Abraham Walkowitz is perhaps best known for his watercolor studies of Isadora Duncan and the dance. However, Walkowitz laid claim to being the first to exhibit truly modernist paintings in the United States. After 1909, he became an intimate of Alfred Stieglitz's 291 Gallery, and while there became a participant in the debate over modern art in America. Walkowitz was an outspoken proponent of the continuous experimentation in the arts, which was his definition of modernism. As an artist, Walkowitz embodied the changing role of the modernist painter in the United States, as modernism moved from an avant-garde protest against established modes to become an accepted style and tradition.
Abraham Walkowitz was a Russian born, turn-of-the-century immigrant to the United States, who grew up in New York's Lower East Side. He first studied art at the Educational Alliance, the Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design. In 1906, he journeyed to Europe where he studied at the Académie Julian in Paris. Upon his return to the United States in 1907, he became a fully-fledged convert to modernism, and his first exhibit, at the Haas Gallery in that year, brought him a measure of notoriety as well as the attention of Stieglitz and other pioneers of non-objective art. In subsequent years, he became one of the most exhibited painters shown at the 291 Gallery, a fact which was also reflected in the pages of Stieglitz's polemical journal of modernism, camera work. As a result of this early attention, by the time of the Armory Show of 1913, to which Walkowitz contributed several paintings, his work was widely known to both fellow modernists as well as their opponents.
Walkowitz was clearly part of the new vocabulary of American art and criticism. During the 1920s and 1930s, as the first-generation modernists lost their revolutionary cast, and as American realism gained in favor, Walkowitz continued his experiments with form and line, especially in his series of Duncan studies. Although his paintings received less critical attention than they once had, Walkowitz was clearly one of the grand old folk of American modernism. During the depression, Walkowitz was politically active on behalf of unemployed artists supporting various new-deal initiatives in the arts. In the 1940s, Walkowitz gained national attention when he explored the varieties of the modernist vision in the form of an exhibit of 100 portraits of him by 100 artists. The result was widely discussed and was featured in Life magazine in 1944.
In 1945, Walkowitz traveled to Kansas, where he painted landscapes made up largely of strip mines and barns. This was his last venture in active painting — by 1946, glaucoma, which led to his eventual blindness, began to impair his vision and limit his ability to work. Walkowitz then turned to the preparation of a series of volumes of his drawings, designed to illustrate the development of modernism in the 20th century, and in so doing, established his role as a pioneer American modernist.
Isadora Duncan
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Isadora Duncan Graphite with grey wash on paper mounted to cardstock Signed and dated in pencil lower right (see photo) Provenance: Charlotte Bergman, f...
Graphite
"Isadora Duncan Dancing #3, " Watercolor and Ink signed by Abraham Walkowitz
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Isadora Duncan Dancing #3" is an original ink and watercolor piece on cream paper by Abraham Walkowitz. The artist signed the piece in the lower center. The drawing depicts Isadora ...
Ink, Watercolor
Modernist Watercolor Painting, Portrait of a Man, the Rabbi
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Surfside, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (March 28, 1878 - January 27, 1965) was an American painter grouped in with early American Modernists working in the Modernist style. Walkowitz was born in Tyumen,...
Paper, Watercolor
Modernist Watercolor Painting, Portrait of a Man, Judaica Rabbi
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Surfside, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (March 28, 1878 - January 27, 1965) was an American painter grouped in with early American Modernists working in the Modernist style. Walkowitz was born in Tyumen,...
Paper, Watercolor
$275
H 16 in W 20 in
Life Wasn't a Novel - Figurative Arctic Animals Surrealist Watercolor Painting
By Amanda Immurs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amanda Immurs, an artist hailing from Hamilton, Canada, creates enchanting watercolor artworks that bring whimsical scenes of children, animals, and flora to life. Immurs' art is gro...
Paper, Watercolor, Graphite
$15,000
H 16.85 in W 12.25 in
Children Snow Sledding in Central Park - New Yorker Cover Study
Located in Miami, FL
Hungarian/American artist/illustrator depicts a charming scene of sledding in the snow in Central Park. The work is abstract in its design as it's functional in its narrative - Unpublished New Yorker...
