Mark Tobey (American, 1890–1976) Kleurenets 'Morning grass’ 1975 Gesigneerd met potlood

Mark Tobey (American, 1890–1976)

Kleurenets 'Morning grass’ 1975

Gesigneerd met potlood, Artist Proof E.A. genummerd 2/22 (2e proefdruk!!)

Afmetingen 35.6 x 27.9 cm., blad: 66 x 51 cm.

Mark Tobey (1890–1976) was a prominent American painter, known as a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism and a founder of the Pacific Northwest School. He is primarily recognized for his unique "white writing" technique, which involved applying intricate, calligraphic lines over an abstract background. Tobey's signature "white writing" style developed in the mid-1930s was heavily influenced by his study of Chinese calligraphy and Zen painting during his travels in the Orient. This approach used white or light-colored symbols to create densely structured, "all-over" compositions that captured the "frenetic rhythms of the modern city".

A deeply spiritual man, Tobey converted to the Baha'i Faith in 1918, which emphasized the unity of all religions and humanity. This universalist philosophy and his interest in Eastern art forms informed his desire to unify space in his paintings rather than separate objects. Tobey was an internationally respected artist and became the second American ever to receive the International Grand Prize for Painting at the Venice Biennale in 1958. His "all-over painting handling approach" predated and influenced a younger generation of artists, including Jackson Pollock.  Today, his works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.