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.
"New Horizons", Abstract, Expressionist, Red, Blue, White, Oil Painting
Located in Franklin, MA
Katherine Borkowski-Byrne’s” New Horizons” is a colorful abstract oil painting on canvas 24 x 30 x 1.5 inch oil painting on canvas with very thick spontaneous brushwork in saturated ...
Canvas, Oil
Minimalist Abstract Painting, Black Linear Forms, 2025, Alicia Gimeno New
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Au...
Cotton Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
"Gather Yourself"
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Gather Yourself” Series “From Simple to…” This work is about inner composure and focus that emerge from simplicity and silence. About the ability to stay in contact with oneself, to...
Acrylic
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Dreamscape, Abstract Impressionist Painting, Oil Pastel on Paper, 30x24 inches
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
I intuitively paint each of my paintings based on my mood of the day or at that moment. I never know what I am going to create until I see the end result. Sometimes it is a colorful,...
Paper, Oil Pastel
$2,890
A moment of the wildest freedom - Large abstract expressionist green painting
Located in Silverthorne, CO
This painting is a wild green song to freedom and nature. I am in love with my abstract expressionist self. While I do love painting tonal pieces and abstract landscape, the quintess...
Oil
$10,652
TN666-D by Hachiro Kanno - Calligraphy-based abstract painting, diptych, red
Located in Paris, FR
TN666-D is a unique diptych painting by Japanese contemporary artist Hachiro Kanno. The painting is made with ink and acrylic on canvas, dimensions are 100 × 130 cm (39.4 × 51.2 in)....
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
En Flor - Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Abstract, 24in x 36in
By Mario Angel
Located in Mississauga, CA
This acrylic on canvas fine art piece, titled "En Flor", is a profound example of surreal still life, characterized by its intricate tapestry of interconnected, biomorphic floral and...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Forevermore 1" Abstract Oil Painting, Vibrant Color Field
Located in Denver, CO
Dorothy Fagan’s "Forevermore 1" is a 2023 oil on canvas measuring 48 x 36 inches unframed, with a framed size of 49.50 x 37.50 x 2 inches. The artwork is professionally framed and re...
Canvas, Oil
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
"The Dancer 2" Fauvist Abstract Original Oil Painting
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist painting by Southern California artist Chris Hamamoto (American, 20th century). Image, 40"H x 30"W. Unframed. Chris, a native of Southern California, has en...
Canvas, Oil
The Painted Lady - Large Impasto Thick Paint Colorful Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint a...
Canvas, Glitter, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Forever"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
In the luminous embrace of gold and shadow, this commanding abstract composition unfolds as a symphony of form and emotion. Bold, sweeping curves intertwine with geometric precision,...
Gold Leaf
Lotus 28: Photo Realist Still Life Painting of Green Lotus Plants on Grey
Located in Hudson, NY
Photo-realist still life painting of lush green lotus plants on a soft grey sky background "Lotus Number Twenty-Eight", painted by Frank DePietro in 201...
Canvas, Oil
$1,800
"The Peacock & The Crane" Contemporary Gestural Abstract Expressionist Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Neutral toned gestural abstract painting by contemporary artist Ian Francis. The work features a variety of gestural marks accented by black and white triangular shapes set against a...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Yellow abstract painting GF749, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Radek Smach
Located in Yardley, PA
Radek Smach - Original abstract acrylic painting on canvas. Mixed media. My works are part of many private collections all over the world. Ready to hang. No framing required (i...
Acrylic
Trees of Life II - Original Abstract Expressionism Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The paintings of Bruce Rubenstein seamlessly marry sophistication with affordability. His original art merges the creative attitudes of the two distinct art hot spots of New York and...
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,200
Low Fog
By Ruth Armer
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Low Fog" 1939 is an oil painting on canvas board by noted California artist Ruth Armer, 1896-1977. It is signed at the lower right corn...
