Skip to main content

Robert Reed Art

American, 1938-2015
ROBERT JAMES REED (1938-2014) earned his BFA (1960) and MFA (1962) at the Yale School of Art where in 1969 he became professor of painting and printmaking at Yale School of Art. He taught there until his death in 2014. As a student he assisted the influential Josef Albers in the technical production of color plates for Albers’s iconic work, Interaction of Color published in 1963. Reed became tenured in 1987, as the school’s first and only African American professor. In an interview, he said that he did not seek to distinguish himself through his racial identity but preferred to see himself as an artist who was African American. It is this self identification that could account for the fact that he is rarely grouped with other African American artists of his time like Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, David Driscoll and Faith Ringgold. Nonetheless, the symbols, colors and forms of his work draw upon his experience as a African American man. He produced works that are largely grouped by decades. In the 1970’s he developed the Plum Nellie series, exploring the Interaction of Color in his own terms. The meaning of Plum Nelly is not clear, although it may mean ‘you’re nearly there’. In the 1980’s, the San Romano series Reed regarded the gorgeous Paulo Uccello’s 15th Century paintings of the Battle of San Romano between the Republics of Florence and Sienna. These three panels are rendered in newly developing Renaissance perspective, in saturated colors and complex compositions. Reed’s last group was produced in the 1990’s called Tree For Mine where is childhood home in Charlottesville VA is the source for his painterly investigations.
to
2
2
2
1
1
SAN ROMANO: BLACK NINE
By Robert Reed
Located in Portland, ME
Reed, Robert (American, 1938-2014). SAN ROMANO: BLACK NINE. Mixed media, collage, assemblage. painted and colored papers and office staples, not dated, but ...
Category

1980s Robert Reed Art

Materials

Drafting Film, Watercolor

PLUM NELLIE - BEAR HUG
By Robert Reed
Located in Portland, ME
Reed, Robert (American, 1938-2014). PLUM NELLIE, BEAR HUG. Mixed media on paper, 1979. Titled, signed, dated, and further inscribed in the margin below the image. 22 1/2 x 34 1/2 inc...
Category

1970s Robert Reed Art

Materials

Watercolor

Related Items
Red rectangle - XXI Century, Gouache Painting, Figurative, Portrait
By Aleksander Grzybek
Located in Warsaw, PL
ALEKSANDER GRZYBEK He was born in Białystok. He studied artistic education in the studio of painting of prof. Marian Bogusz and Andrzej Kołodziejek....
Category

Early 2000s Other Art Style Robert Reed Art

Materials

Gouache, Cardboard

Abstract Watercolor N.8 by Dmitry Samygin
By Dmitry Samygin
Located in Paris, FR
Abstract Watercolor N.8 by Dmitry Samygin Minimalist and geometric paintings. Technique: Watercolor Color: Teal blue Size: H. 35.5 x 27.5 x 0.1 cm Dmitry Samygin is a Furniture a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Robert Reed Art

Materials

Watercolor

Geometric Shapes
By Ben Nicholson
Located in Jerusalem, IL
The idea of Ben Nicholson and his circle was to apply constructivist principles to public and private art. Especially, they were against ornaments and advocated for clean lines. Artworks were created with mathematical precision. “Geometric shapes...
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Geometric Robert Reed Art

Materials

Gouache, C Print

Geometric Shapes
Geometric Shapes
$8,000
H 11.23 in W 8.67 in
Abstract Mid 20th Century WPA Non Objective American Modernism New Hope Modern
By Louis Stone
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Mid 20th Century WPA Non Objective American Modernism New Hope Modern.mixed media. 21 x 16 (sight). Housed in a hand carved frame. Louis King Stone ...
Category

