Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
ABSTRACT STYLE
Beginning in the early 20th century, abstract art became a leading style of modernism. Rather than portray the world in a way that represented reality, as had been the dominating style of Western art in the previous centuries, abstract paintings, prints and sculptures are marked by a shift to geometric forms, gestural shapes and experimentation with color to express ideas, subject matter and scenes.
Although abstract art flourished in the early 1900s, propelled by movements like Fauvism and Cubism, it was rooted in the 19th century. In the 1840s, J.M.W. Turner emphasized light and motion for atmospheric paintings in which concrete details were blurred, and Paul Cézanne challenged traditional expectations of perspective in the 1890s.
Some of the earliest abstract artists — Wassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint — expanded on these breakthroughs while using vivid colors and forms to channel spiritual concepts. Painter Piet Mondrian, a Dutch pioneer of the art movement, explored geometric abstraction partly owing to his belief in Theosophy, which is grounded in a search for higher spiritual truths and embraces philosophers of the Renaissance period and medieval mystics. Black Square, a daringly simple 1913 work by Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, was a watershed statement on creating art that was free “from the dead weight of the real world,” as he later wrote.
Surrealism in the 1920s, led by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Meret Oppenheim and others, saw painters creating abstract pieces in order to connect to the subconscious. When Abstract Expressionism emerged in New York during the mid-20th century, it similarly centered on the process of creation, in which Helen Frankenthaler’s expressive “soak-stain” technique, Jackson Pollock’s drips of paint, and Mark Rothko’s planes of color were a radical new type of abstraction.
Conceptual art, Pop art, Hard-Edge painting and many other movements offered fresh approaches to abstraction that continued into the 21st century, with major contemporary artists now exploring it, including Anish Kapoor, Mark Bradford, El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu.
Find original abstract paintings, sculptures, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Abstract
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Abstract Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Sculpture', c. 2008 by David Ruth
By David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Crayon
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Crayon, Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Nancy Cohen "Make Visible" Paper Pulp and Handmade Paper
By Nancy Cohen
Located in New York, NY
Line is the operative formal element in the work shown here, but there are many other lines in play. Pieces walk a line between drawings that might be tapestries or sculptures or pa...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
LA landscape from Jason's kitchen
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor
A GARDEN FOR ICARO - Etching on paper signed Gaetano Carboni, Italy 1970
Located in Napoli, IT
Etching on paper, signed Gaetano Carboni
A painter and engraver, Gaetano Carboni was born in 1928 in Ascoli Piceno and, between 1940 and 1950, implemented his first figurative experi...
Category
1970s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Etching, Aquatint
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Acrylic
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil, Oil Crayon
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Joshua Tree
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Joshua Tree
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Crayon
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil
Nancy Cohen "Disturbance" Paper Pulp and Handmade Paper
By Nancy Cohen
Located in New York, NY
Line is the operative formal element in the work shown here, but there are many other lines in play. Pieces walk a line between drawings that might be tapestries or sculptures or pa...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper
Nancy Cohen "Topography of the Body" Paper Pulp and Handmade Paper
By Nancy Cohen
Located in New York, NY
Line is the operative formal element in the work shown here, but there are many other lines in play. Pieces walk a line between drawings that might be tapestries or sculptures or pa...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper
20th century Belgium, Black and White Abstract pencil drawing, Etude
Located in Woodbury, CT
Outstanding pencil on paper Abstract drawing.
Marcel Dumont was a Liège artist who painted in oils and gouache, also produced collages and was an illustrator and engraver, doing so in a number of different styles. Early on in his career, he tended to produce paintings displaying a poetic realism but this changed over time until, in 1957, he was employing geometric abstraction and later still, the influence of pop art could be discerned. His geometric style has strong linear structure which occasionally veers to expressionism and the effect of this is an interesting sense of detachment that the viewer of the work can feel and one engages with the subject on a different level than one would normally expect. A critic wrote of him," Sometimes expressionist, sometimes linear, the abstraction forms itself willingly, in Marcel Dumont's world, to leave the rectangular structure to connect to carefully prepared tones. He retains also, in his abundant output, a few poetic pop-art collages together with a number of drawings and engravings illustrating Stefan Zweig...
