An artist like Lawrence Ferlinghetti, capable of fully expressing himself both in literature and painting, validates the theses, debated through the centuries, that there are connecting elements between painting and poetry.

- Giorgio Weiss in Ferlinghetti: The Poet as Painter (Rome: Progetti Museali Editore, 1996)


Any attempt to locate the work of Lawrence Ferlinghetti under the rubric of Romanticism, or for that matter, any 'ism' is ill-conceived. There is no ism that is him and although he has been linked in his writing and publishing ventures with the Beats (Ginsbergm Corso, Kerouac, Burroughs, et al.), he has steadfastly insisted on his work being divorced from these and any other 'movements'. The movement of his work and the way in which his work moves has been informed by the incessant need for the artist to take action in the world and for the world to act upon the artist.

- Alan Rutberg in Ferlinghetti: The Poet as Painter (Rome: Progetti Museali Editore, 1996)

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's artworks are lyrical explorations that reflect his interests as a painter, poet, writer, founder of City Lights Books, publisher, man of the sea, and activist. Recognized internationally for his literary work, Ferlinghetti's work as a visual artist also spans more than six decades. The iconography in his works includes images of women, lovers, boats at sea, birds, writers, artists, nature and political struggle. Some works incorporate texts that add commentary or establish a literary reference for the imagery. Please contact us for additional information.