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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
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Oil on Rice Paper Painting by French Artist Fandre
Located in Miami, FL
A vibrant mid-century modern abstract oil painting by French artist Fandre. The artwork showcases a dynamic composition of colorful shapes on unique rice paper, signed by the artist ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper, Paint

Vintage Mid 20th Century Leslie Larsson Modernist Male Figures Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage 1958 oil on paper painting of two Modernist harlequin type figures in yellow and blue by Leslie Larsson (1913-1970) Texas. Signed lower right corner. Displayed under glass...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Tower of Babel" Engraved Painting 1960s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Large "Tower of Babel" painting in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne and bamboo motif frame by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960's (signed “Phillip. Kelvin L...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Pewter

Large Mid-Century Gold Leaf Painting with Gold Leaf Custom Frame
Located in Miami, FL
Large and remarkable painting with watercolor, charcoal, pastel crayon and gold leaf techniques. The custom hand made frame is gilt wood with lacquer. The piece is in very good condi...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Giltwood

Bernard Boesch painting French c.1939
Located in London, GB
Fabulous early oil painting by Bernard Boesch. French artist. Trained architect and artist. Influenced by Raoul Dufy, this painting is a rare early example of Boesch’s work. Titled « Tapis Rouge...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

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 original frame. It measures 14.5" H x 16.5" W. Lillian Lent lived and worked in the Woodstock Artist colony in New York. She attended the Tyler School of Fine Art in Philadelphia. In 1959, she was awarded first prize for one of her paintings from the Albany Museum. Among some of the galleries to exhibit her work were the Albright Gallery, the Norlyst Gallery, and The Creative Gallery. 2) Amedeo Modigliani lithograph...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper

Margaret Ash Abstract, 1950s Mixed Media Painting
Located in San Diego, CA
Abstract mixed media painting on panel titled "Pacific #2" by Margaret Ash, circa 1950s. Retains label from Esther Bear Gallery in Santa Barbara, California.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Mid Century Modern Abstract Painting by Flora Crockett (1892-1979)
By Flora Crockett
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Attributed to Flora Crockett (American, 1892-1979), Untitled Abstraction. Flora Crockett is a newly discovered American abstractionist whose career spanned the middle decades of th...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Signed Rafael Diaz MCM Maritime/Nautical/Coastal Sailboat Harbor Oil Painting
Located in Mckinney, TX
Immerse yourself in this serene maritime scene of boats swaying on the water tied in a calm harbor. Painting is oil on canvas framed in a creamy white narrow frame with a natural lin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

"Moonlight Sail" Painting Signed S. Michel
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Signed S. Michel, great midcentury feel. Very well executed oil on canvas.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Helen Landgarten Los Angeles Figural Oil Painting Framed an Art Therapy Founder
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Landgarten, signed on verso. Estate fresh. Beautiful calming painting. Unrestored, and in Fair/Poor vintage condition, no rips, no holes, but a dark scuff streak on left side, and ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Jacques de Feline de la Roche abstract painting 1983
Located in Grenoble, FR
abstract painting by the Grenoblois painter Jacques de Feline in his last period. Abstract and lyrical work, Jacques' wife was a French poet who had a lot of influence on his way of ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Oil on Board by Sandy Sutherland
Located in Houston, TX
Oil on Board by Sandy Sutherland. this late 60's early 70's portrait of a woman, possibly a stewardess is a unique example of using oil paint and having the appearance of a watercolo...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Paint

Charles Levier (Fr. 1920-2003) Signed Watercolor & Ink On Paper Harlequin-Woman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Watercolor and ink depicting the portrait of a harlequin standing against a woman in an orange dress. Presented in a brass tone textured and smooth metal frame, matted and glazed. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

Charles Levier (Fr. 1920-2003) Signed Watercolor & Ink On Paper
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Watercolor & ink depicting a woman in a purple dress with her eyes shaded in blue with a crowd in the background in orange, pink and yellow tones. Presented in a silvertone metal fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

Francine Tint (American, B. 1943) Acrylic On Canvas, "Wandering Spirit"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and sweeping abstract by New York based artist Francine Tint. Ms. Tint has works in the permanent collections of the Portland Art Museum and the Krannert Art Museum as well a...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Charles Cobelle Painting - Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful signed original painting on canvas by Charles Cobelle of Paris. Charles Cobelle was a studio assistant to Raoul Dufy prior to his own prolific career as an artist in Paris....
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

"Le Festin De'Avaignée" Oil on Canvas, Jean de Botton, 1960 (1898-1978)
By Jean Isy de Botton
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is such a striking piece by Jean De Botton entitled "Le Festin De Avaignée" or The Spider's Feast. This piece is from 1960, after his transition to more abstract work. Button se...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Canvas, Wood

