Larry Rivers, 1923 – 2002
Larry Rivers's 59 Most Famous Paintings
Those who Fire, Those Who Run is the painting Larry Rivers is best remembered for. Art and the Artist Chairs and Van Gogh and Us from Stones (1960) complete the trio of best-loved canvases. Our catalogue counts 59 works by Larry Rivers. Here are the 59 most famous, with the year, the museum and the story of each canvas.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026.
- Born · died
- 1923 – 2002, The Bronx
- Movement
- Pop art
- Works in our catalogue
- 59
- Most famous
- Those who Fire, Those Who Run
- Most works at
- Chrysler Museum of Art
The ten best-loved paintings by Larry Rivers
10
Cigar Box
Step into a world where playful naivety meets contemplative seriousness in Larry Rivers’ captivating “Cigar Box.” This unique artwork transcends the boundaries of traditional portraiture and still life, offering a glimpse into the artist’s distinctive vision. Created in 1967, it's a fascinating example of Pop Art sensibilities emerging from the Abstract Expressionist landscape.
Larry Rivers: canvases 11 to 59 of the ranking
#11
Untitled
The Untitled painting by Larry Rivers, created in 1958, is a fascinating example of modern art that continues to intrigue art enthusiasts and scholars alike. Measuring 33 x…
#12
Black revue
#13
Witness drawing
#14
French Money III
#16
The studio
#17
Redcoats
#19
Tanfastic
#20
Kenneth Koch
#21
The Pool
#24
Deuce of Spades
#25
French Money II
#26
Cezanne Stamp
#29
Eliza
#32
The Last Civil War Veteran
The Last Civil War Veteran is a significant work by the American artist Larry Rivers. This piece emerged from a period of intense creative transition for the artist,…
#33
The Studio
#34
Untitled (773)
#35
Untitled (670)
#37
For adults only
#38
Shoe sale
#39
Self portrait
#40
Big b signs up
#42
Bjork
#44
Camel
#45
How and Thes
#46
Fashion birds
#48
Bedroom
#50
On the Phone
#52
Kings
#53
Observation
#55
Me
#56
Me
#57
I Like Ingres, A Copy
The artwork I Like Ingres, A Copy by Larry Rivers is a captivating piece that showcases the artist's unique style and technique. Created in 1962, this charcoal drawing…
#58
Portrait of Joseph H. Hirshhorn
The Larry Rivers painting, Portrait of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, is a remarkable work of art that showcases the artist's unique style and technique. Created in 1963, this oil…
#59
Little French Money II
The Larry Rivers painting, Little French Money II, is a remarkable piece of art that showcases the artist's unique style and technique. Created in 1962, this charcoal on…
Larry Rivers's canvases, period by period
Mature Period
1958 – 1968 · 10 works in this list
Contemporary
4 works in this listWhat Larry Rivers painted most
The four subjects that return most often on these canvases, each with its best-loved example.
Arts 3 works
Man 2 works
Abstract composition 2 works
Nude figures 2 works
Where Larry Rivers's canvases hang
The 6 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Larry Rivers | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Chrysler Museum of Art |
Norfolk | 2 | Me, Me |
 Israel Museum |
Jerusalem | 1 | Advertisement for Helene Spitzer |
 Art Institute of Chicago |
Chicago | 1 | Lions on the Dreyfus Fund III |
 Städel Museum |
Frankfurt | 1 | Eliza |
 Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco |
San Francisco | 1 | The Last Civil War Veteran |
 Bavarian State Painting Collections |
Munich | 1 | The Studio |
Larry Rivers's most famous canvas, decade after decade
-
1950s
Ranked 11 of 59
Untitled
The Untitled painting by Larry Rivers, created in 1958, is a fascinating example of modern art that continues to intrigue art enthusiasts and scholars alike. Measuring 33 x…
-
1960s
Ranked 3 of 59Us from Stones
-
1970s
8 of 59Rainbow Rembrandt I
-
1980s
Ranked 9 of 59Untitled from Self Portrait in a Convex Mirror
Larry Rivers's canvases, question by question
Which canvas is Larry Rivers most remembered for?Read the answer
Those who Fire, Those Who Run, followed by Art and the Artist Chairs and Van Gogh and Us from Stones (1960).
What are Larry Rivers's ten most famous canvases?Read the answer
Those who Fire, Those Who Run, Art and the Artist Chairs and Van Gogh, Us from Stones, Advertisement for Helene Spitzer, Lions on the Dreyfus Fund III, Untitled from National Collection of Fine Arts Portfolio, Dutch Masters, Rainbow Rembrandt I, Untitled from Self Portrait in a Convex Mirror and Cigar Box. Each canvas in the ranking above comes with its year and its museum.
