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.
$4,000
Just Take a Few More Steps - Framed Original Colorful Abstract Landscape Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jane Harington is a Saskatoon-based contemporary painter whose expressive oil paintings explore landscape, florals, and place through color, memory, and emotion. Shaped by an interna...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$705
A Place to Breathe - Abstract Gold Leaf and Acrylic Sky Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adele Webster’s contemporary landscape paintings explore atmosphere, light, and the emotional presence of open space. Working with layered acrylic washes on wood panel, Webster creat...
Gold Leaf
$3,050
Follow Me My Little Ones! - Original Colorful Abstract Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jane Harington is a Saskatoon-based contemporary painter whose expressive oil paintings explore landscape, florals, and place through color, memory, and emotion. Shaped by an interna...
Canvas, Oil
Simple Life (Gestural Abstract, Still Life, Warm, Soft, Summer, Vibrant)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Katherine Bello Simple Life (Gestural Abstract, Still Life, Warm, Soft, Summer, Vibrant) Oil and Oil Stick on Canvas 2021 Size: 20 x 20 x 1.5 inches (50.8 × 50.8 × 3.8 cm) Signed, da...
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Oil
$1,500
"Dream of Monet Lilly Pads" Colorful Impressionistic Oil Painting on Wood Framed
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
This painting depicts an impressionistic scene of Monet's home Lily Pond in Giverny, a poetic piece with beautiful details. The work reminds us of Claude Monet, with impressions capt...
Wood Panel, Oil
$2,153
Au dela des champs, Contemporary Abstract Landscape Painting by Sophie Dumont
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Born in Paris in 1964, French contemporary painter Sophie Dumont creates richly layered oil paintings that explore abstraction through structure, rhythm, and memory. Her works are he...
Oil
$3,050
Being - Framed Original Colorful Abstract Landscape Mixed Media Art on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jane Harington is a Saskatoon-based contemporary painter whose expressive oil paintings explore landscape, florals, and place through color, memory, and emotion. Shaped by an interna...
Canvas, Oil, Mixed Media
$411
HandPainted Artist's Proof-Strawberry Moon Field-Awarded British Artist-GoldLeaf
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
This latest limited, hand-painted Artist Proof is made on a premium metal/aluminium panel. All its gold-leaf parts are hand-painted and gilded by the artist herself, making each Pro...
Metal, Gold Leaf
Original-Peony Summer-Impasto-British Awarded Artist-Oil, Goldleaf-plein air
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
This Oil impasto and Goldleaf on Paper, named Peony Summer, is a part of Summer Bloom Series by Award winning British artist Shizico Yi. She created the painting in her garden paint...
Gold Leaf
$2,600
Under - Original Impasto Thick Paint Beige Red Pink 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
21 (Gestural Abstract, Warm, Soft, Heart, Pink, Green)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Katherine Bello 21 Oil on Canvas 2021 Size: 40 x 30 x 1.5 inches (101.6 cm × 76.20 × 3.81 cm) Signed, dated and titled by hand COA provided *On Stretcher Frame, Gallery-wrapped - re...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$14,550
"umbrella girl series" Blue- Gold Edition No.14, Painting, 21st Century, Acrylic
By Roger König
Located in Dessau-Rosslau, Sachsen Anhalt
Set against a rich midnight blue background, luminous gold leaf creates a refined dialogue between elegance, depth and timeless luxury Gold Edition - with real gold leaf, 23,75 cara...
Clay, Acrylic
$3,032Sale Price|25% Off
Large French Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Bright Orange and Pastel Colour
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Large French Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Bright Orange and Pastel Colours Composition by Marie Deloume (French, born 1942) signed verso French abstract expressionist oil pain...
Oil, Canvas
$2,950
I Want That Kind of Forever That Burns Bright - Bouquet Still Life Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by paintings created by old masters and the immersive nature she experienced in the Black Forest, German artist Katharina Husslein paints in a representational hyperrealisti...
