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.
Find original abstract paintings, sculptures, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
Artist Comments
Festive holiday ornaments spread out in artist Hadley Northrop's jubilant impressionist rendering. A window display of a store in Los Angeles during the yuletide, the kind of still life that catches the painter's eye. Light beams from red chili pepper string bulbs, a spotlight, and reflections from the city street reflected in the round baubles and the shop window...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
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
Artist Comments
Shades of autumn dance in artist Colette Wirz Nauke's impressionist scene of nature. Red and orange foliage abundantly fill the whimsical landscape. Colette p...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Sharon Sieben displays a still life of ceramic urns from ancient Greece. She paints with quick brushwork marked by solid outlines and highlights. The t...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Masonite, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
“A white flower's petals intermingle in a field of deep purple and look like dancers expressing their joy and energy.†says artist Ruth-Anne Siegel. In this expressive floral piece she mixes the colors skillfully for an eye-catching pop. "This painting pairs well with The Ghost Lingers 9."
About the Artist
Ruth-Anne Siegel's vibrant floral paintings flow from memory and her love of music. As she works, she references her own photographs and sketchbook, and draws energy from the sounds of Etta James...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A close-up view of cherry blossoms against a colorful garden by artist Colette Wirz Nauke. Inspired by the beauty found in nature, Colette focused on these seasonal flowers and their rich and captivating colors. Part of a series, this painting depicts different shades and light found in an abundant garden in the late evening.
About the Artist
Colette Wirz Nauke gathers inspiration from her surroundings and memories and fuses them with her imagination. She has been greatly influenced by Impressionism...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Pulled from her imagination, artist Ruth-Anne Siegel interprets a rich purple flower that pulses with vibrancy. Layering color and glazes, Ruth selects a glowing palette of cerulean blue, orange, and magenta. Soft shadows immerse the composition in drama, enhancing the electric presence of the petals.
About the Artist
Ruth-Anne Siegel's vibrant floral paintings flow from memory and her love of music. As she works, she references her own photographs and sketchbook, and draws energy from the sounds of Etta James...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
"Every spring I get inspired by spectacular blooming magnolias," shares artist Oksana Johnson. "This time, I arranged contrasting white and dark maroon blosso...
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
Linen, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Canvas, Wood Panel
20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
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
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
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
Early 2000s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
Early 2000s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Found Objects, Oil
1930s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Charcoal, Oil Crayon, Acrylic, House Paint, Handmade Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Silk, Synthetic, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Encaustic, Board
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Linen, Resin, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Foil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Board, Oil Pastel
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Linen, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
1950s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Digital
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Linen, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Digital
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic