Mark George Tobey, born on December 11, 1890, in Centerville, Wisconsin, emerged as a pivotal figure in American modernism, renowned for his unique artistic style that intricately blends the fluidity of Eastern calligraphy with the dynamism of Abstract Expressionism. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Tobey's work is deeply imbued with philosophical and spiritual undertones, drawing significantly from his conversion to the Bahá'í Faith in 1918, which profoundly influenced his artistic and personal ethos throughout his life. Tobey's early years were marked by a nomadic lifestyle, moving with his family to Chicago when he was just three years old. His father, a carpenter and house builder, introduced him to the world of art by carving animals from stone and drawing animals for young Mark to cut out with scissors. Despite this early exposure, nothing in Tobey's youth explicitly foretold his future as a notable artist. His formal education at the Art Institute of Chicago was brief and left little impact on his artistic development. By 1911, Tobey had relocated to New York City, where he initially worked as a fashion illustrator for McCall's magazine. This period also saw him dabbling in portraiture and engaging with the vibrant artistic community of the city, including interactions with notable figures such as New York portrait artist and Bahá'í Juliet Thompson and the Lebanese poet and visionary philosopher Khalil Gibran. The transformative phase of Tobey's artistic journey began with his move to Seattle in 1921, where he founded the art department at The Cornish School. It was here that Tobey's encounter with the Chinese calligraphy, through a student named Teng Kuei, opened new vistas for his artistic exploration. This exposure to Eastern penmanship, coupled with his spiritual quest within the Bahá'í Faith, led Tobey to seek a representation of the spiritual in art, a quest that would define his career. Tobey's incessant travels further enriched his artistic vocabulary. His journeys took him across Mexico, Europe, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, China, and Japan, where he delved deeper into the study of Zen painting, haiku poetry, and calligraphy. These experiences were instrumental in the development of his signature style, characterized by "white writing" - a term coined to describe his intricate, calligraphic brushwork that conveyed a sense of spiritual transcendence and interconnectedness. Despite his late start, Tobey's mature career was marked by an astonishing array of colors and scales, setting him apart from his contemporaries. His work, often seen as a form of meditation, reflects a delicate balance between spontaneity and control, silence and emptiness, thereby fusing ancient and modern cultures. Tobey's art transcends geographical and stylistic boundaries, maintaining a relentless focus on small-scale works that integrate broad influences into a distinct visual language. Tobey's contributions to the art world were recognized with numerous exhibitions and awards, including the prestigious International Grand Prize for Painting at the Venice Biennale in 1958, making him the second American artist to receive this honor. His works are held in major public collections worldwide, testament to his lasting impact on international modern and contemporary art. In the early 1960s, Tobey moved to Basel, Switzerland, with his companion, Pehr Hallsten, seeking refuge from the pressures of his success in the United States. He continued to paint and experiment with new media until his death on April 24, 1976. Tobey's legacy endures, not only through his groundbreaking artistic contributions but also through his profound influence on the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of modern art.

Mark Tobey 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 subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be informed at the beginning of each month about the latest acquisitions of the art gallery.

You can send us pictures of the work:

• by mail –>  [email protected]
• by WhatsApp –> +39 3205747749