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.
Willem De Kooning "High School Desk" Lithograph, Signed, Numbered, Framed, 1970
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Kansas City, MO
Willem De Kooning (Dutch-American, 1904-1997) High school desk, 1970 Viscosity acid edged Lithograph print on Italia paper. Signed, dated and numbered. 26 of an edition of 57. P...
Gold Leaf
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.13 in W 33.63 in D 1.13 in
Framed Lithograph Landscape with View of the Lake and Boats Signed
By Henri Martin
Located in Miami, FL
A very colorful lithograph professionally framed, signed. This interesting work of art is attributed to Bernard Gatner. Will enhance any space. Measures: 26 1/8" H x 33 5/8" W x 1...
Paper
$3,000
H 31 in W 23.5 in D 1.13 in
Christo, Texas Mastra Project for 500, 000 Stacked Oil Drums, Signed Lithograph
By Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Located in St. Louis, MO
Christo (1935-2020) Bulgarian. The TEXAS MASTABA, PROJECT FOR 500,000 STACKED OIL DRUMS (S. 85), 1976, color lithograph & screenprint collage on 1/8” brown board, signed and numbered...
Acrylic, Paper
$1,245
H 25.5 in W 23 in D 1.5 in
Alberto Giacometti Framed Black and White Limited Lithograph "Annette", 1964
By Alberto Giacometti
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful sketched lithograph by famed Swiss artists/sculptor Alberto Giacometti. The lithograph was printed in Paris by Mourlot Freres in 1964 and was issued in an edition of ...
Paper
Cy Twombly Framed Abstract Gaeta Lithographs Group of 8
By Cy Twombly
Located in Atlanta, GA
Group of Eight Abstract Photolithographs on Vellum by Cy Twombly, from the limited edition "Gaeta" portfolio produced by Hine Editions, San Francisco, CA, circa 1987. They have been ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Custom Framed Lithograph by Marcel Vertes, Signed and Numbered
By Marcel Vertès
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a beautiful custom-framed lithograph by Hungarian-born French artist, Marcel Vertes, entitled "Circus Queens". The piece is signed, Vertes, in the lower right corner and numbered, "30/50" in the lower left corner. The image itself measures 23" high x 16" wide. The frame is a 2" thick 2 toned framed, black and a subtle cerused-like grey. It was originally sold through the Vincent Price...
Wood
Arnold Mesches Signed Chair Series Large Color Lithograph, 1969
Located in Studio City, CA
A very engaging and somewhat scarce work by the Bronx, NY-born controversial American artist Arnold Meches. This piece is one of his from his most recognizable works the chair series that he did in the 1950s/60s and perhaps a bit of a precursor to Andy Warhol's 1967 "Electric Chair" image albeit somewhat less provocative. Signed and dated (1969) in pencil by the artist in the lower right margin. Arnold Mesches...
Paper
Signed Limited Edition Lithograph Watercolor by Prince Charles
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A mint-condition lithograph (#70 of 200) by HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, titled "View of the Bay of Hong Kong from HMY Britannia". Painted as a watercolor, it is a scene of the Ro...
Paper
Robert Chapman Abstract Oil Painting, Willem de Kooning Assistant
Located in Stamford, CT
Abstract oil on board painting by Robert Chapman. In the artist's hand made frame. As the assistant to Willem de Kooning for the last decade of de Koon...
Canvas
$3,900
H 38.5 in W 50 in D 1.25 in
LeRoy Neiman Signed Lithograph "Prostituee Francaise" La Nuit De Paris
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Tustin, CA
"Prostituee Francaise" is a hand signed, limited edition original lithograph by noted, deceased American artist, LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012). One of a limited edition of only 300, created in 1980, "Prostituee Francaise" (also known as "La Nuit De Paris") displays Neiman's renowned masterful technique and detail in 10 sexy vignettes depicting seduction in the night in Paris...
Paper
$495
H 20.6 in W 16.75 in D 0.5 in
Richard Florsheim Signed Limited Edition Cityscape Lithograph Blast Furnaces
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and alluring, dark, rich black and white lithograph by Chicago-born American painter and artist Richard Florsheim. The work, titled "Blast Furnaces...
Paper
Vintage Framed Swedish Lithograph by Bengt Lindstrom
Located in Atlanta, GA
Description: Bengt Karl Erik Lindström (September 3, 1925, Berg Municipality — January 29, 2008) was a Swedish artist. Lindström was one of Sweden's bes...
Paper
Victor Vasarely Signed and Numbered Silk Screen Lithograph
By Victor Vasarely
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful silk screen litho is signed and numbered 209 of 250. Frame is original to period. Psychedelic patterns that emerge from early computational experiments parallel Optica...
Glass, Paper
Sold
H 28 in W 24.5 in D 1.5 in
Willem De Kooning Complete Set of 17 Lithographs Each Signed and Numbered 1988
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seventeen Lithographs for Frank O'Hara, New York, Limited Editions Club, 1988 the complete set of 17 signed and numbered lithographs in colors by Willem De Kooning, title page, and justification, on Chine appliqué, numbered 51 of 60 (there were also 12 with opposite facing text, and 550 bound copies with the lithographs appliquéd to the text pages), all with full margins and beautifully framed. Comes with original black cloth-covered portfolio with black leather label and gilt stamped title (very minor wear) and original purchase paperwork from Baby Jane...
Wood, Paper
Willem de Kooning Lithograph "Woman on Clearwater Beach"
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Dallas, TX
Willem de Kooning "Woman on Clearwater Beach" lithograph, 1970. Signed and dated lower right and numbered lower left with J. Green blind stamp lower ...
Sold
H 31.88 in W 43.38 in D 1.5 in
Untitled Silkscreen by Abstract Expressionist Artist Willem de Kooning
By Willem de Kooning
Located in Stamford, CT
Untitled silkscreen by Dutch American abstract expressionist artist Willem de Kooning (1904-1997). Signed and numbered 42/75.