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Carmen Cicero Art

American, b. 1926
Carmen Cicero was born on August 14, 1926, in Newark, New Jersey. From 1947 to 1951, Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University), Newark, and in 1953, he briefly pursued graduate work in painting at Hunter College, New York, studying under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell. The two abstract painters and their circle of artists, poets, and musicians were immensely influential for Cicero, whose singular explorations of abstraction coalesced within the overarching New York school of his teachers and friends. Cicero's early work combined the gestures of Abstract Expressionism with the artist's interest in Surrealist automatism. Many of his paintings were first executed in light brushstrokes, free-associating shapes with geographic locations or literary motifs, such as the mountains of Catalonia (in Near Tibidabo, 1950) or the strange creatures of Franz Kafka (in Odradek, 1959). The artist would work his black-and-white compositions further, adding the sharp lines and erratic forms that distinguished his oeuvre in the 1950s. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo exhibition at Peridot Gallery, New York, the gallery that exhibited the works of Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston in solo shows a decade prior; Peridot continued to exhibit Cicero's abstractions through 1969. His work was also shown at such venues as the Museum of Modern Art, New York (1953, 1955, 1957); Newark Museum (1955, 1964, 1966, 1967); Art Institute of Chicago (1957); Fine Arts Pavilion, New York World's Fair (1964); Whitney Annual (later the Whitney Biennial), New York (1955, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1966); as well as the Guggenheim Museum's 1959 exhibition inaugurating its Frank Lloyd Wright–designed building. In 1957 and again in 1963, he was awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship. From 1959 to 1968, Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York. In 1971, the contents of Cicero's Englewood, New Jersey, studio, which included the entire body of work still in the artist's possession, were lost in a fire. From that point forward, his painting took a personal turn, combining figuration, landscape, and wit in compositions with Surrealist overtones. Eschewing pure abstraction, Cicero focused instead on the continued development of what he referred to as "figurative abstraction," a style he experimented with in the 1960s that would become emblematic of his later work's representation of states of mind. From 1970 through 2001, Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University, New Jersey, where he earned an MFA in 1991. In 2007, Cicero received the Krasner Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. He lives and works in New York and Truro, Massachusetts.
(Biography provided by Berta Walker Gallery)
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Artist: Carmen Cicero
Untitled (Byzantium), from the Long Point Gallery Portfolio
By Carmen Cicero
Located in New York, NY
Carmen Cicero Untitled (Byzantium), from the Long Point Gallery Portfolio, 1988 Woodcut on paper Hand signed and numbered 22/30 on the low...
Category

1980s Abstract Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Woodcut

Life in E Flat
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Provincetown, MA
This near-comic portrait demonstrates that style as well as the artist’s affinity for jazz. Life in E Flat bursts with color- and light-borne energy, and draws the viewer into that e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Oil

Abstract Green/Purple Silkscreen by Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Carmen Cicero, American (1926 - ) Title: Untitled 5 Year: 1971 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 55 Image Size: 18 x 20 inches Size: 21 x 23 in. (53....
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Screen

New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one appears to be possibly signed in the drawing itself. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Watercolor, Ink

New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Abstract Yellow Silkscreen by Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Carmen Cicero, American (1926 - ) Title: Untitled 3 Year: 1971 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 55 Image Size: 18 x 20 inches Size: 23 x 24 in.
Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Screen

Abstract Silkscreen by Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Carmen Cicero, American (1926 - ) Title: Untitled 4 Year: circa 1971 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 76 Image Size: 18 x 20 inches Size: 23 x 24 in.
Category

1970s Abstract Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Carmen Cicero, American (1926 - ) Title: Untitled Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Image Size: 30 x 36 inches Size: 35 x 46 in. (88.9...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled 2, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Carmen Cicero
By Carmen Cicero
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Carmen Cicero, American (1926 - ) Title: Untitled 2 Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: AP Image Size: 18 x 20 inches Size: 22.5 x 24 in. (5...
Category

1970s Abstract Geometric Carmen Cicero Art

Materials

Screen

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Carmen Cicero art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Carmen Cicero 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 blue, purple, yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Carmen Cicero in paint, ink, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Carmen Cicero art, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Karl Fred Dahmen, Arthur Secunda, and Katherine Porter. Carmen Cicero art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $480 and tops out at $2,500, while the average work can sell for $1,800.

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Questions About Carmen Cicero Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Carmen Cicero is an abstract painter who also had ties to Surrealism. After a fire destroyed his life’s work in 1971, Cicero rebranded and developed a new style, using distorted cartoon-like drawings to suggest states of mental being. Shop a selection of Carmen Cicero’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

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