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.
City VS Countryside, Original painting, Abstract Landscape, Geometric
Located in Deddington, GB
City VS Countryside by Fleur Park centers around the artist's experience living in both the city and rural English countryside. It is about the push and pull of wanting a life in the...
Canvas, Acrylic
Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Ink Landscape
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Abstract Expressionist Ink Landscape Medium: Black ink and wash on paper, unframed French, circa 1950's Size: 19.75 inche...
Paper, Ink, Gouache
Night Spirits (Abstract Painting)
Located in London, GB
Diptych. The dimensions of each element are 84 x 60 cm (33.1 x 23.6 in) Janise Yntema’s practice is rooted in the mastery of wax-based media, ranging from traditional heated encaust...
Mixed Media, Wax, Oil, Panel
$17,500Sale Price|30% Off
Landscape of a Face, Bold, colorful, large painting
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Oil paint on Belgium Linen. The Artist is Joerg Madlener, The series is attributed to Gustav Mahler and has built up surface. You won’t be disappointed, this is a painting that is vi...
Oil
"Study at Jan and John's" (2025) Original Abstract Portrait Oil Painting
By Ron Hicks
Located in Denver, CO
Ron Hicks' (US based) "Study at Jan and John's" (2025) is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a lightly abstracted portrait of a woman against a pale white background. T...
Oil, Wood Panel
$600Sale Price|20% Off
"Yellow and Black 2" from the series "Space Landscape"
Located in Zofingen, AG
This oil painting is a vibrant and dynamic abstraction with a dominant spiral element. The eye is drawn to the center of the composition, where the white and yellow spiral seems to t...
Canvas, Oil
$1,650
Altschmerz - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract Expression, Pop Culture, Love
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
There was comfort in loving the broken. Not because I believed I could fix them, but because I couldn’t yet fix myself. I was tired of being the victim, so I chose to become the heal...
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
"L'Enfant Au Foulard Violet” The Child With The Purple Scarf.
By René Genis
Located in Berlin, MD
Rene Genis (French 1922-2004) "L'Enfant Au Foulard Violet” The Child With The Purple Scarf. A beautiful portrait of a young man in a purple scarf against...
Oil, Laid Paper
So British Oil Painting of Bulldog on Mini Car, Signed, 60x60 cm
By Fabriano
Located in London, Chelsea
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. "So British" by Fabriano is a delightful portrayal of quintesse...
Canvas, Oil
Ruz Vertical Green and Gray original abstract acrylic painting
By Rafael Ruz
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Ruz- green and gray original abstract acrylic painting. Virtual frame Original work of the artist RUZ Acrylic on paper Perfect state While contemplating the painting of Ruz, we are ...
Acrylic, Cardboard
$413
Contemporary Abstract Still-life Figurative Small Art Painting "Three lemons"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
Original Contemporary Abstract Figurative Still-life Painting – Small Format Art “Three Lemons” is a vibrant contemporary abstract still life where color becomes the main storytelle...
Canvas, Acrylic
$14,000
Glowing forest by Gabriela Azar Schreiner. Contemporary abstract Painting
Located in Mentone, AU
This painting is unstretched and unframed. It will be carefully rolled and shipped in a tube. "Creating large-scale abstract paintings that evoke tranquility and presence in any spac...
Acrylic
The Labyrinth of Senses: abstract art, canvas, oil, acrylic, 100/120cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
A sophisticated interplay of form and abstraction. This composition explores the female figure through a prism of analytic cubism, blending monochromatic depths with sudden bursts of...
Oil, Acrylic
Sodom and Gomorrah
By Emlen Etting
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Emlen Pope Etting (1905-1993). Sodom & Gomorrah, ca. 1955. Gouache, watercolor and ink on paper. Sheet measures 11 x 15 inches. Framed measurement, 17 x 21 inches. Titled a...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache
Abstract, Signed Oil on Board Painting by John F. Leonard
Located in Long Island City, NY
Abstract (57) John F. Leonard American (1921–1987) Date: 1977 Oil on Board, signed l.r. Size: 16 in. x 20 in. (40.64 cm x 50.8 cm) Frame Size: 18.5 x 22.5 inches
Oil, Board
$2,597
"Northern legends.Pursuit." X-Large oil painting.Abstract expressionist works
Located in Oslo, NO
In this canvas, my strokes dance with vigor, wrapping acrylic and ink into an abstract tapestry. The textures speak of ancient tales, untamed nature, and the ever-shifting play of li...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Abstract Composition - Oil Painting by Giorgio Lo Fermo - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Oil on canvas realized by Giorgio Lo Fermo in 2023. Hand signed and dated.
Canvas, Oil
$2,098Sale Price|20% Off
Abstract 2534
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this piece, I submerged myself in the tranquil yet vibrant dance of awakening nature. This acrylic expression uses bold strokes and a palette of spring-inspired hues to e...
