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Thomas Downing Sold at Auction Prices

Painter, b. 1928 - d. 1985

Thomas Downing (1928–1985) was an American painter, associated with the Washington Color Field Movement. Thomas Downing was born in Suffolk, Virginia. He studied at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. He then studied at the Pratt Institute, a well-known art school in Brooklyn, New York, until 1950. That year he received a grant from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, enabling him to travel to Europe, where he studied briefly at the Académie Julian in Paris.

In 1951 he returned to the United States, and after serving in the U.S. Army, settled in Washington, D.C., where he began to teach, in 1953. The following summer, he enrolled in a summer institute at Catholic University, studying under Kenneth Noland. He became a friend of Noland, who became a significant influence on Downing's art and who was one of the founders of the Washington Color Field Movement.

In the late 1950s, Downing shared a studio with Howard Mehring, another artist of the Washington Color School and Color Field painting. In 1964 Clement Greenberg included Noland, Mehring, Downing and others in his traveling museum exhibition called Post-painterly Abstraction.

From 1965 to 1968, Downing taught at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. There he taught several people who in their turn became artists influenced by Downing's ideas, including Sam Gilliam.

His paintings to a large extent consisted of circles arranged in precise patterns on the canvas, with colors often chosen according to ideas of symmetry. Downing's Spot Paintings are his best known works.

In the last ten years of his life, Downing lived in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He died in October 1985 in Provincetown, Massachusetts at the age of 57. In its obituary the Washington Times characterized his death as mysterious. The newspaper was referring to the then recent demise of Washington Color Field artist Gene Davis (1920–1985) and to the earlier death of Howard Mehring (1931–1978), as well.

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  • Thomas Downing, Untitled
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Thomas Downing, Untitled

    Est: $1,500 - $2,000

    Thomas Downing Untitled 1979 gouache on paper bag 11.875 h x 7 w in (30 x 18 cm) Provenance: Yares Art, New York | Private Collection Exhibited: Thomas Downing: Spot On, 12 May - 6 August 2018, Yares Art, New York This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.

    Los Angeles Modern Auctions
  • Thomas Downing, Untitled (DOWPT050)
    Mar. 26, 2025

    Thomas Downing, Untitled (DOWPT050)

    Est: $1,500 - $2,000

    Thomas Downing Untitled (DOWPT050) c. 1979 gouache on paper bag 7 h x 11.875 w in (18 x 30 cm) Provenance: Yares Art, New York | Private Collection Exhibited: Thomas Downing: Spot On, 12 May - 6 August 2018, Yares Art, New York This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.

    Rago Arts and Auction Center
  • Thomas Downing, Eighth Apple
    Dec. 11, 2024

    Thomas Downing, Eighth Apple

    Est: $1,500 - $2,000

    Thomas Downing Eighth Apple 1978 gouache on paper 11.75 h x 6.875 w in (30 x 17 cm) Provenance: Yares Art, New York | Private Collection Exhibited: Thomas Downing: Spot On, 12 May - 6 August 2018, Yares Art, New York This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.

    Rago Arts and Auction Center
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 16 1/4 x 63 in (41.1 x 159.8 cm) (Painted in 1972)
    Nov. 21, 2024

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 16 1/4 x 63 in (41.1 x 159.8 cm) (Painted in 1972)

    Est: $20,000 - $30,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled signed and dated 'Downing 9/23/72' (lower left); variously inscribed (beneath the stretcher) acrylic on canvas 16 1/4 x 63 in (41.1 x 159.8 cm) Painted in 1972

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Nineteen 35 1/2 x 20 3/4 in (90 x 52.5 cm) (Executed in 1968)
    Nov. 21, 2024

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Nineteen 35 1/2 x 20 3/4 in (90 x 52.5 cm) (Executed in 1968)

    Est: $12,000 - $18,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Nineteen signed, inscribed and dated 'Jan 68 'Nineteen' Downing' (on the reverse) acrylic on canvas laid on board 35 1/2 x 20 3/4 in (90 x 52.5 cm) Executed in 1968

    Bonhams
  • Thomas Downing, Untitled
    Nov. 20, 2024

    Thomas Downing, Untitled

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    Thomas Downing Untitled c. 1975 oil on brown paper 30.25 h x 10.75 w in (77 x 27 cm) This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.

    Los Angeles Modern Auctions
  • Thomas Downing, Untitled
    Oct. 31, 2024

    Thomas Downing, Untitled

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    Thomas Downing Untitled c. 1985 acrylic on paper bag 30.25 h x 10.75 w in (77 x 27 cm) Provenance: Estate of Thomas Downing | Gary Snyder Fine Art, New York This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.

