Walter Quirt was an American artist born on November 24, 1902, in Iron River. He studied art at the Layton School of Art in Wisconsin from 1921–23 and later at the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire in 1928. He was one of the most vital and active figures of the New York avant-garde art world of the 1930s. He worked for the Works Project Administration painting murals in the mid-1930s. He later moved to Minneapolis and taught art at the University of Minnesota from 1956–68. Early in his career, Quirt painted the social problems of his time in a realistic style. He also involved himself in left-wing causes by illustrating political magazines, such as The Masses and by joining radical artist groups. Quirt was a member of the John Reed Club. After working with socialist themes for many years, Quirt became one of the first American artists to experiment with Surrealism. By the time the Museum of Modern Art held its landmark 1936 exhibition on Surrealism, Walter Quirt was already defining his approach to Surrealism that had been displayed first as early as 1933. Quirt's attitude was that Salvador Dali and others had not taken full advantage of the possibilities that Surrealism offered and that artists using free association to explore the language of emotions on problems the public feels but has not the means for projecting into actualities was a positive move. Quirt's painting reflects a subliminal consciousness that is based on Hegelian theories of metaphysics and psychoanalysis and James Joyce’s literature. Quirt's dreams supplied this disturbing theatrical imagery of interlacing color and distorted clown figures. Quirt's style shifted late in his New York career when he abandoned the social realist politics and imagery that had dominated his early years as an artist and activist. One possible source for this new manner of imagery after the social realism that had dominated his earlier career might have been Roberto Matta's first one-person exhibition at Julien Levy Gallery in 1940. Almost certainly, Quirt would have seen these paintings that incorporated staining, overlays, wiping, lines of straight and smeared character and multi-faceted forms. Many of Quirt's paintings of this period follow this active and colorful format. Quirt's painting shows fragmented, sometimes ‘harlequin-esque’ figures. In doing so, he makes a uniquely American Surreal picture that, at the same time, resonates with the work of many European émigrés who had recently fled to America to escape Nazi persecution. He had a retrospective exhibition of his work in 1960 through the American Federation of Arts and he showed during his career at the Art Institute of Chicago, Whitney Museum of American Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Quirt died on March 19, 1968, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
$35,000
Geometric Abstract American Oil WPA Color Field Abstraction Modern Non Objective
By Walter Quirt
Located in New York, NY
American artist Walter Quirt painted this modernist non objective geometric abstract oil color field during the WPA era in the 1930s. Abstraction, 12 x 16 inches. Oil on canvas. Sig...
Canvas, Oil
$5,919
H 47.25 in W 47.25 in D 1.58 in
Contemporary New Abstract Grey Dots Colors Artist Christina Gschwantner
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Au...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$635
H 9 in W 9 in
Glowing Sunset II - Original Vibrant Warm Tone Textured Abstract Artwork Framed
By Frederic Paul
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The delicate and poetic artworks of painter Frederic Paul reference his Asian roots in expressive and elaborate compositions. Inspired by the bold colors, spices, flora, and landscap...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Rice Paper
$3,442
H 39.38 in W 31.5 in D 1.19 in
Ocean Whispers - abstract art underwater nude human figurative painting
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
Memories (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Memories (Abstract painting) Oil on canvas — Unframed. This artwork is exclusive to IdeelArt. German artist Petra Schott uses colour, lines, and shapes to express her everyday emoti...
Canvas, Oil
$3,000
H 32.5 in W 46.25 in D 1.5 in
"The Rose Garden" Mid Century Oil Painting on Canvas Abstract Landscape & Figure
By Robert Freiman
Located in New York, NY
An abstract Mid-Century piece with lighter color tones accentuated with the use of basic colors, blue, red and yellow. In this abstract composition we see a figure, tending to their ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,147
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
Quiet Sky-original oil abstract landscape oil painting-contemporary artwork
By Alison Johnson
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$1,244Sale Price|37% Off
H 24 in W 24 in D 1.35 in
Entity - Dual Nature (Geometric Abstraction, Minimalism, Josef Albers)
By Susan Kiefer
Located in Kansas City, MO
Susan Kiefer Entity - Dual Nature Oil on Canvas Year: 2022 Size: 24x24x1.35 Signed by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1489 Tags: hard-edged abstract, geometric shapes, pattern, irregular shapes, orange, green, purple, secondary triad Two irregular shapes on a purple base overlap on a patterned orange background Though born and raised in Kansas City, artist Susan Kiefer lived on the west coast for 30 years where she earned her BFA and MFA in printmaking from California College of Arts in San Francisco. Kiefer moved back to Kansas City in 2014, exhibiting geometric abstracts in various local galleries since. More recently, Kiefer has revisited figurative paintings as her perspective of expression. For Kiefer, the human body inspires mythical and visceral themes. Abstract, Painting, Contemporary Art, Contemporary Painters, Abstract Paintings, Abstract Geometrics, Geometric Abstraction, Women Painters...
Canvas, Paint, Oil
$12,000
H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Parallels" - Large Textural Oil Impasto Abstract - Muted Gray and Orange
Located in Carmel, CA
Frida Willis (Swedish, born 1971) "Parallels" 2025 Oil paint, glitter, and mixed media on canvas, stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the painting. “Parallels” is a restrai...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars, Glitter, Mixed Media
$3,600
H 35 in W 31 in
Large Modernist French Abstract Expressionist Colorful Bird Painting Roger Lersy
By Roger Lersy
Located in Surfside, FL
Roger Lersy, French (1920 - 2004) Oil on canvas Signed, R. Lersy, dated 1961 lower right Measuring 35 X 31 Matted and framed. sight 26 X 21.5 Roger Lersy was born in Paris, France ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$2,320
H 55.12 in W 37.41 in D 0.04 in
Inner Landscape: Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas, Mid-20th Century
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
This vibrant piece from the "Inner Landscapes" series showcases a dynamic interplay of warm and cool tones, creating a striking visual composition. The artwork features a diverse col...
Canvas, Oil
$600
H 13.78 in W 9.85 in D 1.19 in
St. Serie Pequeñas Vibraciones #165, Abstract Oil on Canvas, Framed
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 35 x 25 cm (each) Framed: Yes Small size, calm palette. Description: Pequeñas Vibraciones is a series of small-format abstract paintings that explo...
Canvas, Oil
$600
H 13.78 in W 9.85 in D 1.19 in
Pequeñas Vibraciones #157 Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas, Framed
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Series Tittle: Pequeñas Vibraciones (Small Vibrations) Medium: Oilc on canvas Size: 35 x 25 cm each (framed) Framed: Natural wood, ready to hang Series Year: 2024–2025 Artist: Floren...
Canvas, Oil