Stanton Macdonald-Wright (American Painter, 1890-1973) Stanton Macdonald-Wright was one of America’s leading modernist painters and an early pioneer of abstract art. Born in Virginia and raised in southern California, he settled in Paris in 1907, studying at the Sorbonne and exhibiting at the Salon d’Automne and at the Salon des Indépendents. Together with fellow American expatriate Morgan Russell, he co-founded the avant-garde painting movement Synchromism, which produced luminous and rhythmic compositions of swirling and serpentine forms infused with a rich chromatic palette. As Macdonald-Wright later described it, “Synchromism simply means ‘with color’ as symphony means ‘with sound’, and our idea was to produce an art whose genesis lay, not in objectivity, but in form produced in color”.
After repatriating himself to the United States in 1915, Macdonald-Wright resided in New York, where he participated in the Forum Exhibition in 1916 and had his first one-man show at Alfred Stieglitz’s “291” gallery in 1917. Having become dissatisfied with what he saw as the “sterile artistic formulism” of modern art and the “academicism” of his own work, Macdonald-Wright permanently resettled in Santa Monica in 1919 and withdrew from the commercial art scene, working primarily as a teacher (UCLA, USC, Scripps College) and as a director (Art Students League, WPA Art Project). During this same period, he wrote a student textbook on color theory and continued his artistic pursuits, which turned heavily toward Eastern representational models, especially Chinese painting. After a hiatus of more than thirty years, Macdonald-Wright returned to nonobjective painting in the mid 1950s with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, producing some of his finest canvases. These NeoSynchromist works surpassed the artist’s earlier paintings by way of a heightened luminosity and augmented spatiality, creating as a result a deeper spirituality.
Hommage a Debussy
Oil on Canvas 1954 96 x 60 inches 96 1/2 x 60 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Rose Fried Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist Exhibition History: A Retrospective Showing of the Work of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, CA., Jan. 19-Feb. 19, 1956, no. 83 The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 55, illustrated Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ The Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 16-Dec.20, 1970, no. 28, illustrated Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed Stanton Macdonald-Wright: Paintings, 1953-1964, Redding Museum and Art Center, Redding, CA., 2-23 January 1985, listed.
Arrival, Return of the Astronauts Oil on Panel 1965 72 x 42 inches 73 x 43 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Esther Robles Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 15-Dec. 3, 1956, no. 16 Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ The Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 65 Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, Arco Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept.25-Nov.3, 1979, listed
Momijikari
Oil on Canvas 1966 39 1/2 x 29 5/8 inches 41 1/8 x 31 1/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the Artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ The Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 74 Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept.25-Nov.3, 1979, listed Stanton Macdonald-Wright: Paintings 1953-1966, Redding Museum and Art Center, Redding, CA, Jan.2-23, 1985, listed and illustrated
Abstraction of Still Life with Purple Plate Oil on Board 1973 20 x 24 inches 24 x 28 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Forum Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist
Parturition
Oil on Canvas 1955p 60 x 36 inches 69 x 44 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Estate of the artist Exhibition History: A Retrospective Showing of the Work of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA., Jan. 19-Feb. 19, 1956, no. 66 Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, Nov. 11-Dec. 20, 1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ the Grunwald Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA., no. 35, illustrated Stanton Macdonald-Wrigh: Paintings, 1953-1964, Redding Museum and Art Center, Redding, CA., Jan. 2-23, 1985, listed
Beethoven Series; Symphonic Form Oil on Board 1973 40 x 30 inches 44 5/8 x 34 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed
Non-Objective
Oil on Canvas 1973 26 1/2 x 16 1/4 inches 33 1/2 x 23 1/4 inches Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Forum Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist
Awakening
Oil on Canvas 1956 39 3/4 x 29 3/4 inches 41 1/4 x 38 1/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition: Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Arts, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed Stanton Macdonald-Wright: Paintings, 1953-1964, Redding Museum and Art Center, Redding, CA, Jan. 2-23, 1985, listed
Mechanical Flight #2
Oil on Canvas 1957 35 5/8 x 19 3/4 inches 42 5/8 x 26 3/4 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 70 Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 16Dec. 20, 1970, no. 45, illustrated
Musique Chambre
Oil on Canvas 1958 54 3/8 x 27 3/8 inches 56 1/8 x 29 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 74 Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/The Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 47 Stanton Macdonald Wright Paintings: 1903-1979, Arco Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed
Still Life with Abalone
Oil on Canvas 1946 15 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches 22 1/2 x 33 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: A Retrospective Showing of the Work of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Los Angeles County Museum, Jan.19-Feb.18, 1956, no. 49 The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 48
Desire
Oil on Canvas 1958 56 x 43 inches 57 x 44 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/the Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 48 Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCOCenter for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed.
