Skip to main content

Robert Riggs Art

American, 1896-1970

Known for his scenes of prize-fighting and circus-genre, Robert Riggs had a highly successful career as an artist, especially in the ‘30s and ‘40s. His painting, The Brown Bomber, showed the boxing victory of Joe Louis over Max Schmeling. This is one of the paintings that earned Riggs election to the National Academy of Design in 1946. He was born in Decatur, Illinois, and as a young man ran away from home and joined the circus. He studied at the James Milliken University in Illinois and then trained at the Art Students League in New York, but his study was interrupted by Army service in the First World War. He attended the Académie Julian in Paris and then returned to the United States where he settled in Philadelphia and worked for N. W. Ayer & Sons, an advertising agency for whom he did numerous illustrations.

to
1
6
10
5
2
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
23
5
13
4
11
10
2
22
14
8
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
13
7
6
4
4
23
11,378
2,863
2,494
1,459
6
23
Artist: Robert Riggs
'Psychopathic Ward' — Socially-Conscious Realism
'Psychopathic Ward' — Socially-Conscious Realism

'Psychopathic Ward' — Socially-Conscious Realism

By Robert Riggs

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Robert Riggs, 'Psychopathic Ward', 2-color lithograph, c. 1940, edition c. 50, Beall 60, Bassham 78. Signed, titled, and numbered '14' in pencil. Signed in the stone, lower right. A ...

Category

1940s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Children's Ward' — Mid-Century Socially-Conscious Realism
'Children's Ward' — Mid-Century Socially-Conscious Realism

'Children's Ward' — Mid-Century Socially-Conscious Realism

By Robert Riggs

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Robert Riggs, 'Children's Ward', 2-color lithograph, c. 1940, edition c. 50, Beall 11, Bassham 76. Signed, titled, and numbered '12' in pencil. Signed in the stone, lower right. A su...

Category

1940s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph

New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration
New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration

New York City Police Fortune Magazine Illustration

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

This original illustration, titled "Cops at Ease in the Muster Room of a Station," is packed with character and detail and shows an unexpected and rare vision of the police in an off moment. Riggs unveils the real-life behind-the-scenes in this narrative work, which stylistically flaunts Riggs ' prodigious drawing skills. It accompanied the article Nineteen Thousand Cops published in the July 1939 issue of Fortune Magazine. This issue was dedicated to the city of New York and included a total of ten paintings by Riggs for this article on New York City's police department. Robert Riggs was a gay artist...

Category

1930s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Charcoal, Archival Paper

Robert Riggs Original Lithograph, Boxing Subject “Trial Horse”
Robert Riggs Original Lithograph, Boxing Subject “Trial Horse”

Robert Riggs Original Lithograph, Boxing Subject “Trial Horse”

By Robert Riggs

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Boxing subject original stone lithograph by Robert Riggs (1896-1970) Pencil titled lower left “Trial Horse” Pencil signed lower right “Robert Riggs” Image measures 13 1/2" H x 17 1/2...

Category

1930s Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper

Tribesmen with Headdresses

Tribesmen with Headdresses

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

"Robert Riggs was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence by the New York Art Directors Club for ten consecutive years and received many additional awards." He was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame. His work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts and the U.S. Library of Congress. Riggs's compositons are "monumental" Walt Reed - work is unframed. - Riggs was a Gay Artist.

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera

“The Hamilton-Burr Duel, ” illustration for LIFE Magazine

“The Hamilton-Burr Duel, ” illustration for LIFE Magazine

By Robert Riggs

Located in Fort Washington, PA

Illustrating an article about the life of Alexander Hamilton titled “The Duel,” published in LIFE Magazine, July 7, 1947, page 69. The full caption reads: “The Hamilton-Burr Duel, w...

