Robert Motherwell, Elegy Study, 1979
Lithograph on Handmade Paper
62 x 95 cm (visible), 87.5 x 119.5 x 4 cm (framed)
Edition of 98, signed
Condition: Very good
Certificate of Authenticity available
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Robert Motherwell (American, 1915–1991) was a leading painter, printmaker, and theorist, recognised as one of the founders and most eloquent advocates of Abstract Expressionism. Educated at Stanford University and Harvard, where he studied philosophy, Motherwell’s intellectual background profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His exposure to European modernism and Surrealist automatism—particularly through his connections with artists like Marcel Duchamp and André Breton—inspired his exploration of gesture, abstraction, and the subconscious.
Motherwell’s work is known for its bold use of large, simplified forms, expressive brushwork, and stark contrasts of colour, often evoking themes of tragedy, heroism, and existential struggle. His most famous series, which this piece features in, titled "Elegy to the Spanish Republic", comprises over 150 paintings, characterised by black ovoid shapes and vertical bars that symbolise mourning and loss while reflecting on the Spanish Civil War and the broader human condition. His approach combined spontaneity with intellectual rigour, emphasising the emotional power of abstraction while remaining deeply rooted in political and philosophical reflection.
Motherwell’s work often exhibits a controlled, meditative quality, focusing on the relationship between form, space, and colour. He was also a prolific printmaker, using collage and lithography to explore themes of fragmentation and synthesis, reflecting his belief in the constant evolution of artistic ideas.
As both a practitioner and a writer, Motherwell played a crucial role in articulating the ideals of Abstract Expressionism. His essays and lectures championed the idea that abstraction could express universal human truths. His influence extended beyond his artwork, shaping the critical discourse of postwar American art. Robert Motherwell’s legacy lies in his powerful synthesis of philosophical depth, political engagement, and artistic innovation, making him a central figure in the history of modern art.
(Photographed in November 2024)
Lithograph on Handmade Paper
62 x 95 cm (visible), 87.5 x 119.5 x 4 cm (framed)
Edition of 98, signed
Condition: Very good
Certificate of Authenticity available
-
Robert Motherwell (American, 1915–1991) was a leading painter, printmaker, and theorist, recognised as one of the founders and most eloquent advocates of Abstract Expressionism. Educated at Stanford University and Harvard, where he studied philosophy, Motherwell’s intellectual background profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His exposure to European modernism and Surrealist automatism—particularly through his connections with artists like Marcel Duchamp and André Breton—inspired his exploration of gesture, abstraction, and the subconscious.
Motherwell’s work is known for its bold use of large, simplified forms, expressive brushwork, and stark contrasts of colour, often evoking themes of tragedy, heroism, and existential struggle. His most famous series, which this piece features in, titled "Elegy to the Spanish Republic", comprises over 150 paintings, characterised by black ovoid shapes and vertical bars that symbolise mourning and loss while reflecting on the Spanish Civil War and the broader human condition. His approach combined spontaneity with intellectual rigour, emphasising the emotional power of abstraction while remaining deeply rooted in political and philosophical reflection.
Motherwell’s work often exhibits a controlled, meditative quality, focusing on the relationship between form, space, and colour. He was also a prolific printmaker, using collage and lithography to explore themes of fragmentation and synthesis, reflecting his belief in the constant evolution of artistic ideas.
As both a practitioner and a writer, Motherwell played a crucial role in articulating the ideals of Abstract Expressionism. His essays and lectures championed the idea that abstraction could express universal human truths. His influence extended beyond his artwork, shaping the critical discourse of postwar American art. Robert Motherwell’s legacy lies in his powerful synthesis of philosophical depth, political engagement, and artistic innovation, making him a central figure in the history of modern art.
(Photographed in November 2024)
Lithograph on Handmade Paper
62 x 95 cm (visible), 87.5 x 119.5 x 4 cm (framed)
Edition of 98, signed
Condition: Very good
Certificate of Authenticity available
-
Robert Motherwell (American, 1915–1991) was a leading painter, printmaker, and theorist, recognised as one of the founders and most eloquent advocates of Abstract Expressionism. Educated at Stanford University and Harvard, where he studied philosophy, Motherwell’s intellectual background profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His exposure to European modernism and Surrealist automatism—particularly through his connections with artists like Marcel Duchamp and André Breton—inspired his exploration of gesture, abstraction, and the subconscious.
Motherwell’s work is known for its bold use of large, simplified forms, expressive brushwork, and stark contrasts of colour, often evoking themes of tragedy, heroism, and existential struggle. His most famous series, which this piece features in, titled "Elegy to the Spanish Republic", comprises over 150 paintings, characterised by black ovoid shapes and vertical bars that symbolise mourning and loss while reflecting on the Spanish Civil War and the broader human condition. His approach combined spontaneity with intellectual rigour, emphasising the emotional power of abstraction while remaining deeply rooted in political and philosophical reflection.
Motherwell’s work often exhibits a controlled, meditative quality, focusing on the relationship between form, space, and colour. He was also a prolific printmaker, using collage and lithography to explore themes of fragmentation and synthesis, reflecting his belief in the constant evolution of artistic ideas.
As both a practitioner and a writer, Motherwell played a crucial role in articulating the ideals of Abstract Expressionism. His essays and lectures championed the idea that abstraction could express universal human truths. His influence extended beyond his artwork, shaping the critical discourse of postwar American art. Robert Motherwell’s legacy lies in his powerful synthesis of philosophical depth, political engagement, and artistic innovation, making him a central figure in the history of modern art.
(Photographed in November 2024)