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
Artist Judy Mackey shares her joy in painting US flags. In this piece, the flag is painted at a stationary position set against an abstracted blue background....
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Kira Yustak depicts a shiny red bicycle inspired by a love of vintage items and toys from childhood. "They bring back so many fond memories and emotions," says Kira. "That feeling of freedom when riding a bike as a child is so very wonderful and exciting!"
About the Artist
Kira Yustak paints fantastical scenes that come from her childhood memories, dreams, and the natural world. Each piece feels like part of a larger narrative of an alternative reality, rendered in a style she describes as comic realism. She feels art must trigger something inside the viewer’s soul.Kira currently lives in New Jersey and finds inspiration in the work of Lowbrow, Folk, and Surrealist artists.
Words that describe this painting: bike, bicycle, vintage, toy, still life, childhood, memories, impressionism, impressionism, still life, acrylic painting, yellow
Vintage Bike...
21st Century and Contemporary 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
A luscious still-life depiction of bright red strawberries spilling out of a wicker basket by artist John Jaster. Bright green caps inject the perfect balance...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A delightful still life of three home-grown sunflowers from artist Nicole Lamothe's garden each in their own vase. Forever capturing the essence of summer, Ni...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Charcoal, Oil Crayon, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor
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
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Watercolor
1960s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Watercolor
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
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
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Ink, Handmade Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Linen, Charcoal, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Linen
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
1930s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Linen, Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Silver
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic, Gouache
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Late 20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Late 20th Century Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Still-life Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Still-life Paintings
Acrylic