# John Hultberg artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/john-hultberg/
Profile generated: 2026-05-23T11:53:30.000Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Death date: 2005-04-15
- Nationality: American
- Movements: Abstract Expressionism, Abstract Realism, Bay Area Figurative Movement
- Common media: painting

## About John Hultberg

John Hultberg (1922–2005) was an American painter associated with Abstract Expressionism, Abstract Realism, and the Bay Area Figurative Movement. Born in Berkeley, California, he studied at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco during the late 1940s, a period when the Bay Area was a major center for postwar American painting. Hultberg's work is characterized by a distinctive blend of abstract structure and recognizable imagery—dreamlike landscapes, architectural forms, and stark spatial compositions that set him apart from purely non-objective peers. His paintings are held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and he was active as a lecturer and playwright alongside his studio practice. He died in Manhattan on April 15, 2005.

## Common works and media

Hultberg primarily produced oil paintings on canvas and works on paper. His known titles include landscapes with architectural elements, stark horizon compositions, and abstracted urban or industrial scenes. Works such as The Black Flag, Control Tower, and After De Chirico reflect his interest in structured, atmospheric space. Collectors may also encounter smaller works on paper, prints, and drawings. Medium, dimensions, date of execution, and signature should be verified against gallery or auction records when attributing a work.

## Market and appraisal context

John Hultberg's paintings appear regularly at auction, with nearly 300 recorded lots across major and regional houses. His work spans several decades and stylistic phases, so appraisal value depends heavily on the period, size, medium, and provenance of each piece. Works connected to his Bay Area Figurative period or his more structured Abstract Realist compositions tend to attract stronger collector interest. MoMA's institutional holding adds credibility to his market profile. As with many mid-career Abstract Expressionist-era painters, results can vary widely; comparable auction records, condition reports, and exhibition history should be consulted for any individual appraisal.

## Appraisily data basis

This Appraisily artist page combines verified identity data from Getty ULAN, VIAF, the RKD, MoMA, and Wikidata with auction records, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lots when those records are available. Biographical and movement claims are cross-referenced across multiple authority files and museum sources.

## Sources

- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16016476
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hultberg
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500030565
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/5862086/
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/nr98044848
- The Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/artists/2761
- RKD - Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/40566