Oil
$3,200
Serene Scape - Large Original Minimalist Contemporary Green Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clara Berta’s acrylic and mixed-media paintings blend texture and color to create harmony, mystery, and depth on the painted surface. Her paintings transform spaces into Zen environm...
Canvas, Acrylic
Spring Day
Located in Zofingen, AG
A tranquil rural landscape in which green grass awakens after winter and a modest rural house rests among the awakening trees surrounded by geese grazing nearby This painting reflec...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Master of Dreams", Oil Painting, Abstract Style, 21st Century, New
Located in San Diego, CA
"Master of Dreams" evokes a nocturnal, introspective atmosphere where imagination and subconscious thought gently collide. Deep blues dominate the composition, creating a sense of de...
Oil
$22,000
Joyce Kozloff - Tepoztlan II unique, signed gouache & pencil, coveted 1970s work
Located in New York, NY
Joyce Kozloff Tepoztlan II, 1973 Gouache and colored pencil on paper Signed, dated and titled twice: once on the back of the work (shown) and once on the original board which has bee...
Gouache, Color Pencil
$565
Wild West - Framed Abstract Desert Inspired Landscape Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Taylor Pierce is a Las Vegas-based contemporary landscape painter whose original desert paintings capture the beauty, resilience, and spiritu...
Acrylic, Canvas
$25,000
Blue Lagoon - large, colourful, modernist, gestural abstract, acrylic on canvas
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Milly Ristvedt has captured, in vivid colour, and expressive form the wonders of the ‘deep’ in this gorgeous abstract painting. Against a rich blue colour field, ethereal forms and g...
Canvas, Acrylic
Summer - Pixelated Colorful Arcylic Painting
Located in Boston, MA
Summer 20.0 x 20.0 x 1.5, 3.0 lbs Acrylic on canvas Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "Size (h w d): 20 x 20 x 1.5 in Medium: Acrylic on canvas Creation Date: 2023 Coll...
Acrylic
$3,400
Museum of Rainbow Light, surreal abstract, gemstone crystal, 32x32" oil painting
By Loren Abbate
Located in Jersey City, NJ
"Museum of Rainbow Light" (2020) is an abstract geometric oil and acrylic painting on canvas by Loren Abbate. It is a square shaped piece and measures 3...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$5,562
Ethereal Abstract Painting Floral Composition Coral, Peach and Blue Celia Lees
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Au...
Ink, Oil, Acrylic
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Love is in the Air - Blue and Purple Abstract Composition
Located in Soquel, CA
Love is in the Air - Blue and Purple Abstract Composition Multicolored, lightly iridescent abstract composition by Judith W Winslow (JW) (American, 1943-2023). This piece is feature...
Canvas, Acrylic, Precious Stone
Eternal Sakura - Original Textured Neon Pink Landscape Artwork
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The delicate and poetic artworks of painter Frederic Paul reference his Asian roots in expressive and elaborate compositions. Inspired by the bold colors, spices, flora, and landscap...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Rice Paper
"Nowhere to Land IV" Abstract Painting 83" x 87" inch by Carole Baines
Located in Culver City, CA
"Nowhere to Land IV" Abstract Painting 83" x 87" inch by Carole Baines Carole Baines is a self-taught, London-born artist based between Townsville and Brisbane, Queensland, Australi...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Veil of Dusk
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Encaustic on panel. It's simple; I create art because it makes me happy. I try not to overthink the process of what I’m painting and let my intuition be my guide. I love laying do...
Encaustic
"Last Night in Times Square" Original Acrylic Mixed Media Painting
Located in New York, NY
About the Artwork: "Last Night in Times Square" pulsates with the dynamic essence of New York City, a vibrant portrayal capturing its unparalleled diversity. Through masterful strokes, the artist constructs a vivid mosaic of cultures, reflecting the world within this bustling metropolis. This acrylic masterpiece embodies the bustling energy of Times Square, infusing every corner with the electric hum of bright lights and frenetic activity. Whether one identifies as a true "New Yorker" or merely an intrigued observer, the painting invites all to immerse themselves in the sensory overload that defines this iconic locale. It's a jubilant ode to the richness and complexity of human experience, woven into the colorful fabric of urban life. The painting is unframed and will be professionally packaged and shipped in a secured tube. About the Artist: Bandji Fall...
