Will Barnet Paintings

American, 1911-2012

At the beginning of his career, Will Barnet was known for his figural depictions of domestic scenes. But, as he continued to stylistically develop, Barnet arrived at abstract geometric paintings far removed from his original career. A part of the Indian Space Painters group, Barnet was inspired by Native American art in creating these divergent images. Throughout his career, Barnet oscillated between representational and abstract paintings, never fully settling on one. He has received the National Medal of Arts in 2011, and his work has been displayed at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Artist: Will Barnet

Will BarnetDark Image Abstract Oil Painting, Signed, 1960, Framed, 55.5x32.875, 1960

$62,500

Dark Image Abstract Oil Painting, Signed, 1960, Framed, 55.5x32.875

By Will Barnet

Located in New York, NY

Dark Image, 1960 by Will Barnet (1911-2012) Oil on canvas 53 x 30 ½ inches unframed (134.62 x 77.47 cm) 55 ½ x 32 ⅞ inches framed (140.979 x 96.2152 cm) Signed and dated on top right on the reverse Description: This abstract oil painting by Will Barnet uses minute gradations in value to achieve a work that presents a contextual understanding of color. Upon first inspection, it looks as if Barnet has created a completely black canvas with some hints at forms in the darkness; however, upon a closer look, the canvas is, in fact, not black, but instead comprised of varied shades of dark, muted blues, grays, and purples. Barnet presents us with an illusion of vision, asking the viewer to question his perspective and understanding of color interplay. At the beginning of his career, Will Barnet was known for his figural depictions of domestic scenes. But, as he continued to stylistically develop, Barnet arrived at abstract geometric paintings far removed from his original career. A part of the Indian Space...

Category

1960s Abstract Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil

Will BarnetImportant Modenist Oil Pastel Will Barnet Emily Dickinson Black & White, 1980

$20,000

Important Modenist Oil Pastel Will Barnet Emily Dickinson Black & White

By Will Barnet

Located in Buffalo, NY

A modern realist painting by American artist Will Barnet from the artist series of works created to accompany the poetry of Emily Dickinson. rom Bever...

Category

1980s American Realist Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil, Archival Paper

Will BarnetPortrait of a Child

$9,750Sale Price|35% Off

Portrait of a Child

By Will Barnet

Located in Buffalo, NY

An original modern abstract portrait of a child by American artist Will Barnet. The work has a letter of provenance from the artist's wife. The i...

Category

1930s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood

Will BarnetThe Caller, 1974

Price Upon Request

The Caller

By Will Barnet

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Will Barnet, American (1911 - 2012) Title: The Caller Year: 1974 - 1976 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed and dated l.r. Size: 91.5 x 31.5 in. (232....

Category

1970s Contemporary Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Francis ChapinA Captivating 1930s Modern Portrait of a Young Woman by Francis Chapin, Crica 1930

$850

H 17.75 in W 16.75 in D 1 in

A Captivating 1930s Modern Portrait of a Young Woman by Francis Chapin

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

A captivating, 1930s portrait painting of a young woman by famed Chicago artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A sensitive, skilled portrait of a young female model, most likely h...

Category

1930s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Lawrence KelseyOil Painting, Lawrence Kelsey, Central Park, Spring Afternoon, 2009

$3,500

H 19.5 in W 13.5 in

Oil Painting, Lawrence Kelsey, Central Park, Spring Afternoon

By Lawrence Kelsey

Located in White Plains, NY

'Central Park, Spring Afternoon' 2009 by American artist, Lawrence Kelsey. Oil on panel, 19.5 x 13.5 in. / Handmade gold frame: 24 x 18 in. Depicting a view of Central Park in New Yo...

Category

Early 2000s American Realist Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Joan TidwellMid-Century Modern Man - Portrait in Oil on Canvas, 1960s

$2,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 22 in W 30 in D 0.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Man - Portrait in Oil on Canvas

Located in Soquel, CA

Subtle and moody portrait of a Pensive man by Joan Tidwell (American, 1930-2002). The sitter in the portrait is a middle-aged man looking slightly downwards, wearing a collared shirt. This piece is completed in a tan and green palette, creating a somber feeling. Of particular note are the confident, thick brushstrokes - each one is well-placed in the modernist style. Similar in some ways to Picasso's portraits. Signed "Joan Tidwell" on verso Unframed. Canvas size: 30"H x 22"W oan Gay Tidwell (American, 1930-2002) was born and raised in Hollywood, CA, where she had some success as a child actor. Later, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Washington with a Master's Degree in English Literature and Drama. Tidwell moved to the Bay...

Category

1960s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ian Francis"The Peacock & The Crane" Contemporary Gestural Abstract Expressionist Painting, 2025

$1,800

H 48 in W 60 in

"The Peacock & The Crane" Contemporary Gestural Abstract Expressionist Painting

Located in Houston, TX

Neutral toned gestural abstract painting by contemporary artist Ian Francis. The work features a variety of gestural marks accented by black and white triangular shapes set against a...

Category

2010s Abstract Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

ATHOS MENABONI"Georgia Moonshiner, c. 1935" by Athos Menaboni (1895-1990) American WPA Era Oil, Circa 1935

$3,950

H 20 in W 18 in D 2 in

"Georgia Moonshiner, c. 1935" by Athos Menaboni (1895-1990) American WPA Era Oil

Located in Yardley, PA

A fantastic WPA-era painting of a Georgia moonshiner by famed Italian-American artist Athos Menaboni (1895-1990). This work depicts an older man sporting a brown hat, brown jacket, ...

Category

1930s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Petra SchottMemories (Abstract painting), 2024

$4,455

H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 1.58 in

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...

