Rivers, Larry | Untitled (King of Clubs), 1967 — available on Composition Gallery

View in a Room

Gouache, Pastel and Graphite on paper; Signed.

Untitled (King of Clubs) (1967) by Larry Rivers is a mixed media work on paper measuring 14 x 11 inches, executed in gouache, pastel, and graphite. The artwork loosely depicts the King of Clubs from a deck of playing cards, blending figuration with abstraction through expressive smudges, erasures, and layered mark-making. The familiar form of the king’s face and crown is outlined but intentionally distorted, with club symbols scattered throughout the composition. The muted palette of grays, ochres, and soft blacks, punctuated by hints of orange and red, gives the piece a dreamlike, atmospheric quality. Signed by Rivers, this drawing reflects his characteristic fusion of pop imagery and gestural experimentation during the 1960s.

Larry Rivers (United States, 1923–2002) was a multifaceted artist whose work bridged Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. Initially a jazz saxophonist, he transitioned to visual arts, creating paintings and sculptures that often incorporated commercial imagery and cultural references. Rivers' innovative approach significantly influenced post-war American art.

Larry Rivers

Untitled (King of Clubs), 1967

Name: Untitled (King of Clubs), 1967
SKU: 16488

Form

Drawing / Watercolor

Drawing / WatercolorDrawing and watercolor are two traditional art techniques which stand alone as media, but are often used in conjunction with each other. Drawing can create the basic outlines for watercolor painting. Drawing over dried watercolor or using watercolor pencils are combined media techniques.

Medium

Mixed Media

Mixed MediaMixed media refers to artwork that incorporates more than one medium within a single piece. Unlike multimedia art, which combines distinct forms of visual art and often includes elements like sound, video, or digital media, mixed media focuses on combining traditional art materials, such as paint, ink, and collage. Mixed media art allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects and textures by layering and blending different materials.

Edition

Unique work

Authenticity Guaranteed
Insured Shipping
Online Since 2005

●Inventory 16488

●Signed

Limited Edition Print

Screen-print

USD 1,875

Larry Rivers

Make Believe Ballroom, 1989

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition Print

Sold

Any art communicates what you're in the mood to receive.
- Larry Rivers

Larry Rivers (b. 1923 USA, d. 2002 USA) was an influential American painter, sculptor, and filmmaker, often credited as a key figure in the development of Pop Art. Rivers' work is characterized by its bold use of color, dynamic compositions, and incorporation of everyday objects and popular culture references, blending abstraction with figuration in innovative ways. He began his career as a jazz musician before turning to painting in the late 1940s, studying under Hans Hofmann and becoming associated with the New York School. Rivers is best known for his works that juxtapose traditional artistic techniques with contemporary themes, such as his iconic Washington Crossing the Delaware (1953), which reinterprets the famous historical painting in a modern context. His art often challenged conventional boundaries, merging high art with popular imagery and exploring themes of history, identity, and politics. Rivers' work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide, and he remains a significant figure in the history of 20th-century American art. (Artist website)

Artwork by Andy Warhol

What is pop-art?

Pop Art is an art movement that began in Britain in 1955 and in the late 1950s in the U.S. It challenged traditional fine arts by incorporating imagery from popular culture, such as news, advertising, and comic books. Pop Art often isolates and recontextualizes materials, combining them with unrelated elements. The movement is more about the attitudes and ideas that inspired it than the specific art itself. Pop Art is seen as a reaction against the dominant ideas of Abstract Expressionism, bringing everyday consumer culture into the realm of fine art.

Explore »

Larry Rivers

Untitled (King of Clubs), 1967

35.6 x 27.9 cm

Language & Currency

Larry Rivers