Born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1927, Wolf Kahn fled Nazi Germany to Britain through the Kindertransport in the late 1930s. He eventually settled in the United States, where he completed high school and enrolled in the Navy. Following his service, he studied with the legendary teacher and Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann, eventually becoming his studio assistant.
In 1950, Kahn enrolled at the University of Chicago and completed his bachelor of arts degree within one year. He had his first solo exhibition at Hansa Gallery in New York City in 1953 and went on to be represented by Grace Borgenicht Gallery, where he exhibited regularly until 1995.
Kahn was the recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, the Award in Art from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Medal of Arts from the State Department. He married the artist Emily Mason in 1957. Their marriage lasted sixty-two years until Emily’s death in December 2019, just a few months before Kahn's passing. The pair lived and worked between New York City and W. Brattleboro, Vermont.
Kahn’s work has been exhibited at galleries and museums throughout North America. His work is held in important museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA; and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
Find authentic Wolf Kahn paintings and prints on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Miles McEnery Gallery)
$8,800
Wolf Kahn - Ocean Cove, unique signed pastel on paper landscape painting, Framed
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Ocean Cove, 1996 Pastel on paper painting Hand signed and dated by Wolf Kahn on the lower right Frame included: elegantly matted and framed in a museum quality hand made wo...
Oil Pastel, Pastel
"Summer Studio" Wolf Kahn, Vermont Landscape, Abstract Impressionist, Pastels
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Summer Studio, 2012 Signed lower center Pastel on paper 9 x 11 1/2 inches An important member of the second generation New York School, Wolf ...
Paper, Pastel
$9,500Sale Price|26% Off
"Four Winds" Blue House with White Roof in Yellow Field Abstract Landscape
By Wolf Kahn
Located in Houston, TX
Abstract drawing of a blue house in a yellow field by German-American painter, Wolf Kahn. Signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner. Framed and matted in a silver wood...
Paper, Pastel
$185,000
Corps de Ballet
By Wolf Kahn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed, original, 1994, oil–on-canvas painting, Corps de Ballet by significant American artist, Wolf Kahn (b. 1927). Winner: Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships. Award in Art from...
Canvas, Oil
$985
H 29.5 in W 37 in D 2 in
Vintage Southwest Adobe Landscape Original Pastel Painting c.1985
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Southwest Adobe Landscape Original Pastel Painting c.1985 Outstanding late 20th century pastel painting by mystery artist. The painting is s...
Pastel
$2,460
H 23.63 in W 20.87 in
Surreal Landscape - Mid 20th Century English Surrealist Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
A beautiful 1960's English oil on canvas depicting a surrealist landscape with rainbow and gilt framed painting on a wall. A stunning and unusual painting presented in a bespoke gilt...
Canvas, Oil
"Sea"
By Evgeny Chernyakovsky
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Sea" 30.0 X 40.0 CM / 11.8 X 15.7 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on panel Signed on the front and back Dated 2022 Good condition...
Canvas, Oil
$480Sale Price|54% Off
H 29.5 in W 21.25 in
Park XV & XVI - SET (Berlin artist, Postwar, Contemporary, ~54% OFF - MUST GO)
By Barbara Keidel
Located in Kansas City, MO
Barbara Keidel Park XV & XVI - SET Mixed media, pastel on handmade, toned laid paper 1997 Size: 29.5 × 21.25 inches (75 × 54 cm) (each) Signed and dated in pencil (each) Addition...
Pastel, Mixed Media, Laid Paper
"Shimmering water"
By Evgeny Chernyakovsky
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Shimmering water" 50.0 X 70.0 CM / 19.6 X 27.5 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 2026 ...
Canvas, Oil
"Sunrise"
By Evgeny Chernyakovsky
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Sunrise" 25.0 X 35.0 CM / 9.8 X 13.7 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 2024 Good condi...
Canvas, Oil
$7,800
H 52 in W 76 in D 1.5 in
Matter and Antimatter - Italian Abstract Art, Gestural Abstraction, Blue, Yellow
By Ruggero Vanni
Located in New York, NY
Materia et Antimateria by Ruggero Vanni is an exceptional example of abstract expressionism meeting sculptural sensibilities. This unique mixed-media painting blends pigments and tex...
Canvas, Oil
$769Sale Price|25% Off
H 19.75 in W 25.75 in
Provence House with Cypress Trees Pastel Pierre Neveu 1982
By Pierre Neveu
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Provence House with Cypress Trees Pastel Pierre Neveu 1982 Artist: Pierre Neveu (French b.1929) Medium: Pastel on paper, unframed Size (H x W): 19.75 x 25.75 inches Signed low...
