William Sommer Art

American, 1867-1949

William Sommer is seen as a key person in bringing European modernism to Northeast Ohio. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and in his youth apprenticed for seven years to a lithographer. He briefly studied at an art academy in Germany and then worked as a lithographer in New York before moving to Cleveland, where he was awarded a major contract with the Otis Lithography Company. There he became friends with sculptor and painter William Zorach, and the two, determined to be fine artists, began painting together on weekends. They also became intrigued by avant-garde movements, especially after Zorach's trip to Paris in 1910. In 1911, Sommer co-founded a group in Cleveland called the Kokoon Club, a mixed group of commercial artists and radical modernists who sought the freedom to pursue their independent tendencies. They converted a tailor's shop into a studio and held exhibitions and lectures and organized an annual masked ball that became the focus of Cleveland's bohemian life. In 1913, he and his colleagues began painting at Brandywine, about 30 miles south of Cleveland and made a school house into a studio. They devoted increasing time to watercolor painting because they could work spontaneously and it would dry quickly. Rejecting the conventional ideas of beauty, they strove for the expression of emotion and spontaneity and fantasy. One of Sommer's most successful students was Charles Burchfield. As he was perfecting his mature style, he had financial difficulties because he made his living from commercial lithography, which was becoming obsolete, and the Depression was hitting the nation causing him to lose his job. He became a WPA artist, doing murals in northeastern Ohio. After his death at age 82, he was largely forgotten until 1980 when Hilton Kramer, a "New York Times" critic, praised his work. In May to July, 1994, the Ohio Arts Council held a retrospective of his work at the Riffe Gallery in Columbus. His work is found in many public collections including the National Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Artist: William Sommer

William SommerStill Life with Tromp L'Oeil, c. 1924

$3,000

Still Life with Tromp L'Oeil

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Still Life with Tromp L'Oeil Graphite and watercolor on a book page. Signed in ink by the artist lower right corner (see photo) Provenance: Estate of the artist (Estate No. 00916 verso) Ray Sommer (the artist's son) Joseph M. Erdelac (No. 18 JME verso) Book page verso is an illustration of a Durer woodcut...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William SommerWire Haired Girl and Cat, c. 1930

$1,500

Wire Haired Girl and Cat

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Wire Haired Girl and Cat Pen and ink with watercolor, c. 1930 Signed with the Estate stamp "B" Provenance: Estate of the Artist By descent to his son Edward ...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William SommerWire Haired Girl and Cat, c. 1930

$1,500

Wire Haired Girl and Cat

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Wire Haired Girl and Cat Pen and ink with watercolor, c. 1930 Signed with the Estate stamp "B" Provenance: Estate of the Artist By descent to his son Edward ...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William SommerSeated Nude Leaning on her arm, facing right, c. 1920

$1,750

Seated Nude Leaning on her arm, facing right

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Seated Nude Leaning on her arm, facing right Pen and ink, c. 1920 Signed lower right with estate stamp: Wm Sommer Created at a live model session at the Kakoon Arts Klub, Cleveland C...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Ink

William SommerHead of a Young Woman with Blond Hair, c. 1930

$4,500

Head of a Young Woman with Blond Hair

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Head of a Young Woman with Blond Hair Watercolor on paper mounted on rag paper support, c. 1930 Signed with the Estate Stamp B Provenance: Estate of the Artist ...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William Sommeruntitled (Still Life with Apples and Vase of Flowers)

$550

untitled (Still Life with Apples and Vase of Flowers)

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

[recto];untitled (Sketches for Still Unsigned 9 1/2 x 12 inches (24.2 x 30.6 cm.)

Category

20th Century William Sommer Art

Materials

Graphite

William SommerNude Woman in Chair Watercolor, American Modern, Circa 1930, Framed, 1930-35

$5,000

Nude Woman in Chair Watercolor, American Modern, Circa 1930, Framed

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Nude Woman in Chair Watercolor, gouache, ink, and pencil on heavy paper, c. 1930-35 Signed with the artist's Estate stamp lower right (see photo) Note: "Matchstick" ink drawing of fe...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William SommerStanding Female Nude

$2,750

Standing Female Nude

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Standing Female Nude Match stick and ink drawing, c. 1925 Signed with the estate stamp B Sheet size: 21 x 16 inches Created at the Kakoon Arts Klu...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Ink

William SommerNude, arms raised, c. 1925

$3,500

Nude, arms raised

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Nude Matchstick and ink drawing heightened with conte crayon c. 1925 Signed with the Estate Stamp "B" Provenance: Joseph A. Erdelac (1914 -2005), Cleveland Acqu...

