ART-045 Paul Savitt (American, 1924–2010) — Large Abstract Circular Painting on Wood, Rainbow Palette, 35.5" diameter, No. 2, c.1980s–90s

A large and vivid abstract circular painting on wood — thickly painted in a rich, layered rainbow palette — attributed to Paul Savitt (American, 1924–2010), a New York City-based abstract artist who exhibited at the Daniel Broder Gallery, New York, in 1990 in a show accompanied by an essay from respected art critic Donald Kuspit.

This is the companion piece to our other Savitt circular panel (Lot 346, 7 of 11) — both came to auction in the same March 2024 sale at Public Sale Auction House, Hudson, NY, part of a group of eleven circular painted wood panels almost certainly from Savitt's studio estate. Hundreds of Savitt's works were discovered in a storage locker in Upstate New York after his death in 2010 and have been offered through Public Sale since 2021.

While each panel in the series shares the same format and materials, each is a unique, individual painting — the rainbow palette, gestural marks, and textural buildup of paint differ from piece to piece, making them individually distinct works rather than multiples.

At 35.5 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches deep, this is a substantial and physically commanding work. The circular format — known in art history as a tondo — demands that the painter create structure and energy entirely through the paint itself, without corners or edges to rely on. The result here is a composition that radiates outward from its center with warmth and vitality.

Dual-Function Piece:

The auction house notes this piece can be hung on a wall as art or placed flat as a decorative tabletop surface. The 1.5-inch deep solid wood panel gives it the structural integrity for both uses. On a low pedestal, plinth, or stand it would serve as a striking sculptural centerpiece.

About Paul Savitt:

Paul Savitt (1924–2010) was a New York City-based abstract artist. His major public exhibition, Paul Savitt: The Beginning, was held at the Daniel Broder Gallery, New York City (April 4–May 19, 1990), with a catalog essay by Donald Kuspit — one of the most published and widely respected art critics in America. Most of his work dates from the 1980s and 1990s. After his death, a substantial body of work was found in a storage locker in Upstate NY and is being offered through Public Sale Auction House, Hudson, NY.

Details:

• Artist: Paul Savitt (American, 1924–2010)
• Medium: Paint on wood panel
• Palette: Rainbow — thick, layered, gestural
• Format: Circular (tondo)
• Dimensions: 35.5" H × 35.5" W × 1.5" D
• Signature: No visible signature
• Date: Circa 1980s–1990s
• Function: Wall art or decorative tabletop surface

Condition:

Good overall condition. No visible paint flaking. Minor wear to the wood, especially around the edges, consistent with age and storage. Estate fresh to market.