The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
Norm Stewart Head to Head Signed Contemporary 7-C Screenprint 10/41 Framed 1992
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An expressive graphic contemporary 7 color screenprint on paper titled “Head to Head” by Michigan based artist Norm Stewart. Hand signed in the pencil on the bottom right and titled with an annotation on the bottom left. Stewart & Stewart gallery...
Paper
"Parts of Another" Collage by Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Paper
Meridiana "Leonardo" Perpetual Calendar Nava Confalonieri Design Cuts, 1978
Located in Biella, IT
perpetual calendar Meridiana "Leonardo" by Studio Paolo Nava Milano production in 1978 by Giulio Confalonieri design and exclusively version for Cuts Torino 1982, very rare,...
Metal
Flowing in the Right Direction by Peter Schmidt, 1971, Europaeische Graphik
Located in London, GB
Flowing in the Right Direction from Europaeische Graphik VII, 1971; lithograph printed in colours, signed and numbered 2/65 in pencil, printed by the Curwen Studio, published by Wolfgang Ketter, with their blindstamp. Note: For a similar example see Tate PO6459 Presented in a new hardwood ebonised box frame. About the artist: Peter Schmidt...
Paper
1957-1962, Rare Georges Braque 'Au Vent d'Arles' Archive Books and Lithographs
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare set of Georges Braque archives maquettes books and lithographs created with the publisher 'Au Vent d'Arles', Paris. The set is composed with: - L'Ordre des Oiseaux (...
Paper
Stir II Dye Sublimation Print on Glossy Aluminum, Modern, 21st Century
Located in Queens, NY
Tristan Govignon, "Stir II" Dye sublimation print on glossy aluminum. Edition 1 of 7.
Aluminum
Contemporary Scatalogical Astronaut and Robot Comic
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary cartoon strip in yellow green a blue of an astronaut and a robot regarding hygiene and alternative fuel options titled "Stellar Moments" with Oluf Olufsen in a black fra...
$9,843Sale Price|20% Off
Zevs, Liquidated Louis Vuitton (Multicolore), 2011. Screenprint, signed
Located in London, GB
Zevs (b. 1977) Liquidated Louis Vuitton (Multicolore), 2011 Screenprint in colors on Arches 88 300gsm paper. Signed and numbered in pencil along the lower edge. Published by Lazaride...
Paper
1988 Gordon Bunshaft's Pritzker Architecture Prize Program + Invitation
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is the official program from the 1988 Pritzker Architecture Prize ceremony honoring Gordon Bunshaft and Oscar Niemeyer, accompanied by Bunshaft's personal invitation to the even...
Paper
The Lithographs of Chagall VOL. III
By Marc Chagall
Located in London, England
H33 x W25 cm Date: 1969 Lithographer: Fernand Mourlot French edition published by André Sauret.
Paper
Lithograph in Colors Composition by Egill Jacobsen
Located in Stamford, CT
Lithograph in colors composition by Egill Jacobsen (Danish. 1918-1998). Signed EJ, EA. Framed using acid free materials, UV protective plexiglass in 22-karat yellow gold leaf frames....
Paper
Six Round Framed Silk Screen by Edgardo Giménez, Argentina, 1973
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Six round framed silk screen by Edgardo Giménez. Argentina, 1973. The six are hand signed by the artist. -- Detail of each silk screen in order of the...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Josef Albers from Formulation, Articulation
By Josef Albers
Located in Stamford, CT
Josef Albers from formulation: Articulation, 1972. Silkscreen prints, folio II/ folder 10. Floated in 12-karat white gold gilt frame using all acid free archival materials. #176 of 1...
Paper
Misia Sert's Bookplate by Pierre Bonnard
Located in New York, NY
Misia Sert, a musical prodigy who once played the piano on Franz List’s knee, grew up to be a beauty, and remained the apogee of chic until she died at seve...
