Abstract More Art
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.
Late 20th Century Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist John Jaster paints a portrait of a two-story dwelling with a vivid red door. He paints the composition in bold applications of solid color with an impressionist approach. Verdant foliage flourishes in the backyard of the inviting home...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Abstract More Art
Paper, Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Archival Pigment
2010s Abstract More Art
Acrylic, Cardboard
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Tapestry, Cotton, Silk, Dye
Artist Comments
Artist Melissa Gannon depicts aspen trees of various sizes and shapes flourishing during the height of fall. She imagines the timber engaging in dance, reachi...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Inspired by the beauty, artist Colette Wirz Nauke shares a gorgeous view of cherry blossoms. Vivid colors and bold brush strokes fill the canvas. Colette aims...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Shades of autumn dance in artist Colette Wirz Nauke's impressionist scene of nature. Red and orange foliage abundantly fill the whimsical landscape. Colette p...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist John Jaster displays a forest with tall aspens rendered in a playfully abstract style. Bold shades of yellow, orange and red suggest a warm autumn day in the woods. In his process, John creates stunning color combinations by utilizing multiple layers of heavy body acrylics and brushwork. He results with captivating scenery with intense contrasting hues and high-spirited energy.
About the Artist
Artist John Jaster paints in a style he describes as realistic impressions, capturing colorful views of his adventures across the Americas. "People always ask me how I get such deep brilliant colors," says John. "The answer is layers. Since acrylic paint dries mostly transparent, it requires multiple layers of paint to build up to a specific color. With the right lighting that depth of layering is like sunshine glistening through clear water." In college, John felt a pull towards computer science and pursued a career in software architecture. Although the two paths may seem unrelated, John says his work in software strongly influences his artwork in terms of distilling complex systems without losing the magic and wonder. Today, John works from a large home studio with a fireplace, lots of natural light, and jazz playing in the background. Since 2010, John’s paintings have been displayed in over 90 juried exhibitions and published in leading art magazines and books.
Words that describe this painting: forest, trees, birch, aspen, nature, playful, impressionism, grove, warm, impressionism, nature, acrylic painting, orange
Forest Abstractions - Chorus Line...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Acrylic, Cardboard
Artist Comments
Silvery autumn sunshine gleams over artist George Peeble's dreamy landscape. A reflection of the colors of autumn luster within the vast clearing of trees. In...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Janet Dyer displays a magnificent view of a French vineyard. Rows of grapevines ripen under the radiant summer sun. A longère, a lengthy narrow farmho...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Samuel Pretorius displays a rustic general store in the California countryside on a Sunday afternoon. He depicts the ch...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
In the style of impressionism, artist Lisa Elley displays a classic vineyard with an alluring thick impasto texture. "In all things of nature there is somethi...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Samuel Pretorius portrays a hot summer day by the beach in the style of impressionism. Two sailboats drift in the distance as waves gently break on the...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Samuel Pretorius demonstrates an impressionist landscape of the scenic mountains of California. Bright yellow spring fl...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
In an impressionistic style, artist Samuel Pretorius paints the golden hour on a lovely California summer's evening. The beaut...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Samuel Pretorius depicts a breathtaking view of Switzerland's famed Lake Thun. A stunning landscape comes into view fro...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Sharon Sieben displays a still life of ceramic urns from ancient Greece. She paints with quick brushwork marked by solid outlines and highlights. The t...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Early 2000s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Melissa Gannon paints a lush landscape at the height of fall. The carpeted grassland transitions into the forest canopies. Vibrant hues of yellow progress into orange and red in the autumnal terrain. Melissa displays...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Melissa Gannon projects an expressionist forest landscape in vivid prismatic hues. Shades of bright orange, red and yellow fill the piece with energy. Melissa displays...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Shyun Song conceptualizes a minimalist geometric composition with clean linear forms. She paints the canvas a deep-sea blue implying the unpredictabili...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Linen, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Artist Comments
With quick textured strokes, artist George Peebles displays a prismatic multicolored tree at the center of a flat open field. Shades of orange, green, and violet make up the gleaming leaves. The bright blue sky lights up the mystifying background. He paints the piece with mindful thought and inspiration.
About the Artist
Award-winning artist, George Peebles specializes in contemporary panoramic scenes. Breathtaking combinations of brilliant hues and gradients of rich skies map out his paintings. “My art is a reflection of the place inside each of us where we connect to nature,†says George. Based in Michigan, he draws inspiration from electric moments within his environment. Each stroke is an inward expression of his emotions as he paints from memory. George, being colorblind views his work as a lifelong process that leads him to new concepts and ideas best expressed on his canvas. When he’s out of the studio, George works as a chef at their local hospital. His work is represented in eighteen healthcare facilities.
