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
Abstract Expressionist Painting by Buffie Johnson
Located in Providence, RI
Abstract expressionist oil on canvas, entitled "Astor Mural Study VI", by Buffie Johnson.
Buffie Johnson was an important figure in the New York School abstract expressionist move...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, 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
1960s French Abstract Oil Painting by Pierre Havret
Located in London, GB
1960s French abstract oil painting No 2 from a series of 4 from the same source and by the same hand, Pierre Havret (b.1913) - unsigned
These four oils were framed on Foubert's Plac...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
"Green" by Albert Radoczy Oil Painting
Located in Pasadena, CA
A Green Face painted diagonally by Albert Radoczy in a red-stained thin wood frame.
Many of his paintings, primarily the ones of facial features with near solid backgrounds, all sui...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Early 20th Century Palmedes Painting in Wooden Frame
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Painting by Palmedes, circa early 20th century.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
The wooden frame has some minor l...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood
Large Mid Century Modern Abstract by J.Keane
Located in Redding, CT
Large abstract Mid Century Modern painting by J. Keane. Heavy impasto with colors of white gold and yellow.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Mid Century Modernist New York City Subway Painting by Julian Rockmore C.1970’s
Located in Bernville, PA
Great painting of a crowed NYC subway train scene by artist Julian Rockmore circa 1970’s. Beautiful vibrant colors in a new gold paint frame. Oil on canvas. Painting came out of a Ro...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
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
Mid-Century Modern Framed Acrylic Painting Canvas Signed Wilfred 1970s Cityscape
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a wonderful, framed, acrylic Cityscape painting, signed by Wilfred, circa the 1970s. In excellent condition. The dimensions are 49.5" W x 37.5" H.
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Painting by Eduardo Rouario, Mid-Century Modern, Modern Art, Orang /Green, 1968
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, mid-century oil painting, by Eduardo Rouario, circa 1968. Oil painting framed in an antique frame from turn of the century. Orange, grey, hunter green and nude colors.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Tony Evans Metallic on Glass Painting with Custom Frame
By Tony Evans
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We have collected Tony Evans raku pottery for decades. He unfortunately passed away in 2009. He did a few wall art pieces. This is one of the rare ones. A metallic process on glass w...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Glass
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
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
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
Mid-Century Modernist Acrylic Painting on Board
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Warm modernist painting on board of a sunset with a flock of birds
over a field and its reflection. Signed indistinctly in the lower
right and presented in its original gold leaf f...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Original Artist Signed Mixed-Media Painting Framed Abstract Cutout Art
Located in West Hartford, CT
Signed, original Ilene Steglitz framed mixed media work of art dated 1986.
Nothing short of magnificent and one of six we will feature this week from this artist on
1stdibs. This i...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Plastic, Wood, Paper
Modern Italian Signed Marine Painting
By L. Marinelli
Located in Roma, IT
Underwater scene with coloured fish, rocks and corals signed Marinelli.
Italian artist from 1950s
Original frame in natural wood
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
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
Abstract Watercolor by Wayne La Com
By Wayne La Com
Located in Pasadena, CA
Stunning and bright watercolor signed by artist Wayne La Com. Com was born in Glendale, California in 1922. He grew up in Southern California and attended art schools in Los Angeles ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Group of Latin American Artwork
Located in Atlanta, GA
Group of Latin American artwork, circa 1930s-1960s.
From left to right, they are:
1) Mixed-media abstract painting, executed by César Manrique, Mexican (1919-1992), also known a...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper
"At the Crossroads," Masterpiece of French Surrealism by Delmotte, 1956
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In our opinion, the masterpiece of Marcel Delmotte's long artistic career, this highly-finished surreal painting depicts four semi-nude female figures, one very pale and ghostly in t...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
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
Oil Painting on Wood Board by Brian Kipping Store Front in Vancouver, BC
By Brian Kipping 1
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Oil Painting on Board by Brian Kipping Store Front in Vancouver, BC. The painting is titled "Display Case On Cambie". Signed on Verso, and printed in Black Marker, dated 20...
Category
Early 2000s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Italian 1970s Mixed-Media Art by Roffi 'Roberto Fraschetti'
Located in London, GB
Italian 1970s mixed-media art by Roffi (Roberto Fraschetti).
Accompanied by Artist authentication and signature.
In excellent vintage condition.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Modernist Abstract Oil on Canvas original painting by Martha Visser 't Hooft
By Martha Hamlin Visser't Hooft
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Abstract Oil on Canvas original painting by Martha Visser 't Hooft,,, Titled House of Meditation (Windows) c. 1975...Signed and dated,,,, . Stunning Image ,, colors,,,
...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Paint
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
Mid-Century Oil Painting on Board Depicting an Artist's Studio
Located in Palm Beach, FL
You can see the influence of the French Impressionists in this Mid-Century oil painting on board. These colors are so hot the painting wants to burst into flames. Than there is the p...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
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
Jens Aabo “Stormy Seas Off a Danish Coast”, Oil Painting, 1953
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1953 oil painting of a stormy coastal sea by Jens Aabo, who was born in 1898 on the small Danish island of Bornholm.
Atmospheric scene depicts a tiny sailboat as it bobs in wave...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Abstract Midcentury Painting by Claffy Williams
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract midcentury painting, entitled "Earth Gesture", by Claffy Williams, circa 1985. Retains original artist made wood frame.
