As the de facto leader of the New York avant-garde art movement of the 1950s known as Abstract Expressionism, Dutch-American painter Willem de Kooning blended figuration and abstraction in a revolutionary manner that has resonated for decades. His best-known paintings, which were most often of women but gesturally abstract, were unique and incredibly influential at the time. Today, de Kooning is widely considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
De Kooning trained in fine and commercial arts at the Rotterdam Academy in his hometown of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before immigrating to the United States in 1926. His first job in America was as a house painter in New Jersey, and the period left an indelible impression on him as he brought large brushes, loose strokes and fluid paints into his work as an artist. He also worked on public murals under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) program in the 1930s. De Kooning’s studies weren’t executed but they included some of his first abstractions, which showed the influence of like-minded artists as well as the music of the Jazz Age. His broad foundation in classical drawing and physical labor are evident even in the most abstract of his works, which amounted to a fusion of Cubism, Expressionism and Surrealism.
It was in New York that de Kooning found the space and an abundance of inspiration to pursue art full time. Surrounded by prominent artists like Jackson Pollock, Arshile Gorky, Lee Krasner and Fernand Léger, de Kooning drew from the freedom and boldness with which they all approached their work. In 1943, he married Elaine de Kooning, a versatile and immensely talented New York painter with a significant role in the Abstract Expressionist movement.
A major motif in de Kooning’s work is the deconstructed female form. A collection of paintings demonstrative of this is now known as his “Woman” series of the early 1950s, which remains controversial more than half a century later. Drawing inspiration from photography in magazines and using vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes to unforgettable effect, de Kooning depicted his subjects as grotesque, sexualized and loosely abstracted forms, which many critics deemed angry and misogynistic. But it is this very fearlessness in visual and conceptual experimentation that made de Kooning a crucial figure of Abstract Expressionism.
Today, de Kooning’s work is among the most coveted art in the world. His Interchange (1955), with its bold lines and shapes executed in primary colors, is one of the most expensive paintings ever sold.
Find a collection of Willem de Kooning art on 1stDibs.
Untitled (Two Figures)
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this scarce offset lithograph on cream wove paper. Artist's proof, aside from the edition of 100. Signed in ink, lower right, and inscribed "A/P" in pencil,...
Lithograph, Offset
Willem de Kooning rare 1970s Abstract Expressionist print Signed/N small edition
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
Willem de Kooning Annual Spring Invitational Art Exhibition (limited edition, hand signed & numbered by Willem de Kooning), 1979 Offset lithograph (hand signed and numbered) Sign...
Lithograph, Offset
The Preacher
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this scarce lithograph on Arches buff paper. Signed, dated and numbered 17/60 in pencil by de Kooning. Printed by Hollander's Workshop, Inc., New York. Co-p...
Lithograph
In the Sky, Abstract Expressionist Offset Lithograph Poster by Willem de Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Long Island City, NY
Willem de Kooning, Dutch/American (1904 - 1997) - In the Sky, Year: 1982, Medium: Offset Lithograph Poster, Size: 26 in. x 30.5 in. (66.04 cm x 77.47 cm), Frame Size: 27.5 x 30...
Lithograph
$6,000
"The Devil at the Keyboard" 1976 hand-signed lithograph by Willem de Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"The Devil at the Keyboard" 1976 color lithograph artist proof. Abstract portrait of Thelonious Monk by Willem de Kooning. Hand signed de Kooning and numbered A/P in front lower righ...
Lithograph
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Composition for Lisa, Willem de Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) Title: Composition for Lisa Year: 1984 Medium: Color silkscreen on wove paper Edition: 250, plus proofs Size: 17.75 x 23.25 inches Condition: Ex...
Lithograph
Willem de Kooning - Rainbow: Thelonious Monk, Devil at the Keyboard poster print
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
ORIGINAL Six color lithograph on thin velin paper Limited edition of 800 (unnumbered) Publisher: Shorewood Publishing, NY for the Rainbow Foundation Original 1972 lithograph; not a l...
Lithograph, Offset
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Rainbow: Thelonious Monk, Devil at the Keyboard, Willem de Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) Title: Rainbow: Thelonious Monk, Devil at the Keyboard Year: 1976 Medium: Color lithograph on cream wove Beckett paper Edition: 125, plus proofs...
Lithograph
Valentine
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
Lithograph on Suzuki paper. Signed, dated and numbered 38/47 in pencil by de Kooning. Printed by Hollanders Workshop, New York. Published by Knoedler, New York.
Lithograph
For Lisa Color Lithograph, Expressionist Style, Signed, 1984 Edition
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Fairlawn, OH
For Lisa Color lithograph, 1984 Signed in pencil lower left (see photo) Numbered lower right corner Published to benefit the Los Angeles Children's Museum Printed by Brand X Editions...
Lithograph
For Lisa
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color lithograph on cream laid Japan paper. Signed and numbered 48/250 in pencil by de Kooning. Published by Brand X Editions, Ltd., New York, with the...
Color, Lithograph
Clam Digger
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
Lithograph on Arches. This impression is an Artist's proof, aside from the edition of 100. Signed and inscribed "A.P." in pencil by de Kooning. Printed and published by Hollander's W...
Lithograph
Rainbow: Thelonious Monk, Devil at the Keyboard, Lithograph by Willem De Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Willem de Kooning, Dutch/American (1904 - 1997) Title: Rainbow - Thelonious Monk - Devil at the Keyboard Year: 1972 Medium: Six Color Lithograph on Thin Velin, printed signat...
Lithograph
Untitled (Litho #7)
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this scarce and early lithograph on Arches. Edition of 50. Printed at Hollander's Workshop, Inc., New York, with the blind stamp lower right. Provenance: ...
Lithograph
Landscape at Stanton Street
By Willem de Kooning
Located in London, GB
Lithograph, 1971, on paper, signed and dated in pencil, numbered from the edition of 60, published by Hollanders Workshop and Fourcade, New York, 75.7 x 56 cm. (30 x 2 2in.)
Lithograph
Clam Digger
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
Clam Digger, 1967 Signed and numbered in pencil Lithograph Image size: 12 in x 15.9 inches Sheet: 17.5 x 22.5 inches Edition XIII of XX
Lithograph
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 49 in W 32 in
Frankenthaler, Mary Mary 1991, New York City, Lincoln Center
By Helen Frankenthaler
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: After Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) Title: Mary Mary (Lincoln Center Honorary) Year: 1991 Medium: Offset lithograph poster on extra thick Somerset paper Edition: 2000 Size...
Lithograph, Offset
$300
H 39.5 in W 27.5 in
Art 1981 Chicago Poster /// Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Modern Art
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Robert Motherwell (American, 1915-1992) Title: "Art 1981 Chicago" *Issued unsigned, though signed and dated by Motherwell in the plate (printed signature) upper right Year: 1981 Medium: Original Lithograph, Exhibition Poster on Dove paper Limited edition: 2,000. (There was also a signed and numbered edition of 150 on Arches Cover paper without margins or text) Printer: Roger Campbell and Lee Funderburg of Tyler Graphics Ltd., Mount Kisco, NY Publisher: Lakeside Group, Chicago, IL Sheet size: 39.5" x 27.5" Reference: "The Prints of Robert Motherwell - A Catalogue Raisonné 1943-1984" - Belknap No. 249, page 247; "Robert Motherwell - The Complete Prints 1940-1991" - Engberg No. 282; "Tyler Graphics - Catalogue Raisonné, 1974-1985" - Tyler No. 410:RM29, page 246 Condition: Never framed, has been professionally stored away for decades. Some minor edge wear. In excellent condition Notes: Printed in four colors: light tan, orange, deep red, and black. Poster produced for a special exhibition of various artists' work at the Chicago International Art Exposition, Chicago, IL from May 14-19, 1981. The image featured on this poster is Motherwell's 1977 collage "Untitled". This poster was the official poster for the 1981 Chicago International Art Exposition. Printer's imprint and artist's copyright lower center. GIA Gallery Poster Disclaimer: Not to be confused with thousands of contemporary inkjet/giclée/digital reproductions ignorantly or deliberately passed off as originals on the market today. The examples we offer here are the original period vintage (exhibition) posters, created and designed by, or under the supervision and authorization of the artist or their respective estate (posthumously), for various exhibitions and events in which they participated. If applicable, this poster is also fully documented within its respective artists' official catalogue raisonné of authentic graphic works, prints, and or posters. Biography: Robert Motherwell was born January 24, 1915, in Aberdeen, Washington. He was awarded a fellowship to the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles at age 11, and in 1932 studied painting briefly at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Motherwell received a B.A. from Stanford University in 1937 and enrolled for graduate work later that year in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He traveled to Europe in 1938 for a year of study abroad. His first solo show was presented at the Raymond Duncan...