How many paintings did Larry Rivers create?Read the answer
59 works by Larry Rivers are in our catalogue, dated 1953 to 1987.
Where do Larry Rivers's most famous canvases hang today?Read the answer
Mostly in Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk), Israel Museum (Jerusalem) and Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago); the list above names each museum and its canvases.
When did Larry Rivers paint the most famous canvases?Read the answer
In 1960s, which gave 17 of the 59 works on this page, Us from Stones among them.
Which famous Larry Rivers canvas came first, and which came last?Read the answer
The earliest canvas here is Kenneth Koch (1953); the latest is Bald Eagle, George and Part of the Constitution (1987).
Which subjects did Larry Rivers paint most?Read the answer
Arts (3), Man (2) and Abstract composition (2), across the 59 works on this page.
Which movement is Larry Rivers associated with?Read the answer
Pop art, as the canvases on this page show.
Which paintings by Larry Rivers are held by the Chrysler Museum of Art?Read the answer
The Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk holds 2 of the works on this page, among them Me and Me.
Meet the painter: Larry Rivers
Larry Rivers: A Life in Art, Music, and Film
- Born: August 17, 1923, The Bronx, United States of America
- Died: August 14, 2002
Larry Rivers (born Yitzroch Loiza Grossberg) was a multifaceted American artist whose career spanned painting, music, filmmaking, and acting. He is widely recognized as a pivotal figure in the development of Pop Art, bridging the gap between Abstract Expressionism and the burgeoning movement that embraced popular culture imagery. His unique blend of artistic disciplines and his distinctive personality cemented his place as a significant contributor to 20th-century art.
Early Life and Musical Pursuits
- Early Years: Born into a Jewish immigrant family from Ukraine, Rivers’ early life was shaped by the vibrant cultural landscape of the Bronx.
- Musical Beginnings: From 1940 to 1945, Rivers pursued a career as a jazz saxophonist in New York City. It was during this time that he adopted the name "Larry Rivers," famously introduced as “Larry Rivers and the Mudcats” at a local pub.
- Juilliard Studies: He briefly attended the Juilliard School of Music (1945-46), studying alongside Miles Davis, with whom he maintained a lifelong friendship. This musical foundation deeply influenced his artistic sensibilities, imbuing his work with rhythm and improvisation.
Artistic Development and Pop Art Pioneer
- Transition to Painting: In 1945, inspired by Georges Braque, Rivers began exploring painting. He studied at the Hans Hofmann School (1947-48), a crucial period in his artistic development.
- New York School and Pop Art Origins: Rivers became associated with the New York School of painters, but he uniquely blended abstract expressionist techniques with elements of popular culture. Many scholars consider him a key progenitor of Pop Art due to this innovative merging of styles. He was among eleven artists featured in the Terrain Gallery's opening exhibition in 1955.
- Signature Style: Rivers’ work often incorporated historical narratives, everyday objects, and self-referential elements, creating a distinctive visual language that challenged traditional artistic boundaries. Notable works include "Washington Crossing the Delaware" (1953), which became iconic and sparked considerable discussion about art and representation.
Major Works and Collaborations
- “Washington Crossing the Delaware” (1953): This large-scale painting, acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, is considered a landmark work that established Rivers’ reputation.
- Hotel Chelsea Years: During the early 1960s, Rivers resided at the Hotel Chelsea, a hub for artistic and literary figures. He interacted with and collaborated with numerous artists including Yves Klein, Arman, Martial Raysse, Jean Tinguely, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Christo, Daniel Spoerri, and others, contributing to the vibrant creative atmosphere of the time.
- Film and Documentary Work: Rivers ventured into filmmaking, collaborating with Pierre Dominique Gaisseau on the documentary "Africa and I" (1967). This project involved a perilous journey through Africa, narrowly escaping execution as suspected mercenaries. He also worked on video projects with Diana Molinari and Michel Auder.
- Notable Collaborations: Rivers maintained close relationships with poets Frank O'Hara and Kenneth Koch, resulting in collaborative works that intertwined poetry and visual art.
Legacy and Historical Significance
- Influence on Pop Art: Larry Rivers’ pioneering work significantly influenced the development of Pop Art, paving the way for artists like Andy Warhol. His ability to blend abstraction with narrative and popular imagery was groundbreaking.
- Retrospective Exhibitions: A major retrospective of his work was held at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 2002, solidifying his place in art history.
- Archival Preservation: New York University acquired correspondences and documents from the Larry Rivers Foundation to preserve his legacy for future generations.
- Controversies & Family Matters: A posthumous controversy arose regarding a film depicting his daughters as children, leading to its permanent removal from public display at NYU due to privacy concerns.