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Academic Abstract Paintings

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ACADEMIC STYLE

During the Renaissance, the first European fine art academies were established in Italy and would guide the style and standards of visual culture in the following centuries. Academic art became dominant across the continent in the 17th century, with artists coming together to offer instruction in this style of painting and sculpture. 

The academic art period represented a significant change from the previous era when painters, sculptors and other artists were part of guilds and seen more as artisans than purveyors of culture. While patronage from the elite and the church remained pivotal, young artists were able to support themselves for the first time through academic exhibitions and an independent marketplace. The leading academies included the French Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture founded in Paris in 1648 (which became the Académie des Beaux-Arts after the French Revolution) and the London Royal Academy of Arts formed in 1768 under the inaugural leadership of painter Joshua Reynolds. 

Academy students sketched drawings based on prints, sculptures and, finally, live models. Movements including neoclassicism and romanticism were particularly popular in these art schools and institutions where the influence of Raphael and Nicolas Poussin was prominent. Beaux Arts architecture and furniture design drew on these movements, too, and, as they also originated at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the disciplines share common ground with academic painting and sculpture.

Although academic art was a major shift for artistic status when it began, by the middle of the 19th century it was viewed as stodgy and resistant to new ideas, with the subject matter of artists such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Jean-Léon Gérôme generally limited to allegorical or mythological themes. Impressionism, realism and the other movements that engaged with contemporary issues that followed were direct reactions to the academic tradition, although it continued to inform the avant-garde as artists like Gustav Klimt and Pablo Picasso started their practices as academic realists.  

Find a collection of academic paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs. 

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Style: Academic
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 11
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 11

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 11

By Pascal Plazanet

Located in Paris, IDF

Rapidography & acrylic on paper + white frame Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing tool...

Category

1990s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 6
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 6

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Provencale No. 6

By Pascal Plazanet

Located in Paris, IDF

Rapidography & acrylic on paper + white frame Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing tool...

Category

1990s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Chateau de Foix
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Chateau de Foix

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Chateau de Foix

By Pascal Plazanet

Located in Paris, IDF

Rapidography & ink on paper + white frame Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing tool...

Category

1990s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Rosetta

Rosetta

By John William Bailly

Located in New York, NY

Oil on canvas Signed This painting is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “Tohu-bohu” is a series of paintings by French-American painter John Bailly that explores the o...

Category

Early 2000s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Los Hermanos Islets

Los Hermanos Islets

By John William Bailly

Located in New York, NY

Oil on canvas Signed This painting is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. “When two worlds collide, mayhem or genius can ensue. Consider the freestyle fellowship that ha...

Category

Early 2000s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Related Items
The Territory, Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
The Territory, Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media

The Territory, Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media

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A Scottish Glasgow School Abstract Expressionist mixed media painting by Grant McTavish. The work is signed and dated bottom right and is resigned and dedicated to the backboard. The...

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Late 20th Century Academic Abstract Paintings

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Paper, Oil, Acrylic

Lilac green fantasy.
Lilac green fantasy.

Svetlana SaratovaLilac green fantasy., 2023

$197

H 16.54 in W 11.7 in D 0.04 in

Lilac green fantasy.

By Svetlana Saratova

Located in Zofingen, AG

This abstract composition is inspired by the quiet rhythm of geological formations and the fluid movement of natural landscapes. Flowing layers of muted olive green, warm taupe, soft...

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2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

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City of Angels - Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Abstract, 48in x 60in
City of Angels - Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Abstract, 48in x 60in

City of Angels - Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Abstract, 48in x 60in

By Mario Angel

Located in Mississauga, CA

This striking acrylic on canvas by Mario Angel, titled "City of Angels," offers a compelling journey into figurative abstraction, where the artist masterfully weaves together themes ...

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2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

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Canvas, Acrylic

Beginning To Unfold, Contemporary Mixed Media Painting, 40x40, Signed
Beginning To Unfold, Contemporary Mixed Media Painting, 40x40, Signed

Beginning To Unfold, Contemporary Mixed Media Painting, 40x40, Signed

By Peter Kuttner

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The organic aesthetic and textures of Peter Kuttner’s original boho minimalist artworks are the result of patient layering and original uses of media. Through a combination of paint ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Tissue Paper

Gradient X, Abstract Minimalist Colorfield Acrylic Painting by Jay Rosenblum
Gradient X, Abstract Minimalist Colorfield Acrylic Painting by Jay Rosenblum

Gradient X, Abstract Minimalist Colorfield Acrylic Painting by Jay Rosenblum

By Jay Rosenblum

Located in Long Island City, NY

This acrylic painting on paper was created by New York-born artist Jay Rosenblum. In his art, he seeks to correlate his great love for chamber music sonatas with freely evolving bloc...

