Lee Reynolds Burr opened his Vanguard Studios in Beverly Hills, California, in 1964 to make oil paintings an attainable decoration for any American household. With seascapes, nautical scenes, still lifes, bullfights, cowboys, pastoral views, hot-air balloons, horse races and abstractions, there was a Vanguard Studios creation to match any taste and interior.
Born in Los Angeles, Burr studied art at the University of Southern California. After graduating and a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked in a local studio as a painter before becoming a home decor entrepreneur with financial support from his mother.
Only a fraction of the alleged hundreds of thousands of oil paintings produced by Vanguard were actually painted by Burr, even though they were signed “Lee Reynolds,” “Lee Burr” or just “Reynolds.” (As he would later state, those signed solely “Lee Reynolds Burr” were by his own hand, and he would sometimes include a thumbprint as proof.) Instead, a team of artists organized in an assembly line hand-painted and copied works on an eclectic range of subjects, the originals often being created by Burr while other canvases were purchased at auctions in Europe and reproduced at Vanguard. Sold in furniture stores and through interior decorators nationwide, the Reynolds-signed paintings soon became ubiquitous above couches in living rooms all over the United States.
These paintings regularly mirrored art-world trends, such as the Abstract Expressionism of the 1960s, but at prices that were much more affordable than fine art. Vanguard Studios was sold to the Kirsch Company in 1974, but Burr’s name was still used on Vanguard paintings. Burr would start East Park Gallery in 1981 and continue to produce works in a more contemporary style until his retirement in 1998.
In the collection of Impressionist and abstract paintings on 1stDibs, find a range of authentic Lee Reynolds paintings.
Lee Reynolds Large Abstract Painting Vanguard Studio
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Westport, CT
Large Lee Reynolds abstract oil painting circa 1960s for Vanguard Studios original tag to back with a polished aluminum original frame.
Metal
Mid Century Modern American Abstract Expressionist Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mid century modern American abstract expressionist painting. Palet knife Heavily applied and richly textured application of paint. Oi...
Canvas
Gorgeous Large-Scale Lee Reynolds Abstract Painting, Mid-Century Modern
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A large, Mid-Century Modern abstract painting featuring beautiful brown, yellow, and beige hues in varying intensities. This piece has a dark brown wood frame with a gold trim. Sign...
$2,500
H 49 in W 61 in D 1.5 in
Large Scale Signed Lee Reynolds Abstract Oil Painting Mid-Century Modern 1960s
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very large and super cool, 1960s, oil on canvas abstract painting signed by Lee Reynolds. Colors are white, gray, brown, black and yellow. 49" tall x 61" wide, with the original po...
Canvas, Paint
$1,125
H 27.63 in W 32.75 in D 1.25 in
Original 20th Century Abstract Painting by Christian Lagarde Demianoff
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern oil on board, abstract composition by listed French artist, Christian Lagarde Demianoff. Very interesting work, titled "Couche de Soleil sur l'Etang", translated this means Sunset Over The Pond. Monsieur Christian Lagarde Demianoff is from Sete, France, he owned an art gallery there in the port area and created numerous modern works of art. He attended the Ecole de Sete...
Paint
Vintage Lee Reynolds Abstract Painting
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Medina, OH
Large Mid-Century Modern Lee Reynolds abstract painting with a polished aluminum frame. Intricate color palette with the combination of metallic silver, turquoise, rust, gold and co...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,285
H 17.5 in W 20.75 in D 1.5 in
Mid Century Modern Abstract Painting by Reginald Weston, 1950's - 1960's
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very pleasing small abstract painting by Reginald Sidney Weston (1909-1967). Oil on canvas board, recently framed. 1950's - 1960's In excellent condition. Born in London, "Reggi...
Canvas, Paint
Leonard Maurer Painting, 1949
By Leonard Maurer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Important painting by Leonard Maurer (1912-1976), titled "Bridge #2", 1949. A great example of American 1940's modernism with clear influences of Jackso...
Canvas
George August Stahl Painting Composition (1962-63)
Located in Chicago, IL
George August Stahl – Composition (1962–63) A striking abstract painting by Georg W. Stahl, executed in oil on masonite. Signed on the front by the artist, with a label on the verso ...
Masonite
Mid Century Abstract Painting by California Artist Carlos Lopez
Located in San Francisco, CA
Abstract oil on canvas by California artist Carlos Lopez. Framed, matted and behind glass. Signed and with artist bio on back.
Canvas, Paint
Large Abstract Oil on Canvas by Lee Reynolds Burr For Vanguard Studios
By Lee Reynolds
Located in Redding, CT
Large abstract oil on canvas by Lee Reynolds Burr for Vanguard Studios. Heavy impasto abstract canvas with fire engine reds, black, white and yellow....
Chrome
Mid Century Abstract Square Painting by E.S Greenberg
Located in Redding, CT
Mid Century Abstract Square Painting by E.S Greenberg. Nice square shape with soft pastels colors. Housed in a chrome frame. Signed lower right
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Abstract on Board
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern abstract on board by Margaret Malval. Colorful composition in a nice gray and white frame. Cubist and modernist in style. Marga...
Wood, Masonite, Paint
Abstract Mid-Century Modern Painting Titled "Lumieres"
Located in Redding, CT
Abstract Mid-Century Modern painting titled "Lumieres". Signed by artist Lee Clarke. Nice composition of yellow orbs with blue and white light. Celestial, ...
Canvas, Paint
Large Square Abstract Mid Century Painting by Carol Bertrand
Located in Redding, CT
Large Square Abstract Mid Century Painting by Carol Bertrand. Entitled " Hit the Hot Note" Mid Century to Post Modern Style. Colorful Large Impasto composition of pink, red, yellow, blue and orange housed in a simple wooden frame. Signature of artist in the lower right corner. Carol Kuhlman Bertrand grew up in Missouri and studied Occupational Therapy at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee WI...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood, Paint
Mid Century Abstract in Primary Colors
Located in Redding, CT
Mid Century abstract in primary colors. Perfect pop of color for that empty wall. Red, blue, yellow and orange oil on canvas. Unsigned. This item can parcel ship.
Canvas, Wood, Paint
