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Roy De Forest Art

American, 1930-2007
Roy De Forest (1930–2007) was an American painter associated with the Bay Area Funk Art movement, known for his exuberant, imaginative compositions that blend figuration, fantasy, and humor. Based primarily in Northern California, De Forest developed a highly distinctive visual language populated by stylized animals, hybrid creatures, and symbolic forms set within vibrant, often surreal landscapes. His work is characterized by intricate patterning, bright, saturated color, and a playful yet deeply personal iconography. Dogs appear frequently as recurring motifs—sometimes as companions, sometimes as alter egos—reflecting themes of loyalty, identity, and the subconscious. While his imagery can appear whimsical at first glance, De Forest’s compositions often contain layered narratives and references to mythology, dreams, and human psychology. De Forest was also an influential educator, teaching at the University of California, Davis, where he was part of a generation of artists who helped define the experimental and irreverent spirit of West Coast art in the postwar period. His work stands in contrast to the dominant New York abstraction of the time, embracing instead a more narrative, idiosyncratic, and expressive approach. Today, Roy De Forest’s paintings and prints are held in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. His legacy remains central to the development of Funk Art and the broader history of American figurative painting. Roy De Forest, Bay Area Funk Art, American painter, California art, UC Davis artist, postwar American art, figurative expressionism, West Coast art movement, contemporary American painting, narrative art, surreal figuration, modern American artist, funk movement art, symbolic imagery, colorful painting dog motif artwork, whimsical figurative painting, fantasy landscape, bright color composition, surreal narrative scene, patterned surface painting, hybrid creatures imagery, symbolic animals, playful abstraction, detailed line work, imaginative composition, expressive figuration, dreamlike environment, mythological references, decorative painting
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Artist: Roy De Forest
Untitled (Postwar, Figurative Expressionism, West Coast, ~44% OFF - RARE FIND)
Untitled (Postwar, Figurative Expressionism, West Coast, ~44% OFF - RARE FIND)

Untitled (Postwar, Figurative Expressionism, West Coast, ~44% OFF - RARE FIND)

By Roy De Forest

Located in Kansas City, MO

Roy De Forest Untitled Original Lithograph on Gray Paper Year: 1985 Edition: 4 of 20 Paper Size: 28 x 39 inches (71.12 × 99.06 cm) Signed and numbered by the artist Gallery-issued C...

Category

1980s Modern Roy De Forest Art

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled Signed lithograph on Arches paper by world famous dog artist, unique TP
Untitled Signed lithograph on Arches paper by world famous dog artist, unique TP

Untitled Signed lithograph on Arches paper by world famous dog artist, unique TP

By Roy De Forest

Located in New York, NY

ROY DE FOREST Untitled, 1981 Lithograph on Arches paper with four deckled edges. 22 1/2 × 30 inches Hand signed and annotated Trial Proof, aside from the regular edition of 60 Unfra...

Category

1980s Contemporary Roy De Forest Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Pencil, Graphite, Lithograph

Dogs at Campfire, Surrealist Lithograph by Roy De Forest
Dogs at Campfire, Surrealist Lithograph by Roy De Forest

Dogs at Campfire, Surrealist Lithograph by Roy De Forest

By Roy De Forest

Located in Long Island City, NY

Roy De Forest, American (1930 - 2007) - Dogs at Campfire, Year: circa 1980, Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: Shop Proof, Size: 18 x 23 in. (4...

Category

1980s Surrealist Roy De Forest Art

Materials

Lithograph

Walking, Contemporary Lithograph by Roy de Forest
Walking, Contemporary Lithograph by Roy de Forest

Walking, Contemporary Lithograph by Roy de Forest

By Roy De Forest

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy De Forest, American (1930 - 2007) Title: Walking Year: 1987 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Size: 24.5 x 31 in. (62.23 x 78.74 cm)

Category

1980s Contemporary Roy De Forest Art

Materials

Lithograph

Dogman and Indian

Dogman and Indian

By Roy De Forest

Located in Lyons, CO

Hand colored lithograph/painted frame, Edition30 Roy De Forest was one of the preeminent artists of the California Bay area. Usually associated with the "Funk" art movement, De Forest, with appealing irreverence, mades paintings, drawings and sculpture of a wild world of weird humans and amazing beady-eyed dogs. De Forest made three prints at Shark's; his first a woodcut, "Van Gogh in the Tropics" in 1999, "Ode to Rin Tin Tin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Roy De Forest Art

Materials

Lithograph

Taylor Family
Taylor Family

Taylor Family

By Roy De Forest

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Roy De Forest Title: Taylor Family Size: 29.5 x 41 Inches Medium: Acrylic, pastel, charcoal, ink, pencil and glitter on paper, in artist's frame Edition: Original Year: 1995 Notes: Hand Signed and Dated (Twice, Upper Center Sheet and Lower Right Mount) Sold in the Original Artist Made Frame, As Is. Roy De Forest arrived in San Francisco in 1950 to enroll at the California School of Fine Arts (CSFA). He later went on to teach at the University of California, Davis, where he dedicated nearly three decades of his career. This move to the Bay Area, far removed from the art epicenter of New York, played a significant role in shaping an artistic movement known as "funk," a term coined by Peter Selz of the University of California's Berkeley Art Museum in 1967. This aesthetic celebrated the unconventional, "lowbrow," and seemingly unsophisticated aspects of art. Notably, artists like Jim Nutt...

Category

1990s Folk Art Roy De Forest Art

Materials

Charcoal, Pastel, Glitter, Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper

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Previously Available Items
Camping with Dog and Horse, Signed Lithograph by Roy De Forest
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By Roy De Forest

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy De Forest, American (1930 - 2007) Title: Camping Year: 1987 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)

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Camping

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Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy De Forest, American (1930 - 2007) Title: Camping Year: 1987 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)

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Artist: Roy De Forest, American (1930 - 2007) Title: Walking Year: 1987 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 42/100 Size: 24.5 x 31 in. (62.23 x 78.74...

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By Roy De Forest

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy De Forest, American (1930 - 2007) Title: Camping Year: 1987 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in pencil Edition: 100, Sales Proof Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)

Category

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Materials

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The Shepherd Brothers

The Shepherd Brothers

By Roy De Forest

Located in Kansas City, MO

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Roy De Forest art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Roy De Forest art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Roy De Forest in lithograph, acrylic paint, archival paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Roy De Forest art, so small editions measuring 27 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of James Surls, Jean Richardson, and Corita Kent. Roy De Forest art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $25,000, while the average work can sell for $6,400.