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.
Dream Escape 2 - Earthy Tones Abstract Textural Acrylic Painting on Canvas
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
$1,200
Botanical Interval, original botanical painting, pink, green, Abstract
Located in Cumming, GA
Botanical Interval – Original Contemporary Abstract Botanical Painting, 24 x 24 inches Botanical Interval captures a quiet, atmospheric moment where softened botanical forms emerge ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Fauvist influence still-life art "Blooming aura"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
Contemporary Neo-Expressionist floral still life with Fauvist chromatic influence, expressive mixed-media painting on heavyweight professional acid-free paper (50 × 65 cm / 19.7 × 25...
Paper, Acrylic
Architecture of Colors, Contemporary Large Abstract Oil Painting, 42x42 in
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Architecture of Colors This work is part of Sophie Dumont’s recent Architectural Abstractions series, an ongoing body of work exploring constructed space through layered oil painting...
Canvas, Oil
"Untitled" Jackson Pollock Style Abstract Expressionist Painting on Board Framed
Located in New York, NY
This painting is a vibrant abstract expressionist work in the style of Jackson Pollock, characterized by energetic, chaotic splatters, drips, and interwoven lines of paint. With bold...
Mixed Media, Board
Crazy Apartment - Abstract Figurative Cubist Portrait Still Life Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Valerie Etitinwo's unique approach to abstract figurative painting celebrates the unconventional beauty found in imperfection and awkwardness. The Nigerian-Swiss artist uses bold col...
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$4,110
Floating - Large Color Drenched Impasto Mixed Media Textural 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
$3,972Sale Price|33% Off
Water flowers abstract painting
Located in London, London
Decor floral, vintage flowers Abstract painting on canvas, blue, extra-large, XXL, large oil on canvas painting, abstract expressionism. Abstract art, water flowers, exotic flower...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Robot Circleish - Large Scale Abstract Expressive Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The paintings of Bruce Rubenstein seamlessly marry sophistication with affordability. His expressive abstract landscape artwork 'Robot Circleish' features whimsical details and vibra...
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$4,110
A Punch of Color - Large Scale Impasto Mixed Media Textural 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
$10,150
Mid-Hudson Inscape - Large Abstract Landscape Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The paintings of Bruce Rubenstein seamlessly marry sophistication with affordability. His expressive abstract landscape artwork 'Mid-Hudson Inscape' features whimsical details and vi...
Enamel
0316. Abstract Painting on Canvas
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The process of creating a painting leaves behind a series of elements that become the starting point for a new piece. A mark, a line, color and shape become elements of a new paintin...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,572
Articulation Point, Modern Abstract painting, Geometric, Original Oil on Canvas
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Oil on canvas, 60 x 60 cm (23.6 x 23.6 in) Framed: 67 x 67 cm (26.4 x 26.4 in) Signed lower right Framed in a black or natural wood floater frame (your choice) Certificate of authen...
Oil
Abstract Composition with Color Fields – Contemporary Oil Painting "Far Blue 2"
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
"Distant Blue 2." Abstract Composition with Fields of Blue Color is an original oil painting on canvas by Colombian artist Luis Xiua, created in his Bogotá studio. The work explores ...
Acrylic, Oil, Cotton Canvas
$1,833Sale Price|25% Off
Fallen Angel Painting, Abstract Oil on Linen, Signed, 120x60 cm
Located in Silverthorne, CO
A dramatic expressionist painting dedicated to the soul of me before cancer, who believed in a benevolent universe, who saw signs and followed them, who somehow thought she would liv...
Linen, Oil
"Umbrella - Silent Rain No.2, Abstract Painting, 21st Century, Acryl, Clay
By Roger König
Located in Dessau-Rosslau, Sachsen Anhalt
Artist: Roger König b. Dessau, Germany (1968) Master student of Kurt Schönburg, HWK Halle, Germany. The works are developed through a historically informed, proprietary material pr...
Clay, Acrylic
$3,500
In The Loop - Large Scale Color Drenched Impasto Textural 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, Glitter
Where it is quiet, No.1
Located in Zofingen, AG
This work emerged from an inner need to pause and enter a space where tension no longer exists. In a world where silence has become rare and fragile, painting becomes a way to briefl...
Canvas, Mixed Media
$1,194
Liberty
Located in Zofingen, AG
Liberty is an oil abstract painting and minimalist abstract landscape shaped by the quiet meeting of a sky-blue horizon and warm ochre earth tones, creating a subtle dialogue between...
Canvas, Oil
#253, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$3,572
Zone de rencontre - Modern Abstract painting, Geometric, Original Oil on Canvas
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
French contemporary painter Sophie Dumont is known for her abstracted library compositions and layered oil technique. Working from her studio in Normandy, she builds each canvas thr...
