Skip to main content

Philip Perkins

American, 1907-1970
From a small town in west Tennessee, Philip Perkins became an abstract painter widely acknowledged for his work. He is best known for his geometric, cubist influenced work of the forties. While most abstract art used flat unshaded color areas, Perkins shaded geometric forms through deepening colors to give the work more body and a sense of rhythm. During the fifties, his work became more abstract expressionist in style with more spontaneous brush strokes and less distinct forms. It was during the fifties that he began a series of religious work in a semi-abstract style. By the late sixties, his paintings had become more hard edge abstract through the use of bold shapes and the heavy application of paint with the pallet knife. Philip Perkins was born in 1907 in Waverly, Tennessee. He studied at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee from 1925 to 1926 and at the Chicago Art Institute from 1926 to 1931. Perkins left Paris in 1940 and moved to New York City where he shared a studio with Yves Tanguy. In 1947 he participated in the International Surrealist Exhibition, Galerie Maeght, Paris, France. Perkins returned to Nashville in 1948 to teach at the University of Tennessee at Nashville. Emily Genauer, a renowned art critic from New York, selected his painting DEBRIS OF SUMMER to be included in her book "Best of Art," a survey of the best contemporary paintings that was published in 1948. Also included was work by Yves Tanguy, Marc Chagall, Henry Varnum Poor, Stuart Davis, Walt Kuhn, and Max Weber. She describes the Perkins painting by saying, In 1953, after a visit to Epiphany Mission Episcopal Church and Garden in Sherwood, Tennessee, Perkins offered to paint a new altarpiece for the church a gift. After months of work, the completed triptych was installed and presented to the church on Easter, 1954. The triptych depicted the baptism of Christ and was painted in a style reminiscent of El Greco. A fire in 1960 destroyed the church and the painting. Perkins returned to Paris to live and paint in 1959. In 1960, during his one-man exhibition at the Galerie Clert, Paris, the prominent European art critic Barnet D. Conlan wrote a series of articles on Perkins that was published in European and American publications. Conlan wrote that, "Unlike many abstract artists of recent times, Perkins has had a long training in figurative art . . . He thus acquired an intimate acquaintance with modern French art and with the tradition from which it springs. It is this, which has enabled him to make a synthesis of both tendencies in a style that is neither abstract nor figurative, but a new compound possessing the qualities of both. And because of this, one might say he is one of the most advanced painters in Paris at the present moment." In 1961 Perkins again returned to Nashville to live. He died there of cancer in 1970 at the age of 63.
to
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
7,546
3,967
2,548
2,244
Creator: Philip Perkins
Painting by Philip R. Perkins (1914-1968)
By Philip Perkins
Located in Richmond, VA
Original painting by Philip R. Perkins, circa late 1950's. Painting depicts an Egyptian woman, signed in the upper left corner. Painting is oil on board and displayed in it's origin...
Category

1950s American Egyptian Vintage Philip Perkins

Materials

Wood, Paint

Signed Philip Perkins Vintage Cubist Painting
By Philip Perkins
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful painting dated 1970 that has great planes of color and field is by the abstract painter, Philip Perkins. His resume is impressive with early studies in Europe with maj...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Philip Perkins

Materials

Wood, Paint

Related Items
Impressionist Plein Air Signed Philips
Located in Redding, CT
Impressionist Plein Air Impressionist Painting by Philips. Hand Carved solid wood frame. Very reminiscent of Monet.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philip Perkins

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Impressionist Plein Air Signed Philips
Impressionist Plein Air Signed Philips
H 31 in W 36.5 in D 2.75 in
Abstract Oil Painting circa 1968 by Louis Zansky
By Zonsky
Located in New York, NY
Abstract oil on canvas titled "House," by artist Louis Zansky (1920-1978), signed 1968. Framed with linen matting and carved gilt wood frame. Painting measures 16" width x 12" height...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins

Materials

Gold Leaf

Gino Hollander 1968 Original Signed Expressionist Figural Painting
By Gino Hollander
Located in Chattanooga, TN
There is something about this solemn portrait that lures you in. Rendered in gestural strokes reminiscent of Franz Kline, the figure cuts across the austere white. The stark field of...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Dog Oil Painting, Signed and Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scruffy dog oil painting. Signed and dated 1971.
Category

20th Century American Arts and Crafts Philip Perkins

Materials

Canvas

Philip Neri Framed Abstract Painting 1970
By Philip Neri
Located in Encino, CA
This striking, textured piece by Neri floats inside of a black custom-made wooden frame. It is in original condition and adds a beautiful splash of color to its surroundings. The ...
Category

20th Century Philip Perkins

Materials

Canvas

Philip Neri Framed Abstract Painting 1970
Philip Neri Framed Abstract Painting 1970
H 13.25 in W 16.25 in D 0.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Signed Painting of a Menorah
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Menorah. Signed illegibly lower right corner. Nice earth tones to warm up your home. Inscription on rear side of artwork. Unfortunately missing half ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Vintage Haitian Village Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th century Haitian oil on canvas of a village painted in hues of black, white, grey, and pale pink. Signed by the artist, bottom right, Nicolas Jose Perez and held in a wooden frame.
Category

Mid-20th Century Haitian Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Vintage Haitian Village Painting
Vintage Haitian Village Painting
H 46.25 in W 32 in D 2 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cityscape Painting "Skyline v" by M. Baker Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cityscape Oil Painting "Skyline V" by M. Baker Signed and Dated 1978. Features an impasto on board depiction of Hong Kong's skyline, framed with a antique...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins

Materials

Wood, Paint

Mid-Century Abstract Mixed-Media Painting by Diana Diamond, California, 1968
Located in San Francisco, CA
A heavily textured large abstract mixed media painting by American California artist Diana Diamond, signed lower left and dated 1968. Acrylic with crinoli...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins

Materials

Fabric, Acrylic, Canvas

Cubist Still-Life Painting
Located in Denton, TX
Cubist still-life painting of flowers on a nightstand in a very sturdy rustic wooden frame. This piece is unsigned.       
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Philip Perkins

Materials

Wood, Paint

Cubist Still-Life Painting
Cubist Still-Life Painting
H 64 in W 36 in D 2.75 in
Midcentury Painting Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Attractive framed painting signed by the artist. Great home or office decoration. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Philip Perkins

Materials

Paint

Midcentury Painting Signed
Midcentury Painting Signed
H 41.5 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Period Philips Wouwerman Credited Dutch Landscape
By Philips Wouwerman
Located in Roma, IT
Important oil on panel by the great Dutch artist Philips Wouwerman (also Wouwermans) (1619 – 1668) a painter of hunting, landscape and battle scenes....
Category

17th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Philip Perkins

Materials

Wood

Philip Perkins furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Philip Perkins furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Philip Perkins furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Philip Perkins were created in the modern style in united states during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Lowell Nesbitt, Paul Maxwell, and Robert Natkin. Prices for Philip Perkins furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,600 and can go as high as $6,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,600.

Recently Viewed

View All