Category

20th Century Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Oil

Filling the Biggest Lumber Order on Record
Filling the Biggest Lumber Order on Record

Filling the Biggest Lumber Order on Record

By Robert Riggs

Located in Fort Washington, PA

Date: 1946 Medium: Oil on Paper Dimensions: 20.25" x 18.25" Signature: Signed Lower Right Exhibitions: September 2007: Society of Illustrators

Category

1940s Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper, Oil

Mongols
Mongols

Robert RiggsMongols, 1950s

$26,000Sale Price|23% Off

Mongols

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel There is from frame burn and scattered surface abrasions but they are minor. Additionally, there are a 3 or 4 very fine hair line scratches not visible unless you look very closely. The work is varnished and has a reflective quality to it that makes it hard to photograph. In person the viewing experience is much better. You can see more detail in the shadow areas. The colors are rich, deep and saturated. Riggs was very particular in researching the tribal costumes...

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera

Tribesmen with Headdresses, American Realist Tempera Painting, 1940s
Tribesmen with Headdresses, American Realist Tempera Painting, 1940s

Tribesmen with Headdresses, American Realist Tempera Painting, 1940s

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

"Riggs openly identified as gay to his friends in the Philadelphia art community, but did not disclose his orientation to his employers." - Woodmere Art Museum Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel "Robert Riggs was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence by the New York Art Directors Club for ten consecutive years and received many additional awards." He was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame. His work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts and the U.S. Library of Congress. Riggs's compositons are "monumental" Walt Reed Riggs was a Gay Artist...

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera

Prospector firing Rifle  ( Happiness is a Warm Gun ) Gay Art
Prospector firing Rifle  ( Happiness is a Warm Gun ) Gay Art

Prospector firing Rifle ( Happiness is a Warm Gun ) Gay Art

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel ( composite wood panel ) Robert Riggs was a gay man. Being gay in American during the 1940's time was something not to flaunt in public. Rigg's had to communicate his underlying feelings in more symbolic ways. Throughout Riggs' oeuvre, one sees continuous references to strong hunked out manly men and vulnerable boys. It is a core element of is iconography and is described in a powerful graphic style. In “Prospector firing Rifle,” there is a Dick Pic. Riggs is clearly making a sexual statement about the moment of climax. The long, straight rifle explodes and is captured at the moment of its peak climax. Meanwhile, the two bags of gold clearly resemble the other part of the male anatomy. Riggs was a thoughtful and meticulous visual thinker, and nothing in any of Riggs’s compositions was haphazardly placed. In tribute to the artist’s suppressed feelings, I have given this work a second title “Happiness is a Warm Gun...

Category

1940s Academic Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera

MODEL

MODEL

By Robert Riggs

Located in Portland, ME

Riggs, Robert (American, 1896-1970). MODEL (Bassham 8). Lithograph, c. 1932. Unsigned. 11 x 8 3/4 inches (image), 13 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches (sheet). In very good condition.

Category

1930s Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph

Redhead Girl Holding Father's Hand, Oil on Panel, 1940s, Signed

Redhead Girl Holding Father's Hand, Oil on Panel, 1940s, Signed

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

There is a reason why there are few contemporary painters who can paint a portrait this good. It's hard to do. It's easy to throw some paint or spray a mess of graffiti on canvas. That's easy art. Executing a portrait with a great depth of anatomy and structure takes years of academic training. In Riggs's time, there were teachers who knew how to pass on this knowledge. He studied at the Art Students League and the Académie Julian . Today, they are very few and far between. Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel - Robert Riggs was a Gay Artist...

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Oil

Indian sacrificial ceremony -   Aztec  Human Sacrifice
Indian sacrificial ceremony -   Aztec  Human Sacrifice

Indian sacrificial ceremony - Aztec Human Sacrifice

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

The sacrificial ceremony, Freemans The Collection of Philip Desind Signed Three times Riggs l.r. A powerful account of moments a tribe member is cut open and the heart is handed over to a young brave, There is a reason why there are few contemporary painters who can paint a portrait this good. It's hard to do. It's easy to throw some paint or spray a mess of graffiti on canvas. That's easy. To execute a portrait with a great depth of anatomy and structure takes years of academic training. In Riggs's time there were teachers who knew how to pass on this knowledge. He studied at the Art Students League and the Académie Julian . Today, they are very few and far between. - Robert Riggs was a Gay Artist...

