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Modern Contemporary Art

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Modern
Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Platinum Leaf Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum, Platinum

Artistic Mosaic Handmade Glass & Marble Mosaic Gold Platinum Leaf
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble, Aluminum, Platinum, Gold Leaf

Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Platinum Leaf
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum, Platinum

Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Pirate Round Wall Art Decoration, Aged Brass, Silver Dagger and Precious Stones
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration: Limited edition 1/10 This piece of art tells stories of looting and fury, from pirates to avid treasure hunters. The luxurious dagger ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Sheet Metal, Sterling Silver, Metal, Brass, Silver

Contemporary Design 'Momentum standing wall sculpture" by Andredottir & Bobek
Located in copenhagen, DK
One of a kind, contemporary design, momentum standing wall sculpture embody the surface of lava stone and rocks. Made by the art and design duo Andredottir & Bobek They have in t...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Foam

Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Gold Leaf Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum, Gold Leaf

Artistic Mosaic Handmade Gold & Platinum Leaf Mother of Pearl
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble, Aluminum, Platinum, Gold Leaf

Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Albanian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Contemporary Aluminum Blue and Orange Abstract Artwork Spanish Dario Urzay
Located in Madrid, ES
Darío Urzay Paisaje (Childhood) II, 2008 Mixed technique on aluminum. Dario Urzay works shows that art should operate in an open world, not limited by exclusion. A world of continuo...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Artistic Mosaic Handmade Glass and Marble Mosaic Platinum Leaf
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble, Aluminum, Platinum

Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Limited Edition 78/95 Bill Mack Signed Bronze Statue Picture Titled Solitude
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1987 Limited Edition number 78/95 Bill Mack Solitude bonded bronze picture The impact of Bill Mack's art is...
Category

1980s European Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Bronze

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing 'tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Tile Panel Floral Handmade Decorative
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resultin...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Joan Miró "Les Essències De La Terra" Poster from 1969 in Milan, Italy
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
Poster for the exhibition: "Les Essències de la Terra" and the presentation of the Book: "Joan Miró i Catalunya" by Juan Perucho in 1969 at Al Milione Gallery, Milan, Italy. Date:...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Still Live Painting of Butterflies by Bridget Orlando
Located in London, GB
Still Life of butterflies painted on canvas by Bridget Orlando in Photo-Realistic style. The inspiration for this painting came from an early twentieth century collection of butterflies from all over the world mounted with pins in boxes. Bridget became fascinated by the ephemeral beauty and fragility of butterflies, the intricacies of their patterned wings which require close scrutiny. On a large scale they become a blaze of color and texture, easily seen from a distance. They have a surreal element of something being larger than it should be, like a scene from Gulliver Travels...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint, Canvas

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing 'tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Glass

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Glass

20th Century Italian Acrylic Abstract Urban Expressionist Painting on Canvas
By Andrea Spinelli
Located in Firenze, IT
The present work of art titled "Urban Abstraction (ripped off posters)" is part of a series of paintings that the artist composed in the 1980s and 1990s inspired by the observation of the urban reality of those years. The artist take the cue from his walks in Florence, both in the center and in the suburbs, and by the observation of billboards and posters scattered throughout the city. The mass of information, colors, messages and words were carried on the canvas with acrylic colors, ideally reconstructing the tears and overlaps of all the information and advertising contained on these huge sheets of paper that invade our cities. The geometric lines are overlaid with jagged lines, overlaps and color dripping and also the choice in the color palette, with different shades of white, gray, rose, orange red and blue helps in rendering the result of the tears and ripped paper. The result is a beautiful multicolored modern abstract canvas, both aesthetically and ethically, with many rich layers of color, texture and expression in which the artist leaves his own message. The painting is housed in a simple modern white lacquer wood frame. Andrea Spinelli...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Modern, Contemporary, Abstract Painting by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
'Circle of Life' 2020, reflects the pull push tension as well as continuation of life using strong contrasting color. Using a spatula rather than a paint brush Wittig layers the pain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Tejo Black and White Handmade Decorative Tile Panel
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, res...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

"Highway" 2003 Black & White Photography Gelatin Silver Print Ana Maria Cortesão
By Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau
Located in Coimbra, PT
"Highway" Street Photography /2000, Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Digital Print. Unframed Signed, titled, date & print date on verso. Ana Maria Cortesão...
Category

Early 2000s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Other

Albert Bitran Mixed Media on Paper, 1982
By Albert Bitran
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Albert Bitran mixed media, (colored pencil, charcoal, and chalk) on paper, signed and dated 1982, in excellent condition. Framed Dimension of the drawing: 52 x 40 cm Albert Bitra...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Paper

'Doves and Crows' Acryl on Canvas/2013 by Eitan Rubin
Located in Vienna, AT
'Doves and Crows' Acryl on canvas/2013 60 x 80 cm by Eitan Rubin
Category

2010s Austrian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Running Black and blue Reflection, circa 1988
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

"Suspended Lives" 2018 Utopian Sculptures Serial Prints by Fernando Crespo #100
Located in Coimbra, PT
F. Crespo author of a world-famous giant sculpture Pope Francis Heart. Makes a first edition of his private and utopian projects. Fernando Crespo is a ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Other

"Erotic Mind III" 2018 Utopian Sculptures Serial Prints by Fernando Crespo #100
Located in Coimbra, PT
F. Crespo author of a world-famous giant sculpture Pope Francis Heart. Makes a first edition of his private and utopian projects. Fernando Crespo is a ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Other

Abstract Representation of the Print Media on a Yellow Background, 1965
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

