Anne Ryan, 1889 – 1954

The 8 Most Famous Paintings by Anne Ryan

The painting that made Anne Ryan famous is Number 14 (1948). Untitled ( 36) (1948) and Untitled ( 461) (1952) follow it in the hearts of collectors and museum visitors. Of the 8 works by Anne Ryan in our catalogue, these 8 are the most admired, each presented with its date, its museum and what sets it apart.

Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.

Portrait of Anne Ryan
Anne Ryan · 1889 – 1954
Born · died
1889 – 1954, Hoboken
Movement
Abstract expressionism
Works in our catalogue
8
Most famous
Number 14 (1948)

Anne Ryan: the ten masterpieces

Untitled ( 424) (1953) by Anne Ryan
8

Untitled ( 424)

1953

The artwork Untitled (424) by Anne Ryan is a quintessential example of Abstract Expressionism, a movement that revolutionized the art world in the mid-20th century. Created in 1953, this piece showcases Ryan's unique style and technique, which set her apart from her contemporaries. The Artist's Background Anne Ryan was an American artist born in 1889, who belonged to the early generation of New York School Abstract Expressionist artists. Her work…

The subjects Anne Ryan painted most

The four subjects that return most often among these masterpieces, with the finest example of each.

Anne Ryan, year by year: the defining paintings

Only 6 years separate Anne Ryan's first and last dated masterpieces, 1948 and 1953: here is that brief career, year by year.

  1. 1948
  2. 1948
  3. 1949
  4. 1952
  5. 1953
    Untitled ( 424) (1953) by Anne Ryan
    Rank 8 / 8

    Untitled ( 424)

    Age 64

    The artwork Untitled (424) by Anne Ryan is a quintessential example of Abstract Expressionism, a movement that revolutionized the art world in the mid-20th century. Created in 1953,…

Anne Ryan's masterpieces: questions and answers

Which painting is Anne Ryan best known for?Show the answer

Number 14 (1948). Next come Untitled ( 36) (1948) and Untitled ( 461) (1952).

How old was Anne Ryan when painting Number 14?Show the answer

59 years old: Number 14 dates from 1948 and Anne Ryan was born in 1889.

How many works did Anne Ryan paint?Show the answer

Our catalogue lists 8 works by Anne Ryan, dated from 1948 to 1953.

When did Anne Ryan paint the masterpieces?Show the answer

In 1948: 2 of the 8 works on this page date from then, among them Number 14.

What are the first and last famous paintings of Anne Ryan?Show the answer

The earliest on this page is Number 14 (1948), the latest Untitled ( 424) (1953).

What art movement is Anne Ryan part of?Show the answer

Abstract expressionism, as the paintings on this page show.

Can I own a reproduction of a Anne Ryan masterpiece?Show the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.

The life of Anne Ryan

Early Life and Education

  • Born: Hoboken, New Jersey, 1889
  • Parents: Both parents died when Ryan was a teenager.
  • Education: Attended the Academy of St Elizabeth Convent for high school and early college. Left before graduating to marry William McFadden.
  • Marriage and Family: Married attorney William McFadden in 1911; they separated in 1923. Had three children, Elizabeth, William Jr., and Thomas.
  • Early Literary Pursuits: Frequented art and literary circles in New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood. Published a novel, *Raquel*, as well as a volume of poetry, *Lost Hills*.

Artistic Development and Influences

  • European Sojourn: Lived in Majorca and Paris (1931-1932).
  • Beginnings in Painting: Began painting in 1938, had her first solo exhibition in 1941 at the Pinacoteca.
  • Atelier 17: Joined Stanley William Hayter's Atelier 17 (1941), a printmaking workshop, and created prints.
  • Key Turning Point – Kurt Schwitters: In 1948, saw the collages of Kurt Schwitters at the Rose Fried Gallery in New York City. This profoundly influenced her artistic direction. She recognized a visual equivalence to her poetry in Schwitters' work.
  • Focus on Collage: Dedicated herself primarily to collage from 1948 until her death, producing over 400 pieces.
  • Materials Used: Incorporated diverse materials into her collages including silk, netting, handmade rag paper, and Japanese rice paper. Many works were mounted on handmade paper by Douglas Morse Howell.

Artistic Style and Techniques

  • Collage as Primary Voice: Found collage to be her primary artistic medium.
  • Small-Scale Works: Most of her collages were small, averaging roughly eight by six inches.
  • Juxtaposition of Textures: Juxtaposed small squares of different materials to highlight their distinct textures and densities.
  • Color Palette: Employed pastel colors in her compositions.
  • Relationship with Writing: Maintained a permeable relationship between artmaking and writing, though she favored the latter for most of her life. Wrote "Lines to a Young Painter."

Recognition and Legacy

  • Exhibitions: Had three exhibitions at the Betty Parsons Gallery in the 1950s, solidifying her reputation.
  • Critical Reception: Early critical responses noted the "feminine" qualities of her work.
  • Posthumous Recognition: An exhibition of her collages was shown at the Brooklyn Museum and traveled to several other institutions including the National Collection of Fine Arts in Washington, D.C.
  • Association with Abstract Expressionism: Belonged to the early generation of New York School abstract expressionist artists.
  • Daughter's Artistic Career: Her daughter, Elizabeth McFadden, is also an artist.

All 8 works by Anne Ryan →