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.
Firewood Bench - 140cm - Unique Modern Outdoor Ornament - Stefan Traloc
Located in Winterswijk, NL
This firewood bench is on the one hand very practical for storing firewood, on the other hand, it is an unusual seat. The firewood bench is pushed onto 2 supplied round bars with a ...
Steel
Indoor Lamp - Nature Warm Z2 small - Modern Outdoor Ornament
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Stylish column warm light for indoor use. The luminaire is filled with glass chunks and is illuminated from below with a 5 watt Led spotlight. The column is made of rusted sheet ste...
Steel
Indoor Lamp - Nature Lightgreen Z2 small - Modern Outdoor Ornament
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Stylish column light for indoor use.The luminaire is filled with glass chunks and is illuminated from below with a 5 watt Led spotlight. The column is made of rusted sheet steel, pa...
Steel
Indoor Lamp - Nature Lightgreen Z1 small - Modern Outdoor Ornament
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Stylish column light for indoor use.The luminaire is filled with glass chunks and is illuminated from below with a 5 watt Led spotlight. The column is made of rusted sheet steel, pa...
Steel
$1,115
Firepit Ball - Diameter 55cm - Unique Modern Outdoor Ornament - Stefan Traloc
Located in Winterswijk, NL
This fireball is the eye-catcher in your garden. Thanks to the good air supply, you can very quickly a beautiful fir. The base also serves as an ash container, has a central base, b...
Steel
$300Sale Price|50% Off
Still life with oysters, 80х80cm, print on canvas.Edition of 20 pieces
Located in Yerevan, AM
Edition of 20 pieces
Canvas, Color
$10,450
“Post Japan 3 / Osaka” abstract geometric painting, yellow, red, bold pattern
By Gene Johnson
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A contemporary painting by NYC-based painter, Gene Johnson. Signed on verso: [ "Post Japan 3 Osaka" (Yellow) Acrylic on canvas 2024 47 1/2 x 34 3/4" Gene Johnson ] Artist Bio Gen...
Canvas, Acrylic
Praga P-2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by world renown artist Ricardo Mazal exists in an edition of 30. The paper size is 35 inches h x 39 inches w and an image size of...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$11,400
"Someday the Right Day" Linear Abstract oil Painting (blue grey neutral colors)
By Mark Masyga
Located in New York, NY
48"x60" oil and graphite on canvas (signed on reverse). This large scale oil painting by Mark Masyga created with a stunning linear abstract composition. A neutral cool grey groun...
Canvas, Oil, Graphite
$825Sale Price|25% Off
Main in red, 78 x 54 cm, acrylic on paper
Located in Yerevan, AM
Main in red, 78x54 cm
Paper, Acrylic
"Asanoha Landscape, " Mixed Media Mosaic
Located in Chicago, IL
Monochromatic, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. ...
Marble
"Sunset After Storm, " Stain Glass Window after a Woodcut by Carol Summers
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Sunset After Storm" is a stained glass piece designed by Carol Summers and fabricated by Oakbrook Esser Studios. It depicts an abstract landscape in green with a blue and red sky. T...
Glass
"Red Headed Drummer, " 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...
Paper, Ink
Bhutan Abstraction PF-1 and PF-2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by world renown artist Ricardo Mazal exists in an edition of 30. The image is printed at full bleed to the edge of the paper. Bo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Bidjar 4 Persian Rug – Timeless Beauty with Intricate Beige Motifs
Located in Winterswijk, NL
This piece of jewellery from southern Persia is hand-knotted from fine, hand-spun highland wool and dyed with natural plant dye. Highland wool is particularly hard-wearing and long-l...
Silk
Bidjar 2 Persian Rug – Striking Design with large checkered Pattern
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
Bidjar Persian Rug – Timeless Elegance with Classic Checkered Pattern"
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
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
Kaschmir Oriental Rug – Timeless Elegance with Exquisite Vase Motif
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
Kaschmir 3 Persian Runner – Sophisticated Design with Circular Patter
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
Kaschmir 2 Persian Rug – Graceful Design with Elegant Floral Patterns
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
Keschan Persian Rug – Elegant Design with circular Patterns
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
BUCHARA 3 Persian Runner – Stunning Design in Rich, Vibrant Red
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
BUCHARA 2 Persian Rug – Luxurious Design with Intricate Geometric Patterns
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
Md Tokon - Swim to the End, Painting 2015
By Md Tokon
Located in Stamford, CT
Collection: Beyond The Horizon Acrylic on canvas Md Tokon's style has reflected the art of American Abstract Expressionists. Md Tokon spent his early years in Jhenidah and Dhaka. Th...
Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Md Tokon - Mountain and Sky, Painting 2014
By Md Tokon
Located in Stamford, CT
Collection: Earth Acrylic on canvas Md Tokon's style has reflected the art of American Abstract Expressionists. Md Tokon spent his early years in Jhenidah and Dhaka. The physicality...
Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
$435
Authograph Letter Signed by Silvio Cabianca to the Artist Carlo Ferrari - 1926
Located in Roma, IT
Authograph Letter Signed by Silvio Cabianca to the Artist Carlo Ferrari. Ancona, December 10th 1926. In Italian. Four page, bilateral, perfectly readable, good condition, including...
Paper
Quadrille II
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by renown artist Patsy Krebs exists in an edition of 30. Paper size is 37"h x 35"w with an image size of 26.5"h x 26.5"w. Patsy ...
Cotton, Pigment, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Be@rbrick x Warhol and Basquiat Estates 400% and 100%
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Bearbrick and Andy Warhol Foundation and Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat Vinyl Figures: Set of two (400% & 100%) A unique, timeless collectible trademarked & licensed by the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat & Andy Warhol. The partnered collectible reveals details from Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol's 'New Flame' painting wrapping the figure in its entirety. Housed in a unique Warhol, Basquiat collector's box. Sold out; highly collectible. Medium: Vinyl Figure. Year: 2021. Set of two figurines...
Resin, Vinyl
$1,125Sale Price|25% Off
Time loop , 120x100 cm, acrylic, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Time loop , 120x100 cm
Canvas, Acrylic
Great Dune
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Snow Fence on Dunes in the Hamptons Black & White Photography Printed to order edition of 10 Dye Sublimation Print on Metal 16x24 on metal - 20x30 on metal - Title: Great Dune Year:...
Metal
Tumblers
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Photograph of ice 30"x20" 36"x24" 10 day turnaround About the artist: A computer programmer and Webmaster by trade, Paul describes himself as a fine art photographer and a “digita...
Photographic Paper
There's More to Grey - 16"x16" - Abstract Painting, Modern, Contemporary, Grey
Located in Mississauga, Ontario
In this abstract painting on canvas, emphasis is placed on simplified, subtle and minimal composition. This warm neutral piece features a loosely detailed geometric pattern along the...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,200
Blue Damask - 16”x16”, Abstract Painting, Textured Pattern, Blue, White
Located in Mississauga, Ontario
This highly detailed artwork seamlessly blends acrylic, pencil and colour pencil in a freeform style, maintaining a delicate balance between expressiveness and refinement. The distre...
Canvas, Acrylic, Pencil, Color Pencil
Glass Sculpture Ravenna Purple
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Hand-crafted Glassfusing Glass Sculpture Glass Artwork for Sale "Ravenna Purple", is a hand-crafted sculpture of colored glass using the fusion process. This window model sculpture...
Steel
Bhutan Abstraction PF-1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by world renown artist Ricardo Mazal exists in an edition of 30. The image is printed at full bleed to the edge of the paper. Bo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Bhutan Abstraction PF-2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by world renown artist Ricardo Mazal exists in an edition of 30. The image is printed at full bleed to the edge of the paper. Bo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Colorful Glass Urn "Sunset"
By Marijke Berendsen and Joop Berendsen
Located in Winterswijk, NL
This hand-crafted glass sculpture and urn "Sunset" is a unique colored glass window model that vividly depicts a desert scene with cacti and an in...
Steel
“Desert Landscape” abstract painting, geometric shapes, blue, pink, yellow
By Gene Johnson
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A contemporary acrylic painting by Gene Johnson (NYC). Unframed. Signed on verso. Gene Johnson has been painting and exhibiting since the mid-80s in New York City. He has participa...
Acrylic, Canvas
"Dappled Light, " Mixed Media Kite
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, Paint, Paper
Cups - Screen Print by Tito Stefanoni - 1972
Located in Roma, IT
Cups is an original screen print on aluminum realized by Tito Stefanoni in 1972. Signed lower right. Edition of 2100. Specimen no. 302 (as marked on rear) The artwork is depicted...