Charcoal, Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil
How About a Little More Coffee, New Yorker Cartoon
By Gahan Wilson
Located in Miami, FL
Interpretation 1: An utterly exhausted man collapses face-first into a diner's countertop. His face and the countertop become one. Seemingly oblivious to the acute nature of the man's condition, the night server gleefully offers him coffee instead of more appropriate help. Interpretation 2: The night server/psycho killer pours unsuspecting customer poisoned coffee and then taunts his lifeless body in a victorious tone. Like Charles Addams...
Ink, Watercolor
$275
H 16 in W 20 in
No One Will Believe a Word I Say - Figurative Surrealist Watercolor Painting
By Amanda Immurs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amanda Immurs, an artist hailing from Hamilton, Canada, creates enchanting watercolor artworks that bring whimsical scenes of children, animals, and flora to life. Immurs' art is gro...
Paper, Watercolor, Graphite
$135
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.13 in
A Handsome 1940s Portrait of a Seated Man by Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A Handsome 1940s Portrait of a Seated Man by Chicago Modern Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). A wonderfully executed line drawing dating from 1946 with great character; looks ...
Paper, Graphite
$235
H 24 in W 20 in
A Finely Drawn, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Figure Study, Standing Male Nude Model
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A Very Finely Drawn 1950s Mid-Century Modern Figure Study of a Standing Young Male Nude Model by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). A well executed studi...
Graphite, Paper
$145
H 11 in W 13 in D 0.25 in
A Charming 1930s Cubist Modern Architectural Study Drawing, Building Facade
By Carl Robert Holty
Located in Chicago, IL
A Charming 1930s Modern Cubist Architectural Study Drawing, Building Facade by Notable American Modern Artist, Carl Robert Holty (1900-1973). Graphite on paper, dating from 1936. A...
Paper, Graphite
$185
H 14 in W 11 in D 0.13 in
A Striking 1930s Modern Abstract Sporting-Themed Drawing, Hockey Player (Goalie)
By Carl Robert Holty
Located in Chicago, IL
A Striking 1930s Abstract Sporting-Themed Drawing of a Hockey Player (Goalie) by Notable American Modern Artist, Carl Robert Holty (1900-1973). Graphite on paper, dating from 1931. ...
Paper, Graphite
$185
H 13.25 in W 11 in D 0.25 in
A Striking, 1930s Modern Cubist Abstract Graphite Drawing- Notes II
By Carl Robert Holty
Located in Chicago, IL
A Striking, 1930s Cubist Abstract Drawing by Notable American Modern Artist, Carl Robert Holty (1900-1973). Graphite on paper, dating from 1936. Artwork size 5 x 3 1/4 inches. Pre...
Paper, Graphite
$235
H 16 in W 12 in D 0.13 in
A Fine, Mid-Century Modern 1950s Figure Study of a Standing Male Nude
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A Fine, Mid-Century Modern 1950s Drawing of a Standing Male Nude by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). A well executed figure study drawing of a standing male nu...
Paper, Graphite
$250
H 8 in W 6 in
Male Lying Nude Drawing, Graphite on Paper, American Modern, Signed
By Jackson Lee Nesbitt
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stone and Press Gallery is excited to offer several works in celebration of the LGBTQ community. This is a drawing from the artist's sketchbooks. This pencil drawing shows a nude male in repose, The drawing is dated November 30 '36 (1936). Clearly the works are authentic and this sketch is signed "Jackson Lee Nesbitt...
Graphite
$355
H 24 in W 18 in
The Whispers Had Changed - Figurative Portrait Watercolor Graphite Artwork
By Amanda Immurs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amanda Immurs, an artist hailing from Hamilton, Canada, creates enchanting watercolor artworks that bring whimsical scenes of children, animals, and flora to life. Immurs' art is gro...
Paper, Watercolor, Graphite
Modernist Drawing, Portrait of a Man
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Surfside, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (March 28, 1878 - January 27, 1965) was an American painter grouped in with early American Modernists working in the Modernist style. Walkowitz was born in Tyumen,...
Paper, Ink
Untitled (Nude Woman)
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Astoria, NY
Abraham Walkowitz (Russian/American, 1878-1965), Nude Woman, Watercolor on Paper, signed in pencil lower right, linen covered frame. Image: 13" H x 9.5" W; frame: 20.25" H x 16.25" W...
Paper, Watercolor
New York Improvisation
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Miami, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (1878–1965) New York Improvisation, 1910 Ink wash on paper Signed lower right 'A. Walkowitz 1910' Titled and dated on Zabriskie Gallery label enclosed in clear sle...