Birth
Watercolor on Paper 1968 13 x 21 inches 25 3/4 x 31 3/4 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/the Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 91
Electricity
Oil on Canvas 1958 36 x 24 3/4 inches 38 x 27 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Rose Fried Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/the Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 49, illustrated The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, June 1967, no. 75
Petunias
Oil on Canvas 1960 30 x 25 inches 38 x 33 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Fleur de la Douleur #2
Oil on Panel 1970 24 x 20 1/8 inches 33 1/8 x 29 1/8 inches
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/the Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 58
Flying Fudo
Oil on Canvas 1960 30 x 25 inches 38 x 33 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Rose Fried Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, June 1967, no. 87
Landscape (Santa Monica) Oil on Panel 1903 16 x 8 inches 24 1/4 x 16 1/4 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Estate of the artist Exhibition History: On Ramps: Transitional Moments in California Art, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena, CA, June 1-Sept. 1, 2002 Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, Arco Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed Painting and Sculpture in California: The Modern Era, San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, CA, Oct. 3 - Nov. 21, 1976 The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, June 1967, no. 75 A Retrospective Showing of the Work of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 19-Feb. 19, 1956, no. 1 (as “Los Angeles Landscape�)
Souvenir
Watercolor on Paper 1957 40 x 27 inches 47 x 34 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Henri Gallery, Washington, D.C. Estate of the artist Exhibition History: The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 72
Tahiti (Three Nudes) Oil on Canvas 1943 20 x 16 inches 28 x 24 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Goldfield Galleries, Los Angeles, CA Estate of the Artist
Yaku Oni
Oil on Board 1962 24 x 20 inches 32 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, CA Estate of the artist
Buddha and the Tigers Oil on Canvas 1943 24 x 20 inches 30 x 24 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Goldfield Galleries, Los Angeles, CA Estate of the Artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25 - Nov. 3, 1979, listed
Still Life with Red Vase Synchromy Oil on Canvas 1973 24 x 20 inches 31 x 27 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Forum Gallery, New York, NY The Harmon Gallery, Naples, FL Estate of the artist
Flight of the Butterfly #3 Oil on Panel 1973 35 x 26 3/8 inches 44 5/8 x 35 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA The Harmon Gallery, Naples, FL Estate of the artist
Still Life with Red Vase Oil on Canvas 1973 24 x 20 inches 31 5/8 x 27 5/8 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Forum Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist
Adieu La Belle
Watercolor on Paper 1972 28 x 20 1/2 inches 38 5/8 x 31 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Self Portrait with Wife Oil on Board 1970 24 x 20 inches 25 x 21 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Bright Star Structure
Oil on Panel 1967 39 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches 41 x 31 inches (framed)
Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Forum Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, UCLA Art Galleries/The Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 71
Prometheus
Oil on Panel 1965 95 x 48 inches 99 3/8 x 52 3/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Esther Robles Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, /Nov. 15-Dec. 3, 1965, no. 15 The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 95 Stanton Macdonald Wright Paintings: 1903-1979, Arco Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 25-Nov.3, 1979, listed
Ching Ah Hoey Chai
Watercolor on Paper 1972 29 1/4 x 21 1/2 inches 40 5/8 x 41 5/8 inches (framed)
Amazon
Oil on Panel 1965 95 x 48 inches 99 3/8 x 52 3/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, CA Estate of the artist
Ching Ah Hoey Chai
Watercolor on Paper 1972 29 1/4 x 21 1/2 inches 40 5/8 x 41 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Firework #4
Watercolor on paper 1972 29 x 22 inches 40 1/2 x 32 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Aloha Hula Girl
Watercolor on Paper 1972 29 x 21 1/4 inches 37 x 28 3/4 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Il Sole Surge
Watercolor on paper 1971 26 1/8 x 19 3/4 inches 37 5/8 x 30 3/4 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Joseph Chowning Gallery, San Francisco, CA Forum Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist
Guardian Angel #1
Watercolor on Paper 1971 29 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches 40 1/2 x 31 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Forum Gallery, New York, NY Estate of the artist
Il Sole Tramonto Bramoso
Watercolor on Paper 1971 26 1/8 x 19 3/8 inches 37 1/2 x 29 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Regatta
Watercolor on Paper 1969 26 x 19 3/4 inches 34 1/2 x 28 1/4 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 19111970, Nov. 11-Dec. 20, 1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ the Grunwald Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA., no. 96
La Danza Moderna e Manierata Watercolor on Paper 1969 26 x 19 1/4 inches 34 3/4 x 28 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, Nov. 11-Dec. 20, 1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ the Grunwald Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA., no. 35, illustrated
La Jeunesse
Watercolor on Paper 1968 20 3/4 x 16 7/8 inches 34 1/2 x 27 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 19111970, the UCLA Art Galleries/the Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 96
Guardian Angel #7
Watercolor on Paper 1973 26 1/4 x 19 5/8 inches 35 3/4 x 28 1/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Old Fisherman Synchromy Watercolor on Paper 1928 40 x 38 inches 42 1/2 x 40 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist Exhibition History: A Retrospective Showing of the Work of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA., Jan. 19Feb.19, 1956, no. 20 The Art of Stanton Macdonald-Wright, National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 4-June 18, 1967, no. 33 Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA., Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed.
Buddha Under the Bodhi Tree
Watercolor on Paper 1928 40 x 38 inches 42 1/2 x 40 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 1911-1970, Nov. 11-Dec. 20, 1970, UCLA Art Galleries/ the Grunwald Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA., no. 22 Stanton Macdonald-Wright Paintings: 1903-1973, ARCO Center for Visual Art, Los Angeles, CA., Sept. 25-Nov. 3, 1979, listed.
Oh Flying Butterfly I feel Myself a Creature of Dust
Wood Block Print, Edition 8/50 1965 21 x 16 1/2 inches 29 x 23 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Santa Monica Coastline Lithograph, Edition 2/25 1928 19 x 25 1/2 inches 27 x 32 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Girls Bathing
Lithograph, Edition 8/50 1940 15 x 19 inches 27 x 30 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Persimmon Extrapolation
Oil on Board 1964 30 x 40 inches 34 5/8 x 44 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Esther Robles Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 15-Dec. 3, 1965, no. 17 Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 19111970, Nov. 16-Dec. 10, 1970, no. 68 Stanton Macdonald-Wright: Paintings, 1953-1964, Jan. 1985, listed.
Amazons at War
Lithograph, Edition 1/27 1972 18 3/4 x 25 1/2 inches 26 1/2 x 32 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
Buddhist Angel
Lithograph 1972 26 x 20 inches 34 5/8 x 44 5/8 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
La Danza
Lithograph, Edition 1/25 1972 27 x 20 inches 37 x 30 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
‘L Ballo Dell’Antichita
Watercolor on Paper 1969 20x 26 inches 31 5/8 x 36 1/2 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the Artist Exhibition History: Stanton Macdonald-Wright: A Retrospective Exhibition, 19111970; The UCLA Art Galleries/the Grunwald Graphic Arts Foundation, Nov. 16-Dec. 20, 1970, no. 41
Music of Gershwin
Lithograph, Edition 41/50 1972 27 x 20 inches 37 x 30 inches (framed) Provenance: Estate of Jean Macdonald-Wright Estate of the artist
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