Robert Motherwell

American, 1915-1991

Robert Motherwell was a key figure in American Abstract Expressionism, known for his bold paintings, collages, and prints. Born in Washington state, he earned a degree in philosophy from Stanford in 1937 and later studied at Harvard and Columbia, where he shifted his focus to art under the mentorship of Meyer Schapiro. 

Motherwell’s first solo exhibition was held in 1944 at Peggy Guggenheim’s Art of This Century gallery—an early milestone that positioned him within the New York School. He exhibited regularly at the Samuel M. Kootz Gallery and was featured in major museum shows, including the Museum of Modern Art. 

His best-known series, Elegies to the Spanish Republic, began in 1948 and became a signature exploration of political memory through abstract form. Throughout his career, he worked across painting, printmaking, and collage, often combining expressive gesture with intellectual structure. Motherwell played a central role in shaping mid-century American art, both through his own practice and as a writer, teacher, and editor. His legacy is preserved by the Dedalus Foundation.