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Mid-Century Modern Paintings

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern 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.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s 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 pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture 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, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere 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
Color:  Blue
Michael Dore, "Tombe De Chefs", Oil on Canvas, circa 1970
By Michael Doré
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Michael Dore, "Tombe De Chefs", oil on canvas, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Mid-Century Modern Floral Abstract Expressionist Painting
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Floral Abstract Expressionist Painting. Featuring an original frame, mixture of colors, date/signature on the back, and wire for hanging. Thi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Modern Expressionist Abstract Painting Signed Mullin
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Modern Expressionist Abstract Painting. Featuring a vintage wood frame, original expressionist style abstract art with a mixture of colors, and a wire on the ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Vintage Framed Oil Painting of Cuddling Women With Birds
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Outstanding vintage frame oil painting. Features two women sleeping on each other surrounded by doves.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

Large 1970s Color Wave Abstract Painting
Located in Garnerville, NY
Signed Scott lower left corner. Acrylic paint and mixed media on stretched canvas. Circa 1970. Beautiful abstract wave of color. Phenomenal expressive brushwork and use of highly bri...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Paint

M. Bires, Painting Hst "Landscape Naif" Slovak School, Located in Kovacica, 1967
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
M. Bires, painting Hst "landscape Naif" Slovak School, located in Kovacica, dated 1967.
Category

1960s Slovak Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Original Abstract Cubist Oil on Canvas, Midcentury, circa 1940s
Located in Norwalk, CT
A striking oil on canvas composition in greens, blues, and purples, circa 1940s. Apparently unsigned, presented in a low-profile black painted wood frame.
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Mid-Century Modern Aqua Blue White and Green Nautical Harbor Painting
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Mid-Century Modern harbor painting signed, “LeMark.” The painting deviates from others of the period with it’s bright aqua blue, yellow, green and white palette. Earth tones are abundant in Mid-Century Modern paintings. Here we have something light and bright to illuminate your space. The harbor scene is rendered with broad, painterly strokes. These dynamic brush marks are borrowed from the Abstract Expressionist aesthetic prevalent at the time. This painting will be right at home in coastal locations with it’s sailboat set...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Large Abstract Resin Painting by Noted Artist Anita Weschler
By Anita Weschler
Located in New York, NY
Large and impressive abstract art work by noted artist Anita Weschler. This piece is from her series of resin pieces done in the mid 20th C., it is in v...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Resin

Mid Century Turquoise "Spin Art" Acrylic Painting in the Style of Damien Hirst
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very cool mid century vibrant turquoise acrylic on canvas painting in the style od Damien Hirst, 1970's, original brushed chrome frame.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Mid Century Painting French of the Cote d'Azur in a Blue Frame, Around 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
This fantastic mid century painting French of the Cote d'Azur in a Blue Frame, was painted around 1960. It has a great look and you can in...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Op Art Abstract Geometric Acrylic Painting on Canvas "Triangles"
Located in Miami, FL
Optical art acrylic on canvas "Triangles", stretched, wired and ready to hang Offered is an optical art acrylic painting on canvas titled "Triangles. The work is stretched, wired ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Vintage Mid 20th Century Blue Color Block Abstract Watercolor Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage mid 20th century watercolor on paper color block with blue by Jacob Semiatin (1915-2003) American. Signed lower right corner, crinkles to corners. Unframed.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Original Iconic Achillo Sullo Colorful Abstract Painting on Canvas
Located in West Hartford, CT
Colorful abstract painting by famed Massachusetts artist Achillo "Achi" Sullo (American, 1922-2013). This piece is from his estate. He was known for his play with vibrant colors and ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Contemporary Oil on Canvas Painting, Signed Lanci in the Manner of Rene Magritte
Located in Miami, FL
A unique oil on canvas painting that is so perfectly executed that it almost appears to be a machine made print. However, it is not. Instead it's a work that is masterfully painted w...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Canvas

