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Agnes Martin Biography
Agnes Bernice Martin, born on March 22, 1912, in Macklin, Saskatchewan, Canada, was an artist whose work epitomized the essence of minimalist abstraction, yet she identified more closely with the Abstract Expressionists. Her life was as subtle and intricate as the celebrated grids and pale color washes that became her signature style on canvas.
Martin's early years were marked by the vast openness of the Canadian prairies, where she was born to Scottish Presbyterian pioneers. The family moved to Vancouver, where she grew up. Her father died when she was just two years old, leaving her mother to support the family through real estate. Martin's relationship with her mother was strained, but she found solace in the spiritual texts introduced to her by her maternal grandfather.
In 1931, at the age of 19, Martin moved to the United States to assist her pregnant sister in Bellingham, Washington. She embraced the American education system and became a U.S. citizen in 1950. Martin's academic journey began at Western Washington University College of Education, followed by a Bachelor of Arts from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1942. Her time in New York exposed her to modern art and the works of influential artists like Arshile Gorky, Adolph Gottlieb, and Joan Miró.
After her undergraduate studies, Martin ventured to the University of New Mexico in Taos, where she was introduced to Zen Buddhism and Asian thought—not as religious disciplines but as ethical codes for life. She returned to Columbia University to earn her Master of Arts in 1952, further immersing herself in the teachings of Zen Buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki.
Martin's early artistic period was a time of exploration and development. She moved between New York City and the Southwest, teaching and refining her craft. By 1957, she had transitioned from realistic and surrealist styles to geometric abstraction, which would come to define her work. Her paintings from this era were characterized by ordered, precise geometric shapes, and she began to work on paintings and drawings that consisted of horizontal and vertical lines within a measured grid format.
In 1958, Martin had her first solo show at the influential Betty Parsons Gallery in New York. Her neighbors in Coenties Slip, a creative hub in lower Manhattan, included notable artists such as Robert Indiana and James Rosenquist. This community was a haven for artists who sought independence from the dominant Abstract Expressionist scene, and it welcomed a diverse group of creatives, including gay and lesbian artists.
Martin's work during this time was often associated with Minimalism due to her use of grids and austere geometric style. However, her approach was deeply personal and spiritual, setting her apart from her Minimalist contemporaries. She sought to embody both atmosphere and expression through her art, which became a spiritual pursuit. Her work from the early 1960s, characterized by dense, minute, and softly delineated graphite grids on large square canvases, reflected this pursuit.
In 1967, Martin left New York and embarked on a period of travel and introspection. She settled in New Mexico, where she lived a reclusive life, and did not paint for several years. When she returned to art in 1974, her work featured new colors and a redefined grid style. Her paintings from this period, such as "Untitled #3" from 1974, introduced light pastel washes and a Southwestern palette influenced by her surroundings.
Martin's later years were spent in Taos, New Mexico, where she continued to paint, exhibit, and write until her death on December 16, 2004. Her work has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions and is collected by major museums worldwide. Martin was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1998 and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2004.
Throughout her career, Martin remained dedicated to her vision, creating works that invite viewers to contemplate the sublime and the simplicity of existence. Her legacy is one of profound influence on postwar American abstraction, and her paintings continue to be celebrated for their quiet intensity and meditative beauty.
Agnes Martin Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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