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
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
Albert Chubac, Abstract composition, Painting, circa 1960, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Abstract composition,
Painting,
Stamped,
circa 1960, France.
Measures: Width 79 cm, height 107.5 cm
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After studying decora...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Bengt Lindström, "White Face" Painting, Oil on Canvas, 1974
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bengt Lindström,
"White Face" Painting,
Oil on canvas,
Signed on the bottom,
Sweden, 1974.
Measures: 46 x 38 cm.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Modernist Artist Gustavo Martinez Fancy Rooster Oil Painting Signed 1970s Mexico
Located in National City, CA
Vintage Mexican Modernist oil on canvas painting signed modernist artist Gustavo Martinez, Mexico circa 1970s.
Gustavo Martinez Palos is a Mexican painter born in Guadalajara on Ap...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Albert Chubac, Painting, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008),
Acrylic painting on cardboard,
Stamped,
France, circa 1960.
Measures: Height 100 cm, width 140 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After study...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jacob Semiatin (1915-2003) Painting, Watercolor on paper Signed, circa 1950, USA
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jacob Semiatin (1915-2003),
Drawing circa 1950, USA
Watercolor on paper
Signed
Measures: Height 93 cm, length 138 cm.
Jacob Semiatin was born to Hungarian Jewish parents in Dublin...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Danish Artist Otto Petersen, Mid-Century Modern Painting, 1960's
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Otto Petersen (1938 - 2003) was active/lived in Denmark, Germany. Otto Petersen is known for Cubist and abstract figurative nude women sculpture, non objective painting. Influenced b...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage 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
Painting on Canvas, "La Cuisine Aux Fleurs" by Gerard Economos
By Gerard Economos 1
Located in New York, NY
Painting. Acrylic on canvas by Gerard Economos (French,1935-)
Gerard Economos is known for his passionate, intensely colored abstract compositions and large acrylic paintings that h...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Albert Chubac, Airbrush on Canvas, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Composition,
Airbrush on canvas,
Stamped,
France, circa 1960.
Measures: Height 104 cm, width 69 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After studying decora...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
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
Albert Chubac, Composition, Painting, Mixed-Media on Paper, circa 1960, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Character and horse composition,
Mixed-media on paper,
Signed lower right,
circa 1960, France.
Measures: Width 56.5 cm, height 43 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Gen...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Albert Chubac, Collage, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Composition,
Collage and cutout, gouache,
Signed lower right,
circa 1980, France.
Measures: Height 15 cm, width 15 cm, depth 3 cm (without frame).
Albert Chubac wa...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Albert Chubac, Composition, Acrylic on Paper, circa 1960, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-20008),Composition,
Acrylic on paper representing an abstract character,
Workshop stamp lower right,
Framed,
circa 1960, France.
Measures : Width 50 cm, Hei...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Stunning Modernist Architectural Rendering, Drawing by G.F.Hahn
Located in Buffalo, NY
Original MCM Pen and ink architectural study for a Palm Springs Residence (unbuilt). Framed and signed; J.H.Hahn, Reminiscent of the famed Dinah Shore house in Palm Springs by archit...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Lead
Albert Chubac, Painting, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Composition,
Mixed-media on paper,
Stamped,
circa 1960, France.
Measures: Height 67 cm, width 50 cm, depth 3 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After stu...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Albert Chubac, Composition, Spray Paint and Stencils, circa 1960, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-20008), Composition,
Spray paint and stencils,
Workshop stamp lower right,
Framed,
circa 1960, France.
Measures : Width 50 cm, Height 65 cm.
Albert Chubac w...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Original Untitled Hard Edge Abstract Painting by Billy Criswell, circa 2004
Located in Glendale, CA
Original untitled hard edge abstract painting by Billy Criswell, circa 2004. Executed in paint and pencil on a wood framed canvas with artists signature on back. Purchased directly f...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood, Canvas
Albert Chubac, Mixed Media, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008), Composition,
Mixed media on paper representing a scale,
Signed lower right and numbered 8/8,
Framed,
circa 1980, France.
Measures : Width 85 cm, Heigh...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Modern Steve R. Dodd Sci-Fi Fantasy Illustration Acrylic Painting
Located in Stamford, CT
Framed oil on canvas painting, Central Park, signed lower right S.R. Dodd (Steven [Steve] R. Dodd, American, 20th c.), dated 1982
**Provenance: from the collection of writer, maga...
Category
1980s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paint
Albert Chubac, Composition, Mixed Media on Paper, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008), Composition,
Mixed media on paper,
Signed lower right,
Framed,
circa 1980, France.
