Skip to main content

R.B. Kitaj Art

Born Ronald Brooks Kitaj in Cleveland, Ohio, to an American family with Viennese and Russian-Jewish heritage, R.B. Kitaj (1932-2007) is widely regarded as one of the most erudite and iconographically complex artists of the last half-century; he is subsequently considered to be a key figure in the canon of European and American art. His expressive, figurative works combine aspects of contemporary life with art historical and socio-political references, sexuality,self-analysis and Judeo-Christian mysticism embedded in the early 20th-century literature of Franz Kafka and Walter Benjamin. While his work has occasionally been considered controversial, he is undeniably viewed as a master draughtsman with a commitment to figurative art. His highly personal paintings, prints and drawings reflect his deep interest in history; cultural, social and political ideologies; and issues of identity. As a child, attended art classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Following his studies at Cooper Union in New York and the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, he spent two years in Europe serving for the United States Army. He then continued his studies at the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University, and at the Royal College of Art in London. He enrolled at the latter in 1959, where he became a close friend of David Hockney, Patrick Caulfield and Allen Jones, he was inititally identified as a pioneer of Pop Art, before recontextualising himself as a School of London painter alongside admired contemporaries that included Auerbach, Bacon, Freud and Kossoff. Kitaj remained in in London for 40 years, until 1997 when he moved to Los Angeles. He died at his home there in 2007, one week before his 75th birthday. Despite his early association with Pop Art, Kitaj had limited interest in the culture of mass media and instead works from pictorial and literary sources. Renowned for his use of intellectually stimulating historical references, Kitaj's work was often inspired by late 19th-century French art and by his Jewish identity. His paintings and prints add up to an extraordinary body of work; the latter function as an illustrated journal of an artist's life, characterized by a quest for new subject matter and innovative ways to depict it. R.B. Kitaj remains one of the most influential artists since the late 1950's and continues to link personal history with contemporary art through his unique vision.
to
1
2
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
11,047
2,850
2,494
1,431
3
Artist: R.B. Kitaj
Performing Arts Center, Modern Art Screenprint by RB Kitaj
Performing Arts Center, Modern Art Screenprint by RB Kitaj

Performing Arts Center, Modern Art Screenprint by RB Kitaj

By R.B. Kitaj

Located in Long Island City, NY

This print by R.B. Kitaj is part of an 8-piece portfolio published by The New York Graphic Society in 1983 and includes works from Red Grooms, Robert Indiana, Alex Katz, R.B. Kitaj, ...

Category

1980s Modern R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

Baghdad Screen Print by Kitaj, Contemporary, Signed AP, 1972
Baghdad Screen Print by Kitaj, Contemporary, Signed AP, 1972

Baghdad Screen Print by Kitaj, Contemporary, Signed AP, 1972

By R.B. Kitaj

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Six color screen-print and photo-screenprint. Signed and numbered AP in pencil by Kitaj in the top right corner. Printed at Kelpra Studio, London and published by Marlborough Graphi...

Category

1970s Contemporary R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

Related Items
Afghan Girl iconic poster: Sharbat Gula, Pakistan (Hand Signed by Steve McCurry)
Afghan Girl iconic poster: Sharbat Gula, Pakistan (Hand Signed by Steve McCurry)

Afghan Girl iconic poster: Sharbat Gula, Pakistan (Hand Signed by Steve McCurry)

By Steve McCurry

Located in New York, NY

Steve McCurry Sharbat Gula, Afghan Girl, Pakistan (Hand Signed), 1984 Offset Lithograph poster Hand signed by the photographer in black felt pen on the front 24 × 20 inches Unframed...

Category

1980s Realist R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Felt Pen, Lithograph, Offset

Distant Muses
Distant Muses

Brice MardenDistant Muses, 2000

$6,000

H 23.5 in W 19.13 in

Distant Muses

By Brice Marden

Located in New York, NY

Brice Marden Distant Muses 2000 Screenprint 23 1/2 x 19 1/8 inches; 60 x 49 cm Edition of 300 Signed, dated, and numbered in graphite (lower recto) Frame available upon request Available from Matthew Marks...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

"The Italian Poppies" by Ed Baynard (Flowers, White, Abstract, Still life)
"The Italian Poppies" by Ed Baynard (Flowers, White, Abstract, Still life)

"The Italian Poppies" by Ed Baynard (Flowers, White, Abstract, Still life)

By Ed Baynard

Located in New York, NY

This is a 20 color screen print on Sommerset paper. The edition was printed at Brand X Editions in 1997. Ed Baynard’s paintings and graphic prints blend the contemporary and the cla...

Category

1990s Contemporary R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

VENDEDORA Signed Lithograph, Portrait Seated Young Girl, Mexican Fruit Seller
VENDEDORA Signed Lithograph, Portrait Seated Young Girl, Mexican Fruit Seller

VENDEDORA Signed Lithograph, Portrait Seated Young Girl, Mexican Fruit Seller

By Elizabeth Catlett

Located in Union City, NJ

VENDEDORA, a limited edition lithograph by the renowned American-born Mexican sculptor and printmaker Elizabeth Catlett(b.1915–2012) depicts a sensitive black and white portrait of a...

Category

Early 2000s Realist R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Lithograph

THE FOUR SEASONS 4 Lithographs on Arches paper, American Illustration, Americana
THE FOUR SEASONS 4 Lithographs on Arches paper, American Illustration, Americana

THE FOUR SEASONS 4 Lithographs on Arches paper, American Illustration, Americana

By Norman Rockwell

Located in Union City, NJ

Artist: Norman Rockwell, American (1894 - 1978) Title: The Four Seasons: SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN, WINTER Medium: Lithograph on Arches paper, 100% acid free Paper Size: 20.5 x 19.25 in...

