Abstract Interior Paintings
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.
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Brian McCarty depicts a quiet rural home behind a red barn. Surrounded by a field of grass and autumnal trees, a car sits on the winding dirt path. "Everyday life is caught in a moment," says Brian. "Arriving home, or getting ready to leave home. A lazy afternoon." Just the type of subject Brian loves to paint.
About the Artist
Artist Brian McCarty paints idyllic landscapes and bucolic architecture. “Growing up in rural New Jersey, I’ve always found old houses, barns, and the countryside interesting subjects,†says Brian. Influenced by his mom who was a self-taught artist and art teacher, she encouraged Brian to pursue anything artistic. After graduating from Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art and earning his BA in Art from Thomas Edison State College, he worked professionally as a graphic designer in New York for the largest publishing houses in the country. A career that spanned thirty-six years. Brian has done comedy and sketch writing with the Groundling Theater, and worked in a few major feature films as an actor. To begin his process, Brian takes photos of his references with an iPad, crops the images to his liking, and paints directly on his canvas with a quick oil wash. Recently returning to painting full time, he converted a room in his house into a working studio. “I get lots of natural light, and listen to music and podcasts while I paint.â€
Words that describe this painting: country, house, home, barn, farmhouse, farm life, country living, road, architecture, impressionism, autumn, oilpaint, architecture, impressionism, oil painting, green, brown
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Chalk, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Elizabeth Garat shares a glimpse of a pastoral landscape with an impressionistic approach. "This iconic red barn off of Grand Avenue in the east end of Ojai, California is a favorite scene for me," shares Elizabeth. She beautifully captures the warm sunny day when the golden...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Enamel
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Paper, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
"One of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in New York," states artist Suren Nersisyan. Thick textured strokes in a dusk-dipped palette make for a harmon...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Paint, Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
1950s Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
1960s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Artist Comments
Colette's latest series of paintings draws inspiration from living in New York for many years. "I worked to capture the beautiful light and vivid colors found...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Doug Cosbie paints a summer pastoral scene with barns and farmhouses in the distance. "There are many old family farms west of Washington DC in the county of Fauquier," says Doug. He includes the Stars and Stripes barn found near Delaplane, VA. Vivid hues of blue and green color the breezy natural landscape.
About the Artist
Artist Doug Cosbie presents the vibrancy found in nature with his impressionist, rural architecture centered artwork. Longing to create something that connects with people, Cosbie spent countless years perfecting how he portrays the world on canvas. Within his journey, he studied as an apprentice in the studios of Sam Black and Jack Shadbolt. As a plein air artist, Doug's studio is a portable pochade box. He begins by finding a location that speaks to him, makes a sketch, and continues to add depth and dimension with oil on canvas. "Creativity when making art is not about interpreting exactly as you see it. New ideas are formed by interesting contrasts, and interesting paintings happen when things are out of place." In the rare cases when he is not painting, you can find him reading, traveling, sailing, and spending quality time with his family. Cosbie's creations have been showcased at galleries in Canada. He is an alumnus of Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Words that describe this painting: barns, farm, landscape, Virginia, USA, United States, summer, hills, structures, buildings, architecture, pastoral, rural, town, sky, oilpaint, travel, impressionism, architecture, impressionism, travel, oil painting, blue
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Kip Decker pictures an abandoned barn and silo in the upstate, capturing the rustic countryside as autumn finally sets in. Wildflowers blanket the tang...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Lisa Elley displays the entryway of a welcoming building inspired by the architecture of quaint villages in Italy. The light accentuates the rustic sto...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
1930s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas, Resin, Epoxy Glue, Cotton Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Doug Cosbie offers a peaceful view of an Amish dwelling during the summer. A well-trodden dirt road leads up to a wooden garage where a trusty tractor is parked for the day. "Traditional Amish homes have a distinct angular look," says Doug. "Its metal roof, white paint, green window shades epitomize the simple life they have chosen."
About the Artist
Artist Doug Cosbie presents the vibrancy found in nature with his impressionist, rural architecture centered artwork. Longing to create something that connects with people, Cosbie spent countless years perfecting how he portrays the world on canvas. Within his journey, he studied as an apprentice in the studios of Sam Black and Jack Shadbolt. As a plein air artist, Doug's studio is a portable pochade box...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi Xu depicts an iconic view of LaSalle Street in Chicago, facing south from the bridge. She rendered this piece in a warm muted palette, setting the stage to highlight sporadic lights and reflections on wet concrete. "My focus was to convey the mood and feeling a rainy day brings to my beloved city," shares Yangzi.
About the Artist
Artist Yangzi Xu captures a nostalgia for Chicago and its dramatic seasonal changes in her expressionist cityscapes. Having a full-time job and being a wife and mother, Yangzi makes a habit of painting everyday to keep her passion exciting and fresh. She keeps a queue of ideas and reference photos that she takes throughout the year. She looks through her references, tweaks and adds elements to them. Once inspiration strikes, Yangzi draws several sketches and begins to work with oils on canvas on multiple pieces at once - to keep each painting spontaneous and new. "I try to capture the paradox of life in the city, where one can be in a crowd and yet feel alone," Yangzi says. "My main intent is not to capture the physical reality of a scene, but to express my own moods and feelings to my audience." In her free time, Yangzi enjoys reading, with her current favorite genres being biographies and memoirs. Yangzi is an alumnus of DePaul University in Chicago.
Words that describe this painting: Chicago, La Salle...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Acrylic Polymer, Acrylic, Panel
Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood captured the morning sunlight falling across a courtyard in Tlaquepaque in Sedona, AZ. During the day, the outdoor market bustles with ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Interior Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic