Norman Rubington was an artist whose career parallels those of the great names in mid-20th century art history, even as he stood apart in his desire not to emulate but to re-examine methods of expression in a distinctive voice. He was deliberate in his early studies, attending Yale University. After a three-year stint in the Army rendering reconnaissance maps, Rubington moved to Paris to study at Le Grand Chaumière and École des Beaux-Arts. He found a level of respect for artists in Europe that was not common in the United States, and this support encouraged Rubington to explore and challenge the established schools of Cubist and Expressionist painting. He was considered one of the most talented of the younger American artists in Paris and was selected for the Salon d'Automne in 1948, a rare distinction for an American. One French critic hailed Rubington's solo show at Galerie Huit in 1950 as an astonishing success. Rubington's art, he wrote, "was burning with a new flame." He exhibited with the best young French artists of the day Bernard Buffet, André Minaux, Roger Montane, as well as American painters Sidney Geist, Bill Rivers and Jules Olitsky. Under the guidance of the master printer Roger Lacourière, he also achieved a remarkable proficiency, using aquatint to eloquent effect and mastered the technique of soft-ground etching. Rubington won a Prix de Rome in 1951, a Tiffany Foundation Fellowship in 1954 and was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1958. He was a resident at the MacDowell Colony in 1970. His approach to painting and other media had an expressionist tone grounded in representation. Rubington's range of subject matter was broad and he would focus on depicting series of like compositions through a variety of approaches. His most poignant subject was humanity on the fringe.
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Mid Century Abstract Expressionist Guitarist Figurative
By Norman Rubington
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful abstract expressionist painting of guitarist painted by Norman Rubington (American, 1921 - 1991) while in Rome, 1952. Signed lower left and on verso. Dated "11 - 52, Roma" ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,400
"Seated Nude, " Norman Rubington, oil on paper, Mid-Century, Hirschhorn Museum
By Norman Rubington
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1921, artist Norman Rubington studied at the Yale School of Fine Arts and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris where he participated in a number of group exhibitions and his first solo show at the Salon d'Automne in 1948, which received high acclaim. Following his studies, he returned to the States and exhibited in a series of shows in Boston, New York and San Francisco. Rubington was awarded a grant from the Tiffany Foundation, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Prix de Rome prize and was a fellow of the McDowell Art Colony in New Hampshire. Rubington exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, Paris, City Center, New York, Carl Siembab Gallery, Boston, Berman Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, American Academy, Rome, Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco, Corcoran Gallery, Washington D.C., Art Institute of Chicago, American Art Gallery, Copenhagen, Rome Art Club, and Museo Berera, Milan. Rubington's work is held in numerous private and public collections including permanent collections of the J.H. Hirschhorn Museum, Washington, D.C., San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, CA, Obelisk Gallery, London, Court Gallery, Copenhagen, Grace Cathedral...
Paper, Oil
Yellow Nude, oil on paper, figural, modern
By Norman Rubington
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1921, artist Norman Rubington studied at the Yale School of Fine Arts and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris where he participated in a number of group exhibitions and his first solo show at the Salon d'Automne in 1948, which received high acclaim. Following his studies, he returned to the States and exhibited in a series of shows in Boston, New York and San Francisco. Rubington was awarded a grant from the Tiffany Foundation, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Prix de Rome prize and was a fellow of the McDowell Art Colony in New Hampshire. Rubington exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, Paris, City Center, New York, Carl Siembab Gallery, Boston, Berman Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, American Academy, Rome, Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco, Corcoran Gallery, Washington D.C., Art Institute of Chicago, American Art Gallery, Copenhagen, Rome Art Club, and Museo Berera, Milan. Rubington's work is held in numerous private and public collections including permanent collections of the J.H. Hirschorn Museum, Washington, D.C., San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, CA, Obelisk Gallery, London, Court Gallery, Copenhagen, Grace Cathedral...
Oil, Paper
$1,600
H 30.25 in W 26.25 in D 2 in
A Radiant 1950s Mid-Century Modern Studio Portrait of a Seated Female Nude Model
By Rudolph Pen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Radiant, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Studio Portrait of a Seated Female Nude Model. Painted in a sensuous color palette of wonderfully expressive reds and cool creams, the painting e...
Oil, Canvas
$6,000
H 52.5 in W 40.5 in D 1.5 in
"Modernist Nude" Mid Century Bold Colorful Abstract Nude Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
A strong modernist oil painting depicted in the 1950s by Russian, American painter Helen Stein. Mostly known for her abstract figures on canvas, this piece...
Canvas, Oil
$1,400
H 9.45 in W 13.39 in D 0.2 in
Woman Lying Down on White Cloth - Oil Painting - Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Woman Lying Down on White Cloth is an artwork realized by an Italian Artist in mid-20th Century. Oil on cardboard 24x34 cm. Good conditions.