1960s Trompe L'oiel Hardedge Surrealist Painting
Located in Oakland, CA
A whimsical acrylic on canvas painting from the 1960s, using various architectural elements with a touch of surrealism, hardedge and trompe l'oiel in its creation in a square format....
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Wood

Giuseppe Riccardo Lanza Mixed media on cardboard Turin Italy
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Giuseppe Riccardo Lanza, mixed media on cardboard. Painting signed at lower left. Frameless Giuseppe Riccardo Lanza was born on December 23, 1933, in Turin, Italy. Multifaceted arti...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Painting Giuseppe Riccardo Lanza Turin Italy
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Painting by Giuseppe Riccardo Lanza, mixed media on cardboard canvas. Painting signed at lower left. Original framing Giuseppe Riccardo Lanza was born on December 23, 1933, in Turin,...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mid Century Modern Framed Art
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Framed Art Dimensions. 56 W ; 1 D ; 32 H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

Dutch Mid-Century Untitled Abstract Expressionist Painting in Greens & Browns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century large abstract expressionist acrylic painting with masterful palette knife and brushwork. Rich greens and browns evocative of the works of Franz Klein, Frank Auerbach, Em...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

Untitled, 1960 by Julius Hatofsky (American, 1922-2006)
Located in Dallas, TX
abstract expressionist mixed media work, untitled, by Julius Hatofsky (American, 1922-2006) dated March 28, 1960, and signed and inscribed verso with a SUMMIT ART CENTER show label d...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Pierre Gogois Oil on Canvas Course de Chevaux
Located in Houston, TX
"Pierre Gogois captures the thundering energy of a horse race in his dynamic oil on canvas masterpiece. Bold strokes of color and expert composition bring the intensity of the compet...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

American Mid Century Modern abstract Oil on Canvas Painting by Van Daas
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice framed abstract by Van Daas circa 1970's great colors with aluminum frame.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

1970's Abstract Original Oil on Canvas Palette Framed Painting Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
1970's original oil on canvas pallette technique frames painting in aluminium frame nice condition and colors signed .
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas Matterhorn Artwork
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas Matterhorn Artwork By unknown artist, from France In fair condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

"Nudes with Guitars", Mid Century Painting w/ Male Nudes by Christopher Clark
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully painted in tones of ruddy-burnt sienna, gray and white, this unusual painting by Christopher Clark depicts two nude guitarists -- or perhaps a single guitarist in two pos...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Robert Herrmann View from MRR
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Herrmann "View from MRR" 1959-1960 oil on canvas Dimensions: 20" h × 20" w Robert Herrmann was an American painter who was born in 1922. MoMA, The Museum of Modern Art featur...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Comic Strip Oil Paintings of The Black Widow
Located in London, GB
An amazing and unique set of three vintage comic strip oil paintings of The Black Widow. We would date these to around the 1970’s. They are beautifully executed and are made to sit ...
Category

1970s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Mid-Century Modern Painting - Modernist Style - Louis van Mergel 1957
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful modernist painting, an abstract interior representation of a lady at a side table. Oil paint on canvas. The painting is signed and dated: Louis van Mergel 1957. He is a B...
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Vintage John Hood Set Design for Macbeth Act V Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage gouache on artist board set design for Macbeth Act V scene 8. Signed John Hood and titled in pencil along lower mat. Unframed, displayed in cream mat, age toning, edge wear...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Modern Oil-on-Canvas Painting of a Flower Market by Cesar Boletti (1915-1995)
Located in NICE, FR
We are delighted to present this exquisite painting by Cesar Boletti (1915-1995), which captures a vibrant floral market scene on the Cours Saleya in Nice. This piece is masterfully ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Vintage John Hood Set Design for Macbeth Act I Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage gouache on artist board set design for Macbeth Act I scene 3. Signed John Hood and titled in pencil along lower mat. Unframed, displayed in cream mat, age toning, edge wear...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Vintage John Hood Set Design for Shearman & Tailor Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage gouache on artist board set design for The Shearman & The Tailor architectural scene. Signed John Hood and titled in pencil along lower mat. Unframed, displayed in black ma...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Mid 20th Century John Hood Set Design for Macbeth Act 3 Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage gouache on artist board set design for Macbeth Act III scene 4. Signed John Hood and titled in pencil along lower mat. Unframed, displayed in cream mat, age toning, edge we...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Robert Herrmann CBS Night
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Herrmann CBS Night Oil on Masonite The first and only skyscraper "Black Rock" designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in New York City Signed, titled, and dated t...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Masonite

Vintage John Hood Set Design for Romeo & Juliet Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage gouache on artist board set design for Romeo & Juliet ballroom scene. Signed John Hood and titled in pencil along lower mat. Unframed, displayed in black mat, edge wear to ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

