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.
$353
Contemporary abstract colorful expressive acrylic painting on paper "Fusion"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
French artist Natalya Mougenot presents "Fusion," a captivating piece from her latest series dedicated to the essence of summer. This vibrant abstract floral painting is executed in ...
Paper, Acrylic
$208Sale Price|30% Off
Deflection of Light - Venice No 1, Abstract Oil Crayon on Paper, 1995
Located in Bournemouth, Dorset
George Dannatt (1915-2009) Deflection of Light - Venice No 1 1995 Mixed crayons on paper Image: 26.4 x 19.6 cm Mount: 40.0 x 32.4 cm Reference no: 1233/1 George Dannatt’s lon...
Oil Crayon
154 Squares V.2 - Modern Colorful Abstract Geometric Acrylic Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brandon Neher is a California artist whose original paintings embody a profound exploration of space, structure, and balance, infused with a touch of modern minimalism. Drawing inspi...
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood
Natures Soft Touch
By Lloyd Tabing
Located in Jönköping, SE
Keeping with my passion of nature, this collection focusses on the movement and structure of nature. Primarily that from trees. I am fascinated by trees and their amazing beauty. Co...
Acrylic
"The Denizens of Delight - Fun with Matisse", Abstract, Mixed Media Painting
By Peter Knapp
Located in Franklin, MA
Peter Knapp’s “The Denizens of Delight – Fun with Matisse” is a 27.375 x 38.25 x 1 inch mixed media abstract painting on panel in blue, purple, orange, and green acrylic, ink, and co...
Archival Ink, Acrylic, Panel, Color Pencil
Hui Sheng Landscape Original Oil On Canvas "Outside III"
By Hui Sheng
Located in New York, NY
Title: Outside III Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 23 x 31 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This painting is u...
Canvas, Oil
$13,500
“Flag of victory" abstract painting, western painting, mixed media painting
Located in Delaware , OH
Artist Statement “Flag of Victory” – Mixed Media on Canvas (48x60) This piece is a celebration of triumph—an abstract expression of spiritual and emotional victory. Using a blend of...
Canvas, Archival Ink, Acrylic
$780Sale Price|20% Off
Antique American Abstract Expressionist Large Framed New York City Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Nicely painted mid century abstract oil painting. Great color. Framed.
Canvas, Oil
Purple Fields and the Horizon 2, Abstract Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Inspired by vast open fields and horizons that end in infinite skies, artist Srinivas Kathoju paints a colorful abstract landscape. He uses thick paint to cre...
Oil
$1,800
Tribute to Robert Motherwell - Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Tribute to Robert Motherwell - Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper A bold abstract painting by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American/Brazil, 20th C). Drawing...
Paper, Acrylic
$850
Colorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil w Tiffany Blue Background
By Peter Keil
Located in Hudson, NY
This modern abstract painting by Peter Keil is on a smooth masonite board with a painted Tiffany Blue background, black abstract portrait. Here you ...
Masonite, Acrylic, Board
Untitled (Abstract Expressionist Painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jesse Redwin Bardin (1923-1997). Untitled, ca. 1960. Oil on canvas, 18 x 31 inches; 21.5 x 36.5 inches framed. Signed lower right. Provenance: Private collection, Philadelphia; F...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled 4. From Ritmos abstractos (Abstract Rhythms) Series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"Ritmos Abstratos" invites us to explore the visual universe of the artist Juan Carlos Amador, who, through his unique perspective, translates the pulsations of space and the invisi...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Once again: Abstract Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, bright colors
By Emily STARCK
Located in BARCELONA, ES
"My work is rooted in abstract expressionism, and my process is deeply personal. It begins in a meditative state or an inner impulse, rather than a pre-established concept, allowing ...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
American Modernist Black Woman Artist New Orleans Family Portrait Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist southern school painting. A family portrait on a New Orleans porch. Beautiful detail in the wrought iron. Brilliant color palette here. Signed verso. ...
Canvas, Oil
Md Tokon - From My Garden 1, Painting 2022
By Md Tokon
Located in Greenwich, CT
Collection: Beyond the Horizon Acrylic on canvas Md Tokon's style has reflected the art of American Abstract Expressionists. Md Tokon spent his early years in Jhenidah and Dhaka. Th...
Canvas, Acrylic Polymer, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
Two Lovers - Abstract Figurative Oil Painting on Canvas, 21st Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mark Acetelli’s oil and mixed media paintings awaken the viewer’s sense of exploration and adventure; they demand a new discovery. His artworks exhibit a chemistry of complexity and ...
