1973
Louise Nevelson was one of the leading American female sculptors of the 20th century, and she did it on her own terms. She was a pioneer of installation art and created large-scale monochromatic sculptures that are today known for their provocative, compartmentalized forms. While her assemblages involved a range of materials, she is best known for her wooden sculptures. Working in a single color was her signature, and all-encompassing color demanded an all-encompassing focus for this artist — she even kept separate studios for work in black, white and gold.
Nevelson was born in what is now Ukraine in 1899 and emigrated to the United States with her family in 1905. She moved to New York City as a young woman in 1920 to study at the Art Students League. In the 1930s, Nevelson traveled around Europe, came into contact with the works of Picasso, studied with Hans Hofmann and assisted Diego Rivera in New York City.
Nevelson had her first solo show in 1941 at the Nierendorf Gallery in New York. In the late 1940s, she studied with Stanley William Hayter and worked as a ceramicist in the workshop of revered furniture designer Vladimir Kagan, who let her take scraps from the factory to use in her sculptures. (As a child, Nevelson had also worked with discarded wood from her father's lumber yard.)
By the early 1950s, Nevelson had traveled to Guatemala and Mexico. She was inspired by pre-Columbian art and the totemic works of ancient cultures. Nevelson began creating the first of her iconic wood sculptures and later participated in the legendary “Sixteen Americans” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Her work was acquired by prominent institutions in the years that followed.
Nevelson made reliefs in shadow boxes and was for a time affiliated with New York City’s Sidney Janis Gallery as its first female Abstract Expressionist artist (her work was abstract but she also drew on the Cubist and Constructivist movements). In the early 1960s, Nevelson showed her art in Chicago, Manhattan, Paris and West Germany. It was around this time that she exhibited at Pace Gallery in Boston and New York. The gallery represented her for the duration of her career.
Nevelson died in 1988, but her legacy is immense. Her work is held in virtually every major American art museum, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. Her permanent large-scale public sculptures are installed all over the country, including in Louise Nevelson Plaza in New York City's Financial District.
On 1stDibs, find original Louise Nevelson sculptures, prints and drawings.
Untitled
By Louise Nevelson
Located in New York, NY
Very good impressions of these 4 color screenprints on white wove paper. Each signed, dated and numbered 15/25, 18/36, 15/39 or 6/40 in pencil.
Color, Screen
UNTITLED
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Portland, ME
Nevelson, Louise. UNTITLED. Baro 36. Tamarind Number 801. Lithograph, 1963. Edition of 20, plus 2 Printer's Proofs, 1 Trial Proof, and 3 Artist's Proofs. Inscribed "Tamarind Impressi...
Lithograph
Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Abstract Geometric screenprint by Louise Nevelson. This print is in Nevelson’s typical style, using layers of fragmented geometric shapes to create depth. Nevelson is best known f...
Screen
Dusk in August
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) Dusk in August (1967) Lithograph with embossing Size: 17 x 22.25 in (43 x 56.4 cm) Frame size: 21.75 x 26.75 in (55.25 x 67.95 cm) Edition of 100, this i...
Lithograph
"Dusk in August" from the Portfolio of Nine
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Hinsdale, IL
NEVELSON, LOUISE (1899-1988) "Dusk in August" Lithograph in colors, 1967 Signed, dated, titled, and numbered in pencil lower margin This impression is XVIII/XX Sheet Size: 17” x 22” Published by Hollander’s Workshop with their blindstamp This lithograph by Louise Nevelson was made in collaboration with eight other artists in 1967. The other artists included in this portfolio collaboration are Roy Lichtenstein, Louise Nevelson, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Henry Pearson, Sam Francis, Richard Lindner, and Saul Steinberg. Louise Nevelson is one of American’s foremost artists, Nevelson’s sculpted wood assemblages transcended space and transformed the viewer’s perception of art. She was an American sculptor best known for her monochromatic wooden assemblages. During the 1950s, she began to create unique arrangements contained in wooden frames amassed from a range of found objects—usually woodcuts or bits of furniture—that were then painted a uniform black, white, or gold, as seen in her seminal work Royal Tide I (1960). Louise Nevelson emerged in the art world amidst the dominance of the Abstract Expressionist movement. In her most iconic works, she utilized wooden objects that she gathered from urban debris piles to create her monumental installations - a process clearly influenced by the precedent of Marcel Duchamp's found object sculptures and "readymades." Nevelson’s prints share with her sculpture an interest in silhouetted forms and the layering of elements, but distinguish themselves by their vivid color, depth and movement.. Louise Nevelson experimented in several different print mediums. A 1963 Ford Foundation grant enabled June Wayne of the Tamarind Lithography Workshop, Los Angeles, to extend an invitation to Nevelson. This initial collaboration led to twenty six lithographs, mostly black with dark blue or red, which combined hand-drawn elements with printed lace. Nevelson returned to Tamarind in 1967 to complete sixteen large scale lithographs know as Double Imagery. In these lithographs Nevelson played with landscapes of shadows and reflections using irregular shaped papers and a limited palette of black, red, grey and blue. For her brilliant compositions in varied mediums critics hailed her as the leading sculptor of the twentieth century. A pioneering grand dame of the art works, Nevelson’s iconic persona was characterized by her skilled mixing and matching of ethnic clothing...
