Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Julian Schnabel Biography
Julian Schnabel, born on October 26, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, is a multifaceted artist whose work spans painting, filmmaking, and sculpture. Schnabel's journey into the art world began with his move to Brownsville, Texas, with his family in 1965, a pivotal moment that introduced him to a diverse cultural landscape. He pursued his passion for art at the University of Houston, where he earned a BFA in 1973. His unique approach to art was further honed at the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program in New York, a city that would become central to his career.
Schnabel's early work was marked by a bold departure from the prevailing minimalist and conceptualist trends of the time. He emerged as a leading figure in the Neo-Expressionist movement, a group of artists known for their emotive and expressive works that sought to reintroduce human sentiment and narrative into art. Schnabel's paintings are characterized by their layered textures, unconventional materials, and grand scale. He gained attention for his "plate paintings" in the 1980s, where broken ceramic plates were affixed to large canvases, creating a dramatic, mosaic-like effect. This technique, inspired by the mosaics of Antoni Gaudí during Schnabel's travels in Barcelona, challenged traditional notions of painting and sculpture.
Throughout his career, Schnabel has demonstrated a relentless pursuit of artistic innovation. His work often incorporates found materials, such as velvet, weathered tarpaulins, and industrial tarps, which he uses as canvases. These materials are not merely surfaces for his paintings but integral components of the artwork, contributing to its narrative and emotional depth. Schnabel's art is a dialogue between abstraction and figuration, where classical elements coexist with contemporary imagery and text, reflecting the complexity of human experience.
Schnabel's artistic achievements are paralleled by his success in the film industry. He made his directorial debut with "Basquiat" (1996), a biopic of the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, which set the stage for a series of critically acclaimed films. "Before Night Falls" (2000), an adaptation of Reinaldo Arenas' autobiography, and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (2007), based on Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir, showcased Schnabel's ability to translate complex narratives into compelling visual stories. His films, like his paintings, are marked by a deep empathy for his subjects and a unique visual language.
Schnabel's work has been exhibited worldwide, with retrospectives at major institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Tate Gallery, and the Centre Georges Pompidou. His art is part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. Despite his global recognition, Schnabel remains a controversial figure, often polarizing critics and the public with his bold personality and artistic choices.
Beyond his contributions to painting and film, Schnabel's influence extends to sculpture, photography, and music, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach to creativity. He continues to live and work in New York City and Montauk, Long Island, where he is a central figure in the contemporary art scene. Schnabel's work challenges viewers to reconsider the boundaries of art, making him one of the most innovative and provocative artists of his generation.
Julian Schnabel 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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