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.
Santiago Medina - NIRVANA (OUTDOOR MONUMENTAL), Sculpture 2021
Located in Stamford, CT
Marine outdoor Italian stainless steel. From this edition, there is one in the permanent collection of the CES University Museum in Columbia. This sculpture will be shipped directl...
Stainless Steel
$1,065
avp_1631 - 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
Apple Green - Impasto Thick Paint Green Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...
Canvas, Acrylic
$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
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Reflections Through The Looking Glass No. 13 - Textural Colorful Abstract Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Red with Blue Fabric Collage, Abstract Style, 1970s, Unsigned, 38x28
Located in Arp, TX
Sylvia Rutkoff (1919-2011) "Red with Blue" 1970s Fabric collage on stretch bar 38"x28" unframed Unsigned Collection acquired from family estate Sylvia Weinreb Rutkoff (1919-2011) Bo...
Fabric, Stretcher Bars
Pop of Color For Your Wall - Impasto Thick Paint Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...
Canvas, Acrylic
$119Sale Price|20% Off
Gerhard Richter - "Abstract Picture" - unique art print on heavy paper
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Art print on heavy paper. After the original from 1977. A beautiful artwork that looks good in every room and especially in the living room or bedroom. Can be framed accordingly. ...
Paper, Offset
Arrival To Earth - Colorful Abstract Floral Painting
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
$435
Fresh Cut - Impasto Thick Paint Green Blue Abstract Painting with White Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint a...
Canvas, Glitter, Acrylic
$2,400
Live Composition II, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024
Located in New york, NY
In colors that pop like jazz, Live Composition II, 2024 by African American artist Bai is a 30” x 22” acrylic, oil pastel, and ballpoint pen painting on paper. A raw energetic style ...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen
Silver Poppies, Aug 17, 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
Canyon Coast
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This imagined landscape captures the drama of crashing waves, or a desert rock face against a cloudy sky. I worked with a seascape ...
Oil
$2,097
"Winged Thoughts" Abstract Sculpture, Industrial Hemp, Earth Tones, Signed
Located in Sofia, BG
Winged Thoughts” is an abstract three-dimensional wall sculpture crafted from industrial hemp fibers, bringing organic movement and textural depth to contemporary interiors. The work...
Metal
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Lemon leaves, 100x70cm, acrylic/canvas/pastel
By Fleur
Located in Yerevan, AM
Lemon leaves 100x70 cm
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
Hydrangea on Green, Oil Painting
By Judy Mackey
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A bouquet of white hydrangeas rests in a deep blue vase. Thick palette-knife strokes give the flowers a sculptural presence, while soft green tones in the backg...
Oil
A512 - Large Contemporary Colorful Abstract Painting With White Frame
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
av_758 - Magenta Textured Original Contemporary Abstract Painting on Canvas
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...
Linen, Acrylic
$270Sale Price|61% Off
What mask are you wearing? 80x80cm, print on canvas.Edition of 20 pieces
Located in Yerevan, AM
What mask are you wearing? 80x80cm, print on canvas Edition of 20 pieces
Canvas, Color
Cosmic Trigger - Large Contemporary Organic Shape Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Harrison Gilman's large original artworks begin with a layer of fast-paced gestural abstraction followed by organic shapes and geometric structures. Some of his paintings remain in t...
Canvas, Oil
Exposition de Peintures, Dessins et Divers Travaux Exécutés de 1942 à 1954
Located in Roma, IT
Important and rare Catalogue of the Exhibition held in Circle Volley from March 17th to April 17th, 1954. Printed by Mourlot, the Catalogue's cover is a photolithograph d'après a work by Dubuffet. It includes 193 descriptions of Dubuffet's artworks and 4 reproductions on photolithograph. Includes the invitation to the exhibition, which is a lithograph not signed d'après the work "Personnage" by Dubuffet. Ref. Cat. Bordas 25 and 25b / Weber 388 and 289. Near perfect conditions. Catalogue aussi rare qu'important de l'exposition qui s'est tenue au Circle Volley du 17 Mars au 17 Avril 1954. Imprimé par Mourlot, la couverture du catalogue est une photolithographie d'après une œuvre de Dubuffet. Il comprend 193 descriptions des œuvres de Dubuffet ainsi que 4 reproductions de type photolithographie. L'exemplaire comprend une invitation à l'exposition. Il s'agit d'une lithographie non signée d'après l'œuvre "Personnage" de Dubuffet. Ref. Cat. Bordas 25 et 25b / Weber 388 et 289. Dans des conditions presque parfaites. Edition: Paris, Cercle Volant René Drouin...
Paper
Feeling 2 - Colorful Textured Original Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sergei Inkatov’s original, abstract fine art oil paintings have been exhibited internationally. His expressionistic artworks are vivid and richly textured. Inkatov’s paintings radiat...