Boris Koblikoff Abstract Gouache Painting 1940's, La Galerie 18 Paris
Located in Rochester, NY
Abstract modernist gouache painting on paper by Boris Koblikoff ( Russian, mid 20th century Paris ) Koblikoff went to Paris from Moscow and remained there through WWII. His work was represented by La Galerie...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

1970s Archer Pop Art Silkscreen for Harris Strong Mid-Century Blue Circle
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Massive 70s silkscreen wall art made by Harris G. Strong Corporation of NYC. The white is showing some slight soiling here and there from normal exposure.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

1950's French Modernist/ Cubist Painting - Two Religious Figures
Located in Cirencester, GB
French Landscape by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century) original watercolour/ gouache painting on artist paper, unframed size: 16.5 x 9.5 inches condition: very good and read...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Other

Mary Nomecos 'Am., 20th C.' Oil and Mixed Media On Canvas, Abstract Painting
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and striking Abstract painting by noted Artist Mary Nomecos. Signed and dated 2001 on verso with title "Gathered White". Gallery label and bio inf...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

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

Canvas Painting Acrylic Artist Sergio Prieto Contemporary 21st Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
Introspective Canvas is one of the unique pieces of Sergio Prieto, a multidisciplinary Spanish artist and World Recognized Furniture Designer with Prizes like 2020 Young Talent by Interiores Design Magazine and Best of Spain 2020 by AD Magazine...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Paint

Monumental Painting by Patrick Tidd, 1964
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Monumental oil on canvas, 1964 by Bay Area Painter and Educator Patrick Tidd. Painting measures 63.25" wide, 2" deep and 68.5" high. From the ex-collection of architect Richard Pet...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

"Blue Landscape with Town" by Boris Chetkov
By Boris Alexandrovitch Chetkov
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed lower right and inscribed on reverse. Very similar to the work "Blue Haze" that sold at Christies London in 2013. Approximate framed dimensions 37.5" x 44" Born October 27, 1926, to a family of successful peasant farmers in the small town of Novaya Lyalya in the Northern Urals, Boris Chetkov...
Category

1960s Russian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Tommi Parzinger "Rose red, Lily white" Abstract Oil on Burlap, 1969
Located in Norwalk, CT
Tommi Parzinger, German/NY (1903-1981). "#189 Rose red, Lily white" Oil on burlap, 1969. Numbered, titled, signed and dated on verso. Burlap supported by a wood frame. See condition...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Burlap, Paint

1950's French Modernist/ Cubist Painting - Red Fine Landscape
Located in Cirencester, GB
French Landscape by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century) original watercolour/ gouache painting on artist paper, unframed size: 9.5 x 6.25 inches condition: very good and read...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Other

Oil on Canvas; Large Pair of Paintings Depicting Chinese Vases
Located in San Francisco, CA
Each large well-rendered painting depicting Chinese vases finely detailed with colorful floral and foliate stems.
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

'Snake River' by Karen Parisian
Located in Chicago, IL
Snake River ’ by Chicago Artist, Karen Parisian. Acrylic + mixed media on canvas. Karen Parisian is a Chicago based artist. Her work can be thought of ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Deep Ocean, Contemporary Color-Field Abstract by Benjamin Casiano
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Evocative color-field abstract composition by contemporary American artist, Benjamin Casiano. Casiano is a lover of color and uses dramatic brushstrokes to bring color alive on his c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Modernist Collage Art Map Man on Musical Score with Blue Field Dated 1962
Located in Ferndale, MI
Nicely done collage. cut out map man standing on sheet music holding game board. All on blue painted sky blue masonite. Signed Steiner (?) '62.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Masonite

Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Dress Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) painting portraying a seated woman in a vivid blue dress with her hands folded in her lap, against an abstractly painted background of land, sky and town, on a...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Dress Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th century) painting portraying a seated woman in a vivid blue dress with her hands folded in her lap, against an abstractly painted background of land, sky and town, on a...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Town Square Aerial View Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) painting of an 18th century town square captured from above, depicting figures moving throughout, greenery and lanes in the center, and buildings far into the ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Abstract Original Signed Painting by Arlene Carr
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning original oil on canvas abstract with multitudes of blue waves by the artist Arlene Carr. Signed at bottom. Frame appears to be new.
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Acrylic Painting on Canvas of Two Parrots in the Rain
By Jessica Rice
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century acrylic painting on canvas of two parrots in a tree with rain drops executed with bold tropical colors and a sense of movement. One can almost hear this painting. Signed ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Original 20th Century Figurative Painting by French Artist Roudneff, Dated 1963
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern oil on canvas, abstract composition by French artist, Roudneff, dated 1963. Beautiful and very interesting work. Monsieur Roudneff, created numerous mo...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Harold McDonald Oil on Canvas, "Shattter" in Blue and White, Dated 1962
Located in Dallas, TX
Midcentury oil on canvas by Harold McDonald. Beautiful blues and whites in an expressive abstract design.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Oil on Canvas Naked Woman Elio Pelosi Neapolitan Painter Work Entitled Orgasm
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Oil on Canvas Naked Woman Elio Pelosi Neapolitan Painter Work Entitled Orgasm 1971. Very Beautiful the Colors of a Brightness and Extreme Vitalit...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Semeraro Painter Oil on Canvas Italian Pastel Colors 1970s Metaphysical
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Semeraro painter oil on canvas Italian pastel colors 1970s Metaphysical, Italian artist.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

20th Century Light-Blue French Abstract Painting by Daniel Clesse
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French light blue white abstract painting oil on wood by Daniel Clesse, painted in France, signed and dated in 1991. Without the fram...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Midcentury Oil Painting on Canvas of Boys Fishing
By Alvarez Ortega
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury oil painting on canvas of three boys with poles uniquely portrayed as a deconstructed moment on open canvas surrounded by blue with reflections. Signed in the lower right ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Double Picture Horse Front and Boat Back Spanish, 1958 Aliaga, Spain
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish horse portrait, 1958 Curious painting in front and back and signed in both sides. Beautiful horse portrait by Aliaga, circa 1958, Spain. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Claridge Tower, " Superb, Large Architectural Painting, circa 1960, Cleveland
By T. Marshall Rainey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One of the finest midcentury architectural renderings we have ever seen, this large and vivid painting executed in gouache and oil o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Modernist Tropical Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modernist oil painting on canvas with a disciplined Minimalist style contrasting geometric forms with organic blowing palm trees and reflective pond.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Roberto Crippa "Spirali" Italian Modern 1953 Oil Canvas "Composizione in Verde"
Located in Sharon, CT
Very early and important Spirali series oil on canvas by Crippa. Framed 31" x 31". Signed and titled on verso "Composizione in Verde" Crippa '53. Local pickup and white glove shipping.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

"White Roses" Still Life Painting by Chicago Artist Stanley Mitruk
Located in Chicago, IL
Painting on board of an atmospheric still life of roses in a glass vase by Chicago artist Stanley Mitruk titled "White Roses", dated 1958. Measuremen...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

20th Century Painting of Port Nazairie by M. Colloivinic
By M. Colloivinic
Located in New Orleans, LA
Signed on the reverse M. Colloivinic Dec '53, this oil on board painting is of Saint-Nazaire. Saint-Nazaire is a Community on the Loire-Atlantic department in western France, in trad...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Wood

Frank Auerbach Signed Original Reclining Figure 1 '1966' Screenprint
By Auerbach
Located in Melbourne, AU
Numbered original Serigraph, signed Frank Auerbach, Reclining Figure 1, 1966. Frank Auerbach is one of the pre-eminent British artists of the 20th cent...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Mid-century Modern paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern 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 wall decorations, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, paint and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern paintings made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings, popular names associated with this style include Peter Keil, Jacob Semiatin, Daniel Clesse, and Charles Levier. 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 $45 and tops out at $275,000 while the average work can sell for $1,851.

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