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1970s Academic Abstract Paintings

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Paper, Acrylic

On The Move, Contemporary Abstract Painting
On The Move, Contemporary Abstract Painting

On The Move, Contemporary Abstract Painting

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This painting was created with energy, spontaneity, and confidence. Bold black forms layered against a warm tan background create a striking sense of contrast while maintaining an in...

Category

2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Original Oil-Having aCigarette amongst LimeTrees-British Awarded Artist-Framed
Original Oil-Having aCigarette amongst LimeTrees-British Awarded Artist-Framed

Original Oil-Having aCigarette amongst LimeTrees-British Awarded Artist-Framed

By Shizico Yi

Located in London, GB

Summer 2024, the avenue of 130-year-old Lime trees surrounding Shizico’s new cottage Garden captivated and inspired Shizico Yi to paint on a larger scale; with t...

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2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

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Gesso, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Joyous Turquoise Sea, Abstract Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Seascape on Paper
Joyous Turquoise Sea, Abstract Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Seascape on Paper

Joyous Turquoise Sea, Abstract Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Seascape on Paper

By Enric Servera

Located in Barcelona, ES

This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us...

Category

2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor

Light 28 August 19:59, Modern Landscape Painting, Minimalistic, Abstract, Sea
Light 28 August 19:59, Modern Landscape Painting, Minimalistic, Abstract, Sea

Light 28 August 19:59, Modern Landscape Painting, Minimalistic, Abstract, Sea

By Robert Motelski

Located in Hallein, AT

Robert Motelski's paintings are exceptional visions of nature, visions of space which surrounds us. They tell about being, fate and passing. They depend on the season of year, the ti...

Category

2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Flow
Flow

Paula ValenzuelaFlow, 2025

$800

H 14 in W 10 in

Flow

By Paula Valenzuela

Located in San Francisco, CA

Paula Valenzuela Flow, 2025 Watercolor, alcohol and acrylic ink on paper 14 x 10 inches This one-of-a-kind work on paper comes unframed and ships in a tube. External, visible frame ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Botanical Experiment #2
Botanical Experiment #2

Botanical Experiment #2

By Paula Valenzuela

Located in San Francisco, CA

Paula Valenzuela Botanical Experiment #2, 2025 Watercolor, alcohol and acrylic inks on paper 9 x 12 inches This one-of-a-kind work on paper comes unframed and ships in a tube. Exter...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Abstract Triptych Painting, Minimalist, 2010, Unframed
Abstract Triptych Painting, Minimalist, 2010, Unframed

Abstract Triptych Painting, Minimalist, 2010, Unframed

By On Hansen

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Repetition, The temptation is always to believe in the stability and Faintly falling On Hansen bears the traces of lived experiences, exploring the possibilities of formal abstracti...

Category

2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Ink, Wax, Acrylic, Graphite

Previously Available Items
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Le Sacré Coeur de Montmartre
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Le Sacré Coeur de Montmartre

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Le Sacré Coeur de Montmartre

By Pascal Plazanet

Located in Paris, IDF

Rapidography & acrylic onto canvas Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing...

Category

2010s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Paris depuis l’Hotel de Ville
French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Paris depuis l’Hotel de Ville

French Contemporary Art by Pascal Plazanet - Paris depuis l’Hotel de Ville

By Pascal Plazanet

Located in Paris, IDF

Rapidography & acrylic onto canvas Pascal Plazanet is a French artist born in 1963 who lives and works in Paris, France. For more 30 years, he constantly uses rapidograph pens in his artworks on paper or onto canvas. The rapidograph is a special pen with a capillary tubular tip in which flows a black pigment, an ancient drawing tool...

Category

Early 2000s Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Experiment in Pure Painting #7
Experiment in Pure Painting #7

Experiment in Pure Painting #7

By Lee Wells

Located in New York, NY

Lee Wells (born 1971), offers a complex intermix of images, which engage issues of war, sexuality, freedom and liberation. Deeply rooted in the history of painting and dialogue of th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic Polymer

Campos de Castilla
Campos de Castilla

Campos de Castilla

By Gloria Sáez

Located in New York, NY

Oil on canvas. White Floater Frame

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Academic Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil

Academic abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Academic abstract paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add abstract paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of pink, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including and John William Bailly. Frequently made by artists working with Canvas, and Fabric and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Academic abstract paintings, so small editions measuring 5.91 inches across are also available. Prices for abstract paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $434 and tops out at $990, while the average work sells for $434.