Canvas, Oil
$1,206
Bears + Cherries, Oil on Canvas Still Life, Pop Art, 30x30 cm, original painting
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
Love Lives Here No.2, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Love lives here No.2 is 50cm H x 70cm W x 4cm deep. Unframed. In creating this piece, I aimed to evoke the deep, complex textures of emotions that make up our sense of 'home.' Uti...
Acrylic
$400Sale Price|30% Off
Reflections No. 3 - White Textured Geometric Colorful Circles Abstract Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through t...
Canvas, Acrylic
Lofty Perch, Oil Painting
By Mary Pratt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Mary Pratt paints a surreal expressionist habitat surrounding a brightly colored bird perched on a branch. She believes birds are earthly showstoppers and captures them as such. These animals enhance our lives by encouraging us to pause and observe. "Oh look, there goes a beautiful bird—I always stop to look," says Mary.
About the Artist
Mary Pratt, a Georgia...
Oil
$375Sale Price|25% Off
series "Personal Contacts", 61 x 48 cm, acrylic on paper
By Tatiana Nega
Located in Yerevan, AM
series "Personal Contacts", 61 x 48 cm The work is sold without a frame and mat
Paper, Acrylic
$975Sale Price|25% Off
E , 90x70cm, acrylic, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Heterochromia, 80x80 cm
Canvas, Acrylic
$5,000
Porcelain plate of Princess of Wales Theatre ceiling design (Limited Edition)
By Frank Stella
Located in New York, NY
Frank Stella Ceiling: Princess of Wales Theatre, 1996 Limited Edition Silkscreened Porcelain Plate in presentation box 12 inches diameter Edition 262/2000 Rarely found stateside - es...
Porcelain, Mixed Media, Screen
Morphosis I-original abstract mixed media painting-artwork- contemporary art
By Annie King
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, Acrylic
$750Sale Price|25% Off
Sea , 40x50 cm, oil on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Sea , 40x50 cm, oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil
$5,199
The Last Warmth - original abstract impressionism landscape oil - contemporary
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, Linen, Oil
Towards The Dream - Abstract Colorful Textured Original Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sergei Inkatov’s original, abstract fine art oil paintings have been exhibited internationally. His expressionistic artworks are vivid and richly textured. Inkatov’s paintings radiat...
Canvas, Oil
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
Acrobat (detail), Limited Edition Porcelain Plate in bespoke gift box - Abstract
Located in New York, NY
This porcelain/ceramic plate makes a gorgeous gift - in a bright blue bespoke box, ready to be gifted. Any fan of Helen Frankenthaler or Abstract Expressionist art would be thrilled!...
Porcelain, Screen, Cardboard, Mixed Media
$315Sale Price|55% Off
What mask are you wearing? 80x80cm, print on canvas.Edition of 20 pieces
Located in Yerevan, AM
What mask are you wearing? 80x80cm, print on canvas Edition of 20 pieces
Canvas, Color
$315Sale Price|55% Off
What mask are you wearing? 80x80cm, print on canvas.Edition of 20 pieces
Located in Yerevan, AM
Edition of 20 pieces
Canvas, Color
$315Sale Price|55% Off
What mask are you wearing? 80x80cm, print on canvas.Edition of 20 pieces
Located in Yerevan, AM
Edition of 20 pieces
Canvas, Color
Prickly Pear, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Crystal DiPietro reflects a magnificent view of Southwestern Arizona. On an evening hike, Crystal came across prickly pear ...
Oil
Moonflower, Original Painting
By Autumn Rose
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A joyous bouquet of various flowers set against a dramatic dark background by artist Autumn Rose. Inspired by her never-ending love of botanicals, Autumn comb...
Acrylic
$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
Blue Angel, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of Naoko's signature series, Who Are These Angels. A diaphanous angel stands quietly in a deep blue landscape. The tonal quality of the painting accentua...
Oil
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
When everything was Groovy-original cityscape London painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. “When Everything Was Groovy, Carnaby Street” by Therese James ...
Canvas, Oil
Sonoran Hillside, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Drawing inspiration from her hiking trips, artist Crystal DiPietro paints scenes she personally witnesses. She depicts a hillside view of Saguaro cacti overlooking the canyon. "They stand like sentinels along the landscape," describes Crystal. She paints the mountains turning...
Oil
$12,000
Animal
Located in Wilton, CT
silk, metal thread, flax
Textile
$750Sale Price|25% Off
Two pines , 60x25 cm, oil on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Two pines , 60x25 cm, oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil
$750Sale Price|25% Off
Untitled , 78x54cm, acrylic, paper
Located in Yerevan, AM
Untitled , 2025, 78x54 cm The work is sold without a frame.
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Summer Peonies, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by nature's blooms, artist Lisa Elley rendered this piece solely with the use of a palette knife. She creates thick tangible textures, leaping off th...
Oil
Skyward, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"I decided to lean into the suggestive pose of the figure," shares artist Sumner Crenshaw, "creating a work that radiates with confident sensuality and femini...
