Romare Bearden was an inventive American modern artist whose unique visual style set him apart. Working with a variety of media, Bearden made paintings distinguished by a bold use of color and rich texture. His figurative, landscape and portrait prints had influences ranging from Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso to traditional Japanese, Chinese and African art.
Bearden was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1911. He pursued a degree in education and attended Lincoln University, Boston University and New York University. At New York University he began taking courses in art. During his time there, he served as the art editor and lead cartoonist at a journal called The Medley. To further his creative passions, Bearden attended the Art Students League of New York. From 1935 to 1937, he was the editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore Afro-American.
Bearden worked as a social worker from the mid-1930s until the 1960s. He continued creating art during his evenings and weekends and began exhibiting in solo shows across the United States in the 1940s. Bearden would go on to exhibit throughout Europe.
Bearden was a prolific writer on social issues, and his words complemented his art. He was active in African American advocacy groups and helped found important community art venues and organizations like the Harlem Cultural Council in 1964 and the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1968. He also published books on art and African American art history.
Bearden earned many prestigious honors, including honorary doctorates from Davidson College, Atlanta University, Carnegie Mellon University and Pratt Institute. Bearden also received the New York City Mayor’s Award of Honor for Art and Culture in 1984 and the National Medal of Arts in 1987, presented by President Ronald Reagan. He died in New York City on March 12, 1988.
Today, Bearden's work is held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
On 1stDibs, find Romare Bearden’s prints, paintings, mixed media and more.
Price Upon Request
Memories #2
By Romare Bearden
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Romare Bearden Title: Memories #2 Year: 1981 Medium: Ink, Dye Paint and Collage, signed left Paper Size: 8.8 x 9.8 inches Frame Size: 11 x 15 inches
Dye, Ink
Price Upon Request
Sunrise Coffee
By Romare Bearden
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Romare Bearden Title: Sunrise Coffee Year: 1970 Medium: Collage and Mixed Media on Masonite, signed left and verso Size: 18 in. x 21 in. (45.72 cm x 53.34 cm) Frame Si...
Masonite
$1,100
H 12.5 in W 10 in D 1 in
Acid etched Metallic Foil Glass Wall Sculpture Artwork Framed ed. 25 Signed
By Suzan Etkin
Located in Surfside, FL
With the exception of the dark metallic one they are transparent and opaque glass. I have shot the photos on a dark background so you can better see the images. they are signed in in...
Glass, Wood
$9,500
H 8.5 in W 11 in
Reefer Madness, Marajuana - Pot - Cannabis - Cover Atlantic Monthly Magazine
By Seymour Chwast
Located in Miami, FL
Gouache, Crayon, Pencil, Film on Paper, not framed Cover Atlantic Monthly Magazine August 1994
Gouache, Paper
$2,950
H 24.5 in W 17.5 in D 1 in
“Chinoi Plaque #2” Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Etched Bronze & Pewter Wall Plaque
Located in Yardley, PA
In “Chinoi #2,” Philip and Kelvin LaVerne return to their favorite theme of Chinoiserie reverie, rendering a lyrical vignette from acid etched bronze and pewter. A lone boy sits with...
Bronze, Metal
Untitled
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this striking collage by the inimitable Louise Nevelson, who is regarded as one of the most original, influential, and successful American sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson's enduring appeal lies in her distinct visual language, which is apparent in all of her works, regardless of medium. While her iconic monochromatic wood assemblages are instantly recognizable, she continuously experimented with diverse materials, including resin, steel, and bronze, as well as numerous printmaking techniques. Collage was an important part of Nevelson's practice, defining her signature aesthetic. Much like her approach to printmaking, her collages possess a sculptural ethos that transcends the two-dimensional surface, imbuing the composition with a remarkable sense of volume, texture, and depth. One could argue that Nevelson's sculpture was informed by collage in that she took assorted existing forms combining them in order to create an entirely new and distinct arrangement. This untitled collage is an exceptional example of the artist's mastery of the medium. Featuring an assemblage of wood veneer, mirror, and metal, this work reflects Nevelson's meticulous sense of form and rhythm. Subtle details, such as the alternating direction of the wood veneer grain further heighten the visual complexity of the otherwise minimal composition. The inclusion of wood veneer marks a notable shift for Nevelson, who was previously loyal to a strict monochromatic palette of black or white. It wasn’t until the 1970s with her experimentation in collage that she expanded her palette. Nevelson also created jewellery and this collage acknowledges her activity in that realm. Created at the age of 83 during the final chapter of her career, this piece powerfully captures Nevelson's enduring spirit and dedication to artistic innovation. Today Nevelson's work can be found in every major public collection across North America and beyond. Questions about this piece? Contact us. Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment. "Untitled" USA, 1983 Mixed media collage Metal, mirror, wood, and wood veneer on grey mat board mounted on 0.25" Luan plywood Signed and dated by artist, bottom right Nevelson Estate no. LN 40830 19.5"H 15.75"W (work) 31"H 21"W (framed) Very good condition Literature: Stein, Judith. Louise Nevelson Collages...