Measures : Width 50 cm, Height 65 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Ge...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Large Midcentury Oversize Oil on Canvas Painting of Tigers by Peter Colby
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oil on canvas painting by artist Peter Colby. Large oversize canvas featuring two lions resting upon a patch of green grass. The background of this piece is in a lovely white and cre...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Albert Chubac, Composition, Oil on Paper, circa 1960, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008), Composition,
Oil on paper,
Representing a man with balloons and horses,
Workshop stamp lower right,
Framed,
circa 1960, France.
Measures : Width 65 cm...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Large Modern Abstract Oil Painting by Marguerite 'Kittie' Bruneau, 1959
Located in Buffalo, NY
Bruneau was born in Montreal in 1929. She studied at École des beaux-arts de Montréal from 1946 to 1949.She studied for a year at the Montreal School of Arts under the supervision of...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Burlap, Paint
Albert Chubac, Painting, Mixed-Media on Paper, France, circa 1965
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac (1925-2008), Character composition,
Mixed-media on paper,
Stamped,
circa 1965, France.
Measures: Height 102 cm, width 76 cm, depth 3 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in G...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
R. Simonetto USA Sailing Ships Painted on Wood, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Certified work inspired by an old print from the 1800s reworked, serigraphically reproduced and decorated by hand.
Reproduction on tessellated briar.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood
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"Chinese Russian" Painting on Wood Panel by Mose Tolliver
Located in San Antonio, TX
"Chinese Russian" painting on wood panel by American artist Mose Tolliver (1925-2006), signed on the bottom lower left. Mose Tolliver is considered one of the most highly regarded Am...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jean Da Milano, Painting, France, 1994
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Painting,
Oil on creased paper,
Signed lower left,
1994, France.
Measures : Height 75 cm, Width 60 cm
Jean Da Milano is an abstract painter from...
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Jean Da Milano, Painting, France, circa 2000
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Painting,
Creased Kraft paper and collage, mixed media,
Signed lower right,
circa 2000, France.
Measures : Height 100 cm, Width 80 cm
Jean Da Mi...
Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper
Jean Da Milano, Painting, France, circa 2000
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), painting,
Creased paper,
Signed lower right,
circa 2000, France.
Measures: Height 115 cm, Width 90 cm
Jean Da Milano is an abstract painter from...
Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Fernand Léger, The Well, Gouache on Paper, 1951
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Fernand Léger - The well
Gouache on paper
Signed, dated and dedicated
Measures: 33 x 24cm
This gouache is preparatory to the lithography "Le Puits" created in 1951 and publ...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Bram Bogart (1921-2012), Painting, Signed, Belgium, 1991
By Bram Bogart
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bram Bogart (1921-2012), Abstract composition,
Painting, mixed-media,
Signed on the bottom right and at the back,
With modern frame,
Belgium, 1991.
Measures: Height 60 cm, width 8...
Category
1990s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Bessie Boris "Intersection" Oil and Mixed Media on Paper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bessie Boris (Johnstown, PA b. 1917, d. 1993) oil, watercolor, and pastel on paper entitled "Intersection" (1969).
Boris placed great emphasis on color and psychologically charged di...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
20th Century Outsider Art Portrait of an American Soldier
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A small oil painting on canvas. It is a naive portrait of an American soldier in uniform. It appears to be framed in a handmade oak frame along with handcrafted pine stretcher bars, ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oak
Large Modernist Abstract Oil on Canvas Looking Forward Looking Back by Fritz
By Fritz Albert
Located in Buffalo, NY
Looking forward, looking back
Fritz proctor is an American painter from Niagara Falls, New York. Fritz acquired his BA in Studio Art from the University of Buffalo. His work has b...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Canvas
Eduardo Chillida, Composition 1990, Signed, Spain
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002),
Composition 1990, Black felt pen on paper,
Dedicated: "Pour Jean-Claude Duret, Cordialement",
Signed in the bottom right corner, Spain.
Measures: 37 x...
Category
1990s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Large Modern Abstract Oil on Canvas "Sound Wave" by Carlo of Hollywood
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large modern abstract oil on canvas 'Sound Wave' by Carlo of Hollywood.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Albert Chubac, Character composition, Painting, Signed, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Character composition,
Painting, mixed-media on paper,
Signed,
circa 1960, France.
Measures: Height 65 cm, width 50 cm, depth 3 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
King Arthur Mural (16' x 6') by Peter Ostuni for Savoy-Plaza Hotel 1951
By Peter Ostuni
Located in Hingham, MA
Astonishingly beautiful and monumental mural spanning eleven individual panels which when assembled are 16 feet long by 6 feet high. The panels are reverse paint and applique on she...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Plexiglass
Only A Few Hours Away Dream Painting by Amon Rea, 1971
Located in Garnerville, NY
Titled Only A Few Hours Away painting by Amon Rea. Wonderful rendering of the aspirational dreams of a young black child set in an extremely modest setting; plaster bare wall with ex...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Emile Deckers, Oil on Cardboard, Algeria, 1941
By Emile Deckers
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Emile Deckers,
"Young girl", oil on cardboard,
Framed,
Signed and dated on the bottom right hand corner,
Algeria, 1941.
Measures: 24 x 20 cm.
Category
1940s Algerian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Midcentury Abstract Oil Painting By Roger Padella
Located in west palm beach, FL
Outstanding Midcentury abstract oil. Done by the listed artist Roger Padella. Unsigned, but purchased from the artists estate.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
"at the Market, Congo," Large Art Deco Master Painting by Charles Melikoff
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charles Melikoff is a Belgian Orientalist Impressionist & Modern painter.
In an era when fine art and natural history museums commissioned artists to travel the world to draw and pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Large Modern Abstract Oil Painting "Morning Glory" by Peter Caruso, NYC Artist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 60" x 48" modern abstract oil on canvas painting. "Morning Glory" by Peter Caruso, NYC Artist. Amazing use of color, texture, space, very cool 1970s vibe. Would enhance any mod...
Category
1880s American Antique Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Albert Chubac, Painting, France, circa 1960
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Composition,
Mixed-media on paper,
Stamped,
circa 1960, France.
Measures: Height 55 cm, width 83 cm, depth 3 cm.
Albert Chubac was born in Geneva in 1920. After stu...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Painting ‘Ikonocasi’ by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1980’s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painting ‘Ikonocasi’ by Rune Hagberg,
Sweden, 1980’s.
Mixed media.
Signed.
Measures: H: 105 cm / 3’ 5 1/3’’
W: 50.5 cm / 20’’
D: 10 cm / 4’’.
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Hand-Painted Vintage Ford Model-T Theater Prop
Located in Garnerville, NY
Spectacular hand-painted theater background prop. Painted in a monochromatic palette of black, white and gray. A cut out rendering of a front end of a Ford Model-T truck. This theate...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Plywood, Paint
Keith Haring, Original Poster, Italy, circa 1991
By Keith Haring
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Keith Haring,
Original poster of an exhibition in 1991
Paper,
Italy, circa 1991
Modern baguette frame.
Measures: Width 70, height 85 cm.
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Palette Knife Oil Painting of Fishing Boats
Located in Stamford, CT
Palette Knife oil painting of fishing boats. A finely detailed oil painting, signed lower left corner in a gilt and ebony frame. Circa 1940s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Pierre Alechinsky, Composition 1992, Signed, Belgium
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Pierre Alechinsky (1927-),
Composition 1992 on an invoice from the A. Briand Avranches moving company,
India ink on paper,
Signed and dated in the bottom right corner,
Dedicated to...
Category
1990s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Jean Da Milano, Composition, Oil on Paper, 1974, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Abstract composition,
Oil on paper,
Signed lower right,
N° 881-74, n° 494,
1974, France.
Measures : Height 65,5 cm, Width 50 cm.
Jean Da Mil...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jean Da Milano, Composition, Oil on paper, 1982, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Abstract composition,
Oil on paper,
Signed lower right,
N°2733-82, n° 1050,
1982, France.
Measures : Height 65 cm, Width 50 cm.
Jean Da Mila...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jean Da Milano, Composition, Oil on Paper, 1974, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Abstract composition,
Oil on paper,
Signed lower right,
N° 844-74, n° 493,
1974, France.
Measures : Height 65,5 cm, Width 50 cm.
Jean Da Mil...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jean Da Milano, Composition, Oil on Paper, 1974, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Abstract composition,
Oil on paper,
Signed lower left,
N°859-74, n° 492,
1974, France.
Measures : Height 65,5 cm, Width 50 cm.
Jean Da Milan...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jean Da Milano, Composition, Mixed Media on Paper, 1991, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jean Da Milano (1928-2017), Abstract composition,
Mixed media on paper,
Signed lower right,
N°03449/91, n° 1251,
1991, France.
Measures : Height 65 cm, Width 50 cm.
Jea...
Category
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Albert Chubac, Painting, Mixed-Media on Paper, France, circa 1965
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Albert Chubac, Composition,
Representing two characters,
Painting, mixed-media on paper,
circa 1965, France.
Measures: Height 99 cm, width 81 cm, depth 3 cm.
Albert Chubac was b...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Bram Bogart, Painting, Signed, Belgium, 1981
By Bram Bogart
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Bram Bogart,
Painting, Mixed Media,
Signed,
1981, Belgium.
Measures: Height 49.5 cm, width 40.5 cm, depth 4 cm.
Category
1980s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint
Jacob Semiatin (1915-2003) Drawing, Watercolor on Paper Signed, circa 1950, USA
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Jacob Semiatin (1915-2003),
Drawing
Watercolor on paper,
Signed,
Circa 1950, USA.
Measures: Height 92 cm, length 139 cm.
Jacob Semiatin was born to Hungarian Jewish parents in ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
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