farbfeldmalerei
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.
Gotthard Graubner was a German abstract painter associated with the post-war Zero and Informel movements. Graubner's work is known for its focus on color and its relationship to space and perception.
Graubner studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf under the painter Georg Meistermann. In the 1950s, he became associated with the Zero group, a movement of artists who sought to create a new art form that was free of traditional artistic conventions and focused on the use of unconventional materials.
In the 1960s, Graubner began creating his signature "color-space bodies," large canvases that were mounted away from the wall and filled with thick layers of pigment. These works were designed to be experienced as three-dimensional objects that were both paintings and sculptures, and they often created a sense of depth and spatial ambiguity.
Graubner's work was exhibited widely in Europe and the United States, and he was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He also taught at several art schools, including the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and the Städelschule in Frankfurt.
Graubner's innovative approach to painting and his exploration of the relationship between color, space, and perception continue to be an important influence on contemporary art.
Frank Philip Stella, an American icon in the realms of painting, sculpture, and printmaking, has left an indelible mark on the art world with his pioneering work in minimalism and post-painterly abstraction. Born on May 12, 1936, in Malden, Massachusetts, Stella's artistic journey commenced with his studies in painting at Phillips Academy, Andover, and history at Princeton University. His move to New York City in 1958 heralded the start of an illustrious career that would see him challenge and redefine artistic boundaries.
Stella's work is celebrated for its innovative approach to form, color, and composition. His early endeavors in the late 1950s showcased black paintings characterized by bands of bare canvas, which played a pivotal role in emphasizing the flatness of the picture plane. This deliberate artificiality in his work garnered considerable attention and positioned him at the forefront of Post-Painterly Abstraction, a movement that reacted against the emotive excesses of Abstract Expressionism.
Throughout his career, Stella continued to push the limits of abstraction. His vocabulary expanded to include vibrant and dynamic assemblages that projected out from the wall, utilizing a variety of materials from steel to plastic. This evolution of his style is not only a testament to his ingenuity but also his influence on contemporary art. Notable works that exemplify his groundbreaking approach include "Grajau I," "Harran II," and "Eskimo Curlew," among others, which can be found in prestigious collections such as The Glass House and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
For art collectors and enthusiasts alike, Stella's oeuvre offers a captivating exploration into the possibilities of abstract art. His continued relevance and the profound impact of his work on both his peers and successive generations of artists underscore his status as a seminal figure in modern art.
Stay updated on new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Frank Philip Stella by signing up for our newsletter. This subscription is your gateway to the latest in the world of Frank Stella, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to engage with the works of this monumental artist.
Erich Mercker was a German landscape, industrial and city painter and speed skater.
Alfred Jensen was an American abstract painter associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement. Jensen's work often incorporated complex systems of symbols and numerals, which he believed could be used to represent the structure of the universe.
Jensen spent much of his childhood in Europe before immigrating to the United States in the 1920s. He studied at the Art Students League in New York and began his career as an artist in the 1930s, creating figurative paintings that were influenced by the work of Picasso and other European modernists.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Jensen began exploring abstraction and began incorporating his interest in numerology and symbolism into his work. He developed a complex system of symbols and numerals, which he believed could be used to represent the underlying structure of the universe. His paintings often featured grids, mandalas, and other geometric forms, and he believed that his art could serve as a kind of visual language that could help unlock the mysteries of the universe.
Jensen's work was exhibited widely in the United States and Europe, and he was the recipient of several awards and honors throughout his career.
Jensen's unique approach to abstraction and his interest in numerology and symbolism have made him an important figure in the development of abstract painting in the mid-20th century.
Fritz Winter was a German painter of the postwar period best known for his abstract works in the Art Informel style.