Category

1920s Art Deco William Sommer Art

Materials

Ink

William SommerGirl in Profile, c. 1930

$4,500

Girl in Profile

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Girl in Profile Lithographic crayon and watercolor on thin wove paper, c. 1930 Signed twice in pencil (see photos) Provenance: Estate of the Artist Edward Somme...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William SommerDeco Woman, c. 1918-20

$1,800

Deco Woman

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Deco Woman Crayon on paper, c. 1920 Signed in ink lower left: "Wm. Sommer" (see photo) Provenance: Estate of the artist Edwin Sommer (the artist’s son) Jose...

Category

1910s Art Deco William Sommer Art

Materials

Crayon

William SommerFemale Nude Study

$2,000

Female Nude Study

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Female Nude Study Graphite and crayon on wove paper, c. 1928 Signed with the Estate stamp "B" (see photo) Provenance: Estate of the Artist Edward Sommer (his so...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Crayon

William SommerFemale Nude in Profile, Ink on Paper, American Modern, Circa 1925, c. 1925-28

$10,000

Female Nude in Profile, Ink on Paper, American Modern, Circa 1925

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Woman Pen and ink on paper, c. 1925-1928 Signed in pencil lower left Exhibited: Akron Art Institute (Akron Art Museum), William Sommer Retrospective, Oct. 25 to Nov. 29, 1 970 Illu...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Ink

William SommerStanding Nude with Japanese Lanterns, c. 1916

$2,750

Standing Nude with Japanese Lanterns

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Standing Nude with Japanese Lanterns Ink drawing on wove paper, mounted on wove paper support, c. 1916 Signed with the estate stamp B Provenance: Estate of the Artist ...

Category

1910s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Ink

A.J. FriesGun from Clue, 2016

$1,200

H 11 in W 14 in

Gun from Clue

By A.J. Fries

Located in Buffalo, NY

An original mixed media drawing by American artist A.J. Fries.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist William Sommer Art

Materials

Gouache, Graphite, Paper

Harold HaydonA Striking Mid-Century Modern 1940s Figure Study of a Reclining Female Nude, circa 1945

$185

H 24 in W 18 in D 0.13 in

A Striking Mid-Century Modern 1940s Figure Study of a Reclining Female Nude

By Harold Haydon

Located in Chicago, IL

A Striking, 1940s Mid-Century Modern Studio Figure Study of a Reclining Female Nude by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). A well executed Modernist figure study ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Francis ChapinA Fine, Expressive 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Seated Male Nude Model, circa 1930

$285

H 22 in W 16 in D 0.13 in

A Fine, Expressive 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Seated Male Nude Model

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

A Fine, Expressive 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Seated Male Nude Model by Famed Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A wonderful, early example of Chapin's figu...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Chapel and houses along a lake, New England Landscape - American School, 19th C, 1905

$250

H 10 in W 8 in

Chapel and houses along a lake, New England Landscape - American School, 19th C

Located in Middletown, NY

Watercolor and pencil on buff wove watercolor paper, 10 x 8 inches (255 x 203 mm). In good condition with overall minor toning. Some watercolor paint splatters on the verso, contem...

Category

Early 1900s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Harold HaydonA Boldly Drawn 1930s Art Deco Modern Figure Study, Reclining Male Nude Model, Circa 1930

$185

H 24 in W 18 in D 0.13 in

A Boldly Drawn 1930s Art Deco Modern Figure Study, Reclining Male Nude Model

By Harold Haydon

Located in Chicago, IL

A Boldly Drawn 1930s Art Deco Modern Figure Study of a Reclining Male Nude Model by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). An early ink drawing by Haydon demonstrat...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Francis ChapinA Fine, Stylish 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Standing Male Nude Model, circa 1930

$245

H 16 in W 12 in D 0.13 in

A Fine, Stylish 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Standing Male Nude Model

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

A Fine, Stylish 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Standing Male Nude Model by Famed Chicago Artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A wonderful, early example of Chapin's figura...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Francis ChapinA Fine, Stylish 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Standing Male Nude Model, circa 1930

$245

H 16 in W 12 in D 0.13 in

A Fine, Stylish 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Standing Male Nude Model

By Francis Chapin

Located in Chicago, IL

A Fine, Stylish 1930s Modern Figure Study Drawing of a Standing Male Nude Model (Back) by Famed Chicago Artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A wonderful, early example of Chapin's...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Louise Nevelson“Reclining Nude, c. 1930” American Modernist Female Drawing Lady African Mask, Circa 1930

$5,200

H 24.5 in W 33.5 in D 1.25 in

“Reclining Nude, c. 1930” American Modernist Female Drawing Lady African Mask

By Louise Nevelson

Located in Yardley, PA

“Reclining Nude, c. 1930” by Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) This wonderful original ink drawing highlights Nevelson’s interest in the early 20th century avant-garde. Inspired by Picass...