Canvas, Oil
Original Set of 3-Primary Colour series-Awarded artist-gold leaf with oil
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
Shizico Yi's "Primary Series" is a series where she explores the relationship between colours and emotion, particularly the colour yellow ( using gold leaf as the chosen material for...
Gold Leaf
Held by Morning 1, Original abstract botanical, blue, blue gray
Located in Cumming, GA
Held by Morning 1 captures the quiet beauty of daybreak through soft botanical forms, layered texture, and a luminous palette of pale blue-gray and white. Inspired by the restorative...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,800
No Ulterior Motives (Gestural Abstract, Atmospheric, Blue, Cool, Soft Pink)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Katherine Bello No Ulterior Motives Oil on Canvas 2021 Size: 40 x 30 x 1.5 inches (101.6 cm × 76.20 × 3.81 cm) Signed, dated and titled by hand COA provided *On Stretcher Frame, Gal...
Canvas, Oil
$1,058Sale Price|30% Off
Large Abstract Expressionist Mid Century Modern Oil Painting on Canvas in Frame
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Large original abstract oil painting on canvas signed in the lower left and framed. A very attractive modern vintage abstract that cascades strong colour and form. Here, the artist...
Oil
$2,153
The Shadow Within, Contemporary Abstract Geometric Painting by Sophie Dumont
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
The Shadow Within Sophie Dumont is a French contemporary painter whose work explores the dialogue between geometry, light, and material through richly layered oil paintings. Built o...
Oil
Gold Abstract Paintings, Gold Modern Art, Abstract Art-Grace 4024
Located in Delaware , OH
Gold Abstract Paintings, Gold Modern Art, Abstract Art-Grace All of Addison's text in her paintings are her journal. She uses it as an artist expressions and does not read them afte...
Gold
Hand-Painted large Canvas Limited Edition#6/10–Sunshine Factory-Awarded Artist
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
This stunning large hand-painted Limited canvas edition is created in oil by Shizico Yi and is 95% hand painted directly onto canvas. Signed on the front and signed and numbered on ...
Gesso, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Giclée, Archival Pigment
Enigma, Contemporary Abstract Geometric Painting by Sophie Dumont
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
French contemporary artist Sophie Dumont creates layered oil paintings that balance structure, atmosphere, and emotion. Her work is held in private and museum collections and is reco...
Oil
"Floral float" Abstract impressionist water lilies painting inspiration by Monet
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Floral Float" is an original expressive water lily painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, inspired by Claude Monet, created on heavyweight professional acid-free paper and meas...
Paper, Acrylic
$465
"Summer Flora" Contemporary abstract expressionist floral acrylic painting
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Summer Flora" is a lively floral painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, measuring 29.7 x 42 cm, approximately 11.7 x 16.5 inches. In this piece, she captures the feeling of a s...
Paper, Acrylic
White folds 9. 3D abstraction
Located in Zofingen, AG
The painting, created on canvas with clay, depicts soft, flowing folds that create the impression of draped fabric. The entire piece is rendered in a pure white color, giving it eleg...
Clay, Canvas, Acrylic
"umbrella girl series" Gold Edition No.13, Painting, 21st Century, Acrylic
By Roger König
Located in Dessau-Rosslau, Sachsen Anhalt
Gold Edition - with real gold leaf, 23,75 carat Art measures 7.87“ x 7.87“ inches Frame measures 13“ x 13“ x 2.36“ inches Framed in a high-quality contemporary wooden moulding. Color...
Clay, Acrylic
Glimmer
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Glimmer” captures a moment of transition, where tension slowly dissolves into light. The work explores a subtle boundary between heaviness and ease, where silence becomes a space fo...
Canvas, Acrylic, Oil
$3,480
Correspondances, Modern Abstract painting, Geometric, Original Oil on Canvas
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Sophie Dumont is a contemporary French painter recognized for her layered oil paintings, where structure and material create refined, architectural compositions collected internatio...
