Skip to main content

Thomas Downing Art

American, 1928-1985
Thomas Downing was born in Suffolk, Virginia. In 1950, after graduating from Pratt Institute in New York City, he received a grant from the Virginia Museum of Fine Art to study in Europe. Upon returning from Europe, he settled in Washington, DC to teach at Catholic University. In 1954 Downing became a friend of Kenneth Noland, whose life drawing course he attended. From 1955 to 1956 Downing shared a studio with Howard Mehring, another artist who came to be identified with the Washington Color School. Downing had his first one-man show at the Washington Workshop Center for the Arts in 1959. In 1959 Downing first began using the small dot in his work, a motif he explored fully into the 1970s. Downing’s position in the Washington Color School came from his consistent approach to color. The canvas was the receptacle of color, on which Downing often worked in tonal modulations of a hue. Downing developed shaped canvases in 1966 as a structural solution to his deeper consideration of the “spatial definition” of color. After first working in a parallelogram shape, Downing next worked in chevron-shaped canvases that examined the illusionistic qualities of color. He exhibited these works in a solo exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery in 1966-1967 and later at the Allan Stone Gallery in New York in 1967. Downing’s second series of shaped canvases titled Folds were created in 1968. In the Fold series he discovered a new effect of relief and spatial depth within a flat work that could be enhanced by color. The projections and folding in the Fold paintings suggest the paintings exist in a world without gravity. Downing exhibited in a group show at Jefferson Place Gallery in 1960 and had his first solo exhibition there in the spring of 1961. Downing had solo exhibitions in New York at Allan Stone Gallery in 1962, 1967, and 1968. He also had solo exhibition in New York at Stable Gallery in September 1963 and January 1965. In the early 1970s Downing had regular solo exhibitions at the Pyramid Galleries in DC. Downing taught at the Corcoran School of Art and Design, Washington, DC from 1965 to 1968. There he was influential for the next generation of DC color artists including Sam Gilliam. He moved to New York in 1970 and taught at the School of Visual Arts. He then accepted a position at the University of Houston, Texas in 1975. Around 1976, Downing moved to Provincetown where he continued to paint until his death in 1985. In 2007 Thomas Downing was included in Optic Nerve: Perceptual Art in the 1960s at the Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio and Lyrical Color: Morris Louis, Gene Davis, Kenneth Noland and the Washington Color School at the Phillips Collection, Washington, DC.
to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
11,651
2,883
2,492
1,596
1
1
Artist: Thomas Downing
Related Items
Urban Abstraction (ripped off posters) Italian Expressionist Painting on Canvas
Urban Abstraction (ripped off posters) Italian Expressionist Painting on Canvas

Urban Abstraction (ripped off posters) Italian Expressionist Painting on Canvas

By Andrea Spinelli

Located in Firenze, IT

The present work of art titled "Urban Abstraction (ripped off posters)" is part of a series of paintings that the artist composed in the 1980s and 1990s inspired by the observation of the urban reality of those years. The artist take the cue from his walks in Florence, both in the center and in the suburbs, and by the observation of billboards and posters scattered throughout the city. The mass of information, colors, messages and words were carried on the canvas with acrylic colors, ideally reconstructing the tears and overlaps of all the information and advertising contained on these huge sheets of paper that invade our cities. The geometric lines are overlaid with jagged lines, overlaps and color dripping and also the choice in the color palette, with different shades of white, gray, rose, orange red and blue helps in rendering the result of the tears and ripped paper. The result is a beautiful multicolored modern abstract canvas, both aesthetically and ethically, with many rich layers of color, texture and expression in which the artist leaves his own message. The painting is housed in a simple modern white lacquer wood frame. Andrea Spinelli...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Abstract Painting on Canvas by Warhol Factory Artist Steve Balkin 'RAIN FOREST'
Abstract Painting on Canvas by Warhol Factory Artist Steve Balkin 'RAIN FOREST'

Abstract Painting on Canvas by Warhol Factory Artist Steve Balkin 'RAIN FOREST'

By Steve Balkin

Located in Hudson, NY

Steve Balkin (1938-2023) This painting was purchased from Balkin's estate. It came from his home in upstate NY. It is titled "Rain Forest", dated 8/2007 a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Cosmic Tango - Abstract Painting
Cosmic Tango - Abstract Painting

Cosmic Tango - Abstract Painting

By David Tobey

Located in New York, NY

The painting is unframed, acrylic on canvas. About the Artwork: The cataclysmic dance of cosmic forces. About the Artist: As a visual artist David has been painting and sculpting most of his life. He is also a Julliard trained violinist. David combines his love of music to create a bond between his two passions. His paintings and prints have been featured in many publications such as the New York Times and Art in America. 25 of his paintings are featured in the book “Beyond Faith.” David has had many one man show and group shows in Chelsea, Soho and in Westchester. His paintings of 9/11 “Fallen Angels” was acquired by The George Bush presidential Library. His painting has benefited The Julliard School, the American Cancer Society, The National Scholastic Chess Foundation and the Westchester Philharmonic. Surrealism, Mythical Oil Painting...

