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Folk Art Paintings

FOLK ART STYLE

Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.

Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.

Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Folk Art
Period: 1950s
1950s Outsider Art Still Life Painting
Located in Garnerville, NY
A modernist contemplative allegorical still life vanitas type painting on masonite board. Circa 1950. This work originates from a Western Connecticut estate. The work is unsigned. The artist renders several derelict objects in paint: a worn and torn circus poster, a broken umbrella, a headless teddy bear, a wilting plucked flower with scattered bits of ribbon. The menacing little clown doll...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paint

1950s German Oil Painting on Wood in an Old Gilded Frame by Josef Hofbauer
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 1950s German Oil Painting on Wood in an old gilded Frame by Josef Hofbauer. A unique piece which is a great eye-catcher for your anti...
Category

1950s German Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Hardwood, Fruitwood, Paint

Collection of Mexican Prayer Plaques "Retablos Ex-Votos" from 1950s and 1960s
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is an amazing and important collection of 8 plaques (7 tin metal and one in wood) that have been hand painted by Catholic religious devotees in gratitude to either Christ, Virgi...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Tin

Rustic Figures in a Farmyard, in the Manner of Jack Kampmann, C.1950.
By Jack Kampmann
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Charming painting of 2 female farm labourers Unsigned. In the style of Jack Kampmann Oil on board. Possibly Faroe Islands Presented in an antique whi...
Category

1950s Faeroese Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Naive School Painting of An Assembly of Figures. French, C.1950
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Delightful naive painting of possibly fisherfolk. Most likely French. Possibly Breton? Amazing colours. Coarse canvas. Artsist unknown. Initial A.D to bottom left. Presented i...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Santo En El Museo De Cera Acrilic on Canvas Handpainted
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We found this acrilic on Canvas handpainted Santo en el Museo de Cera movie. Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta (23 September 1917 – 5 February 1984), known professionally as El Santo...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Masonic Sheepskin Man Portrait
Located in London, GB
Masonic Sheepskin Man Portrait We are proud to offer a highly unusual subject matter oil on canvas painting by the recently deceased Cornish artist James Scrase. A fine example from a member of the Royal Society of National Portraits members, trained under the guidance of Italian artist Annigoni in the early 1970s. James produced some wonderful piece of art in many different mediums. The unusual thing about this portrait is not only the fact that the subject sits proud in a sheepskin coat as his best attire, but also the fact that the artist name is hidden in the note painted...
Category

1950s British Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Harvey Milligan Amish Farmhouse Pastoral Scene Oil on Canvas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Americana Amish "farmhouse" oil painting by Harvey Milligan, circa 1950s. Charming character scale and composition (figures are very small). Although n...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Finnish Polychrome Carved Wood Relief
By A. Tamme
Located in Chicago, IL
Set against a rosewood background, this carved and painted wood relief depicts a horn blower enchanting birds on a sunny summer day. Signed A. Tamme.
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Wood

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Abstract Work on Paper by M. P. Landis, from Warehouse Drawing Series
Located in New York, NY
A richly-hued abstract work on paper by the artist M.P. Landis. The artist's abstract paintings and works on paper are the type that take form through the artist's layering of materi...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paper

1920s Large Framed Oil on Canvas of Hans Alin by Ava de Lagercrantz
By Ava de Lagercrantz
Located in London, GB
Ava de Lagercrantz, (1862-1938) Classic Swedish artist who was a royal painter who worked in New York and Paris. She painted reigning monarchs. In 1909 she painted King Gustav wh...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

W.P.A. Style Painting, Science, Politics Industry 1940s-1950s, Oil on Board
By WPA
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing W.P.A. style painting, trip-tic depicting science, politics industry, worker's, 1940s-1950s. Oil on board, measuring: 52" x 32". Attention to details. Unfortunately not signe...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large Louis XV Style Colorful Large Oil Painting Manner of Boucher French School
Located in Nashville, TN
Probably a variation of ‘Spring’ After Boucher’s Four Seasons. Highly decorative. Typical rococo frivolity and color palette. Garlands and festoons of flowers with intertwined ribbon...
Category

1840s French Antique Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Selection of Black and White Nude Artwork
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of black and white nude artwork from various artists, American, circa 1950s. From left to right, as seen in the first photo, they are: 1) The k...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paper, Wood

Pascal Cucaro Mid-Century Impressionist Painting of Figures
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern painting of a busy impressionist scene with interesting colorful figures by Pascal Cucaro (American 1915-2003). The painting features vivid shades of blue and red ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