Oil
$5,050
The Wellspring III - Large Scale Contemporary Colorful Abstract Oil 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
$6,800
Leaving the Pieces Alone, 2024, Original Mixed Media Painting by Murray Duncan
Located in Toronto, Ontario
'Leaving the Pieces Alone' - is an original mixed media painting by Canadian artist Murray Duncan. Measuring 48" H × 84" W, the composition features Duncan's signature gestural lin...
Glaze, Oil Crayon, Acrylic, Pencil
$850
Mysterious Sea, Abstract Seascape Painting in Orange, School of Fish Patterns
Located in Barcelona, ES
“Mysterious Sea ” is a contemporary abstract painting inspired by the fluid motion of ocean currents. Layers of teal, green, and orange tones intertwine with flowing yellow lines, ev...
Paper, Acrylic, Monotype
L'equilibre des voix, Contemporary Large Abstract Oil Painting, 42x42 in
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
L’Équilibre des Voix Sophie Dumont L’Équilibre des Voix, 2026 Oil on canvas 100 x 100 cm (39.4 x 39.4 in) Framed: 107 x 107 cm (42.1 x 42.1 in) Signed by the artist Black or natural...
Canvas, Oil
$3,480
Terres de lumiere, Contemporary Abstract Landscape Painting in Earthy tones
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Terres de Lumière (Lands of Light) French contemporary painter Sophie Dumont is renowned for her richly layered oil paintings inspired by landscape, memory, and the passage of time....
Oil
$1,105
White Nights. Abstract expressionist, grey, Japandi, Wabi-Sabi, Shabby Chic
Located in Oslo, NO
The viewer sees a work in which the abstract language of painting acquires poetic power. The work is made using the mixed media technique: the translucency of the epoxy resin, superi...
Canvas, Epoxy Resin, Acrylic
avp_1628 - Original Abstract Red Tone Contemporary Acrylic 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
$950
"Andean Jungle" Abstract Oil Painting on Canvas 28x41 inches
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Andean jungle. This oil painting on canvas explores the relationship between landscape and abstraction through intersecting planes and fields of color. Vertical and horizontal forms ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Summer After Winter, Abstract Painting
By Kajal Zaveri
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by the transition from winter's stillness to the abundance of summer, this painting celebrates nature's renewal and vitality. Layers of vibrant green e...
Acrylic
L'ordre des tomes, Contemporary textured Oil on Canvas, Abstract library
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Born in Paris in 1964, French contemporary painter Sophie Dumont creates richly textured oil paintings inspired by landscapes, artists' studios and her celebrated library series. Her...
Oil
Temps suspendu, Contemporary Abstract Painting by Sophie Dumont
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Oil on Canvas 40 x 40 cm (15.7 x 15.7 in) 47 x 47 cm framed (18.5 x 18.5 in) Available with a choice of black or natural wood floating frame. In Temps Suspendu, French contemporary ...
Oil
$5,587
Vers l'equilibre, Contemporary Large Abstract Geometric Oil Painting, 34 x 34 in
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Vers l'Équilibre - Oil on canvas Unframed: 80 x 80 x 2 cm (31.50 x 31.50 x 0.79 in) Framed: 87 x 87 x 3.5 cm (34.25 x 34.25 x 1.38 in) Black or natural wood floater frame available S...
Canvas, Oil
Diana Ruban Large Surreal Flying Bird Contemporary Figurative Painting
By Diana Ruban
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Complimentary shipping is available when the artwork is carefully rolled and shipped in a protective tube. This is a safe and widely used method for transporting large-format paintin...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Sea Foam 11, Abstract Painting
By DL Watson
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
An abstract seascape painting evokes the motion of ocean waves through layered blues and turquoises. Organic patterns suggest shifting currents and foam. Subtle...
Acrylic
$745Sale Price|20% Off
"Free woman" Contemporary figurative nude woman acrylic painting on paper
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Free woman" is a contemporary figurative nude painting by French artist Natalya, created in acrylic paints and acrylic pens on heavyweight acid-free paper, depicting a seated female...
