Abstract Still-life 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.
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Artist Comments
Inspired by the beauty, artist Colette Wirz Nauke shares a gorgeous view of cherry blossoms. Vivid colors and bold brush strokes fill the canvas. Colette aims...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A vibrant bouquet of red and turquoise flowers fill the composition in this joyful still life. 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 applied oil paint using his fingers. Jeff says he created the energetic flowers and vase in 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...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
"I used a palette knife to paint a feeling," says artist Judy Mackey. In this upbeat still life, Judy rendered a bouquet of bright red carnations, adding abstract dashes of yellow and red to build the emotion of the scene she experienced in her studio. She worked all prima, layering wet on wet paint until she achieved the desired sculptural surface.
About the Artist
Originally from Japan, Judy Mackey embarked upon her professional artistic career over a decade ago after connecting with a local artist. He taught her how to skillfully wield a palette knife instead of a paintbrush, which gave rise to her own stylistic development. Judy uses this technique to create heavy texture. Her medium of choice is oil paint, with which she enjoys mixing and creating new colors with limited pigments. Her work glows with sweet simplicity in a painterly, impressionistic style.
Words that describe this painting: flowers, floral, vase, still life, impressionism, palette knife, alla prima, texture, carnations, impressionism, flora, representational, oil painting, blue
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
A vibrant still life featuring a colorful patterned vase with lush greens and flora by artist Claudia Verciani. "This still life was done in my studio with a high contrast light above to depict shadows and light," explains Claudia. Bright blue lines...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
A dreamy still life of peach and white roses, a gold-rimmed teacup, and a red candle. "Edges, edges, edges," says artist Lisa Nielsen. "The longer I paint the...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Sherri Aldawood encountered these glowing waterlilies in a fountain at Mission San Juan Capistrano in California. Soft morning light warms the pink flowers and lilypads while gentle reflections echo across the water. Sherri layered greens in a loose impressionist style to bring dimension and texture to the scene.
About the Artist
Sherri Aldawood didn't intend to always paint flowers, but over time her love of gardens started to permeate her art. She focuses on the light and color of the flowers on the canvas. Sherri prefers alla prima, working with wet layers of paint instead of letting them dry. She keeps the paint as wet as possible by using walnut and clove oil to extend the drying time.
Words that describe this painting: flowers, floral, waterlily, San Juan Capistrano, California, fountain, nature, water, impressionism, Monet, lily, pond, impressionism, flora, representational, oil painting, green
Three Water Lillies...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Naoko describes this vibrant scene as a walled garden where all kinds of herbs and medieval plants are in full bloom. The sun shines brightly, illuminating th...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist John Jaster presents a vibrant still-life of delectable fruits and dainty daisies. Luscious red apples and plump strawberries sparkle on the deep gray ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A radiant still life with blooms of pastel pink and yellow against a periwinkle backdrop by artist Mary Pratt. "Painting from life, I created a neutral glass ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
While the artist painted this scene from life, the aroma of lavender filled the studio. "The atmosphere seemed to calm the storms of the day," Pamela recalls....
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Early 2000s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Plywood
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
This painting is about combining realism, abstraction, color, spontaneity - all of the things that I think make for an exciting and engaging piece of art.
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
1980s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Board, Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Soft light falls tenderly upon a pink waterlily in full bloom at Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California. "In this painting, I wanted the water lil...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
"Spring is a wonderful time to paint flowers," says artist Oksana Johnson. "Everything is blooming and the colors all around are inspiring. In this compositio...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Mixed Media, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1950s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
1980s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Ink, Handmade Paper
Artist Comments
This series of paintings is based on nature.
About the Artist
Krispen Spencer’s artistic process is about more than ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1990s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Paper, Oil, Pen
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Panel
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Resin, Acrylic, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Paper, Pastel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Linen, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
1960s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board