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Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

1919-1993

Edward Marecak was an American painter who was born in 1919. Growing up in the farming community of Brunswick, Ohio, he showed early artistic promise, hired by the National Youth Administration to document historic barns. In 1946, Marecak came to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center for a year and after a semester interlude at Cranbrook returned to study lithography with Lawrence Barrett. There he also met his future wife and sometime collaborator, ceramicist Theresa Madonna Fortin. Given the opportunity to teach a summer course at the University of Colorado, he decided to obtain a teaching certificate at the University of Denver and subsequently embarked on his 25-year career in the Denver Public School system. Rather than pursue fame, Edward Marecak directed his zeal toward fostering younger generations in the principles of art as well as his simple philosophies. Moreover, his teaching salary allowed him to ply his prodigious talent at whatever he pleased, instead of bending to the dictates of trends and sales. Having inherited his faith in education from his Slovakian immigrant parents, Marecak could add the shaping of lives to his mastery of art forms, including lithographs, monoprints, drawings, hooked rugs, ceramics, paintings, wood sculptures, stained-glass windows and jewelry. While exhibiting in his lifetime, he was, in his wife’s words, “his own greatest collector”, but shows and his popularity at the Kirkland Museum have positioned Marecak posthumously among Colorado’s pre-eminent modernists. As a child, Marecak was enthralled by the Carpathian tales of magic and supernatural beings told by his grandmother. As with other artists with roots in Eastern Europe, his artistic turn to folk tradition would free him from learned practices of perspective and modeling in favor of flat patterns within patterns and brilliant, throbbing color. While others ventured further into abstraction, Marecak stylized figurative elements into crowded compositions that appeared like a mosaic or stained glass. As he matured, he could declare, “I am still very much a Byzantine designer and my joy with what color can do grows all the time”. The traceries of strong outlines and bold shapes provide compartments for vibrant colors, contrasts and rough textures that can scarcely be contained. The Kirkland Museum staged a retrospective of Edward and Donna Marecak in 2007.

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Artist: Edward Marecak
"The Gold Witch" – Colorado Modernist Semi-Abstract Oil by Edward Marecak
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
“The Gold Witch” is a striking original semi-abstract oil painting by mid-20th century Denver artist Edward Marecak. The composition features an abstracted female figure, rendered in...
Category

1980s Folk Art Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Edward Marecak Winter Witches 1990 Abstract Surrealist Colorado Oil Painting
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
“Winter Witches in an Upside World Interfering with Each Other” is a powerful 1990 oil painting on burlap by celebrated Denver modernist Edward Marecak (1919–1993). Signed and dated ...
Category

1990s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Edward Marecak "I Have the Trump Card" 1991 Abstract Figurative Oil Painting
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
"I Have the Trump Card" (1991) is a striking original oil painting on burlap laid on board by celebrated 20th-century Denver artist Edward Marecak (1919–1993). In this large-scale ab...
Category

1990s Folk Art Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

“Clowns, Jugglers and Acrobats” by Edward Marecak, 1986 Abstract Circus Art
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Bursting with color and kinetic energy, “Clowns, Jugglers and Acrobats” is a dynamic 1986 original painting by celebrated Colorado modernist Edward Marecak. Known for his bold visual...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

1980s Autumn Harvest, Original Semi-Abstract Landscape Oil Painting with Figures
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
This original oil painting, titled Autumn Harvest by Edward Marecak (1919-1993), was created in 1987. It features a stunning autumnal landscape, with seven women actively engaged in ...
Category

1980s American Modern Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Edward Marecak Oil Painting – Semi-Abstract Parcheesi Modernist Art, 1990
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Parcheesi is a vibrant and imaginative 1990 semi-abstract oil on canvas by renowned Denver modernist Edward Marecak (1919–1993). In this dynamic composition, Marecak reinterprets the classic Parcheesi board...
Category

1990s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Three Fates Confused by Edward Marecak, 1970s Modernist Oil Painting
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
“The Three Fates Confused” is a vibrant and imaginative 1970s figural abstraction by celebrated Denver modernist Edward Marecak (1919–1993). This large-sca...
Category

1970s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Edward Marecak Semi-Abstract Mythological Oil Painting, Mid-Century Modern
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
“Sybils Telling Cosmic Jokes on Mankind” is a vibrant 1960s semi-abstract oil painting by acclaimed Denver modernist Edward Marecak (1919–1993). This powerful composition blends myth...
Category

