Precisionism

Often remembered as the precursor to Abstract Expressionism, the term “precisionism" was coined by MoMA's first director Alfred H. Barr Jr. in the years following the First World War. The artists who defined the Precisionism movement shared a common goal of depicting the highly modernized architecture and urban industry of post-war America. These depictions distinctively eliminated visual detail, and sharply reduced their subjects to the essential geometric and mechanical forms observed in the newly commercialized landscape of the United States.

Though Precisionism originated in America and inherently articulated the American experience, the movement has been recognized for having sought visual inspiration from the European avant-garde movements of Cubism and Futurism which had recently preceded it. In fact, certain historians estimate that the starting point of this exchange can be traced back to the 1913 Armory Exhibition of Modern Art. This marked the beginning of a shared style characterized by geometrization, visual clarity, and a smooth handling of surfaces.

Artsper's experts have curated a selection of works by artists who both pioneered and were inspired by this iconic movement: one which is steeped in the post-war history of the United States, and continues to be regarded as a relic of its time. Some of our favorites include Edward Hopper, Joseph Stella, and Georgia O'Keeffe.

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Painting, Recyclez-moi, Elise Barat

Recyclez-moi

Elise Barat

Painting - 100 x 80 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 1 inch

$994

Photography, Garage doors, Barry Cawston

Garage doors

Barry Cawston

Photography - 69 x 90 x 2 cm Photography - 27.2 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$1,879

Painting, Vanité, Elise Barat

Vanité

Elise Barat

Painting - 97 x 130 x 2 cm Painting - 38.2 x 51.2 x 0.8 inch

$1,521

Painting, Plongeon XXI, Elise Barat

Plongeon XXI

Elise Barat

Painting - 100 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$1,404

Painting, Nuages, Elise Barat

Nuages

Elise Barat

Painting - 50 x 150 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch

$1,404

Painting, Roches II, Elise Barat

Roches II

Elise Barat

Painting - 81 x 100 x 2.5 cm Painting - 31.9 x 39.4 x 1 inch

$994

Photography, Autumn hues, Barry Cawston

Autumn hues

Barry Cawston

Photography - 75 x 90 x 2 cm Photography - 29.5 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$1,879

Photography, Cuban car, Barry Cawston

Cuban car

Barry Cawston

Photography - 90 x 69 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 27.2 x 0.8 inch

$1,879

Painting, Land, Monset Virgili

Land

Monset Virgili

Painting - 20 x 23 x 1 cm Painting - 7.9 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

$281

Photography, Au Bas Chic, Barry Cawston

Au Bas Chic

Barry Cawston

Photography - 120 x 96 x 2 cm Photography - 47.2 x 37.8 x 0.8 inch

$3,549

Painting, Onde Claire, Elise Barat

Onde Claire

Elise Barat

Painting - 20 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$374

Print, My Tree, Renato Manzoni

My Tree

Renato Manzoni

Print - 60 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

$5,265

Photography, 38 Flats, Barry Cawston

38 Flats

Barry Cawston

Photography - 82 x 90 x 2 cm Photography - 32.3 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$1,879

Photography, Vende Se, Barry Cawston

Vende Se

Barry Cawston

Photography - 90 x 69 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 27.2 x 0.8 inch

$2,157

Photography, Coat Napoli, Barry Cawston

Coat Napoli

Barry Cawston

Photography - 90 x 69 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 27.2 x 0.8 inch

$1,879

Photography, America, Barry Cawston

America

Barry Cawston

Photography - 75 x 90 x 2 cm Photography - 29.5 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$2,714

Photography, Petrol pumps, Barry Cawston

Petrol pumps

Barry Cawston

Photography - 60 x 150 x 2 cm Photography - 23.6 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch

$2,714

Photography, Washing lines, Barry Cawston

Washing lines

Barry Cawston

Photography - 100 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$3,270

Photography, In Harmony, Barry Cawston

In Harmony

Barry Cawston

Photography - 100 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$3,270

Photography, Avalon, Barry Cawston

Avalon

Barry Cawston

Photography - 90 x 200 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 78.7 x 0.8 inch

$3,688

Photography, Blue forest, Barry Cawston

Blue forest

Barry Cawston

Photography - 60 x 200 x 2 cm Photography - 23.6 x 78.7 x 0.8 inch

$4,105

Photography, 28 Flats, Barry Cawston

28 Flats

Barry Cawston

Photography - 110 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 43.3 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$3,549

Photography, Pink Moon, Barry Cawston

Pink Moon

Barry Cawston

Photography - 100 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 39.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$3,409

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