Portrait of Carl Newman

The 100 Most Famous Carl Newman Paintings, a Gallery Selection

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 103 works by Carl Newman in our catalogue

In short

Of all the originals Carl Newman left, the most famous is Female Nude Torso. Close behind it come Seated Female Nudes and Reclining Female Nude with Legs Crossed. Our catalog holds 103 works by Carl Newman; the gallery has kept the 100 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.

1858 – 1932 Cubism Most works: Smithsonian American Art Museum
Female Nude Torso by Carl Newman1. Female Nude Torso Seated Female Nudes by Carl Newman2. Seated Female Nudes Reclining Female Nude with Legs Crossed by Carl Newman3. Reclining Female Nude with Legs Crossed

Carl Newman's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice

The Carl Newman selection continues, 11 to 100

11Group of Three Female Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Three Female Nudes 12Two Nudes by Carl NewmanTwo Nudes 13(Lady Reflected in Mirror) (1910) by Carl Newman(Lady Reflected in Mirror)1910 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 14(Landscape with Red Roof Building) (1910) by Carl Newman(Landscape with Red Roof Building)1910 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 15(Head of a Young Girl Facing Her Left) (1910) by Carl Newman(Head of a Young Girl Facing Her Left)1910 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 16Landscape (1914) by Carl NewmanLandscape1914 17Portrait of a Woman (1916) by Carl NewmanPortrait of a Woman1916 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 18Spirit of Christmas (1920) by Carl NewmanSpirit of Christmas1920 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 19Church with Cedar Tree on Left (1932) by Carl NewmanChurch with Cedar Tree on Left1932 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 20(Women in Landscape with Blue Border) (1932) by Carl Newman(Women in Landscape with Blue Border)1932 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 21Landscape with Pond Newman's Yard (1932) by Carl NewmanLandscape with Pond Newman's Yard1932 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 22Nude (1916) by Carl NewmanNude1916 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 23(Adam and Eve) (1932) by Carl Newman(Adam and Eve)1932 · Smithsonian American Art Museum 24Mantle Plan by Carl NewmanMantle Plan 25Female Nude, Standing by Carl NewmanFemale Nude, Standing 26Female Nude Leaning Over by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Leaning Over 27Seated Nude by Carl NewmanSeated Nude 28Standing Female Nude with Drape by Carl NewmanStanding Female Nude with Drape 29Nude Woman by Carl NewmanNude Woman 30Female Nude by Carl NewmanFemale Nude 31Two Figures by Carl NewmanTwo Figures 32Reclining Nude by Carl NewmanReclining Nude 33Three Figure Studies by Carl NewmanThree Figure Studies 34Nude Female Torso by Carl NewmanNude Female Torso 35Two Standing Female Nudes by Carl NewmanTwo Standing Female Nudes 36Female Figure by Carl NewmanFemale Figure 37Group of Two Female Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Two Female Nudes 38City Scene Abstract by Carl NewmanCity Scene Abstract 39Female Nude with Drape by Carl NewmanFemale Nude with Drape 40Standing Figure of a Woman by Carl NewmanStanding Figure of a Woman 41Seated Woman by Carl NewmanSeated Woman 42Reclining Female Nude with Book by Carl NewmanReclining Female Nude with Book 43Group of Abstract Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Abstract Nudes 44Group of Three Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Three Nudes 45Girl Arranging Hair by Carl NewmanGirl Arranging Hair 46Reclining Nude, Back View by Carl NewmanReclining Nude, Back View 47Two Standing Nudes by Carl NewmanTwo Standing Nudes 48Back View of Standing Female Nude by Carl NewmanBack View of Standing Female Nude 49Reclining Nude, Female by Carl NewmanReclining Nude, Female 50Female Nude (Two) by Carl NewmanFemale Nude (Two) 51Mother and Child by Carl NewmanMother and Child 52Female Nude on Knees by Carl NewmanFemale Nude on Knees 53Group of Four Female Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Four Female Nudes 54Standing Nude by Carl NewmanStanding Nude 55Dancer by Carl NewmanDancer 56Two Female Nudes, Sitting by Carl NewmanTwo Female Nudes, Sitting 57Three Women by Carl NewmanThree Women 58Female Nude Composite by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Composite 59Reclining Female Nude, Back View by Carl NewmanReclining Female Nude, Back View 60Standing Female Dancer by Carl NewmanStanding Female Dancer 61Female Nude, Reclining by Carl NewmanFemale Nude, Reclining 62Two Female Nudes by Carl NewmanTwo Female Nudes 63Female Nude on Hands and Knees by Carl NewmanFemale Nude on Hands and Knees 64Roadster by Carl NewmanRoadster 65Female Nude Arranging Hair by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Arranging Hair 66Female Nude with Black Stockings by Carl NewmanFemale Nude with Black Stockings 67Female Nude Arranging Hair, Back View by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Arranging Hair, Back View 68Reclining Nude Women by Carl NewmanReclining Nude Women 69Standing Female Nude by Carl NewmanStanding Female Nude 70Female Nude Lying Down by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Lying Down 71Four Female Nudes by Carl NewmanFour Female Nudes 72Theatrical Scene by Carl NewmanTheatrical Scene 73Group of Three Reclining Female Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Three Reclining Female Nudes 74Head of Woman by Carl NewmanHead of Woman 75Two Nude Figures by Carl NewmanTwo Nude Figures 76Female Nude Bending Over by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Bending Over 77Group of Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Nudes 78Female Nude Leaning on Left Knee by Carl NewmanFemale Nude Leaning on Left Knee 79Reclining Female Nude by Carl NewmanReclining Female Nude 80Two Nude Female Figures by Carl NewmanTwo Nude Female Figures 81Sitting Female Nude by Carl NewmanSitting Female Nude 82Nude Woman, Back View by Carl NewmanNude Woman, Back View 83Composite of Three Women by Carl NewmanComposite of Three Women 84Abstract Seated Figure by Carl NewmanAbstract Seated Figure 85Male and Female Nude by Carl NewmanMale and Female Nude 86Two Female Nudes, Reclining by Carl NewmanTwo Female Nudes, Reclining 87Abstract Flowers in Left by Carl NewmanAbstract Flowers in Left 88Reclining Female Nude with Table by Carl NewmanReclining Female Nude with Table 89Two Female Figures in Garden by Carl NewmanTwo Female Figures in Garden 90Woman with Tennis Racket and Two Figure Studies by Carl NewmanWoman with Tennis Racket and Two Figure Studies 91Abstract by Carl NewmanAbstract 92Abstract Woman by Carl NewmanAbstract Woman 93Reclining Female Nude with Attendant by Carl NewmanReclining Female Nude with Attendant 94Back View of Female Nude by Carl NewmanBack View of Female Nude 95Group of Nude and Semi Nude Women by Carl NewmanGroup of Nude and Semi Nude Women 96Seated Female Nude, Side View by Carl NewmanSeated Female Nude, Side View 97Two Women in a Garden, One Seated Woman by Carl NewmanTwo Women in a Garden, One Seated Woman 98Group of Female Nudes by Carl NewmanGroup of Female Nudes 99Reclining Woman by Carl NewmanReclining Woman 100Seated Female Nude by Carl NewmanSeated Female Nude

