stone with his initials R.R. It was two pages out of history on the front and back covers for the tropic magazine in the Herald. It appeared in the Sunday Dec. 30 edition; just in time for the New Year. It is a great juxtaposition of different imagery relating to images having to do with Miami and elsewhere. I am sure most of these were thrown away at the time. There were originally 650,000.00 printed. Please note: this one has been faded from sunlight from over the years and did not have archival framing from then. In actuality, it looks better faded; the original colors were red and blue It has been custom newly framed in a maple museum frame with a double white linen float liner and mat. It now must be purchased as purely decorative art that is quite faded even though it is a Rauschenberg. NOTE: THIS WILL BE PART OF OUR SUMMER...
Linen, Wood, Magazine Paper
Robert Rauschenberg Lithograph Homage to Kiesler Print, 1967
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
American Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) Homage to Kiesler Print, 1967. Homage to Frederick Kiesler (Foster 38) 1967. Offset lithograph printed in colors. Signed and dated 66. Ed...
Paper
Plates by Robert Rauschenberg
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Robert Rauschenberg untitled, designed 1997. Set of six porcelain plates. Measures: 10.4 diameter, inches. Limited edition. This set of six porcelain plates by Robert Rauschen...
Porcelain
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H 28.5 in W 24.5 in D 1.5 in
"Storyline III, from Reels (B+C)" Lithograph by Robert Rauschenberg, 1968
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking six-color lithograph on Rives BFK, in which artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) appropriated film stills from 1967s "Bonnie & Clyde" movie, which starred Faye Dunaway a...
Wood