Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale, in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century designers caught the spirit.
Classically-oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb — who designed holistic groups of sleek, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Still Life with Italian Coffee Maker, Lay Figures & Bowls, Original Oil Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
This still life painting on panel captures a variety of objects. Among the objects depicted are a elaborate Italian espresso maker, an upturned venetian glass pitcher, two wooden mod...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Joseph Raffael "Breast, Drill and Evening Shadow" 1966 Painting on Canvas
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Joseph Raffael Born 1933/ "Breast, Drill and Evening Shadow" Painting on Canvas. The fine line between pain and pleasure! Capturing the 1960's vibe perfectly!
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Large Abstract Painting Signed J. Franklin, California Mid-20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large mid century modern abstract painting by California Bay Area artist.
Signed J. Franklin front lower right and on the back.
Acrylic on masonite in black frame.
1960's-1970's.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Masonite
1950's French Modernist/ Cubist Painting - Lady In Vibrant Red & Orange Dress
Located in Cirencester, GB
French Landscape
by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century)
original watercolour/ gouache painting on artist paper, unframed
size: 14 x 10 inches
condition: very good and ready t...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Other
Abstract Modernist Impasto Oil on Canvas Painting by Meinke
Located in Pasadena, CA
Abstract modern heavy oil impasto on canvas painted by artist Meinke. Painting measures 41" by 31" and is signed on the reverse side of the canvas Meinke and titled "Landscape" on th...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Large Mid Century Painting Portrait of a Young Woman c1960 Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Trensacq, FR
Large mid century painting Portrait of a Young Woman c1960 Acrylic on canvas.
Thought to be modelled on the Iconic French singer-songwriter Françoise Hardy, contemporary of Serge ...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
R. Grabowski Farnham 1950s Abstract Expressionist Oil on Canvas
Located in Pasadena, CA
1950s abstract modernist oil on canvas painting created and signed by R. Grabowski Farnham. Painting measures 21" by 17" by 1.75" and is in very good vintage condition showing some s...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jane Mitchell Alegria 3 Canvas Mural, 1981
By Jane Mitchell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jane Mitchell "Alegria" 3 canvas mural from 1981. Acrylic on Canvas. Monumental Painting measuring 60" tall and each panel 40" wide, for a combined size of roughly 120" wide and 60" ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Vintage Tranquil Scenic Oil Painting on Canvas, Framed
Located in Spring Valley, CA
This beautiful framed oil canvas painting depicts a tranquil nature scene. Soft colors with a nice pop of orange in the tree trunk.
The back of the frame has a Certificate of Auth...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Huge Ghirardelli Chocolate Parrot Mascot Painted Wood Advertising Sign, 1930s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very rare and full of character 1930s six-foot-tall Ghirardelli Chocolate hand-painted wood advertising sign featuring the company's early and iconic parrot mascot.
Fantastically ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Plywood
Modernist Water Color Gouache by Robert Blair '1912-2003'
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A unique original watercolor gouache of a seamstress at work. A well listed American artist Robert Noel Blair (1912-2003)
Blair's watercolors have been exhibited widely in both in t...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Slouching Toward Truro by Jacqueline Cotter
Located in Chicago, IL
A vibrant oil on canvas work by artist Jacqueline Cotter (1921 -2018) titled' ‘Slouching Toward Truro'.’ In this piece we observe mixed media applied to the canvas, swaths of yellow,...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Mid Century Impressionist Style Landscape Painting
Located in Winter Park, FL
Impressionist style landscape by John Dana Bashian (American 1897-1975). Oil on canvas. Nice composition and vivid color with thick impasto technique. Signed and dated 1947 verso.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Oscar Troneck Constructivism Oil on Canvas
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oscar Troneck constructivism oil on canvas.
Original wood frame with gold finished and glass, circa 1960-1970
Good vintage condition.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Jute, Wood
Abstract Expressionist Painting Signed Vivona, D. 1979-1980
Located in Peabody, MA
Colorful vintage abstract expressionist painting signed Vivona, dated Dec. 1979-Jan. 1980.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
"The Panorama' Triptych on Canvas by Bernard Chaet Listed Artist
Located in Plymouth, MA
"The Panorama' triptych on canvas by Bernard Chaet, Listed Artist
Engaging painting by American artist Bernard Chaet. A colorful abstract where the individual at the center is surro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Albert Chubac Painting, circa 1960, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Large modernist abstract painting by Albert Chubac.
Oil paint on paper.
Signed work of art.
Framed
Midcentury abstract modern.
France, circa 1960.
Very good vintage condition.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Mid-Century Modern Marc Chagall Adam & Eve and the Forbidden Fruit Lithograph 19
By Marc Chagall
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A lovely lithograph titled Adam & Eve and the Forbidden Fruit, Drawings from the Bible, by early modernist artist Marc Chagall. This example is an unsigned open edition of 6500. Publ...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Sailing Clipper Oil on Canvas Painting Signed Ronald Davies
Located in Montreal, QC
Oil on canvas painting depicting a four mast sailing clipper; signed lower right: R DAVIES. Marked on reverse: Copy Right Reserved # 01211 RONALD DAVIES 4908 Sherbrooke St West Montr...