Oil
$655
The Under Glow - Colorful Framed Impasto Textural 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, Glitter, Acrylic
$23,895
DAMIEN HIRST - THE CURRENCY. Original work The Currency Project. Dots. Colors
By Damien Hirst
Located in Madrid, Madrid
DAMIEN HIRST - THE CURRENCY: 6274. NOBODY SHOULD HEAR IT Date of creation: 2016 Medium: Enamel paint on handmade paper Edition: 5.149 unique works on paper Size: 21.5 x 30 cm Conditi...
Enamel
$850
"Many For The Empath" (abstract, flora, fauna, roses, oil painting, green, pink)
Located in Paris, IDF
MANY FOR THE EMPATH 2026 Paris, France This complex and layered floral painting of an abundant, overflowing bouquet presents an energetic and mesmerizing subject. This original mixe...
Oil Crayon, Dye, Cotton Canvas, Ink, Oil, Acrylic
$5,800
Infinity Bliss - Bue Tone Abstract Atmospheric Landscape 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
$538
Hand Painted X-Large-Gladiolus Glorious-British Awarded Artist-Limited Edition#8
Located in London, GB
This rare X-large Limited Edition is 80% hand painted and highlighted with original paint and brushstrokes painted by artist Shizico Yi. Only 10 Limited Edition has been made, last ...
Gesso, Archival Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Giclée
$1,433
Cadence des livres, Abstract Library, oil paint, Expressionism, Contemporary art
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Cadence des Livres Oil on canvas, 2026 Unframed: 40 x 40 cm (15.7 x 15.7 in) Framed: 47 x 47 cm (18.5 x 18.5 in) Floater frame available in black or natural wood Signed lower right ...
Oil
#204, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$3,225
Modern abstract expressionist floral painting on linen canvas "Peony Bloom"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Peony Bloom" is a contemporary floral still life by French artist Natalya Mougenot, where vibrant color and expressive gesture celebrate the joyful abundance of peonies at their pea...
Acrylic, Canvas, Linen
$836
Modern abstract Impressionist still life floral painting on paper "Roses Trio"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Roses Trio” is a vibrant contemporary floral still life by French artist Natalya Mougenot, whose intuitive, spontaneous brushwork transforms everyday blooms into a burst of emotiona...
Paper, Acrylic
Portrait of a Woman in Black Dress
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Portrait of a Woman in Black, 1963. Stylistically influenced by Modigliani and Soutine. Signed "Woody" and dated lower right. Oil painting on canvas 34 x 18 in, 42 x 26 in (fram...
Burlap, Oil
$2,100
Flowing Creativity - Large Abstract Romantic Textural Acrylic Painting on Canvas
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
$1,285
A Moment In Time - Colorful Impasto Mixed Media Textural 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, Glitter, Acrylic
sense of pink
Located in London, London
The Designer Choice: Large Horizontal Abstract Expressionist Canvas – Warm Terracotta & Rose Statement Art The Emotional Choice: “Ember Glow” – Original Extra Large Mixed Media...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Golden Glow. Abstract expressionist, Japandi, Wabi-Sabi, Shabby Chic
Located in Oslo, NO
"Golden Glow" is a painting filled with bright, warm light and abstract shapes that convey a sense of powerful energy and inner light. The painting depicts a bright sun piercing the...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Synergy"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This striking contemporary masterpiece is a profound exploration of human connection and the fragmented nature of identity. Employing a sophisticated palette of earthy ochre, charcoa...
Gold Leaf
$14,500
"Quiet Little Prods" Large Scale 1960s Oil Painting - Geometric Abstraction
Located in Soquel, CA
"Quiet Little Prods" Large Scale 1960s Oil Painting - Geometric Abstraction Bold piece by Felix Ruvolo (American, 1912-1992). This piece exemplifies late-1960s hard-edge abstraction...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$795
154 Squares V.3 - Modern Colorful Abstract Geometric Squares Acrylic Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brandon Neher is a California artist whose original paintings embody a profound exploration of space, structure, and balance, infused with a touch of modern minimalism. Drawing inspi...
Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$5,735
Triptych “Symphony of nature” X-Large size . Semi-abstract interior painting
Located in Oslo, NO
This triptych showcases a dramatic seascape that captures the raw energy of turbulent waves crashing against rugged rocks. The swirling, frothy waters are depicted with dynamic brush...
Canvas, Acrylic
Echoes of the Flow
Located in Zofingen, AG
This piece from the *"Silhouettes"* series presents a bright abstract landscape where hints of a river, fields, and sky can be discerned. It continues the exploration of the connecti...
Acrylic, Archival Paper
Vintage Abstract Impressionist French Countryside Oil Painting by Jacques Birr
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Vintage mid-century abstract impressionist oil painting on board signed at the bottom, Jacques Birr 91. With expressive cloud swirls created by a large brush, the artist has given u...