Oil, Acrylic
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Black, Brown, and Orange Abstract in Oil on Canvas
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Modern Black, Brown, and Orange Abstract in Oil on Canvas. Striking mid century modern abstract with black, brown, and orange by an unknown artist (American, 20th Centur...
Canvas, Oil
Traces. Medium abstract painting, grey, blue, ochre, expressionism
Located in Oslo, NO
Following the afterglow — amber notes against misty blues — the surface begins to hum, holding a calm tension between warmth and air. Layered veils and soft, gestural passages keep t...
Canvas, Acrylic
Dye Painting #1
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Interested in communicating ideas of history, place and nature in her painting practice, Jennifer Wolf utilizes natural dyes and minerals to feature a historically significant palett...
Copper
#78, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Pigment
Goddess Portal - Original Pink Abstract Textural Painting
By Vè Boisvert
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drawing inspiration from an immersive and impressionistic interpretation of nature, Canadian artist Vé Boisvert paints textural original artworks that capture the fleeting effects of...
Canvas, Acrylic
Blue Mountain - minimalist, abstract, landscape, acrylic on canvas
By Pat Service
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary abstract painting inspired by nature is by Pat Service. The allure of the open road has long been a favorite subject for this Canadian artist. And with that artist...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ruz black on maroon original abstract acrylic painting
By Rafael Ruz
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Ruz- original abstract acrylic painting. Virtual frame Original work of the artist RUZ Acrylic on paper Perfect state While contemplating the painting of Ruz, we are inclined to ta...
Acrylic, Cardboard
Crossing Stripes - Colorful Abstract Geometric Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petra Rös-Nickel’s original paintings merge playful forms, bright colors and architectural compositions in oil and mixed media on canvas. Her contemporary artworks contain rich textu...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Untitled, female NY Ab-Ex artist, 1940s gouache and ink on paper
Located in New York, NY
Judith Rothschild 1921 - New York 1– 1993 Untitled Circa 1945 Gouache, watercolor and ink with Collage on blue paper 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30.5 cm) Framed: 16 ½ x 19 ½ inches (42 x 49...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Paper
Harmony of Resistance
Located in Zofingen, AG
Harmony of Resistance Series: "Between States" The painting "Harmony of Resistance" invites the viewer into a space where the boundaries between the static and the fluid become almos...
Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Hard and Soft Folds. Abstraction
Located in Zofingen, AG
Mixed media on a plywood art board. The work is executed in a restrained color palette: the central section is rendered in taupe, while the side elements feature a pearlescent champa...
Fabric, Plywood, Mixed Media, Board
$209Sale 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
Colours of the Wind by Tejinder Kanda - Contemporary Impasto Painting
Located in DE
Tejinder Kanda "In-Within" reflects the Artist's exploration of time and space, presenting spontaneous works that embody absolute independence, free from preconceived notions. These...
Acrylic
$2,780Sale Price|20% Off
Antique American Modernist Signed Female Artist Abstract Expressionist Painting
By Adele Becker
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist abstract oil painting by Adele Becker (1929 - 2021). Oil on canvas. Framed. Signed.
Canvas, Oil
The Summer Sun (Abstract Painting)
Located in London, GB
Janise Yntema’s practice is rooted in the mastery of wax-based media, ranging from traditional heated encaustic (beeswax and resin) to contemporary cold wax and oil stick techniques....
Oil, Panel, Mixed Media, Encaustic
$1,325Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century French Geometric Abstract Composition Oil Painting Deep Red Colors
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Abstract Composition by Serge Guerin (b. 1916), French oil painting on canvas, unframed size: 20 x 26 inches provenance: private collection, Paris, France condition: overall good an...
Oil
$7,082
Butterfly Carnival: abstract art, canvas, oil, acrylic, 100/120cm
Located in Zofingen, AG
A vibrant explosion of joy where abstract expressionism meets the delicate world of nature. Through a dynamic dance of colorful splatters and rich textures, hidden butterflies emerge...
Oil, Acrylic
![Untitled 017 [Remains of the Remains 017] - Contemporary, Black, Organic, Gray](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/zsolt-berszan-paintings-untitled-017-remains-of-the-remains-017-contemporary-black-organic-gray-for-sale/a_6863/1643148868519/Untitled_17_oil_on_canvas_200x140cm_2019_master.jpg?width=240)
![Untitled 017 [Remains of the Remains 017] - Contemporary, Black, Organic, Gray](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/zsolt-berszan-paintings-untitled-017-remains-of-the-remains-017-contemporary-black-organic-gray-for-sale-picture-2/a_6863/a_95637521643234525509/Untitled_17_oil_on_canvas_200x140cm_2019_2__master.jpg?width=240)
$12,395
Untitled 017 [Remains of the Remains 017] - Contemporary, Black, Organic, Gray
Located in Baden-Baden, DE
Untitled 017 [Remains of the Remains 017], 2019 oil