Oil, Cardboard
$2,500
H 34 in W 49 in D 2 in
Mid-Century Modern Figural of Two Women and Child by Harold Kitner Kent State
Located in Soquel, CA
Expressive Mid-Century figural painting of two women and child in pastel hues by Harold Kitner (American, 1921 - 2004). Image, 33"H x 48"W Walnut frame, 34"H x 49"W x 2"D Harold Kitner was born on May 18, 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio and was the son of Isaac and Frieda Kitner. He obtained his MA from Case Western Reserve University in 1947. Kitner was a postgraduate from Cleveland Institute, Ohio University, Cleveland College, Washington and Lee University. He obtained his Doctorate from Kent State University. Exhibition: Harold Kitner - Active / Figure / Exaltation at Kent State School of Art Gallery in Kent, Ohio in 2014. Harold Kitner taught for over 30 years at the Kent State University School of Art. Harold Kitner began teaching art and art history at Kent State University in 1947. During his career, he served as Director and Chairman of the Fine Arts Division. Kitner played a significant role in creating the Art School’s core program, organizing the Kent State Arts Festival, and the Blossom Festival School. He also served as President of the Kent chapter of the American Association of University Professors, and was an art critic for the Akron Beacon Journal. In 1967, Kitner became Kent State University’s first Faculty Ombudsman, officially titled Dean for Faculty Counsel. He held this position until 1974. At the time of the Kent State shootings, Kitner’s position as Ombudsman meant that he was involved in many of the decisions regarding University administration in the weeks and months following the Kent State shootings. Kitner began a partial retirement in 1980, and left Kent to become the director of the Institute of the South Florida Art...
Masonite, Oil
$6,800
H 31 in W 37 in
NYC Subway Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
NYC Subway Mid 20th Century Modern American Scene Social Realism Contemporary David Atkins (1910 – 2012) Subway Train Departure 24 x 30 inches Oil on can...
Canvas, Oil
$3,500
H 40.5 in W 50.5 in D 1.25 in
A Large, Fabulous Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Chicago Night Club, Burlesque
By Rudolph Pen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Fabulous, Large and Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Chicago Night Club by Notable Chicago Artist, Rudolph T. Pen (Am. 1918 - 1989). Painted circa 1948, this is a large, a...
Canvas, Oil
Blacksmith (Untitled)
By Erle Loran
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Blacksmith (Untitled), 1936, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, 28 x 30 inches Erle Loran was an influential American painter, art historian, and educator, renowned for h...
Canvas, Oil
$2,650
H 40 in W 28 in D 3 in
Mid Century Modern Jazz Ensemble -- The Band Box Quartet, Signed
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Modern Jazz Quartet Figurative -- "The Band Box" Signed A vivid, mid-century modernist interpretation of a jazz ensemble by Louis M. Centofanti (American, 1921-2018). "B...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$933
H 31.89 in W 21.26 in D 0.99 in
Nude Woman - Oil Paint attr. Edgar Stoebel - Mid-20th Century
By Edgar Stoëbel
Located in Roma, IT
Nude woman is an artwork attribuited to Edgar Stoebel (1909-2001). 81 x 45 cm; no frame. Oil painting on canvas. Good conditions.
Canvas, Oil
$2,680
H 49.5 in W 35 in D 1 in
A Large, Impressive Painting of a Standing Female Nude by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A large, impressive 1930s painting of standing female nude by notable Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin, in a gold-toned frame. Artwork size: 43 3/4 x 29 3/4 inches; Framed siz...
Canvas, Oil
$1,750
H 23.63 in W 31.5 in D 1.97 in
Lady in a Green Room Painting, Abstract Style, Framed, 60x80 cm
By Olga Radionova
Located in Zofingen, AG
The painting is called "Lady in a Green Room." It features a luxurious interior with subdued lighting. The figure itself is painted in an abstract style. Everything about this painti...
Canvas, Oil
$2,750
H 16 in W 20 in
Modern Nude study Matisse inspired figures in Pink and White
By Claude Howard Stuart
Located in Woodbury, CT
Claude Howard Stuart (British Contemporary) Nude I, circa 2020 Oil on board Signed lower right A striking contemporary composition by the British artist Claude Howard Stuart, depic...
Oil, Board
Rare Judaica Synagogue Service with Shofar
By Norman Rubington
Located in Surfside, FL
It has an old French label verso and is probably from the 1940s or 1950s A native of Connecticut, Norman Rubington was a sculpture, painter, collage, printmaker, illustrator, filmmaker, and author. He studied at Yale with Josef Albers and Fernand Léger from 1939 to 1943 when he left to serve in World War II in the Army Corps of Engineers training in map-making for military intelligence. In 1946, after his service was complete, Rubington left for Paris to study at École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière under the GI Bill, one of the first to use it in France. A painter of considerable prominence and commercial success, his work was regularly exhibited throughout Paris, Rome, and New York. He was a founding member with Carmen D'Avino of Galerie Huit, the first American cooperative gallery in Europe. His contemporaries while in Paris were avant-garde artists such as Braque, where Rubington frequented Braque's Parc Montsouris atelier; Constantin Brâncuși and Alberto Giacometti, part of the left bank's “La Ruche Montparnasse”; Guillaume Corneille van Beverloo, and Karel Appel founders of the Cobra and Reflex movements; as well as Jean Dubuffet. He exhibited with the best young French artists of the day--Bernard Buffet, André Minaux, Roger Montane...
Gouache
Nude by the Sea
By Norman Rubington
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1921, Norman Rubington studied at the Yale School of Fine Arts and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris where he participated in a number of group exhibiti...
Oil
By the Sea
By Norman Rubington
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1921, Norman Rubington studied at the Yale School of Fine Arts and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris where he participated in a number of group exhibiti...
Oil, Paper