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Overview
"When I see a white piece of paper, I feel I've got to draw. And drawing, for me, is the beginning of everything."
Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015) was an influential American artist known for his bold and minimalist approach to abstraction. Born on May 31, 1923, in Newburgh, New York, Kelly showed an early interest in art, attending the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn before serving in the military during World War II.
After the war, Kelly studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston under the G.I. Bill, where he developed his distinctive style characterized by geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and a focus on form and space. He was also influenced by his time in Europe, where he encountered the work of artists like Jean Arp and Constantin Brâncuși.
In the 1950s, Kelly moved to Paris, where he became associated with the burgeoning abstract art movement. It was during this time that he began to gain recognition for his unique approach to painting and sculpture. He rejected the gestural style of Abstract Expressionism in favor of clean lines and simple forms, often inspired by the shapes and colors he observed in the world around him.
Throughout his career, Kelly explored the relationship between color, shape, and space, often creating works that blurred the boundaries between painting and sculpture. His use of bold, flat colors and geometric shapes became his signature style, earning him a reputation as one of the pioneers of minimalist art.
Kelly's work can be found in major museums and collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Tate Modern in London. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including the National Medal of Arts in 2013.
Ellsworth Kelly passed away on December 27, 2015, but his legacy continues to influence generations of artists with its emphasis on simplicity, precision, and the power of color and form. He remains celebrated as one of the most important figures in 20th-century American art, known for his timeless contributions to the world of abstraction. -
Select Works By Ellsworth Kelly
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Works
Ellsworth Kelly
Red-Orange Over Black, 1970Screenprint on Special Arjomari paper25 x 30 in
63.5 x 76.2 cmEdition of 250Copyright The ArtistEllsworth Kelly's limited edition prints, characterized by bold colors and minimalist aesthetics, reflect his iconic abstract art style. Created in collaboration with renowned printmaking studios, these exclusive pieces showcase Kelly's...Ellsworth Kelly's limited edition prints, characterized by bold colors and minimalist aesthetics, reflect his iconic abstract art style. Created in collaboration with renowned printmaking studios, these exclusive pieces showcase Kelly's mastery. With a limited nature, they are coveted by collectors, offering an accessible entry point into the world of his influential art.
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