The Hermit Crab & His New Shell, 1964
Located in Miami, FL
Signed by the artist. Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After st...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

Window to the sea in Blue and Grey Nuances Abstract Flag in Red, circa 1976
Located in Miami, FL
Signed by the artist. Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After stud...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

Art wall panel scagliola relief decor handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
The title of this work is "Evolution" in this panel the artist Lodovico Cupioli represented a river in his particular vision. From the primordial Era after the game of time, the orig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Scagliola

Modern, Contemporary Landscape, multi-colour Oil on Canvas by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
'Celebration of Colour' finished in 2020, reflects the contrasting nature of colour in spring. Using a spatula rather than a paint brush Wittig layers the paint creating surface tens...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint, Canvas

Set of 456 Painted Panels “Ändlös Vägg”/”Endless Wall” by Einar Höste, Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of 456 painted panels “Ändlös Vägg”/”Endless Wall” by Einar Höste, Sweden, 1970s. Painted wooden panels. This is the artist's most significant work...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

Handball in the Sky, Blue, Orange, Red on a Black and White Background, 1977
Located in Miami, FL
Signed by the artist. Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After st...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

Painting blue scagliola artwork decoration handmade in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Artistic wall panel, a tribute to the artist Alfred Roller. This artwork has been manufactured always using our inlay technique in semi-textured s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Scagliola

Have You Seen My Shirt Two Figured Represented in an Erotic Situation
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood, Paint, Acrylic

Flowing in the Right Direction by Peter Schmidt, 1971, Europaeische Graphik
Located in London, GB
Flowing in the Right Direction from Europaeische Graphik VII, 1971; lithograph printed in colours, signed and numbered 2/65 in pencil, printed by the Curwen Studio, published by Wolfgang Ketter, with their blindstamp. Note: For a similar example see Tate PO6459 Presented in a new hardwood ebonised box frame. About the artist: Peter Schmidt...
Category

1970s British Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Figure in Red Contemplating an Orange Sunset on a Night Scene with Many People
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

Robert Combas, Original Serigraphy, 83/100, 1992
By Robert Combas
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Robert Combas, large original serigraphy mounted on canvas, 83/100, 1992, signed in pencil, framed. 125 x 98cm with frame, 110 x 85cm without.  
Category

1990s French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Glass, Paper

Wall panel modern red art decoration handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
Scagliola art panel decoration in relief realised on a wooden support and with a white wooden frame. "Preposition with which the Heraclitis express the eternal becoming of reality, comparing the latter to a river that only apparently remains one and identical, but which in fact continually renews itself and transforms itself, so that it is not given to dive into it more than once, because the second time strictly speaking it is not the same river as the first one. This conception constitutes the antithesis of that of the absolute eternal unity and immutability of being. In one fragment Heraclitus emphasizes that man can never experience twice as much, since every entity, in its apparent reality, is subjected to the inexorable law of change Artistical Technique: Scagliola art on wood panel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Scagliola, Wood

Abstract Art Painting, Signed, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Abstract art painting. Signed, 20th century.  
Category

20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

Etching by Su Xiaobai "Intactness D", 2015
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Su Xiaobai "Intactness D" Etching, 2015 Measures: 60 x 65 cm Edition 40 Edition number might be different as we have more than one copy available.
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Modern Painting by Jai Piccone’s Atrium 24
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Jai Piccone’s Atrium 24 is the product of a desire to create art in a more hands on approach. From a background of digital art and graphic design the shift to painting felt a necessa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas

Abstract Expressionism Painting
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An exceptional abstract expressionism painting signed PAULET circa 1950 Poliakoff school.
Category

1950s European Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint

"Beauty at the Window" Black & White Photography Portrait - Gelatin Silver Print
By Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau
Located in Coimbra, PT
"Beauty at the Window" Street Photography /2000, Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Gelatin Silver Print Signed, titled, negative date and print date on vers...
Category

Early 2000s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Other

‘Self Actualisation’ One off Wall Tapestry, Handmade by Lawrence Kwakye
Located in Voorburg, NL
‘Self Actualisation’, a handmade painting by Lawrence Kwakye consisting of oil on jute, cotton, linen. Everyone knows the old French Gobelins from the 17th century; large tapestries ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Jute, Cotton, Linen, Paint

Tile Panel Prisma Handmade Decorative
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Faience, Wood

Bathing Beauties Oil on Canvas, Original by Arkadi Ostromuchov
Located in Vienna, AT
Bathing beauties oil on canvas, original by Arkadi Ostromuchov "Beware this is not an exercise" Arkadiji Ostromuchov wurde in Russland geboren, und absolvierte seine Ausbildung ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas

"The Teaser" Black and White Photography Gelatin Silver Print Ana Maria Cortesão
By Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau
Located in Coimbra, PT
"The Teaser" street photography /2000, Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Gelatin Silver Print. Unframed Signed, titled, negative date & print date on verso. Please take a moment to visit our art gallery on 1stdibs listed in the Fine art section. Ana Maria Cortesão...
Category

Early 2000s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Other

Jordi Alcaraz Abstract Artwork Mixed Media Collectible Item
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of contemporary art with the Jordi Alcaraz Abstract Artwork. Created in 2015 by renowned Spanish artist Jordi Alcaraz, this framed artwork s...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

Modern contemporary art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern contemporary art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage contemporary art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern contemporary art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original contemporary art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Louise Heighes, Las Animas, and Sabrina Landini. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for contemporary art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $110 and tops out at $191,803 while the average work can sell for $3,868.

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