Category

Early 20th Century American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Pencil, Graphite

Harold HaydonAn Alluring 1950s, Mid-Century Modern Figure Study of a Young Female Nude Model, 1951

$172Sale Price|35% Off

H 16 in W 12 in D 0.13 in

An Alluring 1950s, Mid-Century Modern Figure Study of a Young Female Nude Model

By Harold Haydon

Located in Chicago, IL

An Alluring, Finely Drawn 1950s Mid-Century Modern Female Nude Figure Study by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Ink on paper, dating from 1951. Artwork size: ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Max Arthur CohnNYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century, c. 1930

$5,500

H 19 in W 25 in

NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century

By Max Arthur Cohn

Located in New York, NY

NYC Cityscape American Scene Social Realism Mid-Century Max Arthur Cohn (1903-1998) New York City Skyline 14 x 21 1/2 inches Watercolor on paper, c. 1...

Category

1930s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

George AdomeitBeachside Village, Maine, 20th century landscape watercolor, Cleveland School

$4,750

H 17.75 in W 21.75 in

Beachside Village, Maine, 20th century landscape watercolor, Cleveland School

By George Adomeit

Located in Beachwood, OH

George Gustav Adomeit (American, 1879-1967) Beachside Village, Maine Watercolor on paper Signed lower right 10 x 14 inches 17.75 x 21.75 inches, framed A major painter of American ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

Harold HaydonA Striking 1950s Mid-Century Modern Ink Drawing of a Standing Female Nude, 1950

$165

H 10 in W 8 in D 0.13 in

A Striking 1950s Mid-Century Modern Ink Drawing of a Standing Female Nude

By Harold Haydon

Located in Chicago, IL

A Striking 1950s Mid-Century Modern Ink Drawing of a Standing Female Nude by Noted Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Exhibiting a spare and exceptional use of brushwork...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Paper, Ink

Previously Available Items

William SommerFlapper in a Black Hat, c. 1925

Sold

H 10.75 in W 15.5 in

Flapper in a Black Hat

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Flapper in a Black Hat Ink and watercolor on paper, mounted to support paper, c. 1915 Signed with the artist's Estate Stamp B lower right (see photo) Condition: colors very fresh and...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Watercolor

William SommerHead of a Man (recto) Sketch of a Man's Head (verso), c. 1920

Sold

H 21 in W 13 in

Head of a Man (recto) Sketch of a Man's Head (verso)

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Head of a Man (recto) Sketch of a Man's Head (verso) Ink and black conte crayon, c. 1920 Signed with Estate Stamp "B" lower right Professionally repaired voids along top edge, all fo...

Category

1920s American Modern William Sommer Art

Materials

Chalk

William SommerSelf Portrait, 1930's

Sold

H 11 in W 11 in

Self Portrait

By William Sommer

Located in Greenwich, CT

Cubist infleunced self-portrait of William Sommer . Great execution and economy of means , proof of the artist's talent. As one of the first artists in Ohio to embrace early mo...

Category

1930s Cubist William Sommer Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

William SommerUntitled (Sailor, boats, dock, and waves), c. 1918-1924

Sold

H 11 in W 15 in

Untitled (Sailor, boats, dock, and waves)

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Signed with estate stamp B

Category

1920s William Sommer Art

Materials

Chalk, Graphite

William SommerStill Life (with pipe, apple, sugar bowl and cup and saucer), c. 1924

Sold

H 9 in W 12 in

Still Life (with pipe, apple, sugar bowl and cup and saucer)

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Signed with estate stamp C Provenance: Joseph M. Erdelac, Cleveland, Inv. # M.J.M.E. 29

Category

1920s William Sommer Art

Materials

Graphite, Watercolor

William SommerDancing Nudes, c. 1917

Sold

H 11 in W 16 in

Dancing Nudes

By William Sommer

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Signed with Estate Stamp B

Category

1910s William Sommer Art

William Sommer art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic William Sommer art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by William Sommer in paint, watercolor, ink 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 William Sommer art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Virginia Dehn, Leon Kelly, and Jan Matulka. William Sommer art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $550 and tops out at $10,000, while the average work can sell for $2,750.