Oil Pastel, Pastel, Pencil
$1,367
H 19 in W 24 in D 2 in
Figures on Beach Shoreline Painting of Cliffs in Ireland Oil on Canvas 1990's
Located in Preston, GB
Figures on Beach Shoreline Painting of Cliffs in Ireland Oil on Canvas 1990's, by Irish Artist Darren Paul. Art measures 17 x 13 inches Frame measures 24 x 19 inches This atmospheric coastal landscape captures the rugged beauty of Fair Head, one of Northern Ireland's most iconic natural landmarks. Painted with expressive brushwork and a sensitive understanding of light, the composition draws the viewer across the golden sands and shimmering waters towards the dramatic basalt cliffs that rise majestically above the sea. Soft coastal light filters through sweeping cloud formations, creating a sense of movement and changing weather that is synonymous with the wild Antrim coastline. In the foreground, figures strolling along the beach provide both scale and a human connection to the vast landscape, while the distant white cottages nestle beneath the imposing cliffs, emphasising the harmony between nature and rural life. The artist's confident handling of colour and texture evokes the fresh sea air, rolling surf and expansive horizons of this celebrated Irish location. Rich earth tones contrast beautifully with cool blues and silvery greys, creating a balanced and inviting composition that captures both the grandeur and tranquillity of the scene. A timeless portrayal of one of Ireland's most spectacular coastal settings, this painting will appeal to collectors of Irish landscapes, maritime subjects and works that celebrate the enduring beauty of the natural world. Darren Paul was born in Belfast in 1944. From childhood, Darren had an affinity for art. He attended art classes under the tutorage of Desmond Kinney...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Panel
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in
Dreamscape, Abstract Impressionist Painting, Pastel on Paper, 30x24 inches
By Betty Efferson
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Escape into a world literally made from dreams by placing this 30x24 pastel piece into any room where you may find yourself needing a distraction - such as an office or work space. ...
Oil Pastel, Archival Paper
"Koi"
By Evgeny Chernyakovsky
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "Koi" 50.0 X 60.0 CM / 19.6 X 23.6 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 2022 Good conditio...
Canvas, Oil
"Boat at dawn"
By Evgeny Chernyakovsky
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Original Oil painting by Ukrainian artist Evgeny Chernyakovsky "boat at dawn" 50.0 X 70.0 CM / 19.6 X 27.5 IN HIGH QUALITY oil on canvas Signed on the front and back Dated 2026 Good...
Canvas, Oil
Fall Splendor by Wolf Kahn
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wolf Kahn 1927-2020 American Fall Splendor Signed "W Kahn" (lower center) Oil on canvas A masterwork of modern American landscape painting, Fall Splendor exemplifies Wolf Kahn's ...
Canvas, Oil
Arborium by Wolf Kahn
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wolf Kahn 1927-2020 American Arborium Signed "W Kahn" (lower right) Oil on canvas A masterwork of modern American landscape painting, Arborium exemplifies Wolf Kahn's revolutiona...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape in Orange and Turquoise Pastel, Signed, 13x16 Inches
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Provenance The Artist Private Collection, NY (acquired from the above) Private Collection, CT (by descent) Signed in bottom center: W Kahn Wolf Kahn was born in Stuttgart, Germany i...
Pastel, Paper
Venice by Wolf Kahn
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wolf Kahn 1927-2020 American Venice Signed "W Kahn" (lower right) Pastel on paper An exceptionally rare early work by one of America’s preeminent colorists, this pastel captures ...
Paper, Pastel
Foggy Morning By Wolf Kahn
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wolf Kahn 1927-2020 American/German Foggy Morning Signed "W. Kahn" (lower left) Oil on canvas Beloved for his strikingly vivid and colorful landscapes, Wolf Kahn is one of the mo...
Canvas, Oil
"Purple Hills" Wolf Kahn, Vermont Meadow Landscape, Pastels
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Purple Hills Pastel on paper 10 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches Provenance: Collection of Stafford Elias Christies New York, Interiors, December 13, 2017, Lot 343 Private Collection, ...
Paper, Pastel
Sold
H 15.75 in W 17.25 in
"Behind Reeds" Wolf Kahn, Vermont Marsh Landscape with Trees and Barn, Pastels
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Behind Reeds, 2004 Signed lower left Pastel on paper 7 x 9 inches Provenance: The artist Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallery, New York Private Collection, Florida An important...
Paper, Pastel
Beaver Swamp in Autumn, 1975
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn paints a marshy forest landscape in his signature modern style in his oil painting entitled, “Beaver Swamp in Autumn.”
Canvas, Oil
"Dark Diagonal" Wolf Kahn, Vermont Landscape with Trees, Pastels
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Dark Diagonal, 2012 Signed lower center Pastel on paper 9 x 12 inches An important member of the second generation New York School, Wolf Kahn is renowned for his luminous,...
Paper, Pastel
Sold
H 15.5 in W 17.5 in
"Strong Pink" Wolf Kahn, Vermont Landscape with Trees, Pastels
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Strong Pink, 2000 Signed lower center Pastel on paper 8 x 10 inches An important member of the second generation New York School, Wolf Kahn is renowned for his luminous, r...
Paper, Pastel
Sold
H 34 in W 40 in
"Barns and Silos in New Jersey" Wolf Kahn, Landscape, Abstract Impressionist
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Barns and Silos in New Jersey, 1985 Signed lower center Oil on canvas 28 x 34 inches An important member of the second generation New York School, Wolf Kahn is renowned fo...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 15.5 in W 18.25 in D 1.25 in
Roughly Textured Trees (unique signed landscape color field pastel painting)
By Wolf Kahn
Located in New York, NY
Wolf Kahn Roughly Textured Trees, 1995 Oil pastel on paper Hand signed in pastel by Wolf Kahn on the bottom front Frame included: held in the original vintage metal frame Hand signe...
Oil Pastel, Pastel