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.
$3,600
follow your path - Original Abstract Blue Tone Mixed Media Sculptural Artwork
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Krista Reuter's contemporary paper sculpture artworks unfold like a quiet study in light, shadow, texture, and dimensional abstraction. Hand-cut and layered with meticulous precision...
Gold Leaf
Nick Thomm - Loom (HYDRA) Standard
By Nick Thomm
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'LOOM' (Hydra) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 305. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW. Worldwide Shipping. Sold Unframed.
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
avp_1380 - Original Color Drenching Contemporary Abstract Painting on Paper
By Alex Voinea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The colorful abstract artworks of Romanian artist Alex Voinea are inspired by experiments with paint poured over vibrating surfaces, such as speakers at full volume. Alex Voinea coll...
Paper, Acrylic
"Tabasco" - Vintage Glass Sculpture
Located in Westport, CT
Resurrect Studio, “Tabasco,” Vintage Glass Sculpture, 26 x 19 x 12 in. “Tabasco” is a bold and commanding vintage glass sculpture by Resurrect Studio, the collaborative practice of ...
Glass, Resin
Cafe Bougainvillea, Oil Painting
By Aruna Rao
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A sunlit cafe courtyard framed by bougainvillea in full bloom comes alive with color and movement. Expressive brushwork and thick impasto in the foliage create ...
Oil
Dualidad I, Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, 21st Century
Located in Mexico City, MX
Dualidad I Beads on Wood Panel More than 10,000 beads Ready to hang 25 x 20 cm 2023 About the artist Colectivo Aurora is the new project of a plastic artist and a designer whose w...
Wood, Mixed Media
Maple Hill, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A lone multi-colored tree stands proudly in the middle of the composition, hazy and dream-like with its undefined edges. A gentle reflection of these fall col...
Oil
February Roses, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Nicole Lamothe creates a simple yet striking composition of velvety red roses in a clear glass vase. A single petal falls to the table, directing the e...
Oil
$5,500
"Clearing", Vintage Glass Sculpture, Reclaimed Victorian Glass, 15x15x5 in.
Located in Westport, CT
Resurrect Studio, “Clearing,” Vintage Glass Sculpture, 15 x 15 x 5 in. “Clearing” is a luminous vintage glass sculpture by Resurrect Studio, the collaborative practice of Nancy Wu a...
Glass, Resin
A501A - Large Blue Green Abstract Expressionism Layered Original Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swiss born artist Marco Schmidli creates minimalist paintings with a contemporary edge. Placing emphasis on process, he lets the mediums naturally manifest within his artwork. “An im...
Canvas, Acrylic
$10,000
Falling Fire - Muted Color Atmospheric Abstract Alluring Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mark Acetelli’s oil and mixed media paintings awaken the viewer’s sense of exploration and adventure; they demand a new discovery. His artworks exhibit a chemistry of complexity and ...
Canvas, Oil
Blue Poppies, Sept 7, 2022 (Ed: 22/50)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Donald Sultan is an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker. He is particularly well-known for large-scale still life paintings, and one of the first to employ a wide range of ind...
Screen
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Pinky , 120x100cm, acrylic on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Pinky , 2022, 120x100cm
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Permanent Marker
Sarugh Persian Rug – Bold Red Design with an Elegant Beige Border
Located in Winterswijk, NL
This oriental rug is classic in the best sense of the word and fits in with any interior style, because oriental rugs are currently experiencing a true renaissance. Oriental rugs are...
Silk
$1,065
avp_1618 - Original Abstract Deep Magenta Tone Contemporary Painting on Paper
By Alex Voinea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The colorful abstract artworks of Romanian artist Alex Voinea are inspired by experiments with paint poured over vibrating surfaces, such as speakers at full volume. Alex Voinea coll...
Paper, Acrylic
$6,200
Faded Rose - Muted Color Atmospheric Abstract Alluring Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mark Acetelli’s oil and mixed media paintings awaken the viewer’s sense of exploration and adventure; they demand a new discovery. His artworks exhibit a chemistry of complexity and ...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled Abstract
Located in New York, NY
Oil on yellow paper mounted on board. No visible signature but numbered "414" in pencil on reverse. Overall dimension of board is 15 x 16.75 inches.
Oil
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Banana leaves, 100x70cm, acrylic/canvas/pastel
By Fleur
Located in Yerevan, AM
Banana leaves 100x70 cm Fleur Professional artist from Belarus
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
$650Sale Price|25% Off
Concrete Sky I - Bold Meditative Gold Leaf Red Painting on Linen Canvas
By Jason DeMeo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract minimalist artist Jason DeMeo presents a collection of artworks designed to engage viewers in a meditative experience, drawing them closer to the enduring ideals of truth, b...
