Abstract 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 Sharon Sieben presents an expressive portrait of a woman in warm tones of red, maroon, beige, and ochre. With her eyes closed and head tilted forward, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Acrylic, Gouache, Graphite
1960s Abstract Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
"Atlanta's oldest neighborhood, Inman Park, is a popular destination for locals, the movie industry and visitors," explains artist Mary Pratt. "I was walking through Inman Park with my daughter and spotted these cool chicks and approached them to photograph. My daughter, mortified changed direction. The women, who worked in the movie industry, offered to pose on a bench outside...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
1950s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
An abstract landscape rendered in fresh tones of teal and green by artist Pat Forbes. "This piece reflects on the pleasures of travel," says Pat. Swerving lin...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Active lines and bold colors bring a figure into its pose in this abstract portrait by artist Gail Ragains. One leg rests on top of the other as the body leans inquisitively to the side. Predominantly painted in verdant hues, warmer tones in red, orange, and ochre balance the composition. Gestural marks create a tactile quality with varying textures. "This painting is strong on color and shapes and the relationships between them."
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: abstract, figurative, people, figure, lines, abstract, people, acrylic painting
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
I created September Skies with the amazing changing colors of early fall in mind. I used some of those same colors and the raw emotion they inspired. Gold lea...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Abstract Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Screen
2010s Abstract Paintings
Paper, Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Graphite
Artist Comments
Artist Morgan Fite uses soft sage tones and feathery strokes in this abstract painting to create a peaceful atmosphere that invites the viewer in. "In the mid...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
A puddled hillside path reflects the sky's brilliant light just after an afternoon shower. The light gives the fall trees a soft backlit appearance. "I love t...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
1970s Abstract Paintings
Paper, Oil, Board
2010s Abstract Paintings
Paper, Sumi Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Crystal DiPietro shares a spectacular mountain desert view from a camping and hiking trip to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Rendered en plein air, Crystal captured the sierra's golden summit as the sun sets, its rays melting into the west. "The late afternoon light lit up the dramatic peaks with a warm glow."
About the Artist
Many artists work with the landscape, but Crystal DiPietro sees her works as different from most in the genre. "I tend not to see landscapes as soft and pretty, but as rugged, dramatic and colorful." Many of her works depict wild storms and moody sunsets. She spends a lot of time in remote spots and uses layers of color to create her compositions. Her work hovers between a brief impression of a scene and a pure dream. Crystal's landscapes of southern Utah seem to undulate and continuously change. What's interesting, though, is that these mountains and valleys seem to do the same thing in person. In these areas, the view changes constantly throughout the day as the light shifts, throwing shadows of faces, mazes and alien patterns across the cliff faces. Crystal impressively captures what's there, and what seems to be but isn't.
Words that describe this painting: mountains, desert, peaks, sunset, landscape, southwest, west, western, plein air, Mojave, Joshua Tree, shadow, impressionism, oilpaint, impressionism, landscape, western, oil painting, blue
Sunset Glow...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Part of artist Janet Hamilton's new abstract series. She carefully chose a cool-toned color palette layering oil paint into a grid pattern. She adds warm shad...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
A quiet landscape at dusk, rendered in expressionist strokes of greens, blue and white and highlights of reddish orange. The river refl...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
In this vibrant abstract by artist Robin Okun, nudes radiate life in bright reds and pinks. They glow in luminescent golden accents, creating a striking contr...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Early 2000s Abstract Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic
20th Century Abstract Paintings
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
This is an original palette knife flower painting. The sides of the canvas are painted dark gray.
About the Artist<...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Glowing layers of orange, yellow, and pink depict three characters immersed in deep blues, creating a luminous electric scene. "These figures evoke happy memories of my childhood, collaging layers of painted papers to create vivid abstract pictures of much younger figures," shares artist Robin Okun.
About the Artist
Robin Okun's work is both intimate and highly relatable. Her paintings reflect an incredible understanding of how we express ourselves in deeply personal moments. By focusing almost exclusively on body language and an emotionally evocative color palette, Robin encourages us to think about each character's story. And in doing so, we often find our own stories in her paintings. She layers charcoal and acrylic paint with vibrant colors, bold shapes, and fluid lines to depict forms inspired by live models, photographs, and sculpture. Robin’s visual voice is unique and recognizable. Through her work, she strives to celebrate the varied human form.
Words that describe this painting: women, figures, abstract, abstract, people, acrylic painting, blue, orange
Take Two...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
1930s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Raw Linen, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Acrylic, Gouache, Graphite
Artist Comments
A bright trio of ripe pears fills this composition by artist Sharon Sieben. Opting for a close-up view, Sharon presents a fun and playful take on still life. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Paper, Dye, Acrylic
Artist Comments
When the Dawn Will Come was inspired by glowing clouds rising at dusk. The underpainting process I use lends itself to creating organic forms, which I then t...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Cynthia drew inspiration for this abstract floral scene from a brilliant bouquet of flowers in her studio. She says she used expressionistic brushwork to inte...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
Early 2000s Abstract Paintings
Paint, Paper, Ink
1970s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Latex, Pastel, Acrylic
Artist Comments
An atmospheric abstraction recalling the deep red walls of a towering canyon system. "This piece is an exploration in mark-making using a variety of tools inc...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
1960s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A luminous view of a pond capturing the gentle ripple of the water. Slender blades of grass emerge, casting reflections on the surface. When asked about his p...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Spray Paint, Acrylic
1990s Abstract Paintings
Acrylic, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
1990s Abstract Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Paper, Oil
1930s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Paintings
Acrylic
1980s Abstract Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
This abstract painting celebrates a golden autumn sunset surrounded by the deep blues of the twilight sky. The brilliant sun slowly dipping beyond the horizon, its rays reflected on the wispy clouds above.
About the Artist
George Peebles is an award-winning artist specializing in contemporary landscape oils. His paintings are characterized by their pleasing combination of brilliant hues and rich skies. He describes his art as a reflection of the place inside each of us where we connect to nature. Painted from memory, each stroke is an inward expression of his emotions. George views his work as a lifelong process that leads him to new concepts and ideas best expressed on his canvas.
Words that describe this painting: sky, clouds, sunset, evening, fall, autumn, landscape, abstract, landscape, non-representational, oil painting, blue
Autumn Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Paintings
Oil
2010s Abstract Paintings
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
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