Victor Pasmore Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Victor
Pasmore

Victor Pasmore, a British abstract artist, used colour and geometric shapes to create complex compositions inspired by nature, playing a significant role in the development of abstract art in Britain. If you’re looking for original Victor Pasmore prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network’s most in-demand works.

Biography

Victor Pasmore (1908 –1998) was a British artist and architect who played a pivotal role in the development of Abstract art in the mid-20th century. Born in Chelsham, Surrey, Pasmore's artistic journey saw him transition from a figurative painter to an influential abstractionist, whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of modern art.

Victor Pasmore's Early Education and Influences

Pasmore's artistic inclinations were evident from an early age, and he began studying art at the age of 16 at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. He later attended the prestigious Byam Shaw School of Art and continued his studies at the Royal Academy Schools. Initially, Pasmore's paintings were rooted in naturalism, and he was heavily influenced by the works of the Old Masters such as Rembrandt and Titian. During this time, Pasmore was associated with the Euston Road School, a group of artists who advocated realism and the significance of tradition in painting.

In the 1940s, Pasmore underwent a dramatic artistic transformation, exploring abstraction. His association with the Artists' International Association (AIA) and the London Group, platforms promoting modernism and abstraction, played a crucial role. By the late 1940s, Pasmore had established himself as a prominent figure in British abstract art, exhibiting his works in galleries nationwide.
During the 1950s, Pasmore delved into constructivism, emphasising geometry, harmony, and order in his art. Influenced by artists like Piet Mondrian and Kazimir Malevich, he created paintings characterised by bold use of colour and geometric forms. These works departed from his earlier naturalistic style, striving for balance and unity.
Pasmore's fascination with abstract art and architecture led him to undertake significant public art projects. Notably, he designed the Apollo Pavilion in Peterlee, County Durham. Completed in 1969, this large-scale concrete structure exemplified Pasmore's belief in the integration of art, architecture, and urban planning. The Pavilion stands as an iconic example of mid-century British public art and design, combining painting, sculpture, and architecture.
Victor Pasmore's contributions to the art world have been recognised through numerous exhibitions and retrospectives, both during his lifetime and posthumously. His works can be found in prominent art collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. Pasmore's extraordinary artistic legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists, cementing his place as a pioneering figure in British abstract art.

Victor Pasmore was a proponent of pure abstraction, which he viewed as a way of capturing the essential qualities of art. His work, Linear Motif In Black And White (1960-1961), is a prime example of this approach and explores three-dimensionality by incorporating a range of materials, including acrylic and gravure on Formica, similar to woodblock printing. Through layering these composite materials, Pasmore creates a work that is as much an object as a picture, inviting the viewer to consider the physicality of the materials used in its creation. Linear Motif In Black And White is a seminal representation of Pasmore's oeuvre, showcasing his innovative approach to form, material, and perception.

This work is his auction record and sold for £329,000 (fees included) at Christie’s in June 2017.

This artwork signifies a pivotal moment in Victor Pasmore's artistic journey, marking his shift from representational techniques learned at the Euston Road School to embracing abstraction. It amalgamates various artistic influences, blending a vibrant palette reminiscent of American Abstract Expressionists with geometric forms akin to British Modern Abstract artists like Terry Frost. Like his English counterparts, Pasmore draws inspiration from the natural world, undergoing an aesthetic transformation inspired by cosmic magnificence.

Abstract in Indian Red, Crimson, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink, and Orange (1957) fetched an impressive £200,000 (fees included) at Christie's in October 2019, highlighting its artistic and historical significance.