Canvas, Acrylic
Pearlescent panel
Located in Zofingen, AG
This artwork is created on a wooden panel using mixed media: the relief is built with gypsum plaster, and selected areas are enhanced with transparent layers of epoxy resin. The comp...
Wood, Board
Mr French: Abstract Expressionist Acrylic Painting, 2010s, New, 67x55
Located in SEATTLE, WA
“Mr French” by Christy Hopkins is a striking, large‑scale abstract acrylic painting on canvas that channels Christy’s intuitive, gesture‑driven process...
Canvas, Acrylic
$378Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary abstract expressionist woman's portrait painting "Edge of becoming"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This contemporary abstract expressionist woman’s portrait was created by French artist Natalya Mougenot as part of her ongoing series dedicated to Women. In this body of work, Mougen...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,600Sale Price|25% Off
'Abstract in Ochre, Rust and Jade', Mid-century Modernist American Woman Artist
By Dora Masters
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Stamped, verso, on canvas with certification of authenticity for Dora Masters (American, 1916-2003), bearing stamped wax seal and painted circa 1955. Provenance: Acquired from the a...
Canvas, Oil
Spaces 9870: Abstract Landscape Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 2010-
Located in BARCELONA, ES
I use the word landscape in a broad sense that encompasses internal and external perceptions, but not necessarily what is visible. The landscape, in a space-time context, becomes a t...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Indian with Pipe
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional oil on canvas by master Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein is an exceptional and unique example of his early pre-pop work. It is signed by the artist, upper right. After m...
Canvas, Oil
Green Depth - Large Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas: 200x150cm.
Located in Zofingen, AG
Experience the captivating interplay of light, color, and texture with this original abstract painting. "Green Depth" is a visual metaphor for a positive and dynamic vision of life, ...
Oil, Acrylic
Fields of Gold
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Encaustic on panel. It's simple; I create art because it makes me happy. I try not to overthink the process of what I’m painting and let my intuition be my guide. I love laying do...
Encaustic
Mid-century Abstract Expressionist painting
By Hoi Lebadang
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful ca. 1960-70 abstract painting in the style of Vietnamese artist, Hoi Lebadang (1921-2015) Oil on canvas measures 22 x 28 inches. Framed measurement 29.5 x 33.5 inches. Un...
Oil
$2,500
Multicolor Geometric Cubist Gouache and Watercolor Painting by André Morin
Located in Atlanta, GA
An outstanding post‑cubist geometric composition by André Morin (France, 20th Century), this dynamic work—executed in gouache and watercolor—showcases the artist's command of color, ...
Watercolor, Paper, Gouache
"Exist"
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Exist” 2026 Series “From Simple to…” This work addresses simple things that lie in the basic settings of life. Repetitive, almost unnoticed actions that over time create a sense of ...
Acrylic
Stalling and Waiting, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
The title of this painting expresses artist Onelio Marrero's observations of people sitting alone in restaurants and cafes. In this case, a woman waits agains...
Oil
$899Sale Price|20% Off
White Nights. Abstract expressionist, grey, Japandi, Wabi-Sabi, Shabby Chic
Located in Oslo, NO
The viewer sees a work in which the abstract language of painting acquires poetic power. The work is made using the mixed media technique: the translucency of the epoxy resin, superi...
Canvas, Epoxy Resin, Acrylic
$1,168Sale Price|20% Off
Morning Stretch, Contemporary Art, Abstract Painting, 21st Century
By Ana Valdes
Located in Mexico City, MX
Contemporary Art, Abstract Painting Acrylic on canvas 150 x 120 cm 2024 Signed and dated on the side About the Artist Painting was always present in Ana Valdes's life, but it was ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Colorful Squares #5
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold abstract geometric composition by Marc Foster Grant (American, b. 1947). Unsigned. but was acquired with a collection of other Grant pieces. No frame...
