34

Al Loving

(1935-2005)

Anna.

Acrylic on shaped cotton canvas, 1970.
Signed, titled and dated in pencil, verso.
52 x 60 in. (132.1 x 152.4 cm.)

  • Provenance:
    Acquired from the artist's studio.
    Private collection, Colorado.

    Anna is an excellent example from Al Loving's 1969-70 series of cube paintings - part of his groundbreaking period of shaped, geometric abstraction. Detroit-born Loving earned an MFA from the University of Michigan in 1965. Inspired by Hans Hofmann and Josef Albers, he began painting in acrylic hard-edge paintings of cubes and hexagons in 1967. After his first one-person exhibition at Gertrude Kasle gallery in Detroit in June of 1969, Loving launched his New York career.

    Gertrude Kasle provided Loving with letters of introduction to Harold Hart of Martha Jackson Gallery and Steven Wilde and Bert Walker, curators at the Whitney Museum of American Art. There he was given a critically acclaimed, one-person exhibition in December of 1969.
    Loving was the first of a group of African American artists whose work was shown at the Whitney during the early 1970s, including Frank Bowling, Frederick Eversley, Melvin Edwards and Alma Thomas. The Whitney acquired his painting Rational Irrationalism at the time. The other paintings in the exhibition were sold privately and Loving signed on with the William Zierler Gallery. In 1971, his cube paintings were included in two important exhibitions: "Contemporary Black Artists in America," Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and "The De Luxe Show" in Houston, Texas, organized by artist Peter Bradley and arts patron John de Menil.
  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

November 13, 2025 12:00 PM EST
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000