1960s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Four Winter Months by Edward Marecak, 1985 Denver Modernist Oil Painting
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
“The Four Winter Months” is a striking 1985 original oil painting by acclaimed Denver modernist Edward Marecak (1919–1993). This evocative work features four abstract, semi-stylized ...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1980s Semi-Abstract Polychromatic Oil Painting Masks - Vibrant Multicolor Art
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
This 1980s oil on board painting, titled "Masks", was created by renowned Colorado artist Edward Marecak (1919-1993). The piece features a striking mosaic-style composition with bold...
Category

1980s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

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Previously Available Items
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Sybil (The Prophetess), 1970s Abstract Figurative Oil Painting, Pink Blue Red
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Semi-Abstract figurative oil on burlap painting titled 'Sybil (The Prophetess)' by Edward Marecak (1919-1993) painted in 1976. Signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner. Portraying a single figure holding a crystal ball in their hand, painted in shades of blue, red, pink, and green. Presented in the original artist frame with outer dimensions measuring 37 ½ x 49 ½ inches; image size is 36 x 48 inches. Provenance: Estate of the Artist, Edward Marecak Painting is in good condition - please contact us for a detailed condition report. About the Artist: Born Ohio 1919 Died Colorado 1993 Born to immigrant parents from the Carpathian region in Slovakia, Marecak grew up with his family in the farming community of Bennett’s Corners, now part of the town of Brunswick, near Cleveland, Ohio. When he turned twelve, his family moved to a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and Slovenians in Cleveland. His childhood household cherished the customs and Slavic folk tales from the Old Country that later strongly influenced his work as a professional artist. His junior and senior high projects earned him a full scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art (1938-1942) where he studied with Henry George Keller whose work was included in the 1913 New York Armory Show. In 1940 Marecak also taught at the Museum School of the Cleveland Institute. Before being drafted into the military in 1942, he briefly attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art near Detroit, one of the nation’s leading graduate schools of art, architecture, and design. Marecak’s studies at Cranbrook with painter Zoltan Sepeshy and sculptor Carl Milles were interrupted by U.S. army service in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. Following his military discharge, Marecak studied on the G.I. Bill at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center from 1946 to 1950, having previously met its director, Boardman Robinson, conducting a seminar in mural painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Although he did not work with Robinson at the Fine Arts Center, who had become quite ill - retiring in 1947 - he studied Robinson’s specialty of mural painting before leaving to briefly attend the Cranbrook Academy in 1947. That same year he returned to the Fine Arts Center, studying painting with Jean Charlot and Mary Chenoweth, and lithography with Lawrence Barrett with whom he produced some 132 images during 1948-49. At the Fine Arts Center he met his future wife, Donna Fortin, whom he married in 1947. In 1950-51 Marecak returned to the Cleveland Institute of Art to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 1955 he received his teaching certificate from the University of Denver. Vance Kirkland, the head of its art department, helped him get a teaching job with the Denver Public Schools so that he and his family could remain in the Mile High City. For the next twenty-five years he taught art at Skinner, Grove, East, George Washington and Morey Junior High Schools. Prior to coming to Colorado, Marecak did watercolors resembling those of Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent and Charles Burchfield. However, once in Colorado Springs he decided to destroy much of his earlier oeuvre, embarking on a totally new direction unlike anything he had previously done. His first one-person show at the Garrett Gallery in Colorado Springs in 1949 featured paintings and lithographs rendered in the style of Magic Realism and referential abstraction. In addition to paintings and works on paper, Marecak produced hooked rugs, textiles, and ceramics. He likewise produced designs for ceramics, tableware, and furniture created by his wife Donna, an accomplished Colorado ceramist. The Kirkland Museum staged a retrospective of Edward and Donna Marecak...
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1970s American Modern Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

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Burlap, Oil

The Winter Months, 1980s Semi-Abstract Figurative Oil Painting, Blue Black
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Semi-Abstract figurative oil on canvas painting titled "The Winter Months" by Edward Marecak (1919-1993) from 1981, signed and dated in the lower right. Featuring 3 abstract figures in front of a blue geometric background. Presented in the original artist frame measuring 35 ¼ x 35 ¼ inches. Image size measures 30 ¾ x 33 ¾ inches. Expedited and International shipping is available - please contact us for a quote. About the Artist: Born Ohio 1919 Died Colorado 1993 Born to immigrant parents from the Carpathian region in Slovakia, Marecak grew up with his family in the farming community of Bennett’s Corners, now part of the town of Brunswick, near Cleveland, Ohio. When he turned twelve, his family moved to a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and Slovenians in Cleveland. His childhood household cherished the customs and Slavic folk tales from the Old Country that later strongly influenced his work as a professional artist. His junior and senior high projects earned him a full scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art (1938-1942) where he studied with Henry George Keller whose work was included in the 1913 New York Armory Show. In 1940 Marecak also taught at the Museum School of the Cleveland Institute. Before being drafted into the military in 1942, he briefly attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art near Detroit, one of the nation’s leading graduate schools of art, architecture, and design. Marecak’s studies at Cranbrook with painter Zoltan Sepeshy...
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1980s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