Paper
New Breed Bay A 72 Color Silkscreen by Erik Parker
By Erik Parker
Located in Stamford, CT
A72 color silkscreen on paper. Published by Pace Editions, Inc., New York 2017. Edition of 50. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist. Newly framed in a 23-karat yellow gold leaf f...
Paper
Lithograph in Colors Composition 57/100 by Egill Jacobsen
Located in Stamford, CT
Lithograph in Colors Composition 57/100 by Egill Jacobsen ( Danish. 1918 - 1998 ). Signed lower right. Framed using acid free materials, UV protective plexiglass in 22 karat yellow g...
Paper
"Athansor, " Horse Color White Framed Photograph by Lisa Houlgrave
Located in Plainview, NY
Lisa Houlgrave's portrait features the mighty Andalusian stallion, Novelisto D, who played Colin Farrell's guardian angel, Athansor, In Warner Brother's...
Paper
The Lithographs of Chagall Vol. IV, Modern Print, Paper, Germany, 1974
By Marc Chagall
Located in London, England
Date: 1974 Lithographer: Fernand Mourlot Materials: Paper German edition published by André Sauret.
Paper
Jennifer Printz "Without Ceasing" Prints, Depth and Entirety Series, 2021
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Jennifer Printz "Without Ceasing l, ll and lll" is part of a series of three monoprints that blend photography, relief print with chine colle (epson ultrachrome i...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Jennifer Printz "Tracing the Mysteries" Prints, Depth and Entirety Series, 2021
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Jennifer Printz "Tracing the Mysteries l, ll and lll" is part of a series of three monoprints that blend photography, relief print with chine colle (epson ultrach...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Jennifer Printz "Lifetimes Alone" Prints, Depth and Entirety Series, 2021
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Jennifer Printz "Lifetimes Alone l and ll" is part of a series of two monoprints that blend photography, relief print with chine colle (epson ultrachrome inks on ...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Jennifer Printz "As Within" Prints, Depth and Entirety Series, 2021
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Jennifer Printz "As Within l, ll and lll" is part of a series of three monoprints that blend photography, relief print with chine colle (epson ultrachrome inks on...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Jennifer Printz "As in the Heavens" and "And on the Earth Below" Prints, 2013
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Jennifer Printz "As In The Heavens and And On The Earth Below" hand-printed woodcut on Kozo paper prints are matted and framed in wood with anti-static, non-glare...
Wood, Paper, Plexiglass
$1,640Sale Price|20% Off
Joan Miró, "Composition", 1974, Abstract Lithograph Print, signed in plate
By Joan Miró
Located in London, GB
Joan Miró, "Composition", 1974, Lithograph Print, signed in plate. From the book Ceramiques de Miró Artigas. LITERATURE: Mourlot 927 Card mount 75 cm wide x 47.5 cm high. Sheet pr...
Paper
Adja Yunkers "ICON" Lithograph
By Adja Yunkers
Located in New York, NY
Adja Yunkers lithograph titled "ICON", numbered 50/100. Sign and dated 1978. Adja Yunkers (1900-1983) was an abstract painter and printmaker. Recognized and collected internationally...
Wood, Paper
"Eurydice" Limited Edition Archival Print by Louis Shields, 2018
Located in Middleburg, VA
A luminous meditation on movement, memory, and myth, "Eurydice" by Louis Shields is a poignant visual aria drawn from his Dancer Series (2018). In this limited edition archival print...
Paint, Paper
"Heart on Fire" Limited Edition Archival Print by Louis Shields, 2018
Located in Middleburg, VA
A captivating work from Louis Shields' Dancer Series (2018), Heart on Fire exudes movement, vulnerability, and quiet defiance. This limited edition archival print translates the dyna...
Paint, Paper
Super Rare Dutch Corneille 1922 - 2010 Lithograph "Artist Proof" Print 98
By Corneille 1
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, super rare Lithograph print signed in pencil by the artist Corneille and EA for “épreuve d'artiste,” meaning Artist's Proof in French ...
