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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Oil on Canvas by Armilde Dupont, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Oil on Canvas by Armilde Dupont, Belgium
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Framed Painting by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1960s, Ink on Paper, Abstract
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painting by Rune Hagberg, Sweden, 1960s. Ink on paper, framed. Signed. Artwork dimensions: H: 45 cm W: 58 cm Frame dimensions: H: 63 cm W: 72.5 cm D: 6 cm
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Oil Painting on Canvass by Josep Moncada Titled : Where Are You Taking Me?
Located in London, GB
A fantastic contemporary oil painting on canvass by Josep Moncada titled: Where are you taking me? Josep Moncada (b. 1967) is a gifted and renowned Spanish painter, mostly known for...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Superb oil Painting "Vietnamese Women under Flamboyant Trees" by André Maire
By André Maire
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning oil on cardboard painting by André maire (1898-1984) representing two Vietnamese ladies under Flamboyant trees. Oil paintings by André Maire are a lot more scarce than his g...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Georges Vaxelaire, Oil On Canvas "Composition géométrique", 1975, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Georges Vaxelaire, oil on canvas "Composition géométrique", 1975. Signed and dated.
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Georges Vaxelaire, Oil on Canvas "composition géométrique orange", 1973, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
G. Vaxelaire, oil on canvas "composition géométrique orange", 1973, Belgium. Signed and dated.
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Oil Painting by John Mackay of Brenda Cochrane
Located in London, GB
This is an original vintage oil painting on canvass, by the well known British artist John Mackay. It depicts the Scottish singer Brenda Cochrane, and date...
Category

Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Brussels Street Scene Painting on Canvas, Victor Petré, Belgium, circa 1960
Located in Brussels, BE
Brussels street scene painting on canvas, Victor Petré, Belgium, circa 1960.
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Oil Painting by Arne Heuser, 1966
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Oil Painting by Arne Heuser, 1966 Additional Information: Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Dimensions (W x H): 98 x 148 cm Condition: Good vintage condition, with signs of usage
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Colorful oil painting on copper in a black frame
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Colorful painting on copper in a (recent) black frame. Signed: JH. F...(unknown). Dated: 1970
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Copper

“Nr 6” Oil Painting by Harry Booström, 1955
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
“Nr 6” Oil Painting by Harry Booström, 1955 Additional Information: Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Dimensions (W x H): 60.5 x 60 cm Condition: Good v...
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Large Vintage Venetian Painting, Continental School, Oil on Canvas, Venice, 1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage Venetian painting. A Continental, oil on canvas study of Venice, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. A Venetian treat - captured in wonderful colour...
Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Large Vintage Edwardian Street Painting, English, Original, Oil, Cornish School
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage Edwardian street painting. An English, original oil on canvas in giltwood frame , dating to the late 20th century. John Bampfield (1947 - ) is a British arti...
Category

Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Vastian Contemporary Abstract Painting Fabric and Wood, 2010
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vastian contemporary abstract painting fabric and wood, 2010. Materials: Fabric Wood. Important information regarding color(s) of products: Actual colors may vary. This is due to t...
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Framed Paint, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Manufactured Spain, circa 1970. Materials: Wood, paper. Dimensions: D 1,5 x W 24,7 cm x H 30,7 cm The artwork is in its original condition, showing minor signs of wear consistent...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

Framed Red Glass Hand Painted, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Framed Red Glass Hand Painted, circa 1950 Manufactured France, circa 1950. Materials: Wood, glass. Dimensions: D 4 cm x W 23,2 cm x H 38 cm The artwork is in its original condit...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Glass, Wood

Framed Blue Glass Hand Painted, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Framed Blue Glass Hand Painted, circa 1950 Manufactured France, circa 1950. Materials: Wood, glass. Dimensions: D 4 cm x W 23,2 cm x H 38 cm The artwork is in its original condit...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Glass, Wood

Painting in Colors in the Style of Fernand Leger Painted on Canvas, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Painting in the style of Fernand Leger, circa 1970. Painted on canvas. In original condition, with some visible signs of previous use and age, preserving a beautiful patina. ...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Mid Century Abstract Acrylic on Canvas Signed R. Brandely
Located in Wembley, GB
An acrylic on canvas depiction of a religious scene. Signed R. Brandely, French, mid-late 20C. Stock ref. #2372 Colours remaining vibrant with light wear to the canvas. 50 x 61 cm...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Vintage Venetian Canal Painting, Continental School, Oil on Canvas, Venice, Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Venetian canal painting. A Continental school, oil on canvas study of Venice, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Appealing canal scene in oils, with grea...
Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