Lithograph
UNTITLED (From the ARTSOUNDS Collection)
Located in New York, NY
BURTON VAN DEUSEN Untitled (from the Artsounds Collection), 1986 color offset print, ed. 200 12 x 12 cm. 30.5 x 30.5 cm. Edition 49/100 signed and numbered in pencil by the artist...
Offset
$1,409
H 23.04 in W 18.71 in D 0.04 in
André Lanskoy - Composition - Mourlot Lithographic Poster
By André Lanskoy
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
André LANSKOY (1902-1976) Composition Lithographic poster Editor: Mourlot Dimensions: 58.5 x 47.5 cm André Lanskoy was one of the great painters o...
Lithograph
Henri Michaux - Beach - Original Lithograph
By Henri Michaux
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Henri Michaux - Beach - Original Lithograph 1956 Dimensions: 32 x 25 cm Edition: G. di San Lazzaro. From the art review XXème siècle Unsigned and unumbered as issued
Lithograph
$2,813
H 30 in W 43.25 in D 1 in
Signed Crane Renverse, Signed Lithograph, Edition of 75, 1986, 30x43 in. Framed
By Antoni Tàpies
Located in Aventura, FL
Lithograph on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. . Artwork size 12.5 x 26 in. Frame size approx. 30 x 43.75 in. Certificate of authenticity included. Edition of 75. Artwo...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
67.3 x 88.9 cms (26.5 x 35 ins) Edition of 50 Signed lower right, numbered lower left. Published by Nantenshi Gallery, Tokyo. Printed by Harumi Sonoyama at Gendai hanga Kobo Co...
Color, Lithograph
$293
H 20.48 in W 14.57 in D 0.04 in
Untitled - Offset and Lithograph after Willem De Kooning - 1985
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is an offset and lithograph print realized on Fabriano Paper after a drawing by Willem De Kooning of 1980. The print suite was realized in 1985 in a limited edition of 2500...
Lithograph, Offset
André Masson - Original Lithograph
By André Masson
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
André Masson - Composition Original Lithograph 1969 Dimensions: 32 x 25 cm Revue XXe Siècle Cahiers d'art published under the direction of G. di San Laz...
Lithograph
$3,400
H 33 in W 25 in D 1 in
Original Lithograph PENCIL SIGNED Ed. 30/150 Affiche avant la lettre LAS MUJERAS
By Rufino Tamayo
Located in New York, NY
Here we have an Original Pencil Signed and Numbered Lithograph by Rufino Tamayo, famous Mexican American Artist…. known for abstract Figurative Expressionist images There was only a...
Lithograph
Dusk in August
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) Dusk in August (1967) Lithograph with embossing Size: 17 x 22.25 in (43 x 56.4 cm) Frame size: 21.75 x 26.75 in (55.25 x 67.95 cm) Edition of 100, this i...
