José de Creeft (1884–1982)
Earth Shades, c. 1935–1940
Oil on board
15.3 x 14.5 in.
38.7 x 36.8 cm
José de Creeft (1884–1982)
El Pueblo, c. 1935–1940
Oil on masonite
37 x 43 in.
94 x 109.2 cm
José de Creeft (1884–1982)
Nino, c.1945–1950
Oil on masonite
19 x 44 in.
48.3 x 111.8 cm
José de Creeft (1884–1982)
Amphora, 1950
Oil on masonite
23.8 x 17.8 in.
60.3 x 45.1 cm
José de Creeft (1884–1982)
Space Hues, c. 1945–1950
Oil on board
18 x 17.3 in.
45.7 x 43.8 cm
José de Creeft (1884–1982)
Form and Space, c. 1945–1950
Oil on board
21.8 x 17.8 in.
55.2 x 45.1 cm
José de Creeft (1884–1982)
Soly Sombre, c.1945–1950
Oil on masonite
29.3 x 21.8 in.
74.3 x 55.2 cm
b. 1884, Guadalajara, Spain
d. 1982, New York, New York
A pioneering figure in modernist art, José de Creeft is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to sculpture, as well as his remarkable achievements in painting and drawing. Born in Spain, he gained early recognition in Paris before building a lasting artistic legacy in the United States. While his iconic sculptures, such as Central Park’s Alice in Wonderland, are widely known, his two-dimensional works reveal a vibrant imagination and an expressive depth that transcends the medium of sculpture.
De Creeft’s artistic journey began in Madrid, where he trained as a draftsman, and continued in 1905 when he moved to Paris to study at the Académie Julian. Encouraged by Auguste Rodin, de Creeft honed his skills in perspective and precision while forging friendships with Juan Gris and Pablo Picasso. His early drawings, marked by bold lines, sharp contours, and unshaded spaces, displayed a futuristic aesthetic that captured the dynamic energy of the time. By the 1920s, his work took on a more romantic tone, with themes of sensuality and maternal tenderness woven into his compositions.
Drawing became a notable outlet for de Creeft, offering a medium for rapid expression and exploration of ideas too intricate or labor-intensive to sculpt. Mirroring the aesthetic evolution of his sculpture, de Creeft’s paintings and drawings teem with biomorphic creatures and dreamlike landscapes, reflecting a fascination with transformation. Some works by de Creeft showcase his ability to blend influences from African art and organic forms, creating surreal compositions that blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy.
In painting, de Creeft ventured into abstraction and experimentation, exploring themes of self-portraiture, figuration, and landscape. Employing a variety of media, he crafted richly textured pieces. Some works, inspired by stained glass, emphasized vivid tonal values and intricate layering, while others used syncopated brushstrokes to capture the bustling energy of urban life. De Creeft’s sensitivity to color and deliberate focus on essential forms further distinguished his approach.
Although his sculptures remain central to his legacy, de Creeft’s paintings and drawings provide a profound insight into his creative vision. These works reveal the boundaries de Creeft pushed past as he embraced new dimensions of expression. Today, De Creeft’s work is held in many public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C..