Oil
$12,000
Summer and Winter, Mid-Century Tapestry, Woven Hanging, Textile Wall Sculpture
By Adela Akers
Located in Wilton, CT
Adela Akers (b. 1933, Santiago de Compostela, Spain) is a Spanish-born textile and fiber artist. She is Professor Emeritus (1972 to 1995) at the Tyler Scho...
Textile, Linen, Thread, Yarn, Fabric, Tapestry
Red 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
Life to the Full LA Blue 1 - Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sarah Johnson infuses passion, heart, and a lifetime of creative experience into each original painting. Her radial series exhibit both uninhibited freedom and methodical technique. Through colors, textures, and movement, Johnson’s acrylic paintings on canvas radiate joy with pleasing repetition and form. This 48-inch high by 30-inch wide one-of-a-kind painting is stretched, wired and ready to hang. The sides of this original artwork are painted and it does not require framing. It is signed by the artist on the back. Free local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and International shipping available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the gallery is included. Johnson says about her work: "I believe things that you bring into your home make a difference in the way you live and feel. My artwork is inspired by joy, purpose, and freedom. I hope my paintings are a source of inspiration for you and everyone who enters your home." Each series has a meaningful message, adding both truth and beauty to your walls. Johnson is based in Dallas, Texas, and has been a professional artist since 2012. Her abstract artworks are collected internationally. REPRESENTATION Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, California, USA EDUCATION 2010 The University of Texas at Austin EXHIBITIONS 2022 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA 2022 The Collective, Dallas, TX 2022 Mecox Gardens, Houston, TX 2022 The Arbors, Round Top, TX 2022 The Walking Man, Whitefish, MT 2022 BayHill Design Studio, Austin, TX 2022 Septemberfest Art Fair, Midland TX - Honorable Mention 2021 Olive & Home, Tyler TX...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,500Sale Price|25% Off
Pinky , 120x100cm, acrylic on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Pinky , 2022, 120x100cm
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Permanent Marker
Tryon 11, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Naoko Tadotsu displays ethereal expressionism with an image of a blazing tree. The sun sets behind it, giving its silhouette a dark translucent glow. The light reflecting from the river's surface filters through the leaves and twinkles like glass shards. The fiery orange hues against the blue and green accents give the composition warmth and brilliance.
About the Artist
Brilliant prismatic trees radiate in artist Naoko Tadotsu’s expressionist compositions. “I am always in awe of nature, color, and light,†says Naoko. These three facets establish her vibrant works in fluid strokes of vivid hues. Roots of her influence trace back to growing up in Osaka, where these elements were abundant. Naoko migrated to New York where she was immersed and fell in love with the world of art. What was once unexpressed inspiration inevitably translated onto the canvas. Her work often crosses into abstraction, capturing her feelings towards nature and painting it as its own entity. “The trees, like people, show different faces,†adds Naoko. In the same way, her pieces elicit different perspectives from every viewer. All Naoko needs is a portable easel...
Oil
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
Soaring. 100x100cm, acrylic on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Soaring. 100x100cm
Canvas, Acrylic
Fall to Autumn, Oil Painting
By Lisa Elley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"Whether it's fall, winter, spring, or summer it's always time for some colorful birch!" exclaims artist Lisa Elley. Golden yellow leaves leap off the canvas ...
Oil
Stillness in Bloom- original abstract impressionism landscape oil - contemporary
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, Linen, Oil
$825Sale Price|25% Off
Noon by the sea , 60x50 cm, oil on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Noon by the sea , 60x50 cm, oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil
Fiesta (Red) - Abstract Colorful Red Expressionist Textural Drip Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles artist Marc Raphael's abstract expressionism paintings are influenced by New York's abstract expressionist movement. After encountering Jackson Pollock’s work for the fir...
Canvas, Acrylic
Sunflowers in Bloom, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A glowing still life of sunflowers and wildflowers arranged on a rich blue backdrop. Artist Jeff Fleming describes his painting style as kinetic impressionism. Jeff started the piece with a pencil sketch on the canvas, then with gloved hands, he generously applied oil paint using his fingers. Jeff says he created this scene purely from imagination.
About the Artist
Artist Jeff Fleming uses fingerpainting to create exuberant portraits of dogs. Growing up in Southern California, Jeff was first introduced to fingerpainting in kindergarten. He painted through high school and college and won several art awards, including Best of Show in a city wide student competition. After graduating with a degree in journalism and advertising, he went to work as an art director. For the next 40 years, he created print, radio and television ads for a number of top agencies. "After retiring in 2019, the clouds of stress and pressure cleared and allowed me to set my creative energy free," says Jeff. He began developing new techniques focused on the excitement and energy of painting. Today, he uses a variety of methods and tools, including fingerpainting wearing nitrile gloves, traditional paint brushes, bamboo shish kebab sticks, kite string, spraypaint and splattering. While working, Jeff always listens to music, including Broadway musicals, dance music and rhythmic Hawaiian tunes.
Words that describe this painting: impressionism, flowers, vase, spring, blooms, Iris Scott...
Oil