Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Arthur Garfield-Dove Biography
Arthur Garfield Dove, born on August 2, 1880, in Canandaigua, New York, is celebrated as a pioneering figure in American modernism and is often recognized as the first American abstract painter. Dove's innovative approach to art, characterized by his abstract landscapes and use of a wide range of media, marked a significant departure from traditional forms and established him as a key figure in the early modernist movement in the United States.
Dove's upbringing in the Finger Lakes region of New York, where he was raised in nearby Geneva, played a crucial role in shaping his artistic sensibilities. His father, a successful businessman who owned a brickyard, had hoped for his son to pursue a more conventional career path. However, Dove's early exposure to nature and his interest in art, nurtured by a neighbor who was a naturalist and amateur painter, set him on a different course. This connection to the natural world would later become a central theme in his work, as he sought to capture its essence through abstraction.
After attending Hobart College, Dove transferred to Cornell University, where he graduated in 1903. Initially, he worked as a commercial illustrator in New York City, contributing to popular periodicals such as Harper's Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. Despite achieving success in this field, Dove's desire to explore painting led him to Europe in 1907, where he encountered the works of Matisse, Picasso, and Cézanne. This experience profoundly influenced his artistic direction, steering him towards abstraction.
Upon returning to the United States in 1909, Dove met Alfred Stieglitz, a prominent photographer and gallery owner who became a significant supporter of Dove's work. Stieglitz provided Dove with opportunities to exhibit at his avant-garde gallery, 291, alongside other modernist artists such as John Marin and Georgia O'Keeffe. It was during this period that Dove fully embraced abstract art, experimenting with forms and colors to express the underlying essence of the natural world.
Dove's art is characterized by its amorphous shapes and muted colors, often suggesting the undulating qualities of landscapes and the forms of nature. He was known for his innovative use of materials, combining paints in unconventional ways to achieve unique textures and effects. His work from the 1920s onwards focused on the abstract rhythms of the sea and shore, reflecting his deep connection to nature and his interest in capturing its mystical aspects.
Despite his contributions to modernism and his influence on subsequent generations of artists, Dove struggled financially throughout his life. His relationship with Duncan Phillips, founder of the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., provided some financial stability, as Phillips became a patron and supporter of Dove's work. In the late 1930s, Dove's health began to decline, but he continued to paint, producing some of his most acclaimed works in the 1940s.
Dove's legacy is that of a pioneer who broke new ground in American art, introducing abstract forms and a deep engagement with nature that would influence the development of abstract expressionism. His work is celebrated for its originality, its emotional depth, and its contribution to the evolution of modern art in the United States. Arthur Dove passed away on November 23, 1946, in Huntington, New York, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences.
Arthur Garfield-Dove Quotes
and Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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