Category

1950s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Indian Ritual  Walking on Fire,  Firewalking Ceremony,  Mythology and Religion
Indian Ritual  Walking on Fire,  Firewalking Ceremony,  Mythology and Religion

Indian Ritual Walking on Fire, Firewalking Ceremony, Mythology and Religion

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

Narrative artist Robert Riggs captures a highly-charged scene of an Indian firewalking ceremony. Firewalking is part of a religious ritual and is associated with the mystical powers...

Category

1950s Academic Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Varnish, Pigment

Grizzly Adams,  Grizzly bear attacks Frontiersman

Grizzly Adams, Grizzly bear attacks Frontiersman

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

There is a reason why there are few contemporary painters who can paint a portrait of a man and bear this good. It's hard to do. It's easy to throw some paint or spray a mess of graf...

Category

1950s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Graphite

Tribesmen with Headdresses
Tribesmen with Headdresses

Tribesmen with Headdresses

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel "Robert Riggs was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence by the New York Art Directors Club for ten consecutive years and received many additional awards." He was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame. His work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts and the U.S. Library of Congress. Riggs's compositons are "monumental" Walt Reed Riggs was a Gay Artist...

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera

Young girl Redhead Holding her father's hand Illustration

Young girl Redhead Holding her father's hand Illustration

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

There is a reason why there are few contemporary painters who can paint a portrait this good. It's hard to do. It's easy to throw some paint or spray a mess of graffiti on canvas. ...

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Oil

Tribesmen with Headdresses  - Photo Realism
Tribesmen with Headdresses  - Photo Realism

Tribesmen with Headdresses - Photo Realism

By Robert Riggs

Located in Miami, FL

Tempera mixed with gum arabic and alcohol on Renaissance Panel "Robert Riggs was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence by the New York Art Directors Club for ten consecutive years and received many additional awards." He was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame. His work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts and the U.S. Library of Congress. Riggs's compositons are "monumental" Walt Reed Riggs was a Gay Artist...

Category

1940s American Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera

Paul Bunyan, Original Signed Oil Painting by Robert Riggs
Paul Bunyan, Original Signed Oil Painting by Robert Riggs

Paul Bunyan, Original Signed Oil Painting by Robert Riggs

By Robert Riggs

Located in Long Island City, NY

Known for his paintings of prize-fighting and circus-genre scenes and lithography of gigantic size compositions, Robert Riggs had a highly successful career as an artist, especially ...

Category

1950s Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Board, Oil

Japanese Buddha, Signed Original Tempera Painting by Robert Riggs
Japanese Buddha, Signed Original Tempera Painting by Robert Riggs

Japanese Buddha, Signed Original Tempera Painting by Robert Riggs

By Robert Riggs

Located in Long Island City, NY

Known for his paintings of prize-fighting and circus-genre scenes and lithography of gigantic size compositions, Robert Riggs had a highly successful career as an artist, especially ...

Category

1940s Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Tempera, Board

Related Items
Winter Is Upon Us Lithograph on Paper, Realist, Signed, Edition of 350

Winter Is Upon Us Lithograph on Paper, Realist, Signed, Edition of 350

By Jake Vandenbrink

Located in Aventura, FL

Lithograph on paper. Hand signed, titled and numbered by the artist. Edition of 350. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. All reasonable o...

Category

1990s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Above the Clouds Lithograph Print, Realist Style, Signed Edition

Above the Clouds Lithograph Print, Realist Style, Signed Edition

By Jake Vandenbrink

Located in Aventura, FL

Lithograph on paper. Hand signed, titled and numbered by the artist. Edition of 350. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity is included. All reasonable o...

Category

1990s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Homage to Picasso Etching, Signed, Pop Art, Edition of 99, 1991, Framed
Homage to Picasso Etching, Signed, Pop Art, Edition of 99, 1991, Framed

Homage to Picasso Etching, Signed, Pop Art, Edition of 99, 1991, Framed

By Peter Max

Located in Aventura, FL

Etching on paper. Hand signed and numbered by Peter Max. From the edition of 99. Frame size approx 27 x 24 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Peter Max (American, born 1937) is known for his unique brand of rainbow-hued prints and paintings, which he has created since the early 1960s. Employing painterly strokes, his illustrations incorporate a wide spectrum of colors and patterns as seen in his Umbrella Man series. “I'm just wowed by the universe. I'm just glad to do something I love to do. I love color, I love painting, I love shapes...

Category

1990s Pop Art Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

The Wall Blue (Keith Haring), Signed Screen Print with Spray Paint Edition 19/75
The Wall Blue (Keith Haring), Signed Screen Print with Spray Paint Edition 19/75

The Wall Blue (Keith Haring), Signed Screen Print with Spray Paint Edition 19/75

By Mr. Brainwash

Located in Aventura, FL

Screen print and spray paint on hand torn archival art paper. Hand signed and numbered on front, thumb print on verso by the artist. Edition 19/75. Artwork size 30 x 22 inches. F...

Category

Early 2000s Street Art Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Screen, Paper

Tuko-See-Mathla, A Seminole Chief: A Hand-colored McKenney & Hall Lithograph
Tuko-See-Mathla, A Seminole Chief: A Hand-colored McKenney & Hall Lithograph

Tuko-See-Mathla, A Seminole Chief: A Hand-colored McKenney & Hall Lithograph

By McKenney & Hall

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an original 19th century hand-colored McKenney and Hall lithograph of a Native American entitled "Tuko-See-Mathla, A Seminole Chief, No. 106", published by Rice, Rutter & Co. in 1865. For his portrait, painted by Charles Bird King, Tuko-See-Mathla wore a colorful outfit, primarily of red and blue with tassels and a matching headdress, a necklace including his presidential peace medal, two metallic bands on each arm, beautiful high moccasin boots and he carries a rifle. He appears to be standing in a desert landscape. This original beautifully hand-colored McKenney and Hall lithograph is presented in a cream colored mat (adhered at the top), suitable for framing with a protective clear sleeve. The mat measures 13.88" x 11.75" and the sheet measures 10.63" x 7.38. There is one tiny spot in the lower portion of the left and right margins and minimal discoloration at the left and right edges (obscured by the mat), but the print is otherwise in excellent condition. Col. Thomas J. McKenney was Superintendant of The Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1816 until 1830. He was one of a very few government officials to defend American Indian interests and attempt to preserve their culture. He travelled to Indian lands meeting the Native American leaders. He brought with him an accomplished artist, James Otto Lewis...

Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Study for Alyssa II" 2018 - Charcoal drawing, portrait of young woman, framed
"Study for Alyssa II" 2018 - Charcoal drawing, portrait of young woman, framed

"Study for Alyssa II" 2018 - Charcoal drawing, portrait of young woman, framed

By Stephen Bauman

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

A charcoal portrait drawing of a young woman, perfectly poised and staring directly at the viewer. Her face is executed with exceptional detail, and is the focal point of the composi...

Category

2010s Academic Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Charcoal, Archival Paper

Tom Sawyer Detective by Mark Twain: 19th C. Framed Colored Poster
Tom Sawyer Detective by Mark Twain: 19th C. Framed Colored Poster

Tom Sawyer Detective by Mark Twain: 19th C. Framed Colored Poster

By Edward Penfield

Located in Alamo, CA

This lithographic colored advertising poster entitled "Tom Sawyer Detective, A New Story by Mark Twain" was created by Edward Penfield in 1897 for Harper & Brothers. The artist's signature appears in the plate in the lower left. The poster depicts a man in a long black bathing suit sitting with his knees up, aimlessly smoking a cigarette, but looking out of the corner of his eyes at a woman in a olive green dress and tan blouse and a black hat, who sits to his left with her head propped in her left hand and a bored or concerned look on her face. The look on the faces of the couple creates an air of mystery. The title of the book is printed in red in the upper left and the issue "Harper's August" in bold letters in the lower poster. The poster promotes a new book by Mark Twain that was published initially in two issues of Harper's Monthly and also in book form by Harper & Brothers in 1896. It is a sequel to "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", published in 1876, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", published in 1884, and "Tom Sawyer Abroad", also published in 1894. The plot of the book involves Tom Sawyer attempting to solve a mysterious murder. The story is told using the first-person narrative voice of his friend Huck Finn...

