Mark Tobey was an American painter born in 1890. His work fell into the Abstract Expressionism movement even though it differed philosophically from most Abstract Expressionist art. He was greatly inspired by Asian calligraphy.
From 1906 to 1908 Tobey studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago, although he is largely considered to be a self-taught artist. He moved to New York City in 1911 where he worked as a fashion designer to support himself. In 1917 he held his first solo show in lower Manhattan. A year later, Tobey converted to the Baha’i faith which led him to explore spirituality within art.
In 1921, Tobey was looking for a new start in life following a divorce so he moved to Seattle. He found a teaching job at the Cornish School of Allied Arts. Around this time, Tobey met a Chinese painter and student who introduced him to Chinese calligraphy. This would have a huge influence on the artist’s work for the rest of his life.
Mark Tobey set off on a worldwide trip in 1925 which took him to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Here he encountered Persian and Arabic scripts which had further influences on his work. Tobey continued to travel the world extensively for the rest of his life, including a 7-year stint as a resident artist at a progressive school in England, although he did return to Seattle to set up his home base in the city.
Along the way, Tobey developed what has become known as his “white writing” style. It’s characterized by numerous light-colored calligraphic brushstrokes overlaid on a muted background, which is also made out of numerous, abstract, swirling brushstrokes. This style opposed the modernism of his incumbents by being a much more controlled technique, unlike the automatic writing style of the surrealists at the time.
In the 1960s, Tobey moved to Switzerland with his partner where he lived out his days until his death in 1976.
1. Male Nude
‘Male nude’ was created in 1940 by Mark Tobey.
2. Pike Street Market Sketch
‘Pike Street Market Sketch’ was created in 1941 by Mark Tobey in Expressionism style.
3. Fish Market (Seattle Market Scene Sketch)
‘Fish Market (Seattle Market Scene Sketch)’ was created in 1943 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
4. The New Day
‘The New Day’ was created in 1945 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
5. Electric Night
‘Electric night’ was created in 1944 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
6. Crystallizations
Crystallizations was created in the year 1944 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
7. Geography Of Phantasy
‘Geography of Phantasy’ was created in 1948 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
8. Homage To The Virgin
‘Homage to the virgin’ was made in the year 1948 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
9. Ancient Empires
Ancient Empires’ was created in 1950 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
10. Animal Sketches
‘Animal Sketches’ was created in 1949 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
11. Self Portrait
‘Self Portrait’ was created in 1949 by Mark Tobey in Expressionism style.
12. Edge Of August
‘Edge of August’ was created in 1953 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
13. New Crescent
‘New crescent’ was created in 1953 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
14. The Imaginary Village
‘The imaginary Village’ was created in 1954 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
15. Carnival
‘Carnival’ was created in 1954 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
16. Forest Fire
Forest Fire’ was created in 1956 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
17. Canticle
‘Canticle’ was created in 1954 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style
18. Fire Dancers
‘Fire Dancers’ was created in 1957 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
19. Illuminated Plane
‘Illuminated Plane’ was created in 1958 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
20. Untitled Sumi
‘Untitled Sumi’ was created in 1957 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
21. Calligraphy
‘Calligraphy’ was created in 1959 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
22. Mon
‘Mon’ was created in 1959 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
23. Lovers Of Light
24. Travel Tobey
‘Travel Tobey’ was created in 1959 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.
25. Louvre
‘Louvre’ was created in 1961 by Mark Tobey in Abstract Expressionism style.