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The Argument, 1960s Semi-Abstract Figurative Oil Painting, Red, Black, Blue
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
This 1968 semi-abstract oil on board painting titled The Argument by renowned artist Edward Marecak (1919-1993) features dynamic compositions of two figures rendered in shades of gre...
Category

1960s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

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Oil

The Samurai, Semi-Abstract Figurative Oil Painting in Blue, Yellow, and Red
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Oil on board painting by Edward Marecak (1919-1993) titled "The Samurai" from 1957. Shows an abstract portrait of a samurai in a red hood and black robe. Pres...
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1950s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

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Oil

The Golden Queens, 1970s Abstract Figurative Painting Oil Painting, Yellow Gold
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
The Golden Queens is an oil painting on board by Denver artist, Edward Marecak from 1972. Two abstracted figures in a byzantine mosaic style in colors of gold, yellow, and white. Pre...
Category

1970s Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Adam and Eve, 1980s Abstract Figurative Painting, Vertical Oil Painting, 30 x 48
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Oil painting on foam core titled "Adam and Eve" by Denver artist Edward Marecak (1919-1993) from 1983. Portrays two semi-abstract figures with shapes in the background, painted in colors of pink, blue, yellow, and brown. Presented in a custom wooden frame, outer dimensions measure 30 ⅞ x 48 ⅞ x 2 ⅝ inches. Image size 30 x 48 inches. Painting is in good vintage condition - please contact us for a detailed condition report. Provenance: Estate of Edward Marecak About the Artist: Born to immigrant parents from the Carpathian region in Slovakia, Marecak grew up with his family in the farming community of Bennett’s Corners, now part of the town of Brunswick, near Cleveland, Ohio. When he turned twelve, his family moved to a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and Slovenians in Cleveland. His childhood household cherished the customs and Slavic folk tales from the Old Country that later strongly influenced his work as a professional artist. His junior and senior high projects earned him a full scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art (1938-1942) where he studied with Henry George Keller whose work was included in the 1913 New York Armory Show. In 1940 Marecak also taught at the Museum School of the Cleveland Institute. Before being drafted into the military in 1942, he briefly attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art near Detroit, one of the nation’s leading graduate schools of art, architecture, and design. Marecak’s studies at Cranbrook with painter Zoltan Sepeshy...
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The Keepers Of The Chalice, Semi-Abstract Oil Painting, 20th Century
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Oil on panel painting by Edward Marecak (1919-1993) titled The Keepers of the Chalice from 1987. Presented in a custom black frame, outer dimensions measure 36 ¼ x 48 ¼ x 1 ⅛ inches....
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1980s Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

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Picnic At Mt. Olympus, Large Framed Park Landscape Oil Painting, Mythological
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Picnic at Mr. Olympus, vintage 1970s semi abstract painting by Denver modernist, Edward Marecak. Depicting a park scene with several semi cubist nude figures bathing in a fountain an...
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20th Century American Modern Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Liberty Tries on Masks, Semi Abstract, Lady Liberty, Black Green Red Blue White
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Liberty Tries on Masks, original vintage 1970s oil painting on board by Edward Marecak, semi-abstract, stylized depiction of Lady Liberty with a red white and blue headdress and flag...
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20th Century Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

The Warlord, 1990s Framed Abstract Figural Painting, Red Blue Green
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
The Warlord by 20th century Denver artist, Edward Marecak (1919-1993), vintage 1990 oil painting on canvas with an abstracted male figure wearing a crown and holding weaponry includi...
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20th Century Abstract Edward Marecak Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Seated Woman, Vintage 1980s Semi Abstract Painting, Pink Red White Yellow Blue
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
Untitled #12 (Seated Woman) by Edward Marecak, vintage 1987 oil semi abstract portrait painting on board. Painted in colors of pink, red, white, yellow, orange, blue green and purple...
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Edward Marecak figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Edward Marecak figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of figurative paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Edward Marecak in oil paint, paint, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Edward Marecak figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 19 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Donald Stacy, Simka Simkhovitch, and Byron Browne. Edward Marecak figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,200 and tops out at $12,750, while the average work can sell for $5,225.