Lithograph
$1,868
H 26.66 in W 23.39 in
Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) - Screen printing on paper - 1968
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Varese, IT
"Night Reflections". Screen printing on paper, edited in 1968. Limited edition of 100 copies , numbered as 60/100 in lower left corner. Hand-signed by artist in pencil in the lower...
Paper, Screen
$125,000
H 29.75 in W 25 in
Untitled - Mixed Media Assemblage Relief Painting on Wood Panel, 1974
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Louise Nevelson's ‘Untitled' (1974) brings the sculptor's signature assemblagist vision to an intimate, collage-based format. At the height of her international reputation in the ear...
Wood, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Newsprint
CAT
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Portland, ME
Nevelson, Louise. CAT. Baro 80. Etching and drypoint, 1965/6. Edition of 40 (There were also three Trial Proofs and four Artist's Proofs). Signed and numbered in pencil. 17 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches (plate), (sheet). The edition was printed at the Hollander Graphic...
Drypoint, Etching
$90,000
H 32 in W 25 in
Signed and dated 76 "Untitled" wood and paper collage by artist Louise Nevelson
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Untitled" wood and paper collage by artist Louise Nevelson. Hand-signed and dated Louise Nevelson -76. Framed under glass.
Wood, Paper
ONE ANCIENT FIGURES
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Portland, ME
Nevelson, Louise. ONE ANCIENT FIGURES. Baro 20. Etching and drypoint, 1953-55, editioned in 1965/1966. Titled "Personages", numbered 1/20 and signed in pencil. It is unclear whether ...
Etching
Untitled
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this striking collage by the inimitable Louise Nevelson, who is regarded as one of the most original, influential, and successful American sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson's enduring appeal lies in her distinct visual language, which is apparent in all of her works, regardless of medium. While her iconic monochromatic wood assemblages are instantly recognizable, she continuously experimented with diverse materials, including resin, steel, and bronze, as well as numerous printmaking techniques. Collage was an important part of Nevelson's practice, defining her signature aesthetic. Much like her approach to printmaking, her collages possess a sculptural ethos that transcends the two-dimensional surface, imbuing the composition with a remarkable sense of volume, texture, and depth. One could argue that Nevelson's sculpture was informed by collage in that she took assorted existing forms combining them in order to create an entirely new and distinct arrangement. This untitled collage is an exceptional example of the artist's mastery of the medium. Featuring an assemblage of wood veneer, mirror, and metal, this work reflects Nevelson's meticulous sense of form and rhythm. Subtle details, such as the alternating direction of the wood veneer grain further heighten the visual complexity of the otherwise minimal composition. The inclusion of wood veneer marks a notable shift for Nevelson, who was previously loyal to a strict monochromatic palette of black or white. It wasn’t until the 1970s with her experimentation in collage that she expanded her palette. Nevelson also created jewellery and this collage acknowledges her activity in that realm. Created at the age of 83 during the final chapter of her career, this piece powerfully captures Nevelson's enduring spirit and dedication to artistic innovation. Today Nevelson's work can be found in every major public collection across North America and beyond. Questions about this piece? Contact us. Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment. "Untitled" USA, 1983 Mixed media collage Metal, mirror, wood, and wood veneer on grey mat board mounted on 0.25" Luan plywood Signed and dated by artist, bottom right Nevelson Estate no. LN 40830 19.5"H 15.75"W (work) 31"H 21"W (framed) Very good condition Literature: Stein, Judith. Louise Nevelson Collages...
Metal
Reflections I
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However, during the last decade of her life, her palette expands notably with her printmaking. "Reflections I" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contain signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace, and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of crimson and translucent rose and Prussian blue that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Etching, Aquatint
Reflections III
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However, during the last decade of her life, her palette expanded notably with her printmaking. "Reflections III" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contain signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace, and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of fuchsia, crimson, and Prussian blue that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Etching, Aquatint
The Great Wall
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is thrilled to present the esteemed work of Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique artists of the 20th century. (Also, an artist who continues to be undervalu...
Metal
Sky Garden
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
As always, Caviar20 is thrilled to present the esteemed work of Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique artists of the 20th century. (Also, an artist who continues to b...
Metal
Solitude
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson ( 1899-1988) - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson i...
Found Objects, Cardboard, Screen