1940s American Modern Robert Reed Art

Materials

Gouache, Board

MODERNIST DRAWING New Hope Mid-Century WPA Abstract Non-Objective Jazz Modern
By Ramstonev (Ramsey/Stone/Evans co-operative)
Located in New York, NY
MODERNIST DRAWING New Hope Mid-Century WPA Abstract Non-Objective Jazz Modern. Signed with a "Ramstonev" stamp lower right. RAMSTONEV Cooperative Art Project (1937-1939). In the late 1930s, Charles Ramsey became close friends with Charles Evans and Louis Stone. He persuaded them to join him teaching his New Hope summer classes in non-objective painting. Soon, a history-making collaboration began. In 1937, meeting in Evans' studio at the rear of Cryer's Hardware store on Main Street in New Hope, a decision was made to establish the Co-Operative Painting Project. They were intrigued by the cooperative ad-lib process by which jazz musicians created their music. Believing this to be the quintessential American contribution to music, they theorized that a similar result might be obtainable with art, a "visual jam session." This particlarly fascinated Ramsey, who was a jazz buff and had a large collection of jazz records. The objective was to jointly collaborate in the creation of a painting as well as applying collective criticism during its creation. By creating forward movement by general consent, they believed they could produce a higher level of beauty. By consensus it was decided that subject matter would be non-objective. Up to eight people would participate and stop when the painting "felt" finished by common agreement. These co-operative works were done in several different mediums- the majority in pastel, but some in watercolor, gouache, graphite or cut paper collage. On occasion, the group would create a series, as opposed to a single work, created in steps by three or four artists. One of the occasional participants was famed New Hope poet, Stanley Kunitz. These series could range in number from four to sixteen paintings in each. The first of a series would be very basic and the last a fully finished work. In the scope of importance among the New Hope Modernist...
Category

1930s American Modern Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Abstract American Modernism Mid-Century WPA Era Drawing Woodstock 20th Century
By Konrad Cramer
Located in New York, NY
Abstract American Modernism Mid-Century WPA Era Drawing Woodstock 20th Century, Sight size is 16 x 12 inches. Konrad Cramer (1888-1963) Abstract Mixed media on paper 17 x 12 inches ...
Category

1930s Abstract Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Loud Color, Expressionist Drawing on Watercolor Paper in Vivid Tones, Text Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is a beautiful expressionist style drawing by Juanjo Saez. Juanjo's pictorial work is an exploration of color, texture, and movement, creating vibrant compositions that capture ...
Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Wax Crayon, Watercolor

Lake Tahoe Panorama, Nautical Landscape Cyanotype in Blue, Minimal Water Art
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Lake Tahoe Panorama" shows a sequence of abstracted ripples of the calm Tahoe waters. Details: + Title: Lake Tahoe Panor...
Category

2010s Minimalist Robert Reed Art

Materials

Emulsion, Watercolor, C Print, Color, Engraving, Lithograph, Photogram

A Pembrokeshire Landscape
By John Piper CH
Located in Belgravia, London, London
Mixed media Paper size: 14 x 21 inches Framed size: 28.25 x 35 inches Signed lower right
Category

20th Century Abstract Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor

A Pembrokeshire Landscape
A Pembrokeshire Landscape
$29,245
H 28.25 in W 35 in D 2 in
Angel - XXI century, Polish Master Of Art, Black and white, Abstract drawing
By Andrzej Fogtt
Located in Warsaw, PL
ANDRZEJ FOGTT (born in 1950) He graduated from the PWSSP in Poznań in 1974 where he studied in the studios of prof. Z.Kępiński and M. Abakanowicz. Initially, his art was considered t...
Category

2010s Other Art Style Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Brda - XXI Century, Polish Master Of Art, Abstract Landscape
By Andrzej Fogtt
Located in Warsaw, PL
ANDRZEJ FOGTT (born in 1950) He graduated from the PWSSP in Poznań in 1974 where he studied in the studios of prof. Z.Kępiński and M. Abakanowicz. Initially, his art was considered t...
Category

2010s Other Art Style Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Angel - XXI Century, Polish Art Master, Black And White, Abstract Drawing
By Andrzej Fogtt
Located in Warsaw, PL
ANDRZEJ FOGTT (born in 1950) He graduated from the PWSSP in Poznań in 1974 where he studied in the studios of prof. Z.Kępiński and M. Abakanowicz. Initially, his art was considered t...
Category

2010s Other Art Style Robert Reed Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Previously Available Items
PLUM NELLIE, SAN ROMANO
By Robert Reed
Located in Portland, ME
Reed, Robert (American, 1938-2014). PLUM NELLIE, SAN ROMANO. Mixed media, collage, assemblage. painted and colored papers and office staples, 1979. Titled, ...
Category

1970s Robert Reed Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Robert Reed art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Reed art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Reed in paint, watercolor, drafting film and more. Not every interior allows for large Robert Reed art, so small editions measuring 36 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Carl Andre, Joseph Meierhans, and Tom Shelton. Robert Reed art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,800 and tops out at $20,000, while the average work can sell for $12,400.

Artists Similar to Robert Reed

Recently Viewed

View All