Canvas, Oil
$2,086Sale Price|20% Off
Abstract 2454 - Acrylic Painting, Modern Expressionism, 150x100cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
This piece is a vivid dance of emotions, channeling the untamed spirit of expressionism with the playful edge of pop art. In this painting, I layered acrylics to evoke a cascade of c...
Acrylic
Stout No Doubt - Abstract Modern Organic Shape Mixed Media Artwork on Canvas
By Rue Bootay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rue Bootay, a New York-born artist now rooted in the vibrant artistic landscape of Los Angeles, navigates the avant-garde realm of nonrepresentational surrealism with a style uniquel...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Dioxazine purple, titanium white, and a #10 round" - Abstract Composition
Located in Soquel, CA
Purple and white abstract composition by Devon Brockopp-Hammer (American, b. 1986). Titled, initialed "DJBH", and dated on verso. This piece was completed on a re-used canvas, so the...
Canvas, Tape, Oil
The Air Feels New
Located in Zofingen, AG
shipped rolled in a tube. The Air Feels New from the series “Inner Landscapes” This painting is part of the Inner Landscapes series, where landscape becomes a reflection of memory, ...
Canvas, Acrylic
#232, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$1,602Sale Price|20% Off
"Northern legends.In a dream world" Abstract expressionist works
Located in Oslo, NO
Abstract ,symbolic and decorative painting . Shape , movement and colour that creates one fantasy world.Working on abstraction is often very intuitive and sometimes the artist has ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,922
Winter Lake Landscape - Large Modern Swedish Abstract Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Sevenoaks, GB
A beautiful large mid 20th century oil on canvas abstract winter landscape by Swedish artist Gunnar Nordstrom. Excellent quality and condition composition with strong and vibrant i...
Canvas, Oil
Under The Night Sky - Abstract Cool Tone Figurative Textured Impasto Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ekaterina Ermilkina’s original, abstract fine art paintings are created using a skillful combination of applying and removing oil paint with a palette knife on canvas. Her inspiratio...
Canvas, Oil
$1,990
Large French Mid Century Abstract Oil Painting Black Purple Pink Composition
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Large French Mid Century Abstract Oil Painting Black Purple Pink Gestural Composition by Gilbert Pelissier (French, born 1924) signed and dated 1997 French abstract expressionist oil...
Oil
Wilma Fiori "Homage to Diebenkorn" Large Geometric Abstract Oil Painting
By Wilma Fiori
Located in Denver, CO
Wilma Fiori (American, 1929–2019) Homage to Diebenkorn Oil on canvas Signed on the verso Image: 40 x 48¼ inches Framed: 40 x 48¼ inches A commanding large...
Oil
$1,750
"Habitual I" (flora, rich, cerebral, abstract, black & white, antique canvas)
Located in Paris, IDF
"Habitual I", 2023, Paris, France This rich and cerebral abstract painting uses a subtle but powerful color palette of brown, pink, and white oil paints and wood stain to create visual texture and depth. The artist selected a French, antique postal...
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Oil
Expansive Views, Abstract Oil Painting
By Kajal Zaveri
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Deep blues flow across an abstract seascape, with scattered mirrors of light on the surface. This piece was inspired by the many times artist Kajal Zaveri has...
Oil
$7,900
"Find Your Own Path", Abstract Expressionist, Figurative, Purple, Oil Painting
By Sorin Bica
Located in Franklin, MA
Sorin Bica's "Find Your Own Path" is a 80 x 62 x 2 inch abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas. This modern painting features bold purple, white, orange, and red tones with la...
Canvas, Oil
Abstract Geometric Composition with Biomorphic Object - Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold abstract composition by RH Barnard (American, 20th Century). The backdrop of this piece is composed of rectangular sections of brown, red, blue, and tan. In the center of the composition, there is a black object...
Canvas, Masonite, Acrylic
German Contemporary Art by Harry Moody - Jarboe n°412
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas Harry James Moody is a German artist born in 1952 who lives and works in Los Angeles, United States. He received his training as artist at the Frankfurt Stadel Fine A...
Canvas, Oil
$850
Proximity - Painting Maximalism Night-skies Shooting-star Flowers Dreams Invest
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Proximity In this one-of-a-kind abstract impressionism artwork by Karnish, the delight of closeness, stargazing and wishes that do come true is portrayed. Her signature style...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$470
Contemporary abstract figurative woman's portrait on paper "Emergent self"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Emergent Self" is a captivating contemporary female portrait by French artist Natalya Mougenot, exploring themes of identity, self-discovery, and personal transformation. This expre...