Category

1970s Realist R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Lithograph

Old Violinist - Late 19th Century Figurative Lithograph
Old Violinist - Late 19th Century Figurative Lithograph

Old Violinist - Late 19th Century Figurative Lithograph

By John George Brown

Located in Soquel, CA

Finely detailed late 19th century chromo-lithograph portrait of a violinist street musician by John George Brown (British, 1831-1913). Many of Brown’s paintings were reproduced in lithography (Chromo-lithograpy), as is the case with the one offered here. Presented in a rustic antique Oak wood frame with giltwood fillet. Image, 15.63"H x 10.63"W. John George Brown was a British citizen and an American painter born in Durham, England. His parents apprenticed him to the career of glass worker at the age of fourteen, in an attempt to dissuade him from pursuing painting. He studied nights at the School of Design in Newcastle-on-Tyne while working as a glass cutter there between 1849 and 1852, and evenings at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh while working at the Holyrood Glass Works between 1852 ad 1853. After moving to New York City in 1853, he studied with Thomas Seir Cummings at the National Academy of Design where he was elected a National Academician in 1861. Brown was the Academy’s vice-president from 1899 to 1904. Around 1855, he worked for the owner of the Brooklyn Glass Company, and later he married the daughter of his employer. His father-in-law encouraged his artistic abilities, supporting him financially, letting Brown pursue painting full-time. In 1866, he became one of the charter members of the Water-Color Society, of which he was president from 1887 to 1904. Brown became famous for his depictions of street urchins found of the streets of New York (bootblacks, street musicians, posy sellers, newsboys, etc.). Brown’s art is best characterized as British genre painting...

Category

1870s Realist R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Patrick Nagel 'Commemorative #11' Serigraph Print, 1987
Patrick Nagel 'Commemorative #11' Serigraph Print, 1987

Patrick Nagel 'Commemorative #11' Serigraph Print, 1987

By Patrick Nagel

Located in San Rafael, CA

'Nagel Commemorative Eleven' (NC 11), 1987 Serigraph on 100% cotton archival grade heavyweight rag paper Published by Mirage Editions, a limited run edition, signed in plate Printed ...

Category

1980s Contemporary R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

Luminous Dawn Screen Print, Contemporary, Signed, 1990s, 108 Edition
Luminous Dawn Screen Print, Contemporary, Signed, 1990s, 108 Edition

Luminous Dawn Screen Print, Contemporary, Signed, 1990s, 108 Edition

By Jules Olitski

Located in New York, NY

This screen print, printed on Arches Cover White paper, is hand signed and numbered in graphite. The edition size is 108 plus 18 Artist Proofs. This print comes directly from the publisher, Lincoln Center Editions...

Category

1990s Contemporary R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

VENDEDORA DE PERIÓDICOS Signed Lithograph, Mexican Woman Newspaper Vendor
VENDEDORA DE PERIÓDICOS Signed Lithograph, Mexican Woman Newspaper Vendor

VENDEDORA DE PERIÓDICOS Signed Lithograph, Mexican Woman Newspaper Vendor

By Elizabeth Catlett

Located in Union City, NJ

VENDEDORA DE PERIÓDICOS is a limited edition lithograph by the acclaimed African American woman artist, sculptor and printmaker, Elizabeth Catlett (April 15, 1915 - April 2, 2012) p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Lithograph

VENDEDORA Signed Lithograph, Portrait Seated Young Girl, Mexican Fruit Seller
VENDEDORA Signed Lithograph, Portrait Seated Young Girl, Mexican Fruit Seller

VENDEDORA Signed Lithograph, Portrait Seated Young Girl, Mexican Fruit Seller

By Elizabeth Catlett

Located in Union City, NJ

VENDEDORA, a limited edition lithograph by the renowned American-born Mexican sculptor and printmaker Elizabeth Catlett(b.1915–2012) depicts a sensitive black and white portrait of a...

Category

Early 2000s Realist R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Lithograph

Donald Sultan, from the Wallflowers Series Signed Limited Edition Print
Donald Sultan, from the Wallflowers Series Signed Limited Edition Print

Donald Sultan, from the Wallflowers Series Signed Limited Edition Print

By Donald Sultan

Located in San Rafael, CA

Donald K. Sultan (American, born 1951) Untitled, from Wallflowers, 2008 Screenprint in colors on wove paper Signed with artist's initials, numbered, dated, and titled in pencil along...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Screen

Previously Available Items
Femme de Peuple II (hand signed and inscribed to poet Robert Duncan)
Femme de Peuple II (hand signed and inscribed to poet Robert Duncan)

Femme de Peuple II (hand signed and inscribed to poet Robert Duncan)

By R.B. Kitaj

Located in New York, NY

R. B. Kitaj Femme de Peuple II (hand signed and inscribed to poet Robert Duncan), 1978 Offset Lithograph (hand signed and inscribed to poet Robert Duncan) Hand signed and inscribed o...

Category

1970s Pop Art R.B. Kitaj Art

Materials

Graphite, Lithograph, Offset

R.b. Kitaj art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic R.B. Kitaj art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of pink, purple and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by R.B. Kitaj in screen print, mixed media, lithograph and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Pop Art style. Not every interior allows for large R.B. Kitaj art, so small editions measuring 14 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Peter Phillips, Patrick Nagel, and Clemens Briels. R.B. Kitaj art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $4,000, while the average work can sell for $1,450.

Artists Similar to R.B. Kitaj