Lithograph
$305
H 14.57 in W 20.48 in D 0.04 in
Untitled - Offset and Lithograph after Willem De Kooning - 1985
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Roma, IT
Untitled is an offset and lithograph print realized on Fabriano Paper after a drawing by Willem De Kooning of 1958. Signed o the plate on the lower. The print suite was realized i...
Lithograph, Offset
Sold
H 28 in W 24 in
Untitled from Quatre Lithographies, Signed Lithograph by Willem de Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Long Island City, NY
Colorful hand-signed and numbered lithograph by Dutch-American Abstract Expressionist artist Willem De Kooning. From a series of four lithographs printed in colors in 1986 by Art Es...
Paper, Lithograph
Sold
H 41 in W 29.5 in
Willem de Kooning - Lithograph for Spoleto Festival, Hand Signed/N, unframed
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous, large vintage lithographic print, is a rare hand signed and numbered print from the limited edition of 150, the present work numbered 61/150. (There was, separately, a...
Lithograph
Sold
H 35 in W 25 in D 1.5 in
Rare exhibition print (Hand Signed by Willem de Kooning), fine provenance Framed
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
Willem de Kooning de Kooning in East Hampton (Hand Signed), from Estate of Alan York, 1978 Offset lithograph poster (Hand signed by de Kooning) Boldly signed in green marker on the f...
Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset
Untitled
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) was one of the torchbearers of post-war American abstraction and one of the most important artists of the 20th century. With a career spanning nearly ...
Paper, Screen
Untitled
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this extremely scarce color screenprint on Arches. Signed and numbered 22/25 in pencil by de Kooning. Printed by Ives-Sillman, New Haven, with the blind sta...
Color, Screen
Figures in Landscape #6
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color offset lithograph on white wove paper. Signed, dated and numbered 59/100 in pencil. Published by the Institute of Contemporary Art, University of...
Color, Lithograph, Offset
The Man and the Big Blonde
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) was one of the torchbearers of post-war American abstraction and one of the most important artists of the 20th century. With a career spanning nearly ...
Lithograph, Offset
Sold
H 42 in W 36 in
"Figures in a Landscape VI" USA, 1980, Lithograph, Signed and dated by artist
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Willem De Kooning (1904-1997) was, alongside Jackson Pollock, the torchbearer of postwar American abstraction and one of the most important artists of the 20th century. With a career spanning nearly seven decades, De Kooning's oeuvre is marked by extensive exploration and experimentation, and his signature palette. Unlike his contemporaries, such as Pollock or Robert Motherwell who were focused on non-representational art, De Kooning's compositions weren't explicitly or exclusively abstract. The female figure was a frequent departure point for De Kooning, who used dense, haptic applications of paint and frenetic brushstrokes to fragment, and depict their form. "Figures in a Landscape VI...
Lithograph
The Devil at the Keyboard
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this scarce color lithograph on cream wove Beckett paper. The deluxe edition of 75, before letters. Signed and numbered 11/75 in pencil. Published by the Rainbow Art...
Color, Lithograph
Untitled (Litho #4)
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good, richly-inked impression of this scarce, early lithograph on Arches. Edition of 50. Printed at Hollander's Workshop, Inc., New York, with ...
Lithograph
Untitled (Beach)
By Willem de Kooning
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this scarce color screenprint on Arches with strong colors. Signed and numbered 9/75 in pencil. Printed by Ives-Sillman, New Haven, with the blind stamp low...
Color, Screen
Sold
H 32 in W 37 in D 1 in
Willem de Kooning 'The Man and the Big Blond' Limited Edition Abstract Print
By Willem de Kooning
Located in San Rafael, CA
Willem de Kooning (Dutch/American, 1904-1997) 'The Man and the Big Blond', 1982 Color lithograph on paper Number 88 from the edition of 150 (plus 15 artist's proofs) Signed in plat...
Lithograph