"Royal Vienna" Plate of 3 Beautiful Ladies and Cherry Blossoms in the Background
Located in Boston, MA
This is an exquisite "Royal Vienna" plate hand painted with three beautiful ladies sitting on a balcony with cherry blossoms in the background. Two of the ladies are playing musical ...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 6 19th Century McKenney and Hall Portraits of Native Americans
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of 6 19th century McKenney and Hall portraits of Native Americans. Hand colored lithographs from: The history of the Indian tribes of North Ameri...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century G. Rovatti Oil Painting on Canvas River Landscape W Figures
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century oil on canvas landscape painting showing a tree lined river with two figures washing linens. Signed in the lower left G. Rovatti. Measures: 21” x 1.75” x 17” / Sans fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Pair of Oil on Board Harbour Scenes Manner of Luigi Maria Galea
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Manner Of Luigi Maria Galea (1847-1917) circa 1900 The Grand Harbour, Valetta, early morning; and The Grand Harbour, Valetta, at dusk signed illeg...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Still Life Oil Painting
Located in Nashville, TN
This stunning still life oil painting is a great way to add a bit of brightness to the walls of your kitchen or dining space. Fruit and vegetables have ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Still Life Oil Painting
Still Life Oil Painting
H 8 in W 10.75 in D 0.75 in
Manner of J.M.W Turner, Venice Scene of the Grand Canal Painting
Located in Nashville, TN
Probably circa 1910, decorative painting with craquelure throughout. Old dark varnish. The sky near frame edge has thicker paint suggesting some later in painting. Stretcher marks sh...
Category

1910s Italian Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Previously Available Items
Bali Hindu Textile Framed 'Kamasan' Painting, Indonesia C. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A mid-20th century 'Kamasan' cotton textile painting from Bali, Indonesia. The hand-painted image has great detail and depicts Balinese Hindu mythology. Key features of this image ar...
Category

1950s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Cotton, Paint

1950s Belgian Still Life in Wooden Frame
Located in High Point, NC
This painting was made in Belgium, circa 1950. Framed with a white patinated wood, the painting depicts a bouquet of flowers resting in a dark vase. The ‘nature morte’ is painted wit...
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood, Paint

Famed Haitian Painter Montas Antoine 1954 Framed Oil on Board Rural Scene
Located in Miami, FL
Lovely naive oil on board painting by Montas Antoine depicting an idyllic scene of country folk doing their daily labor and another group standing by the river.  In vivid colors of t...
Category

1950s Haitian Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Clementine Hunter African American Folk Artist, circa 1950's, Still Life
By Clementine Hunter
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Oil on Board by well known black folk artist Clementine Hunter (1887-1987). Measures 16"h x 12"w. Frame measures 20 3/4"h x 17"w. The painting its...
Category

1950s Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Pair Modern Haitian Oil on Board Surrealism Paintings by Ivette LaGuerre, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $480...A pair of fabulous small Surrealist Haitian oil on masonite paintings from the 1950s, both signed lower right by Ivette LaGuerre. The First painting depicting a w...
Category

1950s Haitian Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Paint

Mid-20th Century Danish Naive Folk-Art Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-20th century Danish naive folk-art oil painting depicting a cottage surrounded by a tall shrubbery wall with a stone gate post flanking a gravel...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

English Folk Art Oil on Canvas Painting a Chemist in Mayfair, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
A chemist in Mayfair, circa 1950 We are proud to offer a mid-20th century oil on canvas painting, depicting a Mayfair (London) Pharmacy called Goulds. This pharmacy still exists in London however the location of the store has moved to a smaller premise. The painting depicts the front of the store with 3 staff members standing proudly outside, A redbrick building with street name and heraldic shield...
Category

1950s British Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Roses Oil Painting, Still Life with Flowers, 1950
Located in Albignasego, IT
France, 1950 Measures: 50 cm x 35 cm (frame excluded) 19.7 in x 13.8 in (frame excluded) oil on board Painting depicting a glass vase containing pink roses Antique fir frame.
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Mid-20th Century Amish Pastoral Scene Oil on Canvas by Harvey Milligan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Americana Amish farm-life oil painting by Harvey Milligan, circa 1950s. Charming character scale and composition (figures are very small). Although nai...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint

Lawrence Lebduska American Folk Art Painting with Polar Bears & Penguin
Located in New York, NY
American Folk Art painting featuring a pair of polar bears and a penguin, made by Lawrence Lebduska (1894-1966). One penguin standing in the center flanked by the bears, with arctic ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Wood

Vintage Noah’s Ark Modernist Oil Painting
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming 1950s modernist oil on masonite of Noah’s Ark. The use of color and expressive animals makes this a whimsical uplifting piece of art.
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Masonite

1950s Hand Painted Advertising Wonder Bread Pop Art
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Grocery Store advertising Wonder Bread "Pop Art", circa 1950s. The builds strong bodies 8 ways slogan was changed to 12 ways in the 1960s. Wonder bread st...
Category

1950s Vintage Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Other

Folk Art paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art paintings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paintings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with canvas, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art paintings made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings, popular names associated with this style include Purvis Young, Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo, M J Myers, and A. Tamme. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paintings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,380 and tops out at $2,600 while the average work can sell for $2,490.

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