A huge modular painting with a horses theme, 1970´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
A huge modular painting with a horse motif, made in the 70s in the former Czechoslovakia. This painting is composed of 3 separate sololith panels that are joined together. It is an a...
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Oil on canva tiger by Jaime Parladé
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jaime Parladé Oil on canva Spain 1970
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Daniel Viene ( 1955-2013) " mixed technique on paper, signed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Daniel Viene ( 1955-2013) " Le premier vol de Jean Charles" mixed technique on paper, signed
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Modern French Abstract Paintig Still Life by Roland Bierge
By Roland Bierge
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, important painting by the great French artist Roland Bierge. Signed and numbered on the back. This still life, of rare evocative intensity, best represents the artistic si...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Contemporary Abstract Oriental Signed Painting
By Kozo Inoue
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful contemporary abstract Kozo Inoue signed painting Series of 4 canvas assembled to form a single painting signed Kozo Inoue dated 1974 This painting, never before on the mark...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

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-...
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Colorful Painting by Joan Longas: 'Abri las Ventanas'
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a visual journey with this captivating artwork by Joan Longas, titled "Abri las Ventanas." Created around the year 2000, this vibrant painting emanates the warmth and charm...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Cityscape Painting by Jordi Mir: 'Battery Park, NY
Located in Barcelona, ES
Immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of the city with this striking artwork by Jordi Mir, entitled "Battery Park, NY." Crafted around 2005, this captivating piece captures the bust...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Post Impressionist Spanish Oil Painting Castle with Village, Spain, 1950
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Very interesting post impressionist painting of a Mediterranean character, ideal for art collectors of Mediterranean landscapes old painting of very large dimensions, lots of color, ...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Mid-Century Modern Brussels Street Scene Oil Painting, Framed with Glass
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Oil painting capturing a narrow street or alleyway in Brussels, adorned with houses and a small grocery stand featuring two ladies. The artwork is signed by F. Jorwitz, Ferdinand Jo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Glass, Paint

Circa 1950s French Blanches Colombes Pensionnat Jeunes Filles Watercolour Erté
Located in London, GB
Circa 1950s French "Blanches Colombes Pensionnat Jeunes Filles" which translates to "White Dove Boarding School for Young Ladies" original and signed watercolour painting by Erté. T...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Plastic, Paper

Early 20th century Danish vintage painting by Christian Bennedsen (1893-1967)
Located in Ebberup, DK
This is an exclusive Danish vintage original oil on canvas painting by Jens Christian Bennedsen (1883-1967) estimated to be from the 1930s. It is framed in a gold painted wooden fram...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Single French 1950’s abstract acrylic panel
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Single french 1950's abstract acrylic panel. Screen is made from browns, oranges, yellows and greens with gold leaf in places. It has been photographed with front light, front light...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Contemporary Painting by Well Rimo, Ivory Coast
Located in NICE, FR
Very large painting by the Ivorian artist Well Rimo. From the streets to the auction room, Rimo has had an exceptional career. In March 2023, he sold two of his paintings at auction,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ivorian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Pair of Large Vintage Oil Paintings in the Manner of Tamara de Lempicka
By Tamara de Lempicka
Located in London, GB
A fabulous pair of large vintage oil paintings in the manner of Tamara de Lempicka. They date from around the late 20th century. They are beautifully executed and are very impressiv...
Category

1980s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Pair of large French 1950’s acrylic abstract panels gold leaf
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of large french 1950’s acrylic and resin abstract panels gold leaf circa 1950. Screens are made from browns, oranges, yellows and greens with gold leaf in places. They have be...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage large Batik painting '' Parrots eating fruit '' 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Love this Batik painting ,suberb color . looks like a Matisse painting . Parrots eating fruit . 1960s
Category

1960s Balinese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Fabric

Circa 20th Century Swedish Oil on Canvas Still Life by artist Karl Ohlsson
By Karl Enock Ohlsson
Located in London, GB
Pleasant and calming Swedish oil on canvas still life painting of a vase with a branch of flowering pink camellias surrounded by bottles and fruit. Mid Circa 20th and signed by the ...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Wood

1950’s abstract painting by Kenneth Moore 1959
Located in London, GB
A striking tall abstract painting by the Australian artist Kenneth Moore. Re stretched and framed. Titled verso Ritual X, London 1959.
Category

Mid-20th Century Australian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Small Vintage Oil On Canvas, Venice, Painting, Venetian Street Scene, Framed Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage oil on canvas of Venice. An unsigned Venetian street scene in quality frame, dating to the late 20th century. Inviting Venetian scene of a small cafe next to...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Large Vintage Oil on Canvas, Paris, Painting, Parisian Street Scene, Framed Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage oil on canvas of a Paris. An unsigned Parisian street scene in quality frame, dating to the late 20th century. Charmingly evocative street scene of a rain sl...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Rick Tubbax Flemish Landscape Oil on Linen 1950s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Rick Tubbax Flemish Landscape Oil on Linen, Belgium, 1950s. Beautiful and well painted landscape, oil on linen, by Belgian artist Rick Tubbax. Thick and fiercely painted with lots o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

