The drawings by artist Robert Longo are a sensory experience: They are monumental, detailed and hard-hitting in their subject matter, which often includes critiques of power, social unrest and consumer capitalism.
Longo has spent his career exploring mediums as varied as the Photorealistic charcoal drawings for which he is best known and film direction. In all of his work, however, he draws inspiration from his deep background in sculpture. “I always think that drawing is a sculptural process. I always feel like I’m carving the image out rather than painting the image. I’m carving it out with erasers and tools like that,” he once said.
The Long Island, New York, native attended high school with a man who was shot at Kent State University while protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War in 1970, and the famous image of this man lying dead on the ground influenced Longo so deeply that he began to consider all art political. Longo attended Buffalo State College, where he met and became friends with artist Cindy Sherman, and later the two moved to New York City together.
Longo’s revered work includes his charcoal and graphite “Men in the Cities” drawings. The Photorealist series, which debuted at Metro Pictures gallery in Manhattan in 1981, depicted people in formal business clothing. Posing in suspended animation in unusual contortions, the figures take on a choreographic quality and represent the career-minded “yuppies” of the era.
“Men in the Cities” was inspired by punk rock music and decades later has been cited as a visual reference for the opening sequence of the popular television drama Mad Men. The work was among the most recognizable and iconic of the Pictures Generation — the movement by artists who came of age in the 1970s and were disillusioned by the social and political conditions of the time. In 2014, Longo created 12 charcoal drawings for a series titled “Gang of Cosmos,” which were black-and-white depictions of famous Abstract Expressionist works by artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Lee Krasner.
Through his provocative, detailed and highly precise prints, drawings, photography and sculpture, Longo continues to challenge traditional sources of power and authority.
Find original Robert Longo art on 1stDibs.
$149,500
Study of Ferguson Riot Cops, Original Ink and Charcoal Drawing, Signed, 2015
By Robert Longo
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed, titled and dated by the artist. Original ink and charcoal on vellum paper. Framed size approx 30.75 x 34 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Acquired by our g...
Paper, Ink
$12,000
“Untitled (Gun Study D-309), 1993” Body Hammer Series Drawing Signed Glock 19
By Robert Longo
Located in Yardley, PA
Emerging in the late twentieth century with his celebrated “Men in the Cities” series, Robert Longo quickly established himself as a draftsman of rare discipline, transforming media ...
Paper, Charcoal, Carbon Pencil, Graphite
Be Mine Valentine
By Keith Carrington
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Be Mine Valentine, ink and watercolor on archival paper under plexiglass white frame. Keith Carrington’s experiences have led him to express his talents through the fluid & exacting mediums of watercolor and ink. He has honed his skills, clarified his vision, experimented, explored and expanded his expression steadily over the years, the results of which thus far culminate here. Keith’s extensive travels have roots in the luminous quality of his work, eminently holding the unlimited possibilities of beauty and significance. Keith’s most recent paintings combine original comic book renderings that his mother did for Disney et al. and reinterprets them effectively combining the past with present energies and infuses his enthusiasm into these dynamic pieces that you see here today. GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2017, 2018 Renata Fine Arts, West Palm Beach, FL 2015, 2016 Renata Fine Arts, Hudson, New York 2013 @60inches New York, NY 2012 @60inches New York, NY curated sale with Harry Heisman 2011 KL/Karen Lynne Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida & Beverly Hills, California 2003 Dupont Gallery, Milwaukee Wisconsin 1994 Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, NY 1994 The Roger Smith Gallery, New York, NY 1993 Ambassador Galleries, New York, NY 1992 Elaine Benson Gallery, Bridgehampton, New York 1983 Manor House Gallery, Rhinebeck, New York SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2014, 2015 C. Bell, Palm Beach, Florida 2010 Luxe Energy Aesthetics, West Palm Beach, Florida 1995 Time Warner Publishing, New York, NY 1991 Imperial Hotel Gallery, Chestertown, Maryland 1990 National Symphony Show House, Washington, DC 1988, 1987 International Jumping Derby, Jockey Club, Newport, Rhode Island 1986 Elijah Locke House, Rye Beach, New Hampshire 1984 Washington Design Center, Washington, D.C. SELECTED CORPORATE COLLECTIONS Bovis Inc., New York, NY The Kiplinger Collection, Washington, D.C. The International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. Hopkins & Sutter, Washington, D.C. McKenna, Conner, & Cuneo, Washington, D.C. Oliver T. Carr Company, Alexandria, Virginia SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTIONS RuPaul, Beverly Hills, California Kelly Klein, New York, NY Governor & Mrs. Bruce Sundlun, Providence, Rhode Island Mr. & Mrs. William Aylward...