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint, Wood
French Dock and Seascape by Cesar Vilol
By Cesar Vilot
Located in Pasadena, CA
Spanish painter from Montparnasse, César Vilol (Vilot), born in 1900, was a modern impressionist French painter. Active in the 20's until the 60's, César Vilol painted essentially on...
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Canvas
Martin Rouwendaal Mid Century Modern Brutalist Paul Evans Style Wall Painting
By Paul Evans
Located in Wayne, NJ
Martin Rouwendaal Mid Century Modern Brutalist Paul Evans Style wall painting.
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Mid-Century Wyoming Ranch Scene Painting
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Mid-century oil on canvas painting of the T. Lee Reno Ranch in Douglas, WY. by William Eastman Jr. Signed and dated lower right. Dimensions listed include the frame.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Isabel Garfias Abstract Oil & Mixed Media on Canvas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Abstract oil on canvas with applied mixed media elements signed on lower front right Isabel Garfias. Isabel Garfias Montero was born in 1970. She held a degree of graphic desig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
1950s Tenement Row House Painting by Leonard Buzz Wallace
Located in Garnerville, NY
Purchased straight from the Estate of Leonard Buzz Wallace. Painted by Wallace who taught and lectured on fine art at Orange County Community College, Middletown, NY through out the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Masonite, Paint
Bouquet of Anemones, Oil on Panel, circa 1950, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bouquet of anemones,
Oil on panel,
Titled "Anemone Simplex",
From a burning of François Langlois,
Modern frame in molded wood,
circa 1950, France.
Measures: Height 118 cm, w...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
NYC 42nd Street Sex Show Street Scene Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
NYC 42nd Street Peep Show Street Scene Painting, artist unknown, signed Layton, American, circa 1960s. Great depection of New York City's sleazy side, the Times Square area and all i...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Abstract Oil on Canvas, Signed
By Jan Yilch
Located in National City, CA
For your consideration an abstract oil canvas mounted in original frame.
Signed in the back.
Jan Yilch 1966?
Frame 19" W x 13" H.
Canvas 17 1/2" x 11 1/2" H.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
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
"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
Abstract Oil Painting by Jacob Semiatin, circa 1950, USA
Located in Girona, Spain
Abstract oil painting by Jacob Semiatin
Abstract painting
Oil on canvas
Modern art
Signed
circa 1950, USA
Very good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Linda Hopkins Modernist Abstract Painting in the Manner of Hans Hofmann
By Hans Hofmann
Located in Garnerville, NY
Modernist abstract oil on canvas painting and collage by Linda Hopkins. Purchased straight from the estate of Leonard Buzz Wallace. Hopkins and Wallace, when married, shared a studio...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Original Oil On Canvas "Cityscape" Painting Signed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern original oil on stretched canvas "Cityscape" painting artist signed, lower right. Measures: Large 48" inch scale, executed in vibrant blue hues with chartreuse, tu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Painting "Flowers in a Vase"
Located in Chorzów, PL
Painting "Still Life", Germany, early XX century.
Category
1940s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Mid-Century Modern Janet Satz Collage Painting
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern Janet Satz collage painting. Entitled woman and landscape painting and collage.
Rich textural 3D images of abstract female nude. This will parcel ship for $20
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paper
Bernard Fouilloux, French Artist, Oil on Canvas, "Arlequin", 1973
Located in Copenhagen, Denmark
Bernard Fouilloux, French artist. Oil on canvas. "Arlequin". Motif of harlequin and dove. Dated 1973.
Canvas measures: 61 x 51 cm.
The frame measures: 0.7 cm.
Signed and dated.
I...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
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
Vintage Floral Still Life Painting Signed Oil Painting Flowers Vase
Located in East Hampton, NY
Vintage floral still life painting,
mid century oil painting, flowers in vase, signed.
Signed "Gloria L. Muller"
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
"Montmarte, Paris" by Lucien Delaure
Located in Wiscasset, ME
French artist, oil on canvas, signed and inscribed reverse.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Rolph Scarlett Original Watercolor Dated 1952, Geometric Abstraction
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Abstract watercolor by Rolph Scarlett, signed lower left.
A great example by Scarlett. Measures: 19" H x 21" W image size.
New modernist custom-made frame. Size: 24 1/4" H x 26 3/4...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
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
Midcentury Cityscape Painting by Susan Zuck
By Susan Zuck
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Mid-Century Modern framed cityscape painting in yellow tones reflecting the skyline titled "City Noon" signed by the artist Susan Zuck.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Abstract Painting by B.J. Helders, the Netherlands, 1968
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Abstract constructivist painting by B.J. Helders, the Netherlands, 1968. The painting is made in several thick layers of structured paint in a fabulous color scheme; ox blood, severa...
Category
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Acrylic Painting with Faux Leather Frame, Signed Macmillan
By Macmillan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern acrylic painting features an abstract design with natural tones in textured finish. Signed by the artist, MacMillan, this piece is mount in a faux leather frame w...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Mid Century Modern Framed Abstract Oil Painting Canvas Signed Mildred Friedman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a brilliant, framed, abstract oil on canvas painting, signed by Mildred Friedman. In excellent condition. The dimensions are 48.5" Sq.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Mid 20th Century Pop Art Painting "Sawbuck" by, Robert Dowd, 1965
Located in Englewood, NJ
An original pop art oil on canvas painting "Sawbuck" by, famed Pop Artist Robert Dowd portraying a sawed off Ten Dollar Bill. The canvas is signed in the lower right corner. The pain...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paint