Acrylic, Canvas
$5,469
Sweet Grass-original modern abstract floral oil painting - contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...
Copper
Boats in Harbor (French Riviera painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Michel Colin (b.1934). Boats in Harbor, 1969. Gouache on paper, sheet measuring 16 x 20 inches. Signed and dated lower right. Sheet is unframed. Michel Colin, born in 1934, live...
Paper, Gouache
Carta de Navegación: Mixed Media Artwork, Abstract, Framed, 2010+
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Jim Rattenbury’s work is of our time, yet it is filled with signs from other eras, both distant pasts and distant futures. He creates marks on his works that are accessible to childr...
Iron
Large Merton Beds 3 , Original Painting, Abstract Landscape, Meadow, Nature art
Located in Deddington, GB
This large dramatic oil painting was made as part of a landscape panorama which measures 7m across in total. Although the four pieces were made as a complete work, they are available...
Canvas, Oil
Colorful painting on paper, Unique piece, Abstract Expressionist
Located in Carballo, ES
TUSET (1997, A Coruña, España) Mixed media painting on paper Ready to frame One-of-a-kind Signed on back Includes certificate of authenticity 2021 65 x 50 cm. It belongs to the ser...
Paper, Oil Crayon, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Pencil
La Danse des Etoiles
Located in New York, NY
La Danse des Étoiles exemplifies Gérard Stricher’s ability to merge energy and emotion through color. The work pulses with chromatic vitality—fiery reds, cobalt blues, and golden yel...
Oil
The Palm Trees, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles exhibits palm trees overlooking the Caribbean. He captures the relaxed scene with an impressionist approach. Fresh blue waters drift to ...
Oil
$4,500
Happiest Place on Earth - Large Monochrome Contemporary Abstract Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Harrison Gilman's large original artworks begin with a layer of fast-paced gestural abstraction followed by organic shapes and geometric structures. Some of his paintings remain in t...
Canvas, Oil, Charcoal, Mixed Media
Golden tulips on a green background
Located in Zofingen, AG
This artwork is created with acrylic on canvas and enhanced with gold leaf. On a deep emerald-green background, stylized tulips are depicted. Their petals and leaves are rendered in...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,432
Contemporary Minimalist Dusty Rose Tones Abstract Painting Canvas Tete Alurralde
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Au...
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic, Pigment
Contemporary Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Light', c. 2000 by David Ruth
By David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Paper, Watercolor
$2,467Sale Price|20% Off
Large French Expressionist Abstract Oil Painting Armand Rottenberg
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist: Armand Rottenberg (French, 1903–2000) Medium: Oil on board Size: 37.5 x 27 inches (framed) Signature: Signed lower corner Condition: Painting in good condition; minor age-rel...
Oil
Spring Impression near Mount Fuji / oil impasto painting, Sakura bloom.
Located in Zofingen, AG
This painting combines the pure beauty of nature with an impressionistic view of spring. Blooming can't just be seen, it can be felt. This art work vibrates with the ener...
Oil
Lily of the Valley - Original Framed Floral Art on Antique Botanical Book Page
By Lee Herring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lee Herring focuses his contemporary paintings on vibrant, textured, and abstract landscapes that convey fleeting moments. Herring's energetic artworks are inspired by everyday momen...
Paper, Mixed Media
The Assembled Whole. 1
Located in Zofingen, AG
An abstract work from the series **“The Assembled Whole. 1”**, in which fragmented elements are brought together into a unified composition through the interplay of geometry, texture...
Canvas, Mixed Media
The Italian-American’s 2020 abstract painting “The Hoe” personifies his “art of not knowing.”
In his current show at New York's Lehmann Maupin gallery, the Puerto Rican–born talent reveals new paintings with a semiautobiographical aspect.