Ink, Archival Paper, Watercolor
$650
H 10 in W 8 in
Collaborative Contemporary Surrealist Cartoon Drawing Humphrey + Coates
By Jennifer Coates
Located in Surfside, FL
signed by both in pencil verso. dated. Surrealist cartoon drawing. Actual drawing size is 5.75 X 5.75. Their collaborative works on paper emerge out of an ongoing relationship where...
Paper, Ink
I Am Money Magnet
By Keith Carrington
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
I am money magnet, Ink on archival paper. Keith Carrington’s experiences have led him to express his talents through the fluid & exacting mediums of watercolor and ink. He has honed his skills, clarified his vision, experimented, explored and expanded his expression steadily over the years, the results of which thus far culminate here. Keith’s extensive travels have roots in the luminous quality of his work, eminently holding the unlimited possibilities of beauty and significance. Keith’s most recent paintings combine original comic book renderings that his mother did for Disney et al. and reinterprets them effectively combining the past with present energies and infuses his enthusiasm into these dynamic pieces that you see here today. GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2017, 2018 Renata Fine Arts, West Palm Beach, FL 2015, 2016 Renata Fine Arts, Hudson, New York 2013 @60inches New York, NY 2012 @60inches New York, NY curated sale with Harry Heisman 2011 KL/Karen Lynne Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida & Beverly Hills, California 2003 Dupont Gallery, Milwaukee Wisconsin 1994 Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, NY 1994 The Roger Smith Gallery, New York, NY 1993 Ambassador Galleries, New York, NY 1992 Elaine Benson Gallery, Bridgehampton, New York 1983 Manor House Gallery, Rhinebeck, New York SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2014, 2015 C. Bell, Palm Beach, Florida 2010 Luxe Energy Aesthetics, West Palm Beach, Florida 1995 Time Warner Publishing, New York, NY 1991 Imperial Hotel Gallery, Chestertown, Maryland 1990 National Symphony Show House, Washington, DC 1988, 1987 International Jumping Derby, Jockey Club, Newport, Rhode Island 1986 Elijah Locke House, Rye Beach, New Hampshire 1984 Washington Design Center, Washington, D.C. SELECTED CORPORATE COLLECTIONS Bovis Inc., New York, NY The Kiplinger Collection, Washington, D.C. The International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. Hopkins & Sutter, Washington, D.C. McKenna, Conner, & Cuneo, Washington, D.C. Oliver T. Carr Company, Alexandria, Virginia SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTIONS RuPaul, Beverly Hills, California Kelly Klein, New York, NY Governor & Mrs. Bruce Sundlun, Providence, Rhode Island Mr. & Mrs. William Aylward...
Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper, Sequins
Self Portrait, of the Gentleman himself
By Francis Luis Mora
Located in New York, NY
A simply marvelous drawing - a self-portrait of the artist himself. It also reads as a very elegant and expressive line drawing of any gentleman - a hallmark depiction of a bon-vi...
Archival Paper, Graphite
$650
H 10 in W 8 in
Collaborative Contemporary Surrealist Cartoon Drawing Humphrey + Coates
By Jennifer Coates
Located in Surfside, FL
signed by both in pencil verso. dated. Surrealist cartoon drawing. Actual drawing size is 5.75 X 5.75. Their collaborative works on paper emerge out of an ongoing relationship where...
Paper, Ink
Pencil Study #22
By Jessica Keiser
Located in Columbia, MO
Pencil Study #22 2016 Graphite on paper 10 x 4.25 inches Jessica Keiser currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut. Keiser's style is Naturalistic, con...
Graphite
1930s Nude Figure Study
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous 1930s figure drawing of a seated female nude by student of Lee Fritz Randolph (American, 1880-1956), 1937. Signed "Randolph," "C.S.F.A." for California School of Fine Art and dated "6/28/37" upper right. "C.S.F.A" and "6/28/37" lower right. Unframed. Image size, 25"H x 10"L. We believe a student of Lee Randolph...
