Post War Prints — A1273: The Bayer Collection – Part IV
Sol LeWitt was an American artist linked to various movements, including conceptual art and minimalism.
LeWitt came to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and «structures» (a term he preferred instead of «sculptures») but was prolific in a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, photography, painting, installation, and artist's books.
Victor Vasarely, a seminal figure in the Op art movement, was a Hungarian-French artist celebrated for his pioneering contributions to geometric abstract art. Born Győző Vásárhelyi in Pécs, Hungary, in 1906, Vasarely's artistic journey led him to Paris, where he honed a distinctive style marked by optical illusions and kinetic art. By the late 1940s, he had developed his iconic approach, utilizing geometric shapes and a limited color palette to create artworks that seemed to move and vibrate. His work "Zebra," created in 1937, is often cited as one of the earliest examples of Op art, showcasing his fascination with creating the illusion of depth and movement on a flat surface.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Vasarely's exploration into optical effects deepened, leading to significant series like his "Vega" works. These pieces are characterized by their illusionary three-dimensional space, seemingly pushing and pulling the viewer into the canvas. His dedication to optical and geometric abstraction was not just a pursuit of aesthetic innovation but also an exploration of the viewer's perception, making the observer an integral part of the artwork.
Vasarely's influence extended beyond the canvas, impacting architecture, sculpture, and even space exploration. In 1970, he founded the first museum dedicated to his works in Gordes, followed by the establishment of the Fondation Vasarely in Aix-en-Provence in 1976, showcasing his vision of integrating art with the environment. His artworks have found homes in prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and have been celebrated in exhibitions worldwide.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Vasarely's works offer a mesmerizing blend of scientific precision and artistic expression, encapsulating a moment in art history where the boundaries between viewer and artwork blurred. His legacy is a testament to the power of visual perception and the endless possibilities of abstract art.
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Almir da Silva Mavignier is a German painter and graphic designer of Brazilian origin.
Almir Mavignier is internationally known as an artistic representative of concrete art, op art and as a commercial artist.
Axel Dick was one of the most important German representatives of geometric abstraction and op art.
During a trip to New York in 1965, Axel Dick discovered the path to Conceptualism. It was a style he followed for the rest of his life.
Georg Baselitz is a German painter, sculptor and graphic artist. In the 1960s he became well known for his figurative, expressive paintings. In 1969 he began painting his subjects upside down in an effort to overcome the representational, content-driven character of his earlier work and stress the artifice of painting. Drawing from myriad influences, including art of Soviet era illustration art, the Mannerist period and African sculptures, he developed his own, distinct artistic language.
Alexander Calder was an American artist celebrated for his revolutionary contributions to modern sculpture, including his invention of the mobile. Born into a family of artists on July 22, 1898, in Lawnton, Pennsylvania, and passing away on November 11, 1976, in New York, Calder harnessed his background in mechanical engineering to create kinetic sculptures that moved with air currents, alongside his monumental stationary sculptures known as "stabiles".
Calder's early life was marked by his creation of toys and various objects, showcasing his inherent talent and creativity from a young age. Despite initially pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, Calder's true calling in the arts was undeniable. He moved to New York City, where he enrolled at the Art Students League, laying the groundwork for his iconic artistic style. In 1926, Calder relocated to Paris, which became a pivotal moment in his career, leading to the creation of "Calder's Circus," a whimsical assembly of wire figures that gained him entry into the avant-garde art circles of Europe.
Throughout the 1930s and beyond, Calder's work evolved from figurative painting to abstract sculptures that brought motion into the realm of art, a transition influenced by his visit to Piet Mondrian's studio. His innovative mobiles and stabiles were celebrated for their ingenuity and aesthetic appeal, earning Calder international recognition and numerous accolades. Among his well-known public commissions are the .125 mobile for John F. Kennedy Airport and the monumental red-painted steel stabile, "Flamingo," for the Federal Center Plaza in Chicago.
Calder's legacy extends far beyond his sculptures; his work encompassed painting, printmaking, jewelry design, and even set and costume design for theatre productions. His influence on modern art is profound, inspiring future generations of artists to explore the kinetic possibilities of sculpture.
For art enthusiasts and collectors interested in Alexander Calder's groundbreaking work, staying informed about upcoming sales and auctions is essential. Sign up for updates to never miss an opportunity to own a piece by this influential American sculptor, highlighting his unique contributions to the art world.
Arik Brauer was an Austrian painter, printmaker, poet, dancer, singer-songwriter, stage designer, architect, and academic teacher.
Brauer, from a family of Jewish emigrants, grew up in Vienna under the Nazi regime.
Michael Buthe was a German artist who lived and worked between Germany and Morocco. He exhibited widely throughout Europe during his life and is known for his eclectic and prolific oeuvre which encompasses painting, sculpture, and installation.
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Christiaan Karel Appel was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet. He started painting at the age of fourteen and studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam in the 1940s. He was one of the founders of the avant-garde movement CoBrA in 1948. He was also an avid sculptor and has had works featured in MoMA and other museums worldwide.
Christiaan Karel Appel was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet. He started painting at the age of fourteen and studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam in the 1940s. He was one of the founders of the avant-garde movement CoBrA in 1948. He was also an avid sculptor and has had works featured in MoMA and other museums worldwide.
