The name of painter, printmaker and writer Robert Motherwell (1915–91) is often taken as synonymous with the New York School, whose name he coined. Motherwell was the youngest of this group of Abstract Expressionists working in art, dance, poetry and music in 1950s and '60s New York City, which included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Philip Guston, Helen Frankenthaler and Mark Rothko.
Born in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1915, Motherwell had perhaps the broadest and best education of any of the New York School coterie, with an extensive background in philosophy, literature and art history. He earned a BA in philosophy in 1937 from Stanford University and was working toward a PhD in the subject at Harvard when he interrupted his studies for a yearlong trip to Europe, where he fell in love with European modernism.
After returning, in 1940 he enrolled Columbia to study art history. It was there that he met a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists, and encounter that proved influential on his style. Motherwell began to integrate the idea of “automatism” — unmediated gestures that reflect deeper psychological impulses — into his work, pioneering a new form of Abstract Expressionism that came to characterize the New York School.
Works like the 1967 Beside the Sea no. 45, an acrylic on canvas, and the 1966 lithograph New York International epitomize Motherwell’s use of simple shapes in boldly contrasting colors, executed in quick, gestural strokes that occasionally evoke figures, suggesting a latent narrative despite their obvious abstraction.
Throughout his career, Motherwell taught painting at Hunter College, in New York, and at Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, where his work influenced the likes of Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg and Kenneth Noland. His influence as one of the founding fathers of American Abstract Expressionism remains profound.
Early Untitled Lithograph by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Stamford, CT
"Untitled" by Robert Motherwell was printed as part of "9", a portfolio with works of 9 other abstract expressionist artists including Willem de Kooning, Sam Francis, Ellsworth Kelly...
Paper
"Elegy (Study)" by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Stamford, CT
A lithograph titled, "Elegy ( Study )" by Robert Motherwell 1979, signed and numbered 42/98 in pencil with Motherwell's blind stamp. There were 12 artist proofs in addition to the 98...
Paper
Victor Pasmore Etching from "The Dance of Man In Modern Times Portfolio"
By Victor Pasmore 1
Located in Stamford, CT
An etching and aquatint by Victor Pasmore from his portfolio titled "The Dance of Man in Modern Times". Victor Pasmore was one of the leading members of the English school of Abstract Expressionism. Please note this is one print from a larger portfolio. Other prints from this portfolio are available. A bit about Pasmore- Beginning in 1947, he developed a purely abstract style under the influence of Ben Nicholson and other artists associated with Circle, becoming a pioneering figure of the revival of interest in Constructivism in Britain following the War. [6] Pasmore's abstract work, often in collage and construction of reliefs, pioneered the use of new materials and was sometimes on a large architectural scale. Herbert Read described Pasmore's new style as "The most revolutionary event in post-war British art".[7] In 1950, he was commissioned to design an abstract mural for a bus depot in Kingston upon Thames[8] and the following year Pasmore contributed a mural to the Festival of Britain that promoted a number of the British Constructivists. Pasmore was a supporter of fellow artist Richard Hamilton, giving him a teaching job in Newcastle and contributing a constructivist structure to the exhibition "This Is Tomorrow" in collaboration with Erno Goldfinger and Helen Phillips...
Paper
Robert Mangold, Aquatint Etching Titled "Distorted Square Within a Circle"
By Robert Mangold
Located in Stamford, CT
Robert Mangold "Distorted Square Within a Circle", 1973 Aquatint etching, Roman Numeral edition of 10 aside from the numbered edition of 50. Full sheet. Signed dated and numbered in...
Paper
Robert Mangold "Frame and Elipses"
By Robert Mangold
Located in Stamford, CT
A Robert Mangold etching titled "Frame and Elipses". Produced in 1988, signed and numbered in pencil 37/50. Framed in 12-karat white gold frame using all archival acid free materials...
Paper
Victor Pasmore Screenprint "Untitled 06"
By Victor Pasmore 1
Located in Stamford, CT
Screenprint in colors, on wove paper, signed in pencil, dated and numbered 24/70, published by Marlborough Graphics, Ltd., London, with the blind stamp of the printer Kelpra Studio, ...
Paper
Robert Motherwell '1915-1991' Amer, Etching & Aquatint
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Sarasota, FL
Titled, "Black Mountain, State II", 1983 etching and aqautint in red and blue. Numbered 29/32 and pencil-signed Motherwell lower right. Thick black lines on a brilliant red field. Am...
Paper
Robert Motherwell Primal Sign III Signed Etching Edition of 35
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Robert Motherwell Title: Primal Sign III Medium: Color aquatint and lift-ground etching on German etching paper Year: 1979/80 Sheet Size: 29" x 20.5" Edition: 28/35 Inscripti...
Paper, Etching
Robert Motherwell '1915-1991' Amer, Litho/Collage
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Sarasota, FL
Titled, "Game of Chance", Lithograph, aquatint, paper, pastel and acrylic paint on paper, numbered 21/100, signed in lower right corner. Presented by Tyler Graphics Ltd in honour of ...
Paper
1979 Robert Motherwell Dalton Print 34/150 Framed
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Stamford, CT
Robert Motherwell Dalton Print 1979 signed lithograph Ed. 34/150 Printed on tan BFK Rives mould-made paper. Printed and published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Bedford, NY with the blind ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Hollow Men Suite #3, Signed Abstract Etching with Aquatint by Robert Motherwell
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
A leading exponent of American abstract expressionism, Robert Motherwell has served as a vital spokesman for the avant-garde of the mid-twentieth century. He introduced the term "abs...
Etching, Aquatint
Robert Motherwell Abstract Expressionist Original Lithograph Mid Century Art
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract Expressionist Original Lithograph, by Robert Motherwell, from the limited edition folio "Robert Motherwell", France, circa 1989. It has been recently framed in a vintage gil...
Glass, Wood, Paper