Paper, Acrylic
$3,533
Tension Of A Dream, abstract, bold, statement, de Kooning, texture, water, blue
By Lloyd Tabing
Located in Jönköping, SE
This painting is part of a new series that embodies my ongoing artistic journey. I begin each piece with an initial idea or thought. However, as the painting evolves, I find myself r...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
$7,200Sale Price|20% Off
Untitled Black & White Abstract Painting, CoBrA Movement
Located in Beachwood, OH
Theo Wilhelm Wolvecamp (Dutch, 1925 - 1992) Untitled Oil on canvas Signed and numbered 21 verso 15.75 x 19.75 inches Theo Wilhelm Wolvecamp was a Dutch artist and member of the COBRA group...
Oil
$1,098Sale Price|20% Off
Abstract 2335
Located in Zofingen, AG
This original painting is perfect for any modern interior ! _____________________________________________ GUARANTEED TO BE 100% ORIGINAL AND GENUINE WITH : Alex Senchenko © Title ...
Acrylic
$1,065
avp_1072 - Colorful Pink Green Original Contemporary Abstract Painting on Paper
By Alex Voinea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The colorful abstract artworks of Romanian artist Alex Voinea are inspired by experiments with paint poured over vibrating surfaces, such as speakers at full volume. Alex Voinea coll...
Paper, Acrylic
Ann Shogren
By Ann Shogren
Located in Napa, CA
Abstract expressionist Ann Shogren depicts vivid landscapes and paints tapestries of colors that have simultaneously calming and rejuvenating effects on her audiences. Having lived i...
Canvas, Oil
$4,500
Henry Arthur Elkins Attributed Mountain Landscape with Waterfall Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
An atmospheric mountain landscape oil painting attributed to American artist Henry Arthur Elkins, this richly detailed work captures the dramatic beauty of a cascading waterfall set ...
Oil
$950Sale Price|34% Off
Easy Going - Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 36x36, 21st Century
By Janette Dye
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Janette Dye's abstract artworks embody a harmonious fusion of form, color, and texture, epitomizing the perfect blend of elegance and modernity. Through her masterful application of delicately textured acrylics, juxtaposed with bold lines and vibrant color fields, Dye creates a captivating contrast that accentuates the organic geometric shapes within her paintings. Vibrant and dynamic, her abstract compositions emanate energy and warmth, infusing any space with an inviting atmosphere. This 36-inch square original and vibrant painting is wired and ready to hang. The sides of the red, yellow, and black artwork are painted black eliminating the need for framing and creating a cohesive, finished look. The painting is wired and ready to hang, making it a hassle-free addition to any wall. It's signed by the artist on the back, adding an extra touch of authenticity and value. Convenient local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and worldwide shipping. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included with the artwork, ensuring that the piece is an authentic work of art from Janette Dye. Born in England in 1962, Janette Dye's artistic journey was shaped by the contrasts and movements of her upbringing in a quaint village near the industrial city of Manchester. Early on, she received guidance from the renowned English painter, Harold Riley, igniting her lifelong passion for art. Later, the works of Riley's mentor, L.S. Lowry, resonated deeply with Dye, reflecting the strained moods of Northern factories and their laborers—a subject intimately connected to her family history. Inspired by Lowry's ability to capture overpowering emotions through strong stylized forms, Dye delved into abstract art, discovering a profound connection between her art and everyday life. In recent years, Dye has had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed artists such as DOWNS, mentored by Karl Benjamin and Frederick Hammersley. Her artworks have graced exhibitions throughout the United States and have found a home in the prestigious Capital One corporate collection. REPRESENTATION: Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles EXHIBITIONS 2016 Artspace Warehouse Los Angeles, CA 2016 Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery, Austin, TX 2016 Malton Art Gallery, Cincinatti, OH 2016 Christopher Anthony...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
Retrato en Amarillos, Contemporary Art, Abstract Painting, 21st Century
Located in Mexico City, MX
Contemporary Art, Abstract Painting Acrylic on canvas 190x190cm Signed FREE SHIPPING ROLLED UP IN TUBE About the artist Enrique Pichardo (Mexico...
Canvas, Acrylic
$10,880Sale Price|20% Off
Caja Negra: Improvisación 6, Contemporary Art, Abstract Painting, 21st Century
Located in Mexico City, MX
Contemporary Art, Abstract Painting Acrylic on canvas 330 x 220 cm Signed FREE SHIPPING ROLLED UP About the artist Enrique Pichardo (Mexico City, 1973) graduated from Escuela Naci...
Canvas, Acrylic
Composition No. 3
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Composition #3” from the series “Quiet Motion” The work conveys a state of inner balance and gentle flow. Transparent layers and subtle lines evoke a sense of movement that emerges ...