Screen
Glass Sculpture Forgotten
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in molted opaque black , black, brown, grey and sandbusted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). To...
Blown Glass
“Earth Memory” Abstract Landscape in Yellow and Black on Handmade Paper
Located in Sofia, BG
“Earth Memory” Contemporary Handmade Paper with Charcoal in Yellow and Black. This contemporary handmade paper artwork with charcoal and botanical elements was created during an arti...
Organic Material, Charcoal, Handmade Paper, Pigment
Oxygen Cutting - Original Bronze by Angelo Bozzola - 1983
Located in Roma, IT
Oxygen Cutting is an original artwork realized by Italian artist, painter as well as sculptor, Angelo Bozzola in 1983 in Turin. Flame cutting on bronze...
Bronze
$300Sale Price|50% Off
Lake house, 80х80cm, print on canvas.Edition of 20 pieces
Located in Yerevan, AM
Limited edition of 5 pieces
Canvas, Color
October: The Silence with 2 lithograph by Kumi Sugar - 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Edition of 160 copies, including 5 copies numbered from A to E with the hand-writing of poet, 5 copies from F to L with the hand-drawing by artist, 30 copies from 1 to 30 with the 2 ...
Paper, Lithograph
"Reconstructed Landscape, " Mixed Media Mosaic, 2022
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. Clas...
Marble
Autograph Postcard Signed by Giuseppe Santomaso - 1955
Located in Roma, IT
Autograph Postcard Signed by Giuseppe Santomaso (Venice, 1907 - 1990) to the Capogrossi family. May, 11, 1955. Dated. In Italian On the front, a colored reproduction of Capogrossi'...
Ink, Postcard
KAWS Flayed Companion 2016: set of 2 works (KAWS companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Companion 2016: Set of 2 KAWS Flayed Companions (Brown & Red). Each, new and sealed in original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS: W...
Resin, Vinyl
25 Gehrys
By Gary Mankus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by artist Gary Mankus exists in an edition of 40. Paper size is 37"h x 35"w with an image size of 27"h x 27"w. Gary Mankus was b...
Cotton, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
"Camael" Abstract Angel Mosaic of Marble & Glass Tile
Located in Chicago, IL
In his “Heavenly” series of small-scale mosaics, Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles with smoot...
Marble
"Ariel" Abstract Angel Mosaic of Marble & Glass Tile
Located in Chicago, IL
In his “Heavenly” series of small-scale mosaics, Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles with smoot...
Marble
"Jophiel" Abstract Angel Mosaic of Marble & Glass Tile
Located in Chicago, IL
In his “Heavenly” series of small-scale mosaics, Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles with smoot...
Marble
"The Bird Flies in the White Rainbow" Abstract Mosaic of Marble & Smalti
Located in Chicago, IL
Monochromatic, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. ...
Marble
Goddess 5
By Gary Mankus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by artist Gary Mankus exists in an edition of 40. Paper size is 37"h x 35"w with an image size of 29"h x 29"w. Gary Mankus was b...
Cotton, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Navajo Weaving - Chief Blanket with Red, Black and Beige Pattern
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Navajo Weaving. Artist and year of manufacture unknown.
Textile
Navajo Weaving - Brown, Gray, and Black with a Diamond Center and Pattern
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Navajo Weaving. Artist and year of manufacture unknown.
Textile
Rainbow Rise
By Andrea Myers
Located in Dallas, TX
Machine sewn fabric collage
Fabric, Textile
"Furbelow II" Mixed Media Kite
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels. In “Furbelow II,” Thompson arranges scraps of Japanese silk to form a patchwork of contrasting pattern and color. Placed with balanced asymmetry, the panels of deep indigo and sheer silk create a dark, moody atmosphere reminiscent of a night sky. Gradients of light to dark evoke soft, moonlit clouds and delicate pine branches appear as forked bolts of...
Muslin, Wood, Silk
Abstract in Brown Tones
Located in Milford, NH
A fine abstract in brown tones by American artist David Lund (b. 1925). David Lund’s illustrious painting career spans over 65 years. Born in New York, the...
Canvas, Oil