1986
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.
Carpeta
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in Ameri...
Lithograph
Untitled #1
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on JB Green paper, 1971. Signed by the artist in pencil and numbered 81/150 in pencil, lower right. With the artists blind stamp in the lower margin. Printed by K...
Screen
Delos
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color lithograph on TGL handmade paper. Initialed and numbered 6/40 in pencil. Printed and published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, with the bli...
Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph
The Basque Suite #6
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on J. B. Green paper. Initialed and numbered 96/150 in pencil by Motherwell. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlborou...
Color, Screen
$9,500
H 29.5 in W 24.5 in D 1.5 in
"Untitled" Robert Motherwell from the Portfolio Nine
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Hinsdale, IL
Robert Motherwell Untitled (from Portfolio 9), 1966 Lithograph from one zinc plate printed in blue, 1966 22.25 x 17.25 in. (56.52 x 43.82 cm.) Signed; lower left with artist's tra...
Lithograph
Untitled (Vertical)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of American abstract painters that radically defined abstraction and...
Etching, Aquatint
The Razor's Edge
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A superb impression of this scarce color aquatint and lift-ground etching on German Etching paper. Signed and numbered 27/36 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Catherine Mousley in t...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
The Basque Suite #4
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprinton J. B. Green paper, 1970-71. Initialed by the artist and numbered 85/150 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlborough Graph...
Screen, Color
Basque Suite #12
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in Ameri...
Screen
The Basque Suite #2
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on J. B. Green paper. Initialed and numbered 134/150 in pencil by Motherwell. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlboro...
Color, Screen
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell Untitled 1986 Colour lithograph and collage, on Guarro paper, Edtion of 100 55.9 x 37.8 cms (22 x 14 7/8 ins)
Lithograph
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Edition of 24 73.7 x 64.8 cms (29 x 25 1/2 ins)
Lithograph
Perpetual Summer
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
60 x 42.9 cms ( 23.62 x 16.89 ins) Edition of 26 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right Publ...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
29.88 x 22.36 ins (75.9 x 56.8 cms) Edition of 96 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right ...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph and chine colle 73.9 x 56.9 cms (29.1 x 22.4 ins) Edition of 19
Lithograph
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Brushed aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on German Etching paper 71.8 x 56.5 cms (28 1/4 x 22 1/4 ins) Edition of 32
Etching, Aquatint