Carl Newman's famous paintings, period by period

Mature Period

6 works in this list
Female Nude, Sitting, Carl Newman #7 Female Nude, Sitting Female Nude Resting on Knees on Bed, Carl Newman #9 Female Nude Resting on Knees on Bed Two Reclining Female Nudes, Carl Newman #10 Two Reclining Female Nudes Group of Three Female Nudes, Carl Newman #11 Group of Three Female Nudes Two Nudes, Carl Newman #12 Two Nudes

Late Medieval

7 works in this list
Seated Nude, Carl Newman #27 Seated Nude Nude Woman, Carl Newman #29 Nude Woman Two Figures, Carl Newman #31 Two Figures Three Figure Studies, Carl Newman #33 Three Figure Studies Two Standing Female Nudes, Carl Newman #35 Two Standing Female Nudes

The subjects that held Carl Newman's eye

The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.

Female nude figure 4 works

Female Nude, Sitting, Carl Newman #7 Female Nude, Sitting Female Nude, Back View, Carl Newman #8 Female Nude, Back View Group of Three Female Nudes, Carl Newman #11 Group of Three Female Nudes Back View of Standing Female Nude, Carl Newman #48 Back View of Standing Female Nude

Nude figures 4 works

Two Reclining Female Nudes, Carl Newman #10 Two Reclining Female Nudes Two Nudes, Carl Newman #12 Two Nudes Three Figure Studies, Carl Newman #33 Three Figure Studies Group of Three Reclining Female Nudes, Carl Newman #73 Group of Three Reclining Female Nudes

Reclining pose 4 works

Reclining Female Nude with Book, Carl Newman #42 Reclining Female Nude with Book Two Reclining Female Nudes, Carl Newman #10 Two Reclining Female Nudes Two Nudes, Carl Newman #12 Two Nudes Group of Three Reclining Female Nudes, Carl Newman #73 Group of Three Reclining Female Nudes

Human form study 4 works

Seated Nude, Carl Newman #27 Seated Nude Group of Three Female Nudes, Carl Newman #11 Group of Three Female Nudes Three Figure Studies, Carl Newman #33 Three Figure Studies Back View of Standing Female Nude, Carl Newman #48 Back View of Standing Female Nude

The museums that keep Carl Newman's originals

The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Carl Newman Paintings from this list
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.Smithsonian American Art Museum Washington, D.C. 13 Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Helene, Landscape, (Lady Reflected in Mirror)

Carl Newman decade by decade: the original that defines each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Collectors' questions about Carl Newman's paintings

Which work is Carl Newman most famous for?Reveal the answer

Female Nude Torso. Seated Female Nudes and Reclining Female Nude with Legs Crossed come next.