Gold Leaf
$2,600
Fiber Art Collage Israeli Modernist Vibrant Colorful Tapestry Wall Hanging Rug
By Smadar Livne
Located in Surfside, FL
Smadar Livne, an Israeli born artist, is currently living and creating in Owings Mills, Maryland. An award winning artist, she is recognized as one of today’s leading Judaica artists. Educated at Haifa University, Livne has degrees in art, literature, and architecture. She has continued her education of philosophy through Baltimore Hebrew University. Portraying scenes from her life and learning is what gives her work an edge. Livne’s works are vibrant and exciting, and express the joy that Livne sees in life. Not only are the works beautiful, but subtle messages are also painted into each piece, and require time for observation and reflection. Technique sets Livne apart from the rest. Using bold, bright colors and wide strokes, she adds other items in a layering technique. The eye catching result contains layers of paint, fabric, wool and other materials objects, and meaning. Following in the manner of Calman Shemi and before him Kopel Gurwin, Itche Mambush and Georges Goldstein...
Textile
"20 Scents, " Mixed Media Collage
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Fabric, Wood, Paper
Nick Thomm - AFTER DARK (BLUE)
By Nick Thomm
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'After Dark' (Blue) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 125 Hand Signed and Numbered #106 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW...
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$4,000
Sol Lewitt, Geometric Abstraction Louis Vuitton 100% Silk Scarf, Limited Ed. 250
By Sol LeWitt
Located in New York, NY
Sol LeWitt Limited Edition Geometric Abstraction Silk Scarf, ca. 1987 Limited Edition Silkscreen on 100% Italian silk scarf/shawl Signed on the fabric with artist's printed signature...
Silk, Screen
The Land of Saguaro Cactuses, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Suren Nersisyan depicts saguaro cactuses in the deserts of Arizona standing under the hot sun. Their large fleshy stems stretch up to the sky thriving ...
Oil
$3,150Sale Price|25% Off
Midday in Lombardy, 100x170 cm, acrylic on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Midday in Lombardy, 100x170 cm, acrylic on canvas
Canvas, Acrylic
$40,000
"Abstract With Pink and Teal" large-scale oil painting, pastel colors, amorphous
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A large scale oil painting - totally abstract, non representational. Largely pink, and blue, with pops of assorted colors peaking up from beneath. Thickly painted globs of paint are ...
Linen, Oil
Basquiat Annina Nosei Gallery 1982 (Basquiat anatomy announcement)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Annina Nosei Gallery, New York, 1982: Rare Basquiat announcement card published by Annina Nosei Gallery to advertise the release of ‘Basquiat Anatomy’ (a suite ...
Paper, Offset
Yellow Bushes by Lake, Original Painting
By Janet Dyer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Janet Dyer shares an impressionist perspective of a still lake on a quiet spring day. She paints pristine waters reflecting the lively trees in complem...
Acrylic
The Basque Suite #4
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprinton J. B. Green paper, 1970-71. Initialed by the artist and numbered 85/150 in pencil, lower right. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London. Published by Marlborough Graph...
Screen, Color
Anthropométrie (ANT 83)
By Yves Klein
Located in New York, NY
Color lithograph on Rives BFK, 2001. Proof, aside from the numbered edition of 200 . With the artist's estate ink stamp, verso. Published by Editions T.A.T. Arts, Paris. The sheet ...
Lithograph
Pause, Oil Painting
By Lisa Nielsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
More and more I love to experiment with abstraction. It's amazing how realism with some abstraction somehow looks more true than when rendered using just real...
Oil
Birch Study 2 - Original Abstract Tree Landscape Nature Still Life Oil Painting
By Beth Munro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beth Munro’s original paintings, whether composed of still life, landscape, or abstract forms, focus on pattern, color and texture. Munro is inspired by everything from the impressio...
Canvas, Oil
$14,000
A870 - Original Large Scale Minimalist Contemporary Expressive Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swiss-born artist Marco Schmidli creates large-scale minimalist paintings reminiscent of color field studies with a contemporary edge. Placing emphasis on process, he lets the medium...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Doublure, " Mixed Media Collage
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Fabric, Silk, Wood, Paper, Pigment
Fragments Monument VI Between Horizons, Abstract Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The minimalist oil painting portrays a staircase emerging between two monumental forms, guiding the eye toward an opening that never fully reveals itself. The s...
Oil
$8,950
A597 - Large Contemporary Colorful Modern Circles Abstract Painting (framed)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swiss-born artist Marco Schmidli creates minimalist paintings with a contemporary edge. Placing emphasis on process, he lets the mediums naturally manifest within his artwork. “An im...