Large Vintage Oil On Canvas, Venice, Passage to San Marco, Painting, Framed Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage oil on canvas of Venice "Passage to San Marco'. An unsigned Venetian street scene in quality frame, dating to the late 20th century. Capturing Venice in idyl...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

1950s Italian Abstract Painting by Mino Ceretti (1930)
Located in London, London
Abstract painting By Mino Ceretti Oil on canvas Signed bottom right Dated 1959 on reverse A small tear near the signature, shown in the photos Italy 1959
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

A Wide EXPRESSIONIST Figurative PAINTING, in FERNAND LEGER Style, France 1950.
Located in PARIS, FR
A large figurative "and" abstract gouache painting on paper and mounted on canvas, powerful and colorful art work obviously expressing the artist's creative performance, at the cross...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Canvas, Paper

Large 1970s Italian Abstract Painting
Located in London, London
Painting Abstract On canvas Signed Gabriele Dali Dated 1970 Italy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Abstract Oil Painting by Nicolai Michoutouchkine (1929-2010)
Located in NICE, FR
Nicolai Michoutouchkine was born on 5 October 1929 in Belfort, France to Belarussian parents who immigrated from Russia in 1920, via Gallipoli, Turkey and Bulgaria to France. During ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

Italian Vintage Musicians Silhouettes Mixed Media Paintings on Paper
Located in Firenze, IT
Two very pleasant musical themed silhouettes mixed media paintings. These lovely drawings are made of ink and watercolor on paper enriched by a musical score fixed with a red lacquer wax mold...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper

Signed Vintage Lithograph by Peter J Lee
Located in London, GB
A beautiful signed vintage lithograph by Peter J Lee, dated 1987. This has a beautiful subject and is titled ‘Silent Observers’. It is signed dated and numbered 39/100. It is nicel...
Category

1980s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Michael O'Connell, "car crash", paste resist painting on woven textile, 1950s
Located in London, GB
"car crash", a unique painting / wall hanging. Paste resist painting on a woven textile, by Michael O'Connell, mid century, UK Michael O'Connell (1898 – 1976) was an English modernist artist who worked in Australia between World War I and World War II and then in England. He is best known as a textile artist with significant works held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of English Rural Life, the National Gallery of Australia etc... He was commissioned to produce a very large 56 meters long wall...
Category

20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Textile

Italian 1977 Set of Two Colourful Watercolours by Valerio Mazzanti
Located in London, GB
Set of two vivid watercolours by Valerio Mazzanti representing intense scenes of life. The larger watercolour is titled “FINE DI UN INCUBO” (End of a nightmare) and the smaller water...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Glass, Wood

Claude Pellier Painting Abstract decor patterns Signed and dated 1998
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Claude Pellier Painting Abstract decor patterns Signed and dated 1998
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Watercolor Landscape Sea Boat Miniature
Located in Lucca, IT
Watercolor panorama sea view of the coast sailboat .1960s .Dimensions 11x9. Delightful watercolor painting coeval wood frame .
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Italian mid-century modern Mixed media painting, 1940-1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Mixed media painting , 1940-1970s Painting entitled "Interpretazione grafica n.1" in mixed media on paper. The work depicts two women's faces, one straight...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper

Nude Painting by Gerhard E. Wachtl Attributed, 1960s, Vienna
By Gerhard E. Wachtl
Located in Vienna, AT
Nude painting from a lady by Gerhard E. Wachtl attributed ( 1928 - unknown ) Gerhard E. Wachtl had made many exhibitions at home and abroad. He did many study trips in Europe, Asia a...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Daniel Viene ( 1955-2013) " Le bolide rouge" mixed technique on paper, signed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Daniel Viene ( 1955-2013) " Le bolide rouge" mixed technique on paper, signed
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

René Fumeron: acrylic on paper, tapestry project, signed some halos to report
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Fumeron: acrylic on paper, tapestry project, signed some halos to report
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Michael O'Connell, sunbathing, wall hanging, painting on woven fabric, 1950s UK
Located in London, GB
"sunbathing", a unique wall hanging. Paste resist painting on a thick woven fabric, by Michael O'Connell, mid century, UK. An impressive piece. Michael O'Connell (1898 – 1976) was an English modernist artist who worked in Australia between World War I and World War II and then in England. He is best known as a textile artist with significant works held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of English Rural Life, the National Gallery of Australia etc... He was commissioned to produce a very large 56 meters long wall hanging...
Category

20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Fabric

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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