What are the ten most famous Carl Newman paintings?Reveal the answer

Female Nude Torso, Seated Female Nudes, Reclining Female Nude with Legs Crossed, Group of Six Female Nudes, Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Helene, Landscape, Female Nude, Sitting, Female Nude, Back View, Female Nude Resting on Knees on Bed and Two Reclining Female Nudes. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.

How many paintings did Carl Newman leave?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 103 works by Carl Newman, dated from 1896 to 1932.

In which museums do Carl Newman's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.). The museum table above lists them all.

In which years did Carl Newman paint the most famous works?Reveal the answer

In 1910s: 7 of the 100 works on this page were made then, Landscape among them.

What are the first and the last famous originals of Carl Newman?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Helene (1896) and the latest Church with Cedar Tree on Left (1932).

Which subjects did Carl Newman choose most often?Reveal the answer

Female nude figure (4), Nude figures (4) and Reclining pose (4), across the 100 works on this page.

To which art movement does Carl Newman belong?Reveal the answer

Cubism and Realism, judging by the originals on this page.

Which Carl Newman works hang at the Smithsonian American Art Museum?Reveal the answer

Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Helene, Landscape and (Lady Reflected in Mirror): the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. holds 12 of the works on this page.

Carl Newman: life and work

A Life Painted in Bold Strokes: The Story of Carl Newman

Carl Newman (1858-1932) remains a compelling, if often overlooked, figure in the landscape of late 19th and early 20th century American art. Born in Germany – though details surrounding his earliest life are somewhat elusive – Newman’s artistic journey took root in Philadelphia, where he became a student at the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in both 1876 and 1879. This foundational training would prove crucial, shaping his approach to figurative work that would later spark both admiration and controversy. He married Helene Zaun of Philadelphia in 1883, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen shortly thereafter, solidifying his commitment to the American art scene. Newman wasn’t merely a painter; he was an educator, holding a teaching position at the Academy from 1892 to 1895, influencing a generation of artists with his distinctive style and perspective.

The Figurative World and Controversial Themes

Newman's oeuvre is characterized by its focus on the human form, encompassing nudes, portraits, and landscapes. However, it was his treatment of these subjects – particularly his bold depictions of nude figures – that set him apart and often drew criticism. In an era marked by Victorian sensibilities, Newman’s work possessed a frankness and sensuality that challenged prevailing norms. He didn't shy away from portraying the body with a directness rarely seen at the time, leading to debates about propriety and artistic license. Beyond nudes, his portraits reveal a keen understanding of human psychology, capturing not just likeness but also an inner life within his subjects. His landscapes, while less frequently discussed, demonstrate a similar commitment to realism and emotional depth, often serving as backdrops for his figurative compositions.

Influences and Artistic Development

Pinpointing specific artistic influences on Newman is complex, yet the echoes of European academic painting are clearly discernible in his early work. The emphasis on anatomical accuracy and classical composition points to a strong grounding in traditional techniques. However, Newman wasn’t simply a mimic; he gradually developed a style that incorporated elements of realism with a growing interest in abstraction. This can be seen in pieces like “Abstract Flowers in Left,” where geometric forms and muted tones suggest a move away from purely representational art. While not fully embracing Cubism or other avant-garde movements, Newman’s experimentation demonstrates an openness to new ideas and a desire to push the boundaries of his own artistic expression. His work also shares affinities with artists exploring similar themes of modernity and psychological realism, though he maintained a distinctly individual voice.

Exhibitions and Legacy

Throughout his career, Carl Newman actively exhibited his work at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1887 to 1921, consistently showcasing his evolving style and subject matter. These exhibitions provided a platform for both recognition and scrutiny, solidifying his presence within the Philadelphia art community. While he may not have achieved widespread fame during his lifetime, Newman’s work has experienced renewed interest in recent years. His paintings are now held in prestigious collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, ensuring that his contributions to American art are preserved for future generations. The rediscovery of his artwork offers a valuable insight into the artistic debates and social tensions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A Lasting Impression

Carl Newman’s significance lies not only in his technical skill but also in his willingness to challenge conventions. He was an artist who dared to portray the human form with honesty and sensuality, even when it meant facing criticism and controversy. His work serves as a reminder that art is often at its most powerful when it provokes thought and challenges established norms. Newman’s legacy extends beyond his paintings; he represents a spirit of artistic independence and a commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience. His bold style continues to resonate with contemporary audiences, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in American art history and inspiring artists to push the boundaries of their own creative expression.
All 103 works by Carl Newman →