Canvas, Acrylic
ARCHANGEL (XL Size)
By Nick Thomm
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm ARCHANGEL (XL SIZE 36" x 48"). Limited Edition #22 of 25. Hand Signed & Numbered. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW - Unopene...
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$35,000
Rocks, Post-Modern Abstract Landscape Woven Tapestry, Textile Sculpture
Located in Wilton, CT
Rocks (1985), Wool, Post-Modern Abstract Landscape Woven Tapestry, Textile Sculpture. Zofia Butrymowicz (1904-1987) was born in Warsaw, Poland. Artis...
Fabric, Textile, Tapestry, Wool
$7,800
Set Adrift - Large Moody Atmospheric Abstract Alluring Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mark Acetelli’s oil and mixed media paintings awaken the viewer’s sense of exploration and adventure; they demand a new discovery. His artworks exhibit a chemistry of complexity and ...
Canvas, Oil
$2,100
Player
By Paula Cahill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cahill strives to extend the historical conversation with line and elevate the integral role it has played in art, design, and the sciences since its early appearance in rock and cav...
Canvas, Oil
$7,100
avp_1012 - Colorful Textured Original Contemporary Abstract Painting on Linen
By Alex Voinea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The colorful abstract artworks of Romanian artist Alex Voinea are inspired by experiments with paint poured over vibrating surfaces, such as speakers at full volume. Alex Voinea coll...
Acrylic, Linen
avp_1534 - Expressive Blue and Green Abstract Contemporary Painting on Paper
By Alex Voinea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The colorful abstract artworks of Romanian artist Alex Voinea are inspired by experiments with paint poured over vibrating surfaces, such as speakers at full volume. Alex Voinea coll...
Paper, Acrylic
$825Sale Price|25% Off
series "Shells", 70x50 cm, acrylic on cardboard
By Tatiana Nega
Located in Yerevan, AM
series "Shells", 70x50 cm, acrylic on cardboard The work is sold without a frame and mat
Acrylic, Cardboard
Evening, Stowe Community Church, Vermont, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An autumn mountain meadow glows in evening light, presiding over a small town with a prominent chapel. "The Stowe Community Ch...
Oil
$550
Vie Lumineuse - Romantic Abstract Textural Soft Pink Blush Tone Floral Painting
By Vè Boisvert
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drawing inspiration from an immersive and impressionistic interpretation of nature, Canadian artist Vé Boisvert paints textural original artworks that capture the fleeting effects of...
Canvas, Acrylic
Original Collage on Paper (Framed) Titled: Fs 2819 ct09 (18 x 22.5)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Final Framed dimension: 18 x 22.5 collage art only: 9 x 12 full paper size: 15 x 19 Cecil Touchon Born 1956 Austin, Texas is a contemporary American collage artist, painter, publish...
Acrylic, Laid Paper, Magazine Paper
Pink Water Lilies: August, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints an emerald pool abundant with blooming water lilies. "I am fascinated by the three-fold nature of looking at the water's surface," says Onelio. He displays depth implied in the reflection of the sky, ripples, plants floating, and finally, the telltale signs of things just below the surface. Part of Onelio's ongoing series of paintings exploring bodies of water.
About the Artist
Artist Onelio Marrero paints impressionist city scenes of everyday life. He captures the romanticism of New York City, from the picturesque fountains in Central Park to a glistening city street on a rainy afternoon. He creates a sense of nostalgia and intimacy with his work, offering the feeling that you have visited this particular scene before. “Each play of light, each texture, and each movement of a figure can have a captivating effect on me,†says Onelio. He studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art where he mastered discerning color and values, giving his work a more spontaneous appearance. Onelio’s work is an appreciation for beauty in all of its greatest forms; nature, art, and people.
Words that describe this painting: water lily, lilies, Monet, pond, lake, lily pads, reflection, forest, flower, impressionism, water, plants, oilpaint, nature, impressionism, nature, oil painting, green
Pink Water...
Oil
$3,200
Serene Scape - Large Original Minimalist Contemporary Green Abstract Painting
By Clara Berta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clara Berta’s acrylic and mixed-media paintings blend texture and color to create harmony, mystery, and depth on the painted surface. Her paintings transform spaces into Zen environm...
Canvas, Acrylic
Aspen Grove, Oil Painting
By Teresa Smith
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Teresa Smith displays a picturesque impressionist landscape of Aspen groves. "Autumn is here," declares Teresa. The leaves slowly turn a crisp, bright yellow. The sunny fall day along the shoreline brings inspiration from its vivid colors.