    Wright
  • Valentine
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Valentine

    Est: $20,000 - $30,000

    Property from the Collection of Alice Denney Thomas Downing 1928 - 1985 Valentine signed and dated 1961 (on the overlap) acrylic on canvas 59 by 59 in. 149.9 by 149.9 cm. Executed in 1961.

    Sotheby's
  • Thomas Downing, 1928-1985 (USA)
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Thomas Downing, 1928-1985 (USA)

    Est: £20,000 - £25,000

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985). 1963. Acrylic on canvas, size 182,8 x 177,8 cm (72 x 70 inches). Signed and dated on canvas edge on the verso.

    Cultural Traditions
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 1959
    May. 16, 2024

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 1959

    Est: $40,000 - $60,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 1959 signed, dated 59 and inscribed RED OK on the overlap acrylic on canvas 45 3/4 by 106 in. 116.2 by 269 by cm.

    Bonhams
  • Thomas Downing - Red-1966 - 2011 Serigraph 25.75" x 20"
    Apr. 30, 2024

    Thomas Downing - Red-1966 - 2011 Serigraph 25.75" x 20"

    Est: $200 - $300

    "Red-1966" by Thomas Downing, 2011 Unsigned Serigraph. Paper size is 25.75 x 20 inches, with an image size of 20.25 x 20 inches. The Serigraph is from an unknown edition size. and is not framed. The condition was rated A-: Near Mint, very light signs of handling. Additional details: Silkscreen poster for the exhibition "Surface Truths- Abstract Paining in the Sixties" held at the Norton Simon Museum in 2011.

    DUMBO Auctions
  • Position 2-21-75
    Mar. 04, 2024

    Position 2-21-75

    Est: $20,000 - $30,000

    Thomas Downing 1928 - 1985 Position 2-21-75 signed, titled and dated 2-21-75 (on the overlap) acrylic on canvas 87 by 47¾ in. 221 by 121.3 cm. Executed in 1975.

    Sotheby's
  • THOMAS DOWNING (American 1928-1985) A PAINTING, "Abstract with Circles," 1972
    Dec. 02, 2023

    THOMAS DOWNING (American 1928-1985) A PAINTING, "Abstract with Circles," 1972

    Est: $15,000 - $25,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (American 1928-1985) A PAINTING, "Abstract with Circles," 1972, acrylic on canvas, dated, "June 72," on a strip of canvas affixed to the stretcher; 39 1/4' x 84 1/4", framed 40 1/4" x 85 1/4".

    Simpson Galleries, LLC
  • Untitled (The Dial Series)
    Jul. 19, 2023

    Untitled (The Dial Series)

    Est: $30,000 - $50,000

    Thomas Downing 1928 - 1985 Untitled (The Dial Series) oil on canvas 68½ by 68½ in. 174 by 174 cm. Executed in 1960.

    Sotheby's
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Number Sum 1971
    May. 18, 2023

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Number Sum 1971

    Est: $25,000 - $35,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Number Sum 1971 signed, titled and dated NOV. 8 - 71 on the overlap acrylic on canvas 85 by 129 1/2 in. 216 by 329 cm.

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled, circa 1967
    Feb. 17, 2023

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled, circa 1967

    Est: $30,000 - $50,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled, circa 1967 acrylic on canvas 54 1/8 x 114 1/2 in. 137.5 x 367 cm.

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Untitled, (Abstraction, Paris).
    Dec. 01, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Untitled, (Abstraction, Paris).

    Est: $4,000 - $6,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Untitled, (Abstraction, Paris). Gouache on paper, c. 1950. Signed, Downing, lower center. 483x711 mm; 19x28 inches. Provenance: The artist; Ann McDowell; Private collection.

    Swann Auction Galleries
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Fold Ten.
    Dec. 01, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Fold Ten.

    Est: $15,000 - $20,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Fold Ten. Acrylic on canvas stretched over masonite and wood shaped panel, 1968. Signed, Thom. Downing, dated, 10/68, and inscribed as titled on verso. 1048x2286 mm; 41 1/4x90 inches. Provenance: The artist; Private collection. Exhibited: A.M. Sachs Gallery, NY, Thomas Downing, October 15 - November 7, 1968; The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, CT, Highlights of the 1968–1969 Art Season, June 22 - September 14, 1969, no. 24.; Chief of Mission Residence, (Art in Embassies), Yaounde, Camaroon, 1983

    Swann Auction Galleries
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 1962
    Nov. 16, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 1962

    Est: $25,000 - $35,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Untitled 1962 oil on canvas 88 by 58 in. 223.5 by 147.3 cm. This work was executed in 1962.

