Seymour Lipton

American sculptor
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Quick Facts
Born:
Nov. 6, 1903, New York City
Died:
Dec. 5, 1986, Glen Cove, N.Y., U.S. (aged 83)

Seymour Lipton (born Nov. 6, 1903, New York City—died Dec. 5, 1986, Glen Cove, N.Y., U.S.) was an American sculptor known for his forceful metal sculptures of abstract organic forms.

Lipton attended City College of New York, studied dentistry at Columbia University (1923–27), and had no formal art training. He embarked on his artistic career in 1932 as a figurative sculptor, primarily in wood; when he shifted to abstract work after 1945, his major material became sheet metal.

The play between external and internal forms dominates Lipton’s later work. His characteristically massive, textured pieces twist, curve, and seem frozen on the verge of opening. They are frequently suggestive of and titled after animals and plants.

Color pastels, colored chalk, colorful chalk. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, history and society
Britannica Quiz
Ultimate Art Quiz

His commissioned works include sculptures at Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center, New York City (1964), and Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C. (1964).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.