1970's Original Abstract Oil on Canvas by Elgin Mid Century
Located in San Diego, CA
1970s Original Abstract Modernist oil on canvas by Elgin, original wood frame , beautiful colors nice original condition. Great for any Mid century , Danish modern home decor. Gorgeo...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Oil on canvas painting by Oscar Troneck
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oscar Troneck Oil on canva France 1970 40 cm х 31 cm
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Mid Century Macbeth Theater Set Design 3 Witches Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage mid century gouache on artist board painting. Set design for 3 witches in Macbeth. Signed Evans lower right mat. Unframed, displayed attached to black mat, scuffing to mat.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Mid- Century Modern Abstract Blue with Gold Leaf and Gold Metal Bubble Painting
Located in Miami, FL
French Bubbles! A circular energy abstract painting in a Klein blue with gold leaf and gold metal bubbles. The painting is large and has an uplifting presence.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Bronze

"Circus", Large and Ambitious Painting by John B. Lear w/ Male Nudes, 1965
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This early and ambitious watercolor painting by John B. Lear shows the growing scale and detail of his best work, here incorporating three nude and semi-nude male figures in a surrea...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Mid Century Modern Signed Kelly Oil Painting "Yak Standing On Tongue"
Located in Sarasota, FL
Oil painting entitled "Yak Standing On Tongue" Signed Kelly circa 1960
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Mid Century Modern Abstract Bird Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Sarasota, FL
Painting of a pair of birds. Signed with a monogram. small spots of loss
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Original Watercolor Painting "Daytona Beach - Florida" by Benjamin Kelman
Located in San Diego, CA
An original watercolor painting entitled "Daytona Beach - Florida" by listed artist Benjamin Kelman, circa 1950's. The painting is in very good vintage condition and presented in a g...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Aluminum

Larry Connatser (1938-1996) Signed Savannah Artist Oil Painting
Located in Sarasota, FL
Original painting by Savannah GA artist Larry Connatser.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Takanori Kinoshita (1894-1973) Japanese Mid Century Portrait Painting
Located in Sarasota, FL
Portrait of a musician girl by Takanori Kinoshita
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

1960s Italian Signed Abstract Painting
Located in Roma, IT
Nino Caffè, painting on paper, mixed media. “Vestizione di un pretino” (Vestments of a Young Priest) Signed bottom center: Caffè. Young priests in 1950s Rome were one of Nino Caff...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paper

Original Watercolor Painting "Navy Pier - Chicago" by Benjamin Kelman
Located in San Diego, CA
An original watercolor painting entitled "Navy Pier - Chicago" by listed artist Benjamin Kelman, circa 1950's. The painting is in very good vintage condition and presented in a gold ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Aluminum

Oil Painting by Ysbrant Van Wijngaarden (1937 - 2021)
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Oil Painting by Ysbrant Van Wyngaarden (1937 - 2021) born in The Hague, The Netherlands. Painting measures 68.25" wide, 1.5" deep and 60.5" high. Frame is all original. Note: we h...
Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Three Original Watercolor Paintings "Century of Progress" by Benjamin Kelman
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful set of three original watercolor painting "Century of Progress" by listed artist Benjamin Kelman, circa 1950's. Each painting is in very good vintage condition and presen...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Aluminum

Abstract City Scene Oil by Uruguayan Artist Carlos Perez Franco
By Carlos Pérez Franco
Located in Peabody, MA
A large scale abstract citiscape painting, oil on canvas, by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Perez Franco (1929-2015). Perez Franco exhibited throug...
Category

1980s Uruguayan Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Mid Century Modern Island Water Marine Watercolor Painting
Located in Mckinney, TX
Step into the vibrant world of mid-century modern art with this captivating painting adorned in bold and electrifying colors in impressionistic watercolor brushstrokes. A rustic beac...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

1950s Ruth M. Fulton WPA Abstract Impressionist Painting of Sailors on a Boat
Located in Miami, FL
1950s Ruth Fulton WPA Abstract Impressionist Painting of Sailors on a Boat Offered for sale is a 1950s Ruth McConnell Fulton (1905-2003) WPA School Impressionist painting depictin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Signed Dutch 1952 Mid Century Nautical Oil on Canvas Sailboat in the Sound
Located in Mckinney, TX
Step into the past with this enchanting 1952 Dutch oil painting capturing the serenity of a sailboat with its attached dingy gracefully navigating through a tranquil sound, framed by...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

20th Century French Oil Painting on Canvas of Small Town in Wooden Frame
Located in Houston, TX
This 20th-century French oil painting on canvas offers a nostalgic glimpse into a small town's quaint charm, capturing the essence of everyday life with remarkable detail and warmth....
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

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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