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Grid Eleven Saranac 1971
    Nov. 16, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Grid Eleven Saranac 1971

    Est: $70,000 - $100,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Grid Eleven Saranac 1971 signed, titled and dated JUNE 29-71 on the reverse acrylic on canvas 101 1/2 by 200 1/2 in. 257.8 by 509.3 cm.

    Bonhams
  • Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) American
    Jun. 03, 2022

    Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) American

    Est: $70,000 - $100,000

    Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) ; Kisangani ; June 16th 1972 ; acrylic on canvas / unframed ; dimensions 50 x 150 cm (19 2/3 x 59 in.) ; signed on verso ; Shipping to USA - DHL $735 , National post with tracking service $425 / Shipping to EU, Russia, Middle Assia - DHL $545 , National post with tracking service $375

    Art-Torg
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Untitled.
    May. 26, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Untitled.

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928 - 1995, AMERICAN) Untitled. Acrylic on raw canvas. 279x228 mm; 11x9 inches. Provenance: Gary Snyder Fine Art, NY. When Gary Snyder moved to Chelsea with Gary Snyder ProjectSpace, his current scope of vision was fine tuned to post-war hard-edge abstraction and color field painters. Amongst the latter, Thomas Downing stands out for his unique approach to stain painting, (painting with water based permanent pigments on raw canvas). Downing developed a language through mostly dots where scale and color broke up an otherwise uniform surface with no other illusionary devices to create depth of field. Thomas Downing: Washington Color School Painter, opened October Fourth, 2007 at Gary Snyder ProjectSpace. Downing's seven foot plus canvases in this raw white space were once again given freedom to do their push-pull magic.

    Swann Auction Galleries
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Run 1972
    May. 19, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Run 1972

    Est: $40,000 - $60,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Run 1972 signed, titled and dated April 27-72 on the overlap acrylic on canvas 62 by 144 in 157.5 by 365.8 cm For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Yellow Bend 1965
    May. 19, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Yellow Bend 1965

    Est: $30,000 - $50,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Yellow Bend 1965 signed, titled, dated 1965, and inscribed 'To Shelley Langston with warm regards' on the overlap acrylic on canvas 54 by 54 in. 137.2 by 137.2 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Grid Ten acrylic on canvas 64 x 120 1/4 in (162.
    May. 13, 2022

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Grid Ten acrylic on canvas 64 x 120 1/4 in (162.

    Est: $70,000 - $90,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Grid Ten acrylic on canvas 64 x 120 1/4 in (162.6 x 305.4 cm.)

    Christie's
  • Thomas Downing, Untitled
    Mar. 10, 2022

    Thomas Downing, Untitled

    Est: $60,000 - $80,000

    Thomas Downing Untitled 1963 acrylic on canvas 85 h × 85 w in (216 × 216 cm) Signed and dated to verso 'Downing 1963'. Provenance: Estate of Vincent Melzac, Washington, D.C. | Private Collection This work will ship from Rago in Lambertville, New Jersey. Condition of the item is not included in this description. Condition reports are available from Rago upon request. Rago strongly recommends that you review a condition report for each item on which you plan to bid. Email condition@ragoarts.com to request a condition report.

    Rago Arts and Auction Center
  • Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) American
    Dec. 17, 2021

    Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) American

    Est: $15,000 - $20,000

    Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) ; Mananjry ; 1971 ; acrylic on canvas ; dimensions 60,5 x 91,4 cm (24 x 36 in.) ; signed, named and dated on verso ; Shipping to USA - DHL $420 , National post with tracking service $220 / Shipping to EU, Russia, Middle Assia - DHL $290 , National post with tracking service $130

    Art-Torg
  • Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) American
    Oct. 15, 2021

    Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) American

    Est: $12,000 - $16,000

    Thomas DOWNING (1928-1985) ; Toamasina ; 1972 ; acrylic on canvas / framed ; dimensions 55,7 x 71 cm (22 x 28 in.) ; frame size 58,5 x 74 cm (23 x 29 in.) ; signed, named and dated on verso ; Shipping to USA - DHL $300 , National post with tracking service $155 / Shipping to EU, Russia, Middle Assia - DHL $200 , National post with tracking service $85

    Art-Torg
  • THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Dibelle acrylic on canvas 84 x 134 in. (213.4 x
    Oct. 01, 2021

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Dibelle acrylic on canvas 84 x 134 in. (213.4 x

    Est: $20,000 - $30,000

    THOMAS DOWNING (1928-1985) Dibelle acrylic on canvas 84 x 134 in. (213.4 x 340.4 cm.)