Christiaan Karel Appel was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet. He started painting at the age of fourteen and studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam in the 1940s. He was one of the founders of the avant-garde movement CoBrA in 1948. He was also an avid sculptor and has had works featured in MoMA and other museums worldwide.
James Rosenquist was a towering figure in the American art scene, best known for his pivotal role in defining the Pop Art movement. Born in North Dakota, Rosenquist transformed his early experiences as a billboard painter into a revolutionary art form that blurred the lines between commercial and fine art. His unique approach to painting, characterized by the use of fragmented and juxtaposed imagery, mirrored the bombardment of mass media and advertising in American culture. This technique not only challenged traditional perceptions of art but also reflected the artist's critique of the consumerist society.
Rosenquist's most famous work, "F-111," an ambitious 86-foot-long mural, exemplifies his innovative style. Displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, this piece encapsulates the essence of Pop Art by combining consumer goods, military imagery, and a fighter plane. The artwork serves as a powerful commentary on the military-industrial complex and the pervasive influence of advertising on American life. Another notable piece, "Stowaway Peers Out of the Speed of Light," showcases Rosenquist's later exploration into abstract expressionism, depicting a chaotic yet captivating vision of motion and light.
Throughout his career, Rosenquist's work remained deeply influential, earning him a place in prominent collections and museums worldwide. His ability to merge commercial techniques with fine art not only elevated his status as an artist but also left an indelible mark on the art world. Rosenquist's legacy continues to inspire artists and collectors alike, challenging them to see beyond the surface of everyday imagery.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, James Rosenquist's work represents a pivotal moment in the history of modern art, where the lines between commercial and fine art were not just blurred but beautifully intertwined. To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to James Rosenquist, we invite you to sign up for our updates. This subscription is your gateway to the evolving world of art collecting, where the legacy of innovators like Rosenquist continues to influence the market and inspire new generations of artists and collectors.
Hann Trier was a German abstract expressionist watercolourist and graphic artist. Hann Trier is best known for his giant ceiling paintings in the Charlottenburg Palace. He was the older brother of the art historian Eduard Trier (1920-2009).
Emil Schumacher was a German painter. He was an important representative of abstract expressionism in post-war Germany.
In 2009 the Kunstquartier Hagen was inaugurated combining the Karl Ernst Osthaus-Museum Hagen as well as the newly built Emil Schumacher Museum in one Museum complex.
Pierre Soulages was a French painter, printmaker, and sculptor. In 2014, François Hollande described him as "the world's greatest living artist."
Soulages is known as "the painter of black," owing to his interest in the colour "both as a colour and a non-colour. When light is reflected on black, it transforms and transmutes it. It opens a mental field all its own." He saw light as a work material; striations of the black surface of his paintings enable him to reflect light, allowing the black to come out of darkness and into brightness, thus becoming a luminous colour.
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Samuel Lewis Francis, an American painter and printmaker, was known for his pivotal role in postwar American painting and his contributions to the Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting movements. Born in San Mateo, California, Francis' early life was marked by a deep personal loss and a significant injury during his service in the Army Air Corps, which led him to pursue painting while recovering in a hospital. His work, characterized by splashes of bright contrasting colors against expansive white canvases, drew international acclaim, particularly in Europe and Japan, underscoring his influence on the global art scene.
Francis' art evolved through various phases, from monochromatic works to vibrant, large-scale pieces, and was deeply influenced by his time in Paris and Japan, reflecting elements of Tachisme and possibly Zen Buddhism. Notable for creating large murals and his "Edge" series, Francis also founded The Lapis Press, further contributing to the art community by producing visually compelling texts. Despite facing health challenges towards the end of his life, he remained prolific, leaving behind a legacy celebrated through the Sam Francis Foundation, which aims to perpetuate his creative legacy.
Francis' artworks are held in prestigious collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Centre Pompidou-Musee National d'Art Moderne, Paris, highlighting his enduring influence on contemporary art. His auction records and continued recognition in solo exhibitions posthumously underscore the lasting impact of his work on both collectors and the art community.
For those passionate about modern art and its history, staying informed about Samuel Lewis Francis' contributions and the ongoing exhibitions of his works can be enriching. Sign up for updates related to Francis to ensure you don't miss out on new sales and auction events showcasing his vibrant legacy.
Armand Pierre Fernandez, widely known by his mononym Arman, was a French-born American artist celebrated for his innovative contributions to the Nouveau Réalisme movement and his radical use of everyday objects in art. Born in Nice, France, on November 17, 1928, Arman's early exposure to art came from his father, an antiques dealer and amateur artist, which deeply influenced his later artistic endeavors.
Arman moved beyond traditional painting techniques early in his career, instead creating his signature "Accumulations" and "Poubelles" (trash) sculptures. These works involved assembling and compacting everyday items like watches, clocks, and even automobiles, embedding these objects in layers of concrete or encasing them in Plexiglas. One of his most notable large-scale works is "Long Term Parking," a 60-foot high sculpture made of concrete-encased cars, situated in Jouy-en-Josas, France.
His work is an essential bridge between European and American trends in Pop art and has been widely exhibited in major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Arman's innovative techniques and philosophical approach to materials challenged conventional categorizations of art and inspired future generations of artists.
For collectors and enthusiasts interested in staying updated on exhibitions and sales related to Arman's work, signing up for updates can provide essential insights and opportunities related to this influential artist. Join our community to ensure you don't miss out on new discoveries and auction events associated with Arman's legacy.