Category

1890s Art Deco Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph

Alexander Calder - The ORIGINAL limited edition 1965 LACMA Museum poster print

Alexander Calder - The ORIGINAL limited edition 1965 LACMA Museum poster print

By Alexander Calder

Located in New York, NY

Alexander Calder The original Los Angeles County Museum of Art poster, 1965 Limited Edition vintage Offset Lithograph 32 × 24 3/4 inches 81.3 × 62.9 cm Edition of 300 This is the OR...

Category

1960s Modern Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

"Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) By James Van Fossan, Original Drawing
"Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) By James Van Fossan, Original Drawing

"Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) By James Van Fossan, Original Drawing

By James Van Fossan

Located in Denver, CO

James Van Fossan's "Back At The Stables (II)" (2024) is an original handmade charcoal and graphite drawing on paper that depicts a cowboy leaning against a sawhorse in a moment of re...

Category

2010s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Graphite

Cadence, Realist charcoal drawing of women & hair running, graphic and patterned
Cadence, Realist charcoal drawing of women & hair running, graphic and patterned

Cadence, Realist charcoal drawing of women & hair running, graphic and patterned

By Patsy McArthur

Located in Dallas, TX

Cadence Charcoal on paper Artwork size: 24 x 46.5 inches / 60 x 118 cm Framed size: 27.5 × 52 inches / 70 × 132 cm Float framed in white behind anti-reflect art glass. This contempo...

Category

2010s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Charcoal, Archival Paper

Merman, mosaic-like male nude figure, collage golden blue tones
Merman, mosaic-like male nude figure, collage golden blue tones

Merman, mosaic-like male nude figure, collage golden blue tones

By Audrey Anastasi

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Paper paint charcoal collage These collages were created first in the presence of a live model, working quickly, in charcoal and pastel, and again, later, alone in the studio, furio...

Category

2010s Contemporary Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Fabric, Charcoal, Archival Paper, Magazine Paper

Tiberias from the Walls: David Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph
Tiberias from the Walls: David Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph

Tiberias from the Walls: David Roberts' 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph

By David Roberts

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Tiberias from the Walls, Saffet (Safed) in the Distance" by David Roberts, from his Egypt and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1841. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered among the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century. This page from Roberts' 19th century publication includes a half-folio hand-colored lithograph of a view of the town of Tiberias and with the town of Safed on the hill in the distance. They lie along the Sea of Galilee...

Category

1840s Realist Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Lithograph

Previously Available Items
"The Knockout" Boxing Sports American Watercolor WPA Mid-Century Modern 30s/40s
"The Knockout" Boxing Sports American Watercolor WPA Mid-Century Modern 30s/40s

"The Knockout" Boxing Sports American Watercolor WPA Mid-Century Modern 30s/40s

By Robert Riggs

Located in New York, NY

"The Knockout" Boxing Sports American Watercolor WPA Mid-Century Modern 30s/40s. Robert Riggs (1896-1970) The Knockout 22 x 30 inches watercolor on paper Signed lower right Framed: ...

Category

1930s American Modern Robert Riggs Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Robert Riggs art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Riggs art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Riggs in paint, tempera, oil paint and more. Not every interior allows for large Robert Riggs art, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Spencer Douglass Crockwell, Fletcher Martin, and Ernest Hamlin Baker. Robert Riggs art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $875 and tops out at $92,000, while the average work can sell for $75,000.

Artists Similar to Robert Riggs