Category
1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Renato Borsato 'Italian, 1927-2013' Midcentury Oil on Canvas of White Lillies
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Signed and dated 56 lower right. Signed on verso with title "Lilas Blanca” (White Lillies) and date 56, Venezia. Paris gallery label on verso with name and title "Lilas blancs".
A ...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Bernard Pfriem Oil "Le Sentier sans unique"
Located in Sharon, CT
Bernard Pfriem was 'a painter's painter', founder and director of the Lacoste School of Art in France. A one man show in 1963 at the Cleveland Institute of Art. His works are in many...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Midcentury Cubist Oil Painting Portrait Louis Giraud France 1950
By Louis Giraud
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury Cubist portrait by the French artist Louis Giraud, signed and dated 1950 in a gold leaf frame. The colorful work has golden details and is painted on a wooden panel.
Size...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Two Acrylic on Canvas Paintings of Flowers by Dale McFeatters
By Dale McFeatters
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury flower paintings executed with acrylic on canvas in a bold vibrant style, titled Buttercup and Trout Lilly. Signed McFeatters and presented in the original aluminum frames...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Aluminum
Small Abstract Oil on Board Painting by California Artist Ken Vares
By Ken Vares
Located in San Diego, CA
Well-presented oil on board abstract painting of a plug and socket by California artist Ken Vares. The piece is signed at the bottom right corner and is circa 1970s. The painting was...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Painting by Robert Geenens, Belgium
By Robert Geenens
Located in Antwerp, BE
Painting by Robert Hector Geenens.
Started with fantastic realism, often surrealism, open to dreams and imagination.
Tended afterwards towards lyric abstraction and magic abstracti...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood
Daniel Pipard ‘1914-1978’ Oil on Canvas "Vase De Fleur Sur Une Commode"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Daniel Pipard ‘1914-1978’ oil on canvas "Vase De Fleur Sur Une Commode"
signed.
Category
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
James M. Grainger Oil on Board Titled "At The Cricket Club"
By James Grainger
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Surreal oil on board depicting two men sitting outside the cricket country club performing levitation while a spirit is conjured up on the right side. Signed lower right, James Grain...
Category
1980s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
1970s Blue Infinity 1 Abstract Painting
Located in Garnerville, NY
Wonderful acrylic paint on canvas 1970s abstract painting. 'Blue Infinity 1" just draws you into each unique compartment of line and color. Signed verso with adhesive label, Lewis, B...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
Painting of a Nude Woman, American Mid 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oil on canvas painting of a nude woman, unframed. Good colors and composition. Signed Ritman on the back stretcher, early to mid-20th century, American.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Selection of Modernist Art
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of modernist art, circa 1950s. From left to right, they are:
1) SOLD Modernist nudes painting by Lillian Lent, American, circa 1950s. It is executed on board in it's origin...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paper
Abstract Expressionist Painting, Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
An anonymous but intriguing abstract painting, ca. 1950s. Its densely layered brushwork is strikingly similar to the “controlled chaos” compositions of certain early New York express...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Canvas
Trio of Vintage 1960's Abstract Oil Paintings
Located in London, GB
An amazing set of three vintage abstract oil paintings. They date from around the 1960’s, and were most likely painted by a British artist. We obtained them privately from a single o...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Craig Ellwood Painting, 1979
Located in Oxnard, CA
Large Op Art painting by celebrated architect - Craig Ellwood. Acrylic on canvas, 60" x 60" with artist signature/date verso. Rich blue color with gradient brown geometric grid.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Jean-Pierre Clement Painting
Located in Norwalk, CT
This surrealist work by listed French artist Jean Pierre Clement depicts a female portrait of a woman with a geometric blue headdress and one exposed breast. In the back, a man appea...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Midcentury Painting of an Asian Artist in His Studio
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Interesting mid-century modern oil on canvas painting depicting an Asian artist seated in front of Asian paintings in his studio. The canvas measures 18 inches wide by 24 inches tall...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Bernard Buffet Style Painting by Charles Levier "Clown Avec Un Oiseau"
Located in Arles, FR
Iconic and large oil on canvas painting by Charles Levier, in the manner of Bernard Buffet.
This stunning work of art is titled "Clown Avec Un Oiseau" or clown with a bird.
It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Giltwood
Serge de Turville Oil on Canvas
Located in Norwalk, CT
An oil on canvas painting by French artist Serge de Turville (1924-2005) depicting a female figure seated at a desk. Signed de Turville and signed '56 to upper right corner.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Portrait of a Basset Hound in Nature Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) portrait of a brown and white basset hound captured lying on a path with a house and landscape scenery in the distance, on a large, rectangular unframed canvas...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Adrian Contemporary Artwork, 2020
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Contemporary abstract artwork by Adrian.
Untitled.
Mixed-media on wood.
Hand signed and dated on the back.
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood
Modernist Abstract Painting Circa 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
Modernist abstract painting on canvas from the mid 1980s, artist unknown.
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Modern Pop Art Elizabeth Taylor Portrait in Pencil by Bill Nelson, 1980
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning early master illustration by Bill Nelson in his preferred medium of colored pencil for the Cincinnati Magazine cover story (May 1980). Framed.
Taylor stares out at the view...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper
Abstract Midcentury Painting by Claffy Williams
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract midcentury painting by Claffy Williams, circa 1980s.
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
European Costume Print
Located in New York, NY
European costume print in a gilt rectangular frame (Part of series of 6: GRS345-GRS350) PRICED EACH.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Rope
Signed Vintage Seriagraph by Dietrich Grunewald
By Dietrich Grunewald
Located in Redding, CT
Signed vintage Seriagraph by Hermann Dietrich Grunewald
Hermann Dietrich Grunewald. (1916-2003). Born in Oskarstm, Sweden.
He was an impressionist whose prolific and divers works e...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Leonard Thorpe "Nelson's Column" Original Oil Painting, circa 1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
Leonard Thorpe "Nelson's Column" original oil painting, circa 1960
Nelson's Column is a monument in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built to commemorate...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Modernist Cubist Painting Titled "Philosopher" Dated 1958 by Peter Paul Sakowski
Located in Peabody, MA
We recently acquired a number of paintings from the estate of Peter Paul Sakowski (1915-2000) of Holyoke, Mass. His style tended to vary from an illustrative graphic quality to the m...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Canvas, Wood
Still Life with Italian Bowl, Life Mask, Peach and iPod, Original Oil Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
This still life painting on panel captures a variety of objects. Among the objects depicted are a beautiful venetian glass bowl, a cup of Italian gelato, a ripe peach, a white life m...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Artist Sketchbook of Original Abstract Cubist Gouache Paintings, 1948
Located in Rochester, NY
Signed sketchbook of well listed American painter artist Philip Bornarth while studying at the Art Institute of Chicago during fall 1948 - spring 1949. The book contains brilliant ab...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Painting for Partners of Americas International Convention by Jaqui Von Honts
Located in San Antonio, TX
Large painting for the Partners of Americas International Convention in 1980 by Texas artist Jacqui Von Honts. Jacqui Von Honts had outstanding creative talent and was well-versed in...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Rare Seascape and Bouquet Oil on Cancas by Charles Levier, 1958
Located in Miami, FL
A large framed oil on canvas by Charles Levier, titled 'Bouquet Levier' circa 1958. The painting is signed to the front and titled on the back. Charles Levier was Corsican born in 19...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Original Bavarian Tyrolian Folk Art Painting, Signed and Dated
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Bavarian Tyrolian Folk Art painting, signed and dated
This charming folk painting is executed in oil on artist board. A beautiful and rustic Tyrol or Bavarian landscape i...
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Other
D Puertas Abstract Expressionist Painting in Red Blue and Yellow
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Masterfully rich abstract expressionist painting by D. Puertas, 2006. Bold strokes create a heavily layered and dynamic composition. The gestural strokes capture an explosive energy ...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Framed L. Biro Signed Oil on Board Painting Chapel 1970s
By Ljubo Biro
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic, framed, oil on board painting of a chapel, signed by Ljubo Biro, circa the 1970s. In excellent vintage condition. The dimensions are 24" W x 30...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
"Acrobats" Original Oil on Canvas, Mary Gardner Preminger, Signed
Located in East Hampton, NY
Mary G. Preminger (1920-1997) the essence of her work reflects a pure harmony and form, essential elements in the body of work that remains intact today. She believed art should util...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
1940's Cubist Art Painting of New York City Skyline by Artist Theodore Hancock
By Theodore Hancock
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Mid-Century Modern signed 1949 cubist gouache painting of skyscrapers, rooftops and skyline of the City of New York including The Chrysler building by painter Theodore "Theo" Ha...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
"East Village" by Cheryl D. Miller, 2019
Located in Stamford, CT
Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
Subject matter: Abstract
Size: 36" x 48"
East Village, is inspired by Urban Street art and sites in Lower Manhattan, NYC.
This painting takes you t...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
1940's Abstract Gouache Painting Boris Koblikoff, La Galerie 18 Paris
Located in Rochester, NY
Original abstract gouache on paper by Boris Koblikoff ( Russia, mid 20th century Paris ) Koblikoff went to Paris from Moscow and remained there through WWII. His work was handled by ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper
Expressionist Oil Painting by New York Artist Arnold Weber, D. 1970
By Arnold Weber
Located in Peabody, MA
An abstract oil painting dated 1970 by highly regarded New York expressionist Arnold Weber.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
