A rarely seen abstract painting by music legend Bob Dylan, originally bartered for an astrology reading in 1968, has resurfaced and recently sold for nearly $200,000 at auction, offering fans a unique look into his prolific artistic period in Woodstock, New York.
Music icon Bob Dylan is globally celebrated for his unparalleled songwriting and musical genius. However, a recent auction highlights another facet of his creative output: his visual art. An abstract painting, created by Dylan around 1968, which had been unseen in public for over 50 years, recently commanded a staggering $196,156 at auction.
This remarkable sum is particularly notable given the painting’s humble origins. Dylan originally traded the artwork not for money, but for an astrology reading and charts from Woodstock-area resident Sandy LaPanto. This exchange speaks volumes about the vibrant, communal, and often barter-based arts scene in Woodstock during the late 1960s.
Woodstock: A Crucible of Creativity and Recovery
The painting emerged from a highly significant period in Bob Dylan’s life. In 1966, after a serious motorcycle accident in Woodstock, New York, Dylan retreated from the public eye. This period of seclusion, described by Artnet as capping “an intense spell of touring and a successful run of albums,” became a fertile ground for diverse creative endeavors.
During his recovery, Dylan was incredibly prolific. He famously wrote some 100 songs, now collectively known as The Basement Tapes, in collaboration with The Band. What’s less widely known by the broader public is that he also painted extensively during this time, exploring his self-taught artistic talents.
The untitled abstract piece is one of the musician’s earliest known works and remained with LaPanto’s family for decades. Its recent rediscovery in the estate of her ex-husband, Anthony LaPanto, brought it back into the spotlight, offering fans and collectors a rare glimpse into Dylan’s visual artistry from this pivotal era.
The Barter System and Sandy LaPanto’s Role
The backstory of the painting’s acquisition is as fascinating as the artwork itself. Sandy LaPanto, a resident of Woodstock, was more than just a neighbor; she was a significant figure within the local arts community. According to literary scholar and historian Anne Margaret Daniel, LaPanto was “a mystic, a channeler, a reader of stars, and maker of astrology charts for her friends.”
This environment fostered a unique economy where expertise and creative output were often exchanged rather than bought with money. “The old arts community of Woodstock worked on the barter system then, and to a degree still does today; people trading their expertise and creative output, rather than exchanging money,” Daniel explained in the lot listing.
This early artwork by Bob Dylan thus serves as a tangible artifact of that distinct cultural milieu, showcasing a time when artistic expression was a currency in itself.
A Closer Look at the Artwork’s Distinctive Style
The abstract painting, created around 1968, is a vibrant fusion of bold colors and recognizable iconography. RR Auction, which handled the sale, described the piece as a “colorful and energetic abstract composition featuring the large central outline of a bull.”
The canvas is intricately filled with captivating abstract shapes and patterns, alongside distinct forms such as musical symbols, bull horns, bow ties, and a pair of eyes. Notably, a red outline of a man wearing a brimmed hat sits at the top of the canvas, which some observers suggest could be a self-portrait, mirroring Dylan’s iconic style during his Woodstock days. Despite its age, having suffered some minor paint losses and flaking, Dylan’s signature is visible on the back, accompanied by sketches of musical notes, further authenticating the piece.
Dylan’s Enduring Artistic Legacy Beyond Music
While this rediscovered painting offers a fresh perspective, it’s important to remember that Bob Dylan’s visual artistry is not entirely new to his fans. His paintings have graced the covers of his own albums, most notably 1970’s Self-Portrait, and were also featured on The Band’s 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink.
Dylan has continued to paint throughout the decades, with his work chronicling various aspects of his life, from road scenes to New York streetscapes. Although his paintings are rarely displayed or put up for auction, exhibitions like “The Drawn Blank Series” and a Florida exhibition in 2021 have given the public glimpses into his extensive visual portfolio. His earlier works have previously fetched significant prices, with an abstract nude from the 1960s selling for $100,000 in 2022.
Bobby Livingston, RR Auction executive vice president, emphasized the painting’s significance: “Bob Dylan’s visual art, like his music, draws from a deep well of cultural and personal expression. This painting from his Woodstock years is particularly evocative, capturing the vibrant and transformative spirit of the ’60s.” The auction, which coincidentally took place on Dylan’s 83rd birthday, further underscored the enduring impact of his multifaceted talent.
For dedicated fans, the rediscovery and auction of this painting represent a unique opportunity to connect with Dylan’s avant-garde creative powers during a pivotal moment as the 1960s drew to a close. It solidifies his position not just as a musical legend, but as a compelling visual artist whose work continues to intrigue and inspire.