Canvas, Mixed Media
Abstract 2160, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
This is a one of a kind painting, an absolutely spontaneous, vibrant and unique creation by me, Alex Senchenko This high quality acrylic painting is done on gallery wrapped canvas...
Acrylic
$3,533
Contemporary Minimalist Violet Abstract Painting Canvas by Tete Alurralde 2025
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
$11,602
Abstraction 150-200 11 19 by Nicolas Galtier - 6.5-ft Wide Abstract Painting
Located in Paris, FR
Abstraction 150-200 11 19 is a painting by French artist Nicolas Galtier. The artist uses a mixed technique combining pigments, binders, glues and various metal powders and sheets. T...
Linen, Mixed Media
Tomatoes by Ethelinda, 32x50" oil on canvas
Located in Loveland, CO
Tomatoes by Ethelinda 32x50" Image Size, Gallery Wrapped Oil on Canvas, Signed lower left Expressionistic Still Life. The Artist, Ethelinda, is celebrated for taking real-world subje...
Oil, Canvas
$2,800Sale Price|37% Off
Mid-Century "The Red Village" Pierre Bosco #50 F (Italy/France, 1909-1993)
By Pierre Bosco
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Mid-Century "The Red Village" #50 F Pierre Bosco (Italy/France, 1909-1993) Oil on canvas Signed lower right. 12 x 10 inches, frame size “The savage art of Bosco bears its rudeness ...
Canvas, Oil
Metropolitan: Abstract Monotone Modern Contemporary Investment Bold Artwork
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Guardians of the Metropolitan Abstract, Limited Color, Modern, Contemporary, Investment, Bold, Artwork, Painting The delicious textures, symbols and forms brings the viewer ...
Acrylic, Gesso, Glaze, Panel, Wood Panel, Engraving
$1,200
"Attempted Reconciliation", Abstract, Figurative, Brown, Red, Acrylic Painting
Located in Franklin, MA
Anne Johnstone’s “Attempted Reconciliation” is an abstract figural acrylic painting on cradled board measuring 20 x 16 inches. Two abstracted figures lean together in a tender, ambig...
Acrylic, Board
$60,000
"Untitled" Thomas Downing, Washington Color School, Dots, Red, White, Abstract
Located in New York, NY
Thomas Downing Untitled, 1972 Acrylic on canvas 39 1/4 x 84 1/4 inches Thomas Downing received his BA in 1948 from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and then moved to Ne...
Canvas, Acrylic
Original Oil, Golden Summer-Sunlit series , British Awarded Artist-framed
By Shizico Yi
Located in London, GB
The painting was painted Plein Air, in Artist's own garden of the memorial roses she planted. This is Rosa Albertine, the first Old English variety Artist Shizico Yi planted in her garden in 2016, before her late dog died. Old English Roses...
Gold
Geometric Line Study C- 5 by Murray Duncan Mix Media on Paper
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Geometric Line Studies C- 5 is an original mixed-media work on paper by Toronto artist Murray Duncan, part of his ongoing exploration of gestural geometry, spatial rhythm, and atmosp...
Paint, Paper, Ink, Pencil
$850
Joyous Turquoise Sea, Abstract Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Seascape on Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us...
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor
"Tempo" Fine Art Mirror
Located in Westport, CT
This large abstract fine art mirror by Alina B is made with dichroic film on mirror, and is framed in a champagne-toned frame. The film on the mirror allows for it, and the space it ...
Mirror, Film
$590
Alena Kalen Modern Geometric Original Abstract Oil Painting Cubist Reverie” COA
By Alena Kalen
Located in Palm Coast, FL
“Cubist Reverie” is an original abstract composition by contemporary American artist Alena Kalen, executed in oil and mixed media on canvas. The work explores the relationship betwee...
Mixed Media, Oil
Echoes- Contemporary, Abstract, Original
Located in Deddington, GB
Camilla's abstract paintings are often an expression of a feeling or an emotion and using the paint to describe on the canvas. The soft gentle hues and subtle geometry of this piece ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
The Slow Rushing, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Inspired by the colors of the changing seasons and the illusion of time slowing down. This painting continues around the edges for a gallery wrapped finish. There is a hanger fast...
Oil
Jack Youngerman - October 1 from Betty Parsons Gallery, India ink, Signed Framed
Located in New York, NY
Jack Youngerman October 1, from Betty Parsons Gallery, 1964 India ink on paper, with original Betty Parsons Gallery label Pencil signed and dated '64 on the front; also signed, title...
India Ink, Gouache
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.