Donald Baechler (American, b.1956)

Art

Who is painter Donald Baechler?

Donald Baechler is an American Neo-Expressionist painter who pulls from a wide variety of sources for painting inspiration. Originally from Connecticut, Baechler came to prominence in the 1980s New York art scene. While often compared to Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf, Baechler has rejected those labels -- mainly because his work bears little resemblance to the graffiti and urban art movements. That’s not to say that Baechler doesn’t work on the cutting edge, or that his paintings aren’t inspired by a variety of non-traditional influences. They are, but there’s an unironic joy to his work that feels more organic than many of his peers.

His work became initially popular in the New York art community but has since spanned the globe. His pieces hang in some of the most prestigious museums in the world, including permanent collections at The Whitney, the MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Stedelijk Museum of Amsterdam, and the Centre George Pompidou in Paris. He has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions throughout his forty-year career.

What kind of art does Donald Baechler make?

Donald Baechler makes Neo-Expressionist paintings that lean heavily on a variety of influences, from contemporary folk art, to pop culture, to memories of his childhood. The New York Times wrote that his pieces have, “echoes of Rauschenberg, Warhol, and LIchtenstein.” Overwhelmingly, Baechler’s work in paintings has a playfulness to it that feels almost childlike. His paintings burst off the canvas with bright colors, and often incorporate found images, from connect-the-dots to religious and cultural iconography. Where some artists may come off as cynical or ironic in their use of these disparate pieces, Baechler’s work soars. There’s a joyfulness to a Baechler work that makes it highly desirable as a piece in anyone’s collection.

How did painter Donald Baechler get started?

Born in Connecticut, Donald Baechler spent much of his early life in the American Northeast. He attended the Maryland Institute College of Art, receiving a BFA in painting. From there, he attended Cooper Union in the East Village, getting his MFA in 1978. An abrupt move from New York City at the end of the 1970s saw the artist find new inspiration while living in Germany. Eventually, he returned to the US in 1980, first working as a security guard at the New York Earth Room before being featured in several exhibitions in the East Village. It was there that he met famed gallery owner, Tony Shafrazi, who took a liking to Baechler’s work.

How much are Donald Baechler’s paintings worth?

Donald Baechler paintings have sold for as little as $1,500 and as much as $150,000 for a major work. The most ever paid at auction for a painting by Donald Baechler is $149,000 for the piece Conversazione (1989) which sold on November 16th, 2000. This sold for nearly four times the high estimate. Many collectors enjoy Baechler’s work for its playfulness, its inventiveness, and its bright colors. He’s had several paintings sell for over a hundred thousand dollars throughout his career.

Where to buy Donald Baechler paintings for sale?

See the works for sale below. Why buy from Heritage? Art buyers feel confident because our experts know the market and put careful valuations on the artwork for sale. We make the bidding process easier to help you expand your art collection.

How to value Donald Baechler paintings?

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