Category

2010s Abstract Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Christina GschwantnerContemporary New Abstract Grey Dots Colors Artist Christina Gschwantner, 2025

$6,077

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...

Category

2010s Abstract Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Francis ChapinA Charming, Colorful 1930s Painting of a Young Woman Knitting by Francis Chapin, Circa 1935

$1,800

H 29 in W 25 in D 2 in

A Charming, Colorful 1930s Painting of a Young Woman Knitting by Francis Chapin

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

A charming, colorful 1930s painting of a young woman knitting by famed Chicago Modern artist, Francis Chapin. A harmonious palette of cheerful yellows, reds and blues, where a young...

Category

1930s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Francis ChapinA Fashionable 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait, "Young Woman in Yellow Sweater", Circa 1950

Sold|~~$850~~

H 15 in W 15.5 in D 1 in

A Fashionable 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait, "Young Woman in Yellow Sweater"

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

A Fashionable, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait, "Young Woman in Yellow Sweater" by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Artwork size: 11 x 11 1/4 inches (Framed...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil, Masonite

Francis ChapinAn Elegant Modernist Portrait of a Young Woman in Red Dress by Francis Chapin, Circa 1940s

$850

H 15 in W 13.5 in D 1 in

An Elegant Modernist Portrait of a Young Woman in Red Dress by Francis Chapin

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

An Elegant 1940s Modernist Portrait of a Young Woman a Red Dress by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A beautifully executed studio portrait, the painting is oil...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Clyde SingerWig City, 1969 New York City American Scene, Oil on Masonite, Signed Painting, 1969

$14,000

H 19.75 in W 15.75 in

Wig City, 1969 New York City American Scene, Oil on Masonite, Signed Painting

Located in Marco Island, FL

Wig City by Clyde Singer New York City scene of a woman stopping to look in the window of Wig City in 1969. American life is captured in this Clyde Singer painting, where he depi...

Category

1960s American Realist Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Gordon Brown"Aspen Light" Oil Painting, 2018

$3,600

H 18 in W 18 in

"Aspen Light" Oil Painting

By Gordon Brown

Located in Denver, CO

Gordon Brown's (US based) "Aspen Light" is an oil painting that depicts dense cluster of aspens turning with colorful yellow leaves whose thick canopy blo...

Category

2010s American Realist Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil

Previously Available Items

Will Barnet"Untitled (Abstract), " Will Barnet, American Modernism, 2012

Sold

H 19 in W 19 in

"Untitled (Abstract), " Will Barnet, American Modernism

By Will Barnet

Located in New York, NY

Will Barnet (1911 - 2012) Untitled (Abstract), 2012 Oil on canvas 17 3/4 x 18 inches Signed and dated on the reverse Provenance: The artist Art Students League, New York (gift from the above) Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2016 Born in 1911 in Beverly, Massachusetts, as a child Barnet enjoyed climbing the hills to watch the ships in the harbor, playing baseball, and reading at the local public library. He was excited to discover the art section. As he remembers, " I used to bury myself in those rooms day after day. It was practically my whole life. That's where my first yearning for art began." (1) At the age of 12 he established a studio in his parent's basement where he drew and painted. He made frequent trips to Boston and Salem to explore the collections of the Peabody and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Continually dissatisfied with high school, in his last year he decided to leave. In 1927 Barnet enrolled at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston where he learned drawing, painting, anatomy, and art history in the European tradition. After several years, Barnet decided to continue his study at the Art Student's League in New York, where he developed an interest in lithography, etching, and woodcutting. Between 1932 and 1942 Barnet became an avid printmaker, using the medium to capture the economic and social despair of the Depression years. He was a member of the Graphic Art Division of the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project and knew the Mexican artists José Clemente Orozco, for whom he printed lithographs, and Diego Rivera. In 1935 he married the painter and fellow student Mary Sincliar and the following year was appointed instructor of graphics at the Art Student's League. He would subsequently teach at the New School for Social Research, at New Jersey State Teachers College, and from 1945-1978 at Cooper Union in New York. Following the birth of his first son in 1938, Barnet made his wife and children his sole artistic subjects. He painted scenes of domesticity such as "Soft Boiled Eggs...

Category

2010s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Will BarnetSummer Idyll, Limited Edition Hand Signed Lithograph by Will Barnet, 1980

Sold

H 42 in W 50 in D 2 in

Summer Idyll, Limited Edition Hand Signed Lithograph by Will Barnet

By Will Barnet

Located in Buffalo, NY

Vintage American modernist lithograph titled, "Summer Idyll" by Will Barnet. Hand signed and numbered, circa 1980. Displayed in a period modernist frame. Image, 38"L x 30"H, overa...

Category

1980s Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

Will BarnetAhab, 1961

Sold

H 78 in W 20 in

Ahab

By Will Barnet

Located in Buffalo, NY

A major original oil on canvas painting by American modernist Will Barnet.

Category

1960s American Modern Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Wood

Will BarnetFebruary, Emily Dickinson, 1980

Sold

H 35 in W 20 in

February, Emily Dickinson

By Will Barnet

Located in Buffalo, NY

A modern realist painting by American artist Will Barnet from the artist series of works created to accompany the poetry of Emily Dickinson. rom Bever...

Category

1980s American Realist Will Barnet Paintings

Materials

Oil, Archival Paper

Will Barnet paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Will Barnet paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Will Barnet in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Will Barnet paintings, so small editions measuring 15 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Arthur Beecher Carles, Stanley Twardowicz, and Herbert Kornfeld. Will Barnet paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $8,500 and tops out at $85,000, while the average work can sell for $39,000.