Ink
Sold
H 6.75 in W 2.63 in D 0.01 in
Abraham Walkowitz Delightful Original Watercolor, circa 1920s, Isadora Duncan
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Original pen and ink with watercolor by American Modernist Abraham Walkowitz (1878-1965) Depicting one of his favorite subjects, Isadora Duncan, the “Mother of Modern Dance.” In exce...
Paper
Sold
H 12.25 in W 8.75 in
Modernist Watercolor Painting, Portrait of a Man, Judaica Rabbi
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Surfside, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (March 28, 1878 - January 27, 1965) was an American painter grouped in with early American Modernists working in the Modernist style. Walkowitz was born in Tyumen, Siberia to Jewish parents. He emigrated with his mother to the United States in his early childhood. He studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City and the Académie Julian in Paris under Jean-Paul Laurens. Walkowitz and his contemporaries later gravitated around photographer Alfred Stieglitz's 291 Gallery, originally titled the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession, where the forerunners of modern art in America gathered and where many European artists were first exhibited in the United States. During the 291 years, Walkowitz worked closely with Stieglitz as well as Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley, and John Marin (often referred to as "The Stieglitz Quartet"). Early Career and Training Portrait of Abraham Walkowitz - 1907 - Max Weber - Brooklyn Museum Walkowitz was drawn to art from childhood. In a 1958 oral interview with Abram Lerner...
Paper, Watercolor
Sold
H 12.25 in W 8.75 in
Modernist Watercolor Painting, Portrait of a Man, the Rabbi
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Surfside, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (March 28, 1878 - January 27, 1965) was an American painter grouped in with early American Modernists working in the Modernist style. Walkowitz was born in Tyumen, Siberia to Jewish parents. He emigrated with his mother to the United States in his early childhood. He studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City and the Académie Julian in Paris under Jean-Paul Laurens. Walkowitz and his contemporaries later gravitated around photographer Alfred Stieglitz's 291 Gallery, originally titled the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession, where the forerunners of modern art in America gathered and where many European artists were first exhibited in the United States. During the 291 years, Walkowitz worked closely with Stieglitz as well as Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley, and John Marin (often referred to as "The Stieglitz Quartet"). Early Career and Training Portrait of Abraham Walkowitz - 1907 - Max Weber - Brooklyn Museum Walkowitz was drawn to art from childhood. In a 1958 oral interview with Abram Lerner...
Paper, Watercolor
City Scape
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Provenance: Zabriske Gallery, NYC Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, Los Angeles Modernism Fine Arts, NYC Exhibited: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 1974 Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art, 1975 Abraham...
Charcoal, Watercolor
Modernist Drawing, Portrait of a Man
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Surfside, FL
Abraham Walkowitz (March 28, 1878 - January 27, 1965) was an American painter grouped in with early American Modernists working in the Modernist style. Walkowitz was born in Tyumen, Siberia to Jewish parents. He emigrated with his mother to the United States in his early childhood. He studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City and the Académie Julian in Paris under Jean-Paul Laurens. Walkowitz and his contemporaries later gravitated around photographer Alfred Stieglitz's 291 Gallery, originally titled the Little Galleries...
Paper, Ink
Lower East Side Crowd
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Lower East Side Crowd Ink and ink wash on paper, c. 1910 Signed in ink lower center edge (see photo) Signed with the initials lower right corner (see p...
Ink
Isadora Duncan
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Isadora Duncan Graphite and wash on paper, c. 1910 Signed in pencil lower right Provenance: Charlotte Berman (1903-2002), noted art collector, friend an...
Graphite
Isadora Duncan dancing in a red dress
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Isadora Duncan dancing in a red dress Ink, watercolor and graphite on paper, c. 1913 Signed in ink lower center (see photo) Condition: Very fresh colors Tipped to archival backing board in the corners 22K Gold leaf carved frame...
Watercolor
Sold
H 10.5 in W 6.75 in D 0.01 in
Untitled (Figurative Abstraction of Isadora Duncan #7)
By Abraham Walkowitz
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Abraham Walkowitz, Untitled (Figurative Abstraction of Isadora Duncan #7), pencil, 1918. Signed and dated in pencil, bottom center. A fine, spon...
Pencil