Words that describe this painting: tree, landscape, grass, sky, horizon, clouds, oilpaint, expressionism, nature, texture, expressionism, nature, oil painting, blue
Like a Dream...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Rebecca Klementovich paints an expressive landscape inspired by her retreats in Maine. She pictures pine trees during the climatic point of sunset, wis...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
1930s Abstract More Art
2010s Abstract More Art
Blown Glass
Artist Comments
Artist Jo Galang depicts a tranquil forest path illuminated by tender sunlight. She takes inspiration from her refreshing walks by the river. "Spending time i...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Sharon Sieben heavily relies on imagination in her work. "I‘ve begun to put my impressions and feelings onto the canvas rather than overthink," she s...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A defined portrait of a man in painterly strokes by artist Sharon Sieben. His gaze holds profound contemplation with creased brows low on his forehead. "He is...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles draws on his surroundings in Michigan but ultimately paints entirely from his imagination. In this piece, he captures the warm and vibra...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"The bold colors portray the evening's best," states artist George Peebles. He offers an atmospheric vision of a forest right at the edge of a thick and dry g...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A glowing depiction of a cold winter evening by artist Claudia Verciani. Figures stroll down a snow-covered sidewalk illuminated by inviting restaurant lights...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood depicts a sunny, autumn day along the banks of Oak Creek in Sedona, Arizona. With the use of a harmonious color palette, Sherri conveys the warmth of the landscape with tones in yellow, orange, red, and olive. Dynamic brushwork represents various textures and the calm countryside.
About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Late 20th Century Abstract More Art
Ceramic
Artist Comments
"This piece captures the inner feminine side of a man which instinctively releases nurturing energies," states artist Shyun Song. "The blue on blue rectangle ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"This piece illustrates an inner dialogue which we frequently go through by exchanging and interchanging our thoughts, ideas, knowledge, and views," explains ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Linen, Acrylic
Artist Comments
"Red and blue shapes which are overlapped in the piece imply emotional dependency," explains artist Shyun Song. "The yellow background signifies the emotional...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"Emotional freedom is portrayed by the parallel placement of the red and blue shapes together with the space between them," states artist Shyun Song. "The yel...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles creates a dreamy landscape with tall willowy trees caught in between the changing seasons. Colorful leaves shed as new leaves sprout aga...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"This painting is another composition that depicts a group of figures with graceful and fluid movements," says artist Nancy Hughes Miller. They sway their hips in unison with bare feet in light tiptoes. Their dresses glow with intricate floral adornments.
About the Artist
Romanian-born painter Diana Chelaru’s paintings are colorful and contemporary interpretations of human emotion. For Diana, art is a means of communication. “It is how I express my thoughts, hopes, regrets and joys,†she says. Though she gets great pleasure from applying paint to canvas, it is the expression of emotions that she finds to be most important. Diana’s style is influenced by Byzantine mosaics as well as Gustav Klimt’s subject matter and use of decorative patterns within his compositions. Each artwork is created intuitively, resulting in paintings that speak to the soul.
Words that describe this painting: dance, music, figurative, figure, expressionism, movement, motion, wind...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A group of large sea lions emerges above calm sea waters just south of Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. “The great thing about marine mammals swimming aro...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A delightful still life of three home-grown sunflowers from artist Nicole Lamothe's garden each in their own vase. Forever capturing the essence of summer, Ni...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Brian McCarty lived in rural New Jersey and has visited many areas of the state. "This particular painting is from the Cape May area," says Brian. From...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Elizabeth Garat offers a panoramic view of a thriving farm lined by an abundant forest. "It is summertime in the Delta," says Elizabeth. "Rows of lush ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Acrylic, Canvas
Artist Comments
Pulled from her imagination, artist Ruth-Anne Siegel interprets a rich purple flower that pulses with vibrancy. Layering color and glazes, Ruth selects a glowing palette of cerulean blue, orange, and magenta. Soft shadows immerse the composition in drama, enhancing the electric presence of the petals.
About the Artist
Ruth-Anne Siegel's vibrant floral paintings flow from memory and her love of music. As she works, she references her own photographs and sketchbook, and draws energy from the sounds of Etta James...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Blown Glass
Artist Comments
A luminous combination of red, blue, and white circles radiate from above, silhouetted by the bright morning sun. They cascade down like individual rays of li...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Vibrant red and pink circles figurately dominate the coast on a hot summer day. An abstracted view from above of colorful bucket hats and beach umbrellas, the...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A strong gazelle turns to regard the viewer, with a brilliant landscape drawing the eye into the distance. "There will always be favor when walking on the pat...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Joanie Ford created this painting from her references of Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona. "I included the springtime trees from my imagination to add...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A thickly textured palette knife painting of an old saguaro cactus standing against a blooming spring desert backdrop. "This painting was inspired by the incredible Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California," shares artist Lisa Elley. "It's where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts collide with amazing vistas and dazzling flowers."
About the Artist
Working almost exclusively with a palette knife, Lisa Elley maneuvers her artistic blade with an uncanny fluidity. Why paint only with the knife? She says, "when I paint with a brush, which I do occasionally, I tend to focus on the detail. With a palette knife I can't focus on the detail too much, so my paintings are looser, and more gestural, with bigger sweeps and strokes." This technique is called wet-on-wet. And it seems to be quite popular, as she has been bestowed the title "Knife Queen" by her facebook fans. Fun fact: Lisa's high school art teacher told her to study harder at math, as a career in art was "impossible."
Words that describe this painting: desert, Mojave, flowers, floral, spring, cactus, sun, mountains, sky, landscape, California, Joshua Tree, impressionism, landscape, western, representational, oil painting, purple
Desert Bloom...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