    Christie's
  • Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985), Heart, Oil on Canvas, 26-1/2 x 25 inches
    Dec. 11, 2020

    Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985), Heart, Oil on Canvas, 26-1/2 x 25 inches

    Est: $1,000 - $1,500

    Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985) Heart Signed T. Downing and titled on verso Oil on canvas 26-1/2 x 25 in (67.3 x 63.5 cm)

    Weschler's
  • Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) Ring Three Saranac1971
    Nov. 18, 2020

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) Ring Three Saranac1971

    Est: $15,000 - $20,000

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) Ring Three Saranac 1971 signed, titled and dated 1971 on the reverse acrylic on canvas 29 by 30 in. 73.6 by 76.2 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

    Bonhams
  • Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) Ring Eight 1969
    Nov. 18, 2020

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) Ring Eight 1969

    Est: $40,000 - $60,000

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) Ring Eight 1969 signed, titled and dated 69 on the reverse acrylic on canvas 90 by 90 in. 228.6 by 228.6 cm. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

    Bonhams
  • THOMAS DOWNING | Ring Eighteen
    Aug. 18, 2020

    THOMAS DOWNING | Ring Eighteen

    Est: $10,000 - $15,000

    Sotheby's
  • Thomas Downing (1928-1985) - The Second Drop
    Aug. 18, 2020

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985) - The Second Drop

    Est: $10,000 - $15,000

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985) The Second Drop signed, titled and dated '"THE SECOND DROP" © Thomas Downing 8.2.80' (on the overlap) acrylic on canvas 92 x 461⁄4 in. (233.7 x 117.5 cm.) Painted in 1980. Please note this lot is the property of a private individual. Provenance Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

    Christie's
  • Thomas Downing American, 1928-1985 Untitled
    May. 20, 2020

    Thomas Downing American, 1928-1985 Untitled

    Est: $5,000 - $7,000

    Thomas Downing American, 1928-1985 Untitled Remnants of a signature on the canvas overlap Acrylic on unprimed canvas Parallelogram, 23 3/4 x 30 3/4 inches (60.32 x 78.10 cm) C Collection of Gilbert & Sandra Oken

    DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
  • Thomas Downing, Fourteen
    Mar. 12, 2020

    Thomas Downing, Fourteen

    Est: $10,000 - $15,000

    Thomas Downing Fourteen 1967 acrylic on canvas over masonite 108 h × 64.25 w × 1 d in (274 × 163 × 3 cm) Signed, titled and dated to verso 'Thomas Downing Nov 67 Title: Fourteen'. Provenance: Allan Stone Gallery, New York Exhibited: Gallery Reese Palley, San Francisco, 9 June - 9 July 1969 condition: Unframed.

    Wright
  • THOMAS DOWNING | Untitled
    Mar. 06, 2020

    THOMAS DOWNING | Untitled

    Est: $25,000 - $35,000

    acrylic on canvas

    Sotheby's
  • Thomas Downing, Grid Forty
    Feb. 26, 2020

    Thomas Downing, Grid Forty

    Est: $900 - $1,200

    Thomas Downing Grid Forty 1970 screenprint in colors 15.25 h × 35 w in (39 × 89 cm) Signed, titled, dated and numbered to lower edge '29/100 Grid Forty Downing 11/4/70'. This work is number 29 from the edition of 100 printed by The Workshop, Inc., Washington, D.C. condition: Good overall condition with strong colors and printer's blindstamp to lower left. Repairs to verso of both upper corners of sheet with light disocloration to the areas. Sheet is mounted in photocorners. Framed behind glass measuring 18 x 37 x 2 inches.

    Rago Arts and Auction Center
  • Thomas Downing (1928-1985) - Ambalavao
    Sep. 27, 2019

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985) - Ambalavao

    Est: $15,000 - $20,000

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985) Ambalavao acrylic on canvas 65 x 104 in. (165.1 x 264.2 cm.)

    Christie's
  • THOMAS DOWNING | Untitled
    Sep. 26, 2019

    THOMAS DOWNING | Untitled

    Est: $30,000 - $40,000

    acrylic on canvas

    Sotheby's
  • Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985), "Aketi"
    Jul. 28, 2019

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985), "Aketi"

    Est: $15,000 - $25,000

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) "Aketi", 1972 acrylic on canvas signed, titled and dated "June 29-72" en verso. Unframed. 84" x 134-1/2" Provenance: Estate of James Julius Killough III, Houston, Texas, purchased from the artist by Mr. Killough in 1975, during the artist's tenure at the University of Houston.

    New Orleans Auction Galleries
  • THOMAS DOWNING - Blue Tender
    May. 15, 2019

    THOMAS DOWNING - Blue Tender

    Est: $30,000 - $50,000

    THOMAS DOWNING - Blue Tender

    Phillips
  • Thomas Downing (1928-1985) American 86" Oil Painting
    May. 01, 2019

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985) American 86" Oil Painting

    Est: $20,000 - $30,000

    Thomas Downing (1928-1985) Washington D.C., American. Estate Fresh to the Market, Guaranteed Authentic. Original multi-color dot optical oil painting on raw unprimed canvas. During the 1960's Mr. Downing was clearly ahead of his time, this composition example is simplicity mixed with modernism at its early conception. Artwork features symmetrical shades of red circles representing a flower. Title: Red Bloom. Signed and dated 1963 on verso outer edge of canvas in two areas. Thomas Victor Downing was a true visionary and part of the Washington Color Painters who exhibited together in 1965 at the Washington DC Gallery of Modern Art. Downing believed that color was the most important focus of a painting and that geometric forms, especially circles, were the most effective shapes to hold color onto a canvas. Many of his compositions were arranged small dots of pure color on unprimed canvas, and other works were monochromatic geometric shapes linked to letters of the alphabet. Thomas Downing studied at Catholic University in the 1950's, worked primarily in Washington DC and exhibited there at the Corcoran Gallery. Other exhibition venues were the Whitney Museum of Modern Art and the Pennsylvania Academy. Source: askart.com. Work is in Good to Fair overall condition, Unprimed canvas having normal aged toning, some Paint discoloration, minor rubbing / losses, multiple fold / creases lines. Condition issues are reversible. No other damage nor previous restorations to note. Museum Quality & Investment Worthy. Work measures approximately 86" x 86". Mr. Thomas Downing certainly inspired thousands of talented artist during his life time through to the present, Damien Hirst comes to mind. Provenance: Private Palm Beach Collection. Hill Auction Gallery will not ship. H.A.G., will refer local third party USA domestic and International shippers upon request.

    Hill Auction Gallery
  • Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985), "Quadrille"
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985), "Quadrille"

    Est: $10,000 - $15,000

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) "Quadrille" acrylic on canvas signed en verso. Unframed. 56" x 56" Provenance: Estate of James Julius Killough III, Houston, Texas; Purchased from the artist by Mr. Killough in 1975, during the artist's tenure at the University of Houston.

    New Orleans Auction Galleries
  • Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985), "Antalaha"
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985), "Antalaha"

    Est: $20,000 - $40,000

    Thomas Downing (American, 1928-1985) "Antalaha", 1972 acrylic on canvas signed, titled and dated "July 9-72" en verso. Unframed. 83-1/2" x 151" Provenance: Estate of James Julius Killough III, Houston, Texas; Purchased from the artist by Mr. Killough in 1975, during the artist's tenure at the University of Houston. Notes: As part of the Washington Color Painters group that exhibited together in 1965 at the Washington DC Gallery of Modern Art, Thomas Downing is known for his manipulation of acrylic paint on unprimed canvases. His primary concern was color, arranging seemingly simple geometric shapes, in order to create intriguing optical color contrasts. Circles, according to Downing, were one of the most effective geometric shapes to hold color.

    New Orleans Auction Galleries
  • THOMAS DOWNING | Indeterminate Set 
    Mar. 01, 2019

    THOMAS DOWNING | Indeterminate Set 

    Est: $30,000 - $40,000

    acrylic on canvas 

    Sotheby's
  • Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985), Grid Forty, Serigraph, Sight size: 15-1/2 x 35 inches
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985), Grid Forty, Serigraph, Sight size: 15-1/2 x 35 inches

    Est: $1,000 - $1,500

    Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985) Grid Forty Serigraph, 1970, signed Downing and dated 11/4/70 in pencil l.r., titled l.c. and numbered 2/100 in pencil l.l.; apparently in good condition. Framed.* Sight size: 393 x 889 mm (15-1/2 x 35 in)Property of a Washington, DC Collector

    Weschler's
  • Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985), Untitled, Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 63 inches
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985), Untitled, Acrylic on Canvas, 16 x 63 inches

    Est: $7,000 - $9,000

    Thomas Downing (American 1928-1985) Untitled Signed Downing and dated 9/23/72 l.l. Acrylic on canvas 16 x 63 in (40.6 x 160 cm)Property of a Washington, DC Collector

    Weschler's
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