Charcoal, Paper, Pencil
Barnyard Chat
By John B. Lear
Located in New York, NY
Graphite on paper Signed and dated, l.r. 13.5 x 10.5 inches, sheet 21.25 x 17.25 inches, frame This drawing is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. John Lear is an America...
Graphite, Paper
$15,000
H 16.25 in W 14.75 in D 1.5 in
Andy Warhol - Love - (unique hand signed, inscribed and framed card with ribbon)
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
Makes a unique and memorable gift! Who wouldn't want a card with a ribbon that reads "Love, Andy Warhol" - from Warhol himself? Andy Warhol Love, Andy Warhol, ca. 1979 Ink on card ...
Ink, Mixed Media, Silk, Laid Paper
$900
H 15 in W 15 in D 0.1 in
Artist Tracey Emin Working. Watercorlor on paper.
By Manuel Santelices
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Movies, TV and magazines are constant source of inspiration. Fame, as fleckring and shallow it can be sometimes, is very intriguing to him. The worlds of fashion, society and pop cu...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
$4,500
H 14 in W 11.875 in D 1.25 in
“Mushrooms and Watch, c. 1970” Ink Drawing Pop Art Conceptual Sketch Study
By Claes Oldenburg
Located in Yardley, PA
This spontaneous and evocative ink sketch by Oldenburg offers a glimpse into the artist’s conceptual process, capturing his signature transformation of everyday objects into playful,...
Paper, Ink
$900
H 15 in W 15 in D 0.1 in
Artist Cindy Sherman discovers Instagram - Watercolor on paper
By Manuel Santelices
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Movies, TV and magazines are constant source of inspiration. Fame, as fleckring and shallow it can be sometimes, is very intriguing to him. The worlds of fashion, society and pop cu...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
Sold
H 17.75 in W 15.25 in D 2 in
“Untitled (Gun Study D-310), 1993” Body Hammer Series Drawing Signed .38 Special
By Robert Longo
Located in Yardley, PA
Emerging in the late twentieth century with his celebrated “Men in the Cities” series, Robert Longo quickly established himself as a draftsman of rare discipline, transforming media ...
Charcoal, Graphite, Carbon Pencil, Paper
STUDY OF FERGUSON RIOT COPS
By Robert Longo
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed, titled and dated by the artist. Original ink and charcoal on vellum paper. Framed size approx 30.75 x 34 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Auth...
Paper, Ink
Untitled (Pillow from Consulting Room Couch, 1938)
By Robert Longo
Located in London, GB
Graphite and charcoal on paper mounted on board 120 x 128cm/ 47 ¼ x 50 3/8 inches (unframed) 125 x 133 cm/ 49 ¼ x 52 ¼ inches (framed) Unique From the Freud Drawings Series Exec...
Charcoal, Graphite
Study for Race Crash
By Robert Longo
Located in New York, NY
Study For The Heroes Series
By Robert Longo
Located in New York, NY
With an extraordinary level of intricacy and finish, this ink and charcoal study belonging to Longo's Heroes series depicts a helmeted fighter pilot seen in three-quarter view. Executed with the instantly recognizable, monochromatic draftsmanship that has become Longo's signature, the work evidences the artist's ongoing concern with the iconography of power, and his unwavering exploration of images that inspire anxiety, fear, and awe. Sculptor, painter, and draftsman Robert Longo (American, b.1953) is well known for his bold drawings and sculptural works fusing pop culture and Fine Art. Longo was born in Brooklyn, New York, and his love of pop culture, cartoons, and print media as a child later significantly influenced his art. Longo attended the University of North Texas in Denton before deciding to study sculpture back in New York; he later received a BFA from SUNY Buffalo. After establishing a cooperative gallery in Buffalo during his college years, he joined a circle of underground artists working in New York City in the early 1980s. He created both drawings and sculptures examining issues of masculinity, power, mass media, and urban lifestyles, and has been critically recognized for works such as his Men in the Cities series, featuring men and women in business attire shown contorted in odd poses, and his depictions of American flags painted over in black. Work from the Men in the Cities series is prominently featured in the apartment of fictional character Patrick Bateman...