the collector's folio

Jacob Kainen Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Jacob Kainen our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Jacob Kainen · 1909 – 2001

Hot Dog Cart

1943 · The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

The Enforcer

1972 · original 77 x 61 cm

Explore Jacob Kainen's 'The Enforcer,' a striking 1972 lithograph blending expressionism & abstraction. Dramatic black & white composition at the Smithsonian.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28661 × 77 cm Commission at original size

The Way XIII

1979 · The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

The Rose Cocoon

1970 · original 91 x 91 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17732 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$39191 × 91 cm Commission at original size

Midnight

1965 · original 40 x 56 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$21456 × 40 cm Commission at original size

Flightmaster

1972 · original 77 x 57 cm

Explore Jacob Kainen's 'Flightmaster,' a striking 1972 lithograph showcasing Abstract Expressionism and geometric forms. A monochrome masterpiece of depth & dynamism.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27757 × 77 cm Commission at original size

Boy Telephoning

1964 · original 41 x 39 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19539 × 41 cm Commission at original size

Early Evening

1938 · original 36 x 25 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

M Street

1945 · original 61 x 76 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28476 × 61 cm Commission at original size

Two Men Crawling

1959 · original 57 x 79 cm

Explore Jacob Kainen’s ‘Two Men Crawling’ (1959) – a dynamic Expressionist painting of nude figures in motion. Warm colors, loose brushwork & dramatic shadows create a captivating abstract piece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$30679 × 57 cm Commission at original size

Fixation

1970 · original 55 x 79 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27679 × 55 cm Commission at original size

Pastorale

1935 · original 56 x 71 cm

Discover 'Pastorale' by Jacob Kainen (1935). This evocative oil painting captures a rustic village scene with bold brushstrokes & dramatic skies. A beautiful example of American art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26571 × 56 cm Commission at original size

House with Black Sky

1949 · original 76 x 61 cm

Explore Jacob Kainen’s "House with Black Sky" (1949), a vibrant Expressionist abstract painting of urban architecture. Discover its dynamic brushstrokes, bold colors & evocative style.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28461 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Barber Shop

1939 · original 35 x 26 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Forest Bird

1950 · original 37 x 50 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20250 × 37 cm Commission at original size

Abraham

1970 · original 65 x 47 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23847 × 65 cm Commission at original size

Boy with Kite II

1962 · original 66 x 48 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24148 × 66 cm Commission at original size

Wheel of Misfortune

1969 · original 53 x 76 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26776 × 53 cm Commission at original size

Pastorale

1935 · original 56 x 71 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26571 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Standard Bearer

1973 · original 72 x 52 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25852 × 72 cm Commission at original size

Stranger at the Gate

1958 · original 48 x 60 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23360 × 48 cm Commission at original size

Triple Threat

1985 · original 61 x 45 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22945 × 61 cm Commission at original size

Explore Jacob Kainen’s ‘At the Window’ (1960) – a poignant Expressionist portrait of solitude & introspection. Bold colors, geometric shapes, & thick brushstrokes create a captivating, melancholic artwork.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$689152 × 122 cm Commission at original size

El Presidente

1978 · original 46 x 61 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23161 × 46 cm Commission at original size

Sleep

The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 134 artworks by Jacob Kainen
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$32738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Jacob Kainen

1909 – 2001

Quick facts

Creative periodsmature period
Died2001
Art periodModern
Movementsexpressionism
Topics exploredabstract, geometric, dynamic composition, expressionism, composition
Works on APS134
Copyright statusUnder copyright
Lifespan92 years

Biography

Jacob Kainen: A Life in Art and Scholarship

Born: Waterbury, United States of America (1909)
Died: 2002

Jacob Kainen was a multifaceted American artist, renowned as a painter, printmaker, art historian, and collector. His career spanned decades, marked by stylistic evolution, intellectual curiosity, and significant contributions to the art world both through his own creations and his scholarly endeavors.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Family Background: Born to Russian immigrant parents in Waterbury, Connecticut, Kainen’s upbringing fostered a deep appreciation for culture. His father's inventive spirit and his mother's love of music and literature nurtured his artistic inclinations from an early age.
Early Studies: Moving to New York City in 1918 provided access to institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library, fueling his passion for art history. He studied at the Art Students League, where Kimon Nicolaides emphasized freedom and confidence in artistic expression.
Early Rebellions: Despite showing promise at Pratt Institute, Kainen’s independent spirit led to expulsion three weeks before graduation due to disagreements with the institution's conservative curriculum. This event proved pivotal, pushing him towards avant-garde movements.

Evolution of Style and Artistic Influences

Early Influences: Initially drawn to Old Masters, Kainen’s artistic trajectory shifted during the 1930s as he embraced German Expressionism and Social Realism. This period saw him engage with artists like Stuart Davis and Arshile Gorky, who encouraged exploration of the unconscious and copying master works.
WPA Years: His involvement in the WPA’s Graphic Arts Program honed his printmaking skills while allowing him to explore social themes through art.
Abstraction and Beyond: Kainen gradually moved towards abstraction, influenced by figures like Arshile Gorky. However, he never abandoned humanism or historical awareness, seeking to imbue even abstract forms with a sense of experience.
The Loyalty Investigation & Psychological Impact: A period of intense scrutiny by the Civil Services Loyalty Board in the 1940s, stemming from his past political activities, profoundly impacted Kainen's work, leading to vivid and psychologically charged abstractions like "Exorcist" and "Unmoored #2."
Return to Figuration: Following clearance from the loyalty board, Kainen shifted back towards figurative art, rejecting Abstract Expressionism in favor of a return to representational forms.

Curatorial Work and Contributions to the Smithsonian

Smithsonian Curator: From 1942 to 1970, Kainen served as curator of the Division of Graphic Arts at the Smithsonian's U.S. National Museum. He revitalized the collection through exhibitions and acquisitions.
Influence on Washington Color Field Painting: Kainen played a crucial role in fostering connections within the art community, introducing Morris Louis to Kenneth Noland, contributing to the development of the Washington Color School movement.
Post-Smithsonian Career: After retiring from the Smithsonian, Kainen dedicated himself fully to painting and printmaking, returning to pure abstraction and continuing his artistic exploration.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Collector & Philanthropist: Kainen and his wife, Ruth Cole, were avid collectors of German Expressionist art, donating a significant portion of their collection to the National Gallery of Art in 1985.
Scholarship: Kainen’s contributions as an art historian are notable for his books on John Baptist Jackson and the etchings of Canaletto, demonstrating his deep knowledge and passion for art history.
Enduring Artistic Vision: Jacob Kainen's legacy rests on a body of work that reflects his intellectual curiosity, artistic evolution, and unwavering commitment to exploring the human condition through diverse mediums. His influence extends beyond his own creations, encompassing his curatorial contributions and his dedication to fostering artistic dialogue.

Questions & Answers

How do I find all works by Jacob Kainen in a given medium?

Jacob Kainen's works can be browsed by medium on the artist's All Medium page.

Which artworks by Jacob Kainen are the most viewed?

A Stats page exists for Jacob Kainen, presenting statistics about the artist's artworks on this website.

How do I find works by Jacob Kainen on a specific theme?

The By Keywords page of Jacob Kainen groups the artist's artworks by their keywords.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Collector's quiz

Where was Jacob Kainen born?
What was a significant event that led to Kainen's expulsion from Pratt Institute?
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