Gottlieb Biography

1957

His first “Burst” painting is shown as part of a solo exhibition at the Martha Jackson Gallery in January. Gottlieb teaches at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. In November a retrospective exhibition is organized by the Jewish Museum of New York.

1958

In the summer Gottlieb teaches at the University of California. Upon his return, he summers in East Hampton for the first time. In April the Museum of Modern Art organizes the exhibition, “The New American Painting” which tours Europe (Basel, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London) and introduces the European audience to Abstract Expressionism. Gottlieb’s paintings are now being represented by Andre Emmerich Gallery.

1959

In April Gottlieb will have one person exhibition at Galerie Rive Droite in Paris and at Paul Kantor Gallery, Beverly Hills, CA. Lawrence Alloway organizes a Gottlieb survey exhibition for the Institute of Contemporary Art in London. Gottlieb is also included in Dokumenta II, in Kassel, Germany in July.

1960

This year the Gottlieb’s purchase a property in East Hampton, NY. Gottlieb has a carriage house on the property turned to face true north, this is now his painting studio outside of New York City. In the Spring Gottlieb joins the Sidney Janis Gallery.

1961

Gottlieb is awarded Third Prize at the Pittsburgh International Exhibition at the Carnegie Institute for his painting, Tan Over Black.

1962

Gottlieb paintings are included in the Seattle World’s Fair.

1963

Gottlieb has a major solo exhibition at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, organized by Martin Freidman. In September his work is featured at and he becomes the first U.S. artist to be awarded the Gran Premio, at the VII Bienal de Sao Paolo, Brazil. He and Esther go to Brazil where he is received with great honor. Gottlieb moves his New York City studio to 940 Broadway at 22nd Street.

1964

In January Gottlieb joins the Marlborough Gallery. John Bauer, director at the Whitney, first approaches Gottlieb regarding a major retrospective. This will lead to many discussions, joined by the director of the Guggenheim Museum and resulting in a major retrospective exhibition in 1968.

1966

A large fire destroys Gottlieb’s New York City studio and all its contents. He establishes a new studio at 190 Bowery. Gottlieb resumes printmaking after a 20 year hiatus.

1967

Gottlieb is appointed to The Art Commission, City of New York. He is approached by Charles Slatkin to make tapestries. He agrees and creates several over the coming years.

1968

A major retrospective exhibition organized jointly by the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opens on February 14 at both museums in New York City simultaneously – the first and only time this has occurred. Gottlieb begins to make sculpture this year.

1969

Gottlieb and the artist Arman jointly purchase the building at 380 West Broadway. Gottlieb will eventually establish his studio and residence here.

1970

After suffering a stroke, Gottlieb is confined to a wheel chair. His left side is paralyzed, yet he continues to paint.

1971

Gottlieb is elected member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

1973

Gottlieb delivers a lecture and juries student exhibition at Arizona State University. In the summer, Gottlieb begins work on a series of monotypes that continues until two weeks before his death.

1974

Gottlieb dies March 4 in New York City. The Museum of Modern Art organizes a memorial exhibition which opens March 20th.

Apaquogue, 1961

Adolph Gottlieb in his Bowery studio, 1968

Splatter, 1973