William Christenberry

(American, 1936–2016)

William Christenberry was an American artist, recognized for his haunting color photographs of landscapes, signs, and abandoned structures in rural Alabama. Chistenberry’s small photographs made with a Kodak Brownie camera initially served as color references for his expressionist paintings, but took on a primary role in his creative output as the artist discovered the work of photographers like Walker Evans, and later William Eggleston. Born on November 5, 1936 in Tuscaloosa, AL, Christenberry studied painting at the University of Alabama where he received both his BFA and MA. The artist continued making paintings and sculptures throughout his life and taught painting and drawing at the Corcoran School of Arts in Washington D.C. for many decades. On his relationship to the rural South, he has said, “My stance is very subjective…, the place is so much a part of me. I can’t escape it and have no desire to escape it. I continue to come to grips with it… It’s a love affair—a lifetime of involvement with a place.” Christenberry died on November 28, 2016 in Washington, D.C. His works are in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., and the Kemper Museum in Kansas City.

William Christenberry Artworks

William Christenberry (330 results)
(Dartmouth), 2003 (Jan. 19), 2003

William Christenberry

(Dartmouth), 2003 (Jan. 19), 2003

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled, (Feb. 17), 2005, 2005

William Christenberry

Untitled, (Feb. 17), 2005, 2005

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Studio Wall, 2014

William Christenberry

Studio Wall, 2014

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Alabama Wall, 1975

William Christenberry

Alabama Wall, 1975

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Magenta Car, Havana, Alabama, 1976

William Christenberry

Magenta Car, Havana, Alabama, 1976

Jackson Fine Art

Price on Request

Magenta Car, Havana, Alabama, 1976, 2006

William Christenberry

Magenta Car, Havana, Alabama, 1976, 2006

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Selected Images, 1978–1981

William Christenberry

Selected Images, 1978–1981

Sale Date: April 4, 2024

Auction Closed

Night Spot, Marion, Alabama, 1972

William Christenberry

Night Spot, Marion, Alabama, 1972

Sale Date: November 8, 2023

Auction Closed