Pine
Donald Sultan Black on Orange, 2018
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful large Donald Sultan print expertly and tastefully framed. Signed, titled and dated and numbered to recto ‘Black and Orange 2018 DS 11/12’. This work is number 11 from ...
Paper
Berecks Framed Garden Print
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Berecks Framed Garden Print This print measures: 15.25 wide x 1 deep x 19.75 inches high This print is in Great Vintage Condition with minor marks, dents, and wear. We take our ph...
Wood, Paper
D. Carney Signed Peacock and Angels Framed Print
Located in Franklin Park, IL
D. Carney Signed Peacock and Angels Framed Print This print measures: 36 wide x 1.75 deep x 36 inches high. This print is in Excellent Vintage Condition with minor marks, dents, an...
Wood, Paper
Greek Figure Framed Print
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Puwamoz Greek Figure Framed Print This print measures: 34.5 wide x 1.75 deep x 40.5 inches high This print is in Great Vintage Condition with minor mar...
Wood, Paper
Mandolin Player Framed Print
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mandolin Player Framed Print This print measures: 18 wide x 2 deep x 19 inches high This print is in Great Vintage Condition with minor marks, dents, an...
Wood, Paper
Man at Desk Framed Print
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Man at Desk Framed Print This print measures: 18 wide x 2 deep x 19 inches high This print is in Great Vintage Condition with minor marks, dents, and wea...
Wood, Paper
Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, “Untitled”, By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Paper
Monochrome Black Graphic / Lithograph by Jerry Zenuik, Unframed
By Jerry Zeniuk
Located in Hamburg, DE
Monochrome black artwork, lithograph print by Jerry Zenuik. The print is unframed and comes in a roll. It is an early work from 1974. The print is signed and dated in pencil. He was born the son of refugees from the Ukraine in a temporary camp in Bardowick near Lüneburg. His family emigrated to Boulder...
Paper
Bruce McLean, "Spaghetti alle vongole twice" screenprint, 1995
By Bruce McLean
Located in Renens, CH
Bruce McLean, "Spaghetti alle vongole twice" (screenprint, 1995) Sheet height: 59.7cm Sheet width: 79cm Signed in pencil and numbered 500/500. Bruce McLean (born 1944) received hi...
Paper
Italian modern Abstract print acrylic relief texture by Clelia Cortemiglia, 1972
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Abstract print with acrylic relief texture by Clelia Cortemiglia, 1972 Print on cream yellow paper with white acrylic relief texture. The subject is abstract in black ...
Metal
Italian Modern Engraving Print of Priests by Gianfilippo Usellini, 1900-1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Engraving print with color of two priests by Gianfilippo Usellini, 1900-1970s Fantastic Colored print made with the technique of engrav...
Wood, Paper
$256 / item
Wallpaper "Happy Rain", Marta Bakowski
Located in Geneve, CH
Wallpaper "Happy Rain", Marta Bakowski Dimensions: 53 W x 0.2 D x 1000 H cm Materials: Wallpaper (paper quality 150g) Different colors are available Happy rain is a wallpaper f...
Paper
$656Sale Price|60% Off
Mysterious Al 'Untitled (Black)', 2007, Screenprint, signed dated and numbered
Located in London, GB
Mysterious Al, 'Untitled (Black)', 2007 Screenprint in colours on wove paper. Signed, numbered, and dated in pencil along the lower edge, with the publisher's blind stamp Published b...
Paper
$3,062Sale Price|20% Off
Large Scale Joe Tilson, 'Apollo Pythion' 1990, Signed & Dated in Pencil
By Joe Tilson
Located in London, GB
Joe Tilson (British, born 1928), 'Apollo Pythion' 1990. Signed and dated in by the artist in pencil. Artist's proof. Screen print and mixed media, hand embellished by the artist. ...
Paper
1971. Tuan, Poster / Advert
By Archi Design
Located in Perpignan, FR
authentic 70s poster / vintage. Exhbition poster from museum in Paris. design by the artist Tuan. In good condition.
Paper