About the Artist
Teresa Smith captures the soul of the west coast landscape in her contemplative oil paintings. Teresa gathers impressions of the land around her remote island home on horseback rides accompanied by her Irish wolfhound. Her works capture the light coming through the trees, a richness of color, and the interconnectedness of nature. Her subjects emerge through lyrical brushwork, sometimes with light streaming as if through a stained glass window. Her major influences are Georgia O’Keeffe, Emily Carr, and the Canadian Group of Seven, the latter of whom pioneered a distinctive style defined by a direct connection with nature. In addition to painting, Teresa is a master gardener, and she grows food year-round in her garden and volunteers in the community to educate and diagnose plant problems. She works from her studio on the top floor of a barn overlooking the pond and trees, where deer walk by and ducks swim. According to Teresa, "much of today’s art is based on concept. That is, the artist has an idea, then uses their art to educate and inform. I do contemplative painting, which is different. For me, it is allowing the painting to unfold in a contemplative or meditative way."
Words that describe this painting: landscape, Tom Thomson...
Oil
$14,000
A852 - Original Large Scale Minimalist Modern Green Expressive Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swiss-born artist Marco Schmidli creates large-scale minimalist paintings reminiscent of color field studies with a contemporary edge. Placing emphasis on process, he lets the medium...
Canvas, Acrylic
Spring Fling 2 - Large Abstract Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, Signed
By Julie Naima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The original artworks by Canadian artist Julie Naima feature visually appealing abstract compositions with organic shapes that evoke a sense of tranquility and serenity. The harmonio...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,025Sale Price|25% Off
Untittle, 140x100 cm, acrylic, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Untittle, 140x100 cm, acrylic, canvas
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Green Abstract Fabric Collage, Signed, Circa 1970s, 46x34 Inches
Located in Arp, TX
Sylvia Rutkoff (1919-2011) “Green Abstract” C.1970s Fabric collage and paint on fabric 46"x34" unframed Signed in paint lower right Collection acquired from family estate Sylvia Wei...
Fabric, Paint
$4,715
Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, White-original still life realism oil painting-Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Canvas, Oil
$14,200
A834 - Original Large Scale Minimalist Contemporary Teal Tone Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Swiss-born artist Marco Schmidli creates large-scale minimalist paintings reminiscent of color field studies with a contemporary edge. Placing emphasis on process, he lets the medium...
Canvas, Acrylic
Basquiat Skateboard Deck
Located in NEW YORK, NY
DC x Jean-Michel Basquiat Skateboard Deck: Limited edition Jean-Michel Basquiat Skateboard Deck licensed by the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat in conjunction with Artestar in 2021, f...
Wood, Offset
Waits River Church, Vermont, Oil Painting
By Doug Cosbie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Waits River is a small village on Highway 25 southeast of Stowe, Vermont. "The church, buildings and barns presented an iconic view of New England...
Oil
Finding Balance - Tranquil Colorful Abstract Painting
By Julie Naima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The original artworks by Canadian artist Julie Naima feature visually appealing abstract compositions with organic shapes that evoke a sense of tranquility and serenity. The harmonious interplay of a few carefully selected colors, and their varied shades, create a nuanced visual experience that is both calming and invigorating. Crafted in a contemporary and modern style, her paintings are infused with a touch of refinement and artistic flair. The use of organic shapes creates a sense of natural flow and movement, while the balanced color palette adds a level of sophistication to the overall design. This one-of-a-kind abstract painting on canvas measures 48 inches in height and 40 inches in width. The sides of the artwork are thoughtfully painted in a complementary shade of blue, eliminating the need for framing and creating a cohesive, finished look. The painting is wired and ready to hang, making it a hassle-free addition to any wall. It's signed by the artist on both the side and back, adding an extra touch of authenticity and value. Free delivery is available for those in the local Los Angeles area, and affordable worldwide shipping is available for US and international art collectors. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included with the artwork, ensuring that the piece is an authentic work of art from Julie Naima. Julie Naima is an accomplished artist originally from Montreal, Canada, who currently resides in a tranquil rural town, removed from the frenetic pace of city life. Her creative process is characterized by experimentation, having explored various techniques and media, such as fluid paints, flowy inks, epoxy resin, collage, and mixed media. However, Naima has since returned to exclusively working with acrylics on canvas, with a particular focus on color. Through this dedication, Naima has discovered that colorful abstract art, imbued with positive emotions and good intentions, is what resonates most with her. Naima's impressive body of work can be found in many private collections across Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States, attesting to the universality of her artistic vision. Her unique use of color and form imbues her abstract works with a sense of energy and dynamism, evoking a wide range of emotions in viewers. REPRESENTATION: Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, USA EXHIBITIONS 2023 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA 2022 ARTWRK Gallery, Canada Square Foot Show, Online 2020 Solo Show, Forena Spa, St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Canada Solo Show, Crystal Hotel...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,275Sale Price|25% Off
Night wormwood , 70x60 cm, oil on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Night wormwood , 70x60 cm, oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil