Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Ad Reinhardt Biography
Adolph Frederick Reinhardt, known professionally as Ad Reinhardt, was born on December 24, 1913, in Buffalo, New York. From an early age, Reinhardt exhibited a profound interest in art, which would shape his entire life and career. Despite receiving several scholarships from art schools, he chose to study art history at Columbia University in New York under the tutelage of Meyer Schapiro. Schapiro, a renowned art historian, had a significant influence on Reinhardt, not only in terms of art theory and history but also politically, introducing him to radical leftist Marxist ideologies that Reinhardt would adhere to for the rest of his life.
After completing his studies at Columbia, Reinhardt began his artistic training at the National Academy of Design and the American Artists School in New York. During this period, he came under the influence of Carl Holty and Francis Criss, who were proponents of Cubism and Constructivism. This exposure laid the groundwork for Reinhardt's lifelong commitment to abstract art. In the late 1930s, Reinhardt became part of the government's Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, which was crucial for his career development. It was during this time that he formed lifelong friendships with notable artists such as Willem de Kooning and Arshile Gorky.
Reinhardt's early work was characterized by geometric abstraction, but as he progressed, he began to explore aspects of gestural abstraction. However, he soon found himself at odds with the Abstract Expressionist movement, criticizing it for its emotional excess and ego-centricity. Influenced by the art of Kazimir Malevich and Russian Suprematist theories, Reinhardt's work evolved towards a more reductive form of abstraction, focusing on solid fields of color arranged in geometric forms. This shift marked Reinhardt's move towards what would become his signature style: monochrome painting, particularly his Black or Ultimate Paintings.
Throughout the 1950s, Reinhardt experimented with monochromatic paintings, starting with red and blue paintings before ultimately focusing on black. These Black Paintings, which he worked on until his death, are considered his most significant contribution to modern art. Reinhardt described these works as the "last paintings" anyone could paint, pushing the medium of painting to its limits. He sought to create a form of art that was completely pure, devoid of any narrative, symbolic, or emotional content. This approach was in line with his belief in "Art-as-Art," a philosophy that advocated for art's autonomy from social, political, or commercial influences.
Reinhardt's commitment to abstraction was not only evident in his paintings but also in his theoretical writings and satirical cartoons. Through these mediums, he critiqued the art world and defended the principles of abstract art. Despite being somewhat marginalized by his contemporaries during his lifetime, Reinhardt's work and ideas would posthumously influence a new generation of artists, including figures such as Frank Stella, Donald Judd, and Mark Rothko, bridging the gap between Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism.
Ad Reinhardt died of a massive heart attack on August 30, 1967, at the age of 53, in his New York studio. His legacy, however, continues to be celebrated in major institutional collections and exhibitions worldwide. Reinhardt's oeuvre represents a critical juncture in the evolution of modern art, from Abstract Expressionism to Minimalism and Conceptual Art. His dedication to the purity of abstraction and his critique of the commercialization of art remain relevant discussions in contemporary art discourse.
Ad Reinhardt 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.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
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