Paper, Acrylic
And It Felt Like We Could Fly - Original Abstract Colorful Nature Still Life
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kimberly Blackstock’s “And It Felt Like We Could Fly” opens into a luminous garden-like scene filled with movement, softness, and dimensional texture. The artwork has the feeling of ...
Acrylic, Resin, Mixed Media, Wood Panel
Profils interieurs, Contemporary Large Abstract Oil Painting, 42x42 in
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
Profils Intérieurs Oil on canvas 2026 100 x 100 cm (39.37 x 389.37 in) Framed dimensions: approx. 107 x 107 cm (42.12 x 42.12 in= Framing: Floater frame available in black or natural...
Canvas, Oil
Venetian Light
Located in Zofingen, AG
Venetian Light from the Inner Landscapes series Abstract impressionist painting inspired by the atmosphere of Venice - a city experienced through light, reflection, and memory. Rath...
Canvas, Oil
$1,500
Bloomtime: Original floral painting on Canvas, Vintage Floral Still Life, Signed
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Bloom-time in pot of blues This artwork is an invitation to connect to abundance and rejuvenation. Working layer upon layer, I honored the delicate blossoms, offsetting the...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
You brought Sunshine and Summer: Original Floral Painting, Blue vase, Geese.
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: You brought Sunshine and Summer Original Floral Painting, Blue vase, Geese, Heron, Unique, One-of-a-kind. "You brought Sunshine and Summer" is a painting that portrays a dee...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
AWH 353 - Abstract Minimalist Textured Layered Colorfield Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bernhard Zimmer produces deeply layered, subtly textured abstract paintings that contain diametrically opposed elements—order and chaos, abstraction and representation, boldness and ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
The Fountain in the Garden of Eden
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Fountain in the Garden of Eden” is a painterly dialogue between Albrecht Dürer’s images of Adam and Eve and Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain. In this work, the classical narrative merges w...
Canvas, Acrylic
Textured Abstract Painting on Canvas by Serg Graff, "Magical Friends", COA
By Serg Graff
Located in Palm Coast, FL
This is an original textured acrylic painting on canvas by contemporary fantasy artist Serg Graff, titled “Magical Friends”. Medium: Acrylic on canvas Artist: Serg Graff (signed and...
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
Circular Multicolor Clay Sphere Wall Relief Geometric Pop Abstract Sculpture
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Circular wall relief composed of hundreds of hand-formed clay spheres creating a vibrant geometric field of color, texture and dimensional abstraction. Bubble belongs to Elizabeth A...
Clay, Spray Paint, Board
"Wild White Horses" Contemporary Outsider Urban Expressionism Painting Framed
By Purvis Young
Located in New York, NY
The painting is an expressive, abstract work by Purvis Young with a strong emphasis on dynamic brushwork and a limited color palette dominated by deep reds, off-whites, and subtle ac...
Found Objects, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Cardboard
$3,083
Quiet Serenade - abstracted figurative art - underwater expressive oil 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
Abstract Expressionist Mid-century American painting
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful minimal Abstract Expressionist painting. Mixed media on paper glued down to illustration backing board. Paper sheet measures 10.25 x 14 inches. Cardboard panel measures 1...
Paper, Mixed Media, Illustration Board
$745Sale Price|20% Off
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
$1,218Sale Price|25% Off
Vibrant Abstract with Bold Colours French 20th Century Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Expressionist Composition by Gilbert Pelissier (French born 1924) oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas size: 15 x 31.5 inches condition: overall very good, a few minor su...
Canvas, Oil
$6,050
Jit Madness - Abstract Contemporary Organic Shape Mixed Media Artwork on Canvas
By Rue Bootay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rue Bootay, a New York-born artist now rooted in the vibrant artistic landscape of Los Angeles, navigates the avant-garde realm of nonrepresentational surrealism with a style uniquel...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
A Beautiful Story - Original 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, Acrylic