Category
1940s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pencil
Nancy Cohen "Like Veins Passing Through Layers of Earth" Pulp and Handmade Paper
By Nancy Cohen
Located in New York, NY
Line is the operative formal element in the work shown here, but there are many other lines in play. Pieces walk a line between drawings that might be tapestries or sculptures or pa...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper
Cielo de Platón 3. Painting From the series Plato’s Heaven
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Cielo de Platón 3, 2021 by James Bonachea
From the series Plato’s Heaven
Soluble graphite on canvas
Image size: 160 cm H x 120 cm W
Unframed
The theory of Heaven is a novelty that ...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Canvas, Graphite
Doble Standard 17 and 14 Diptych. From The Doble Standard Series.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Doble Standard 17 and 14 Diptych, 2023 by James Bonachea
From The Series Doble Standard
Watercolor on cardboard
Overall size: 58 cm H x 80 cm W
Individual size: 58 cm H x 40 cm W
U...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Cardboard
La memoria de narciso 3, 4, and 2. The memory of narcissus series.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
La memoria de narciso 3, 4, and 2 Triptych, 2017 by James Bonachea
From The Series The memory of narcissus
Watercolor on cardboard
Overall size: 100 cm H x 210 cm W
Individual size:...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Cardboard
Wayvox
Located in New York, NY
Wayvox, 1986
Ballpoint pen on paper
11 x 8-1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)
Signed, titled, and dated, lower margin
At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and ...
Category
1980s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ballpoint Pen
Canto #22 (Abstract work on paper)
Located in London, GB
Canto #22 (Abstract work on paper)
Ink, oil on paper - unframed
This artwork will be shipped rolled in a dent-resistant tube.
Harald Kröner works thoroughly with paper, of which h...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Oil
Untilted, circa 1950, charcoal on paper
By Jean Pons
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean PONS (1913-2005)
Sans titre, circa 1950
Fusain et crayon noir sur papier
Monogrammé “JP” en bas à droite
27 x 33 cm
Cadre : 40 x 50 cm
Painter and lithographer born in Paris in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal
III-8 (hand painted, signed monoprint composition on two individual sheets)
By Michael Heizer
Located in New York, NY
Michael Heizer
III-8 (two unique works), 1983
Monoprint on two individual sheets of white handmade TGL paper, hand colored with colored pencils, paint sticks, and liquid and spray ac...
Category
1980s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Color Pencil, Monoprint, Mo...
Dovetail small 6 (Abstract drawing)
Located in London, GB
Dovetail small 6 (Abstract drawing)
Charcoal on paper - Unframed.
"Paper dimensions: 23.7 x 19.7 inch / 60.2 x 50 cm
Image's dimensions: 22.5 x 18.3 inch / 57.2 x 46.5 cm
Neill cre...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
Today, 2024, colorful, abstract, watercolor on paper
Located in New York, NY
Sarah Brenneman is an American artist based in West Orange, New Jersey working primarily in painting. Her overarching interest lies in abstraction as a universal language and she wor...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Cruisin' Every Path, abstract, colorful, watercolor on paper
Located in New York, NY
Sarah Brenneman is an American artist based in West Orange, New Jersey working primarily in painting. Her overarching interest lies in abstraction as a universal language and she wor...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Untitled Geometric Abstraction - unique signed and inscribed work -framed
Located in New York, NY
Paul Pagk
Untitled Geometric Abstraction, 1989
Gouache and watercolor on paper
Signed, dated and inscribed "A Jacqueline".
Frame included
Excellent unique work on paper by contempora...
Category
1980s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil, Graphite
Speak to Me, 2023, abstract, colorful, watercolor and acrylic on paper
Located in New York, NY
Sarah Brenneman is an American artist based in West Orange, New Jersey working primarily in painting. Her overarching interest lies in abstraction as a universal language and she wor...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
Sklye by Sam Francis - Abstract Modern Work on Paper
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
*UK BUYERS WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL 5% IMPORT DUTY ON TOP OF THE ABOVE PRICE
Sklye by Sam Francis (1923-1994)
Acrylic on paper
14.6 x 10.2 cm (5 ³/₄ x 4 inches)
Signed, Sam Francis an...
Category
1980s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Dovetail small 2 (Abstract drawing)
Located in London, GB
Dovetail small 2 (Abstract drawing)
Charcoal on paper - Unframed.
"Paper dimensions: 23.7 x 19.7 inch / 60.2 x 50 cm
Image's dimensions: 22.5 x 18.3 inch / 57.2 x 46.5 cm
Neill cre...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
"Floral whirlwind"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This acrylic painting makes part of my series dedicated to the scenes of a summer period.
This abstract vibrant floral painting called "Floral whirlwind" is done in a modern contemp...
Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Abstract abstract drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract abstract drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add abstract drawings and watercolors created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Martin Reyna , Mila Akopova, Jaanika Peerna, and Sumit Mehndiratta. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Abstract abstract drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available. Prices for abstract drawings and watercolors made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1 and tops out at $400,000, while the average work sells for $1,502.
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