Metal
$2,950
H 24.5 in W 17.5 in D 1 in
“Chinoi Plaque #1” Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Etched Bronze & Pewter Wall Plaque
Located in Yardley, PA
In “Chinoi #1,” Philip and Kelvin LaVerne return to their favorite theme of Chinoiserie reverie, rendering a lyrical vignette from acid etched bronze and pewter. A lone figure ascend...
Metal, Bronze
$20,000
H 18.2 in W 24.4 in D 2 in
Africa - Collage Painting in Orange - African American Artist - Spiral Group
Located in Miami, FL
African American artist Alvin Hollingsworth part of the famous Spiral Group , created an inventive and intriguing close-up portrait with figures in the distance. Found objects such as swatches of burlap, plastic spoons, press type and wood shapes are adhered to the surface make this work an object as much as an image. The overall image is bathed in a super hot orange-yellow. This is Hollingsworth interpretation of the soul of Africa. Indistinctly signed lower right in red. The work makes a powerful statement in person. Provenance: The Artist to a personal friend. Private collection Framed dimensions 19 1/4 x 25 1/4 in. Alvin Carl...
Fabric, Burlap, Wood, Oil
$3,200
H 15.75 in W 14 in D 2 in
Modern Mid-Century Abstract Still Life. Colorful Abstracted Cream Pitcher.
By Sarkis Sarkisian
Located in Marco Island, FL
A wonderful little abstract gem by Sarkis Sarkisian entitled Still Life with Cream Pitcher. It is a vibrant and beautiful example of mid-century modern abstraction. Framed in a t...
Mixed Media, Oil, Board
$3,250
H 27 in W 26 in D 1.5 in
Bert Van Bork “Second Mesa” – Southwest Mixed Media Hopi Pueblo Landscape Art
Located in Denver, CO
Second Mesa (Hopi Pueblo, Arizona) is a vibrant mixed-media artwork by acclaimed German-American artist Bert Van Bork (1928–2014). Executed in watercolor...
Charcoal, Archival Ink, Watercolor
Rel 16.2
By Phillip Shore
Located in Three Oaks, MI
Philip Shore uses his art to illustrate man's relationship to the environment and how the connection between nature and culture is becoming more fractured. Spiraling Dreams is made o...
Resin, Wood, Mixed Media
$700
H 20.01 in W 27.01 in
Florentine Birch, trees, nature, over classically patterned paper
By Audrey Frank Anastasi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Even though recognizable as trees, the artist considers the birch works to be process-oriented abstractions. "I am interested in the interplay between the abstract markings and the s...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
$4,500
H 31.25 in W 42.75 in D 2 in
Mary Chenoweth 1980s Abstract Tree Landscape Mixed Media Painting
Located in Denver, CO
This vibrant 1980s mixed media painting by celebrated Colorado Springs artist Mary Chenoweth is a compelling example of semi-abstract nature imagery infused with bold modernist energ...
Acrylic, Newsprint
$4,000
H 19.125 in W 18.125 in
"Untitled" Gene Hedge, Mid-Century, Collage, Construction Materials, Urban
Located in New York, NY
Gene Hedge Untitled, circa 1956 Mixed media 14 3/4 x 14 inches Provenance Estate of the artist Gene Hedge was born (1928) and raised in rural Indiana. After military service, he b...
Paper, Mixed Media