Oil
$8,793
Eroded horizon- Large Abstract Painting – Landscape –Contemporary, French art
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
This original oil painting by Sophie Dumont, a French contemporary painter, reflects her distinctive approach to landscape through abstraction, structure, and material depth. Born i...
Canvas, Oil
Abstract Expressionist French Urban Scene. Gouache on Paper. 50cm x 65cm. x
Located in Cotignac, FR
Colorful abstract expressionnist village scene in gouache and watercolor on paper by Belgian artist André Pierard. Signed bottom right and dated August 1976 bottom left. This artwo...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
$1,173
Vibrant Abstract with Bold Green Moody Colours French 20th Century Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Expressionist Composition signed by Gilbert Pelissier (French born 1924) oil painting on canvas, unframed inscribed verso and dated 85' canvas size: 35 x 46 inches condition...
Oil
$4,779
Contours of Community by Gaetan de Seguin - Figurative contemporary Painting
Located in DE
Contemporary figurative painting with lots of details and movement. Beautiful statement piece for any art collection. Combining a lot of different colors in any interiors and setting...
Canvas, Acrylic
$5,973Sale Price|37% Off
Eternity Abstract Canvas Painting, Oil & Acrylic XXL
Located in London, London
All custom charges are included in the final price agreed. unframed, shipped rolled XXL, Extra-large painting, large painting, abstract art, abstract painting on canvas, oil on can...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,552
Large French Vintage Landscape Abstract Impressionist Coastal Oil Painting
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Large Vintage Abstract Impressionist oil painting on canvas, signed by the artist, Maryvonne LE DEIST (b.1936). This amazing painting hails from the 1960's and is entitled, 'Port de...
Oil
Rasplerry folds. 3D abstraction
Located in Zofingen, AG
This exquisite clay miniature, measuring just 26 × 32 cm, is created on a canvas fully formed from clay. The sculpted surface resembles softly draped fabric, with fluid folds seeming...
Clay, Canvas, Acrylic
$3,400
Fruity Ramen Alchemy: ARRIVAL - Meditative Abstract Blue Tone Painting on Canvas
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
Axe Intérieur, Large Abstract Oil Painting, Signed, 2026, Textured
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Inner Axis (Axe intérieur) is a masterful work by contemporary French artist Sophie Dumont, exploring the delicate tension between architectural structure and painterly freedom. True...
Oil
Sculpted white folds. 3D texture
Located in Zofingen, AG
The artwork is crafted on a wooden circular canvas, enhancing its organic and natural appeal. The folds, created from durable mesh and coated with plaster, add depth and texture to t...
Mixed Media
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Solace (Companionship) -21st Century Contemporary Abstract Expression, Love, Dog
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
There’s a silence that speaks when words can’t; the kind of silence that feels like a hand resting gently on your heart. Solace was born from that quiet. I painted this after a long...
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
$1,552
Abstract Impressionist Oil Painting on Canvas of Provence, France 1970's
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Vintage Abstract Impressionist oil painting on canvas, signed by the artist, Maryvonne LE DEIST (b.1936). This painting is entitled, 'Les Alphinnes' which is a small mountain range ...
Oil
Line of Silence No. 7
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Line of silence” is an ongoing painting cycle that explores the fragile boundary between presence and dissolution. Through a restrained color palette, layered surfaces, and a soften...
Canvas, Mixed Media
$1,794
Original-Jardin d'Hiver-British Awarded Artist-Impasto, oil, goldleaf on Dahlias
Located in London, GB
Jardin d'Hiver Series is Shizico Yi's latest collection, created in her winter studio while savouring for the summer left behind. Reflecting on the vibrant days spent painting en pl...
Gold Leaf
Neutral Nature (Gold) - Abstract Expressionist Acrylic 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
Golden branch on a mint green background. 3D textured.
Located in Zofingen, AG
The painting, created on a round plywood canvas, is a unique combination of sculpture and painting. The upper part of the artwork is adorned with a hand-painted botanical pattern usi...
Mixed Media, Wood Panel
Open Configuration – Contemporary Abstract Oil on Linen
Located in Zofingen, AG
Open Configuration This work explores structure as an evolving process rather than a fixed form. Geometric suggestions and color fields come together in an open configuration, where...
Canvas, Oil
Where Silence Rests
Located in Zofingen, AG
Oil on linen Belgian canvas. This minimalist seascape explores stillness as a spatial and perceptual experience. The horizon dissolves into a unified field where water and atmospher...
Canvas, Oil
Umbrella - Silent Rain Diptych No.3, Abstract Painting, 21st Century, Acryl
By Roger König
Located in Dessau-Rosslau, Sachsen Anhalt
Artist: Roger König b. Dessau, Germany (1968) Master student of Kurt Schönburg, HWK Halle, Germany. This diptych explores movement, emotion, and dissolution within the artist’s ong...
Acrylic, Clay