SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
The American artist Nancy Graves (1939–1995), active in several media and also known as Nancy Stevenson Graves, developed a body of work encompassing sculptural forms as well as works on paper and printed images. After graduating from Vassar College in 1961, she continued her studies at Yale University, where she received an MFA in painting in 1964. In 1969, she was selected for a solo presentation at the Whitney Museum of Art; the source described her at the time as the youngest artist and the fifth woman to receive such a presentation.
Her work comprises sculpture, painting, drawing, watercolours and prints. She also made five films described as avant-garde and designed stage sets, extending her practice beyond painting and sculpture. She received commissions for large-scale sculptures designed for specific sites. Among the listed works is National Air and Space Museum, dated 1975 and included in the catalogue of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Her work has been presented in several subsequent exhibitions. Nancy Graves : bonjour ! La lune, Mars et les multitudes du vivant ran from 5 September to 5 October 2019; she was also among the artists in The gaze of Barbara Rose, presented from 14 December 2022 to 28 January 2023. The gallery states that works by Graves are held in the public collections of the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Whitney Museum of Art.
This profile brings together identity references for Nancy Graves and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
1 references are documented at Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Watercolour, pastel and oil pastel on paper
Four, 1977
Aquarell, Pastell- und Ölkreide auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2023-11-03
Published result : 6803 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 2000–2500
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
