Mark Tobey

1890–1976

Getty record

Introduction

Beginning his career as an illustrator, Tobey was a deeply religious man, converting to the universalist Baha'i faith in 1918, which would in some way influence all of his works. After extensive traveling, including a period of time at a Zen monastary in Japan, Tobey taught art and philosophy at Dartington Hall in England until 1937. He then developed his "white writing" technique, painting white cursive writing on dark canvas, a technique which he would use extensively until his death. As an Abstract Expressionist, Tobey's work and career stand out as different because of his strong spiritual beliefs, as well as his varying interests (he was also a classically trained pianist).

Country of birth

United States

Roles

Artist, engraver, painter, photographer, sculptor

ULAN identifier

500012870

Names

Mark Tobey, Tobey, Mark George Tobey

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Information from the Getty Research Institute's Union List of Artist Names ® (ULAN), made available under the ODC Attribution License. Accessed December 18, 2025.

Not on view

First acquired
1950

Date of birth
December 11, 1890

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artists/1330