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Blue Yonder-Monroe Hodder, American, Abstract, Bold, Modern, Red, Blue, Oil

Blue Yonder-Monroe Hodder, American, Abstract, Bold, Modern, Red, Blue, Oil

By Monroe Hodder

Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh

Blue Yonder is an original oil over acrylic on canvas painting by American artist Monroe Hodder. Hodder’s abstract paintings are gloriously bold. Inspired by the urban backdrops of h...

Category

2010s Abstract Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Acrylic

Back and Forth
Back and Forth

Diane AyottBack and Forth, 2015

$6,400

H 32 in W 36 in

Back and Forth

By Diane Ayott

Located in Gloucester, MA

Diane Ayott’s abstractions on paper, canvas, and panel are luxuriously physical objects resulting from the accrual of layer after layer of paint, color, and pattern, launched by imag...

Category

2010s Abstract Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Stunning Gold Framed Portrait Painting on Canvas 'Berlin' with COA
Stunning Gold Framed Portrait Painting on Canvas 'Berlin' with COA

Stunning Gold Framed Portrait Painting on Canvas 'Berlin' with COA

By Peter Keil

Located in Hudson, NY

Peter Keil's painting on canvas. Canvas without frame measures 24"x12". Beautiful gold frame is included with this lovely piece. Peter Keil's paintings on canvas are becoming more ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Soundings - Contemporary Painting
Soundings - Contemporary Painting

Soundings - Contemporary Painting

By David Tobey

Located in New York, NY

The painting is unframed, acrylic on canvas. About the Artwork: Portrays the universal background radiation from the Big Bang. I call my paintings “Ima...

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Impressionist Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

River In The Sea-Monroe Hodder, American, Abstract, Bold, Modern, sea, Blue, Oil
River In The Sea-Monroe Hodder, American, Abstract, Bold, Modern, sea, Blue, Oil

River In The Sea-Monroe Hodder, American, Abstract, Bold, Modern, sea, Blue, Oil

By Monroe Hodder

Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh

River In The Sea is an oil on canvas painting by American artist Monroe Hodder. Hodder’s abstract paintings are gloriously bold. Inspired by the urban backdrops of her life in New Yo...

Category

2010s Abstract Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

"Morning Melody" Original Acrylic Mixed Media Painting
"Morning Melody" Original Acrylic Mixed Media Painting

"Morning Melody" Original Acrylic Mixed Media Painting

Located in New York, NY

About the Artwork: "Morning Melody" is a mesmerizing acrylic painting on canvas, a captivating and serene depiction of an early morning flute song, designed to awaken positive memories and emotions. Through this painting, the artist invites viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty of simple moments, the tranquility of nature, and the power of music to evoke deep, heartfelt memories. The scene outside the artist’s window, framed by a clear blue sky and bathed in the soft light of dawn, serves as a reminder of the beauty and peace that can be found in everyday life. This artwork is a celebration of serenity, nostalgia, and the quiet joy of a new day’s beginning. The painting is on canvas and will be professionally packaged and shipped in a secured box. About the Artist: Bandji Fall...

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Abstract B2
Abstract B2

Carlos MercadoAbstract B2, 2020

$12,000

H 84 in W 60 in D 2 in

Abstract B2

By Carlos Mercado

Located in San Juan, PR

CARLOS MERCADO ABSTRACT Inspired in the work of Franz and Ives Klein This body of work was produced during the initial months of the lock down due to the pandemic. This tragedy crea...

Category

2010s Abstract Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Softly

Patton BlackwellSoftly, 1992

$14,900

H 71 in W 126 in

Softly

Located in Gloucester, MA

Patton Blackwell's "Softly" comprises four gallery-wrapped canvases 71 x 31.5 in. each, 71 x 126 in overall. It can be hung on the wall as a painting,...

Category

1990s Abstract Thomas Downing Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Thomas Downing art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Thomas Downing art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Thomas Downing in acrylic paint, canvas, fabric and more. Not every interior allows for large Thomas Downing art, so small editions measuring 17 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Joseph Solman, Martin Canin, and Maureen Chatfield. Thomas Downing art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $28,000 and tops out at $28,000, while the average work can sell for $28,000.