Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
American, 1915-1991
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.
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Artist: Robert Motherwell
Samurai II
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
144.8 x 62.2 cms (57 x 24.5 ins)
Edition of 49
Lithograph and chine appliqué
Paper:Two joined sheets of natural Nepal handmade paper; natural Sekishu handmade paper
Proofs: 1 archiv...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Lithograph
Mediterranean Light
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph on white Tyler Graphics Ltd. (TGL) handmade paper
32 1/2 x 76 in. (82.6 x 193 cm)
Edition of 40
Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Lithograph
Paris Suite 4 (Winter)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell
Paris Suite IV (Winter)
1980
Lithograph on J.B. Green handmade paper, Edition of 60
47 x 45.7 cms (18.5 x 18 ins)
RM17036
CR 267
18 1/2 ...
Category
1980s Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Africa Suite: Africa 8
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
The original studies from the 'Africa Suite' were a group of ten works selected from a series of ink-on-paper drawings from the same year. The large autom...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Screen
At the Edge
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on Auvergne
a la Main Richard de Bas handmade paper
57.8 x 63.8 cms (22.75 x 25.1 ins)
Edition of 34
Signed "Motherwell" in pencil ...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Mixed Media, Color, Etching, Aquatint
Octavio Paz Suite: Nocturne VI
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph and chine appliqué
64.5 x 54 cms (25 3/8 x 21 1/4 ins)
Edition 50
Paper: Arches paper; Japanese Gampi handmade paper
Other Collaborators: Image transferred from Mylar to...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph
Paris Suite 3 (Autumn)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell
Paris Suite III (Autumn)
1980
Lithograph on J.B. Green handmade paper, Edition of 60
49.2 x 56.8 cms (19 1/2 x 22 1/2 ins)
RM17035
CR 26...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Africa Suite: Africa 7
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
The original studies from the 'Africa Suite' were a group of ten works selected from a series of ink-on-paper drawings from the same year. The large autom...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Screen
$7,500 Sale Price
25% Off
Paris Suite 2 (Summer)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell
Paris Suite II (Summer)
1980
Lithograph on J.B. Green handmade paper, Edition of 60
49.2 x 41 cms (19 1/2 x 16 ins)
RM17034
CR 265
Sign...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
The Basque Suite: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
104.1 x 71.8 cms (41 x 28.25 ins)
Edition of 150
Paper: J.B. Green Paper
Signed "RM" in pencil lower right; signed "Motherwell" in screen lower right
Inscriptions: Numbered in ...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Screen
Black Sounds
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell
Black Sounds
1984
Lithograph, relief print, and collage
99.1 x 63.5 cms (39 x 25 ins)
RM14197
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
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...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Etching, Aquatint
$16,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Octavio Paz Suite: Red Samurai
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph, linoleum block print, and chine appliqué, Edition of 50
CR 435
Paper:Arches paper; Japanese Masa Dosa handmade paper
Production Sequence:4 colors (including 1 colored pap...
Category
Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Africa Suite: Africa 10
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
The original studies from the 'Africa Suite' were a group of ten works selected from a series of ink-on-paper drawings from the same year. The large autom...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Screen
Paroles peintes III: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Open-bite etching printed in dark, brownish black on fibrous Japan paper
38 x 28 cms (14 7/8 x 11 1/8 ins)
Edition of 200 in three numbered segments
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Paris Suite 1 (Spring)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Robert Motherwell
Paris Suite I (Spring)
1980
Lithograph on J.B. Green handmade paper, Edition of 60
48.9 x 48.9 cms (19 1/4 x 19 1/4 ins)
RM17031
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Gesture I (State I)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on J.B. Green paper
89.5 x 66.7 cms (35 1/4 x 26 1/4 ins)
Edition of 75
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Lithograph
Summertime in Italy (with Lines)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Lithograph on Rives BFK paper
61.6 x 43.18 cms (24 1/4 x 17 inches)
Edition of 100
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Dedication–Lincoln Center (B.App.23)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 29.25 ins (113 x 74.3 cms)
Edition of 108
Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower left
Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower left; some impressions have artist's chop mark lower left
Publisher:The Juilliard School...
Category
1960s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Mixed Media, Screen
$12,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Africa Suite: Africa 6
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
The original studies from the 'Africa Suite' were a group of ten works selected from a series of ink-on-paper drawings from the same year. The large autom...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Screen
Norway
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
54.9 x 56.5 cms (21.6 x 22.25 ins)
Edition of 50
Paper: Somerset paper
Signature:Signed "RM" in pencil lower right
Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right
Proofs:20 AP, numbered I/XX-XX/XX, 2 HC, numbered I-II, 3 PP, 1 TP, other proofs (unrecorded)
Publisher:Derriere LEtoile Studios, New York, for the Sonja Henie...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Lithograph
Gesture I (State I)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Aquatint, lift-ground etching and aquatint on J.B. Green paper
89.5 x 66.7 cms (35 1/4 x 26 1/4 ins)
Edition of 75
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Color, Lithograph
Beau Geste pour Lucrèce
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
The complete suite of six individual, lyrical lithographs, each hand-signed and numbered, each measuring 22 x 15 in (56 x 38 cm), unframed, from the edition of 100 with 15 AP’s.
Category
20th Century Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Price Upon Request
Three Poems: Spanish Elegy
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created in 1988, this lithograph and chine appliqué is hand-signed by Robert Motherwell (Aberdeen, 1915 - Provincetown, 1991) in pencil in the lower right margin and is numbered from the edition of 50 in pencil in the lower right margin.
About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Robert Motherwell Three Poems...
Category
1980s Modern Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Price Upon Request
America La-France Variations IX
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created in 1984, this lithograph and collage on paper is hand-signed by Robert Motherwell (Aberdeen, 1915 - Provincetown, 1991) in pencil in the lower right margin. Numbered from the...
Category
1980s Modern Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Mixed Media, Lithograph
Price Upon Request
Paroles peintes III: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Open-bite etching printed in dark, brownish black on fibrous Japan paper. Signed "R. Motherwell," or "Motherwell" in pencil, lower right. Numbered in pencil, lower right. Paper size:...
Category
Mid-20th Century Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Price Upon Request
Beau Geste I
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
From a portfolio of six individual lithographs, each created as Robert Motherwell’s visualization of six poems by Marcelin Pleynet, Beau Geste I was printed in 1989 by Teluride Press...
Category
20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Price Upon Request
America - La France variations I, 46/70 color lithograph with collage
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Three Oaks, MI
America-La France Variations I 1983-4. Lithograph in colors with collage on Tyler Graphics Ltd. handmade paper. Signed in pencil Numbered 46/70 (there were also XVIII artist’s proofs...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Red Samurai, from Octavio Paz suite
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Red Samurai, from Octavio Paz suite
1987-88
Lithograph and linoleum cut in colors with chine appliqué on handmade Japanese Masa Dos...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Handmade Paper, Lithograph, Linocut
Price Upon Request
Art 1981 Chicago Print
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Created by Robert Motherwell in 1981 for the Chicago International Art Exposition, Art 1981 Chicago Print is an original lithograph in colors on Arches p...
Category
20th Century Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Price Upon Request
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Poster) -- signed limited edition
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Missouri, MO
Original color lithograph designed by Robert Motherwell for the 94th Season, Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
From the limited edition of 120 + A.P.s on Arches Cove...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Robert Motherwell abstract prints for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Motherwell abstract prints available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of abstract prints 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, red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Motherwell in lithograph, etching, screen print 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 Robert Motherwell abstract prints, so small editions measuring 1 inch across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sam Francis, Richard Diebenkorn, and Sam Gilliam. Robert Motherwell abstract prints prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $225 and tops out at $90,000, while the average work can sell for $7,500.
Artists Similar to Robert Motherwell
Questions About Robert Motherwell Abstract Prints
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024No, Robert Motherwell was not a Surrealist painter. The American artist was the youngest member of the New York School, a group of Abstract Expressionists working in art, dance, poetry and music in the 1950s and '60s. However, Motherwell did meet a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists while attending Columbia University to study art history in the 1940s. This encounter proved influential in his style. Inspired by their work, 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. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Robert Motherwell art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Robert Motherwell was a part of the art movement called Abstract Expressionism. Artists who participated in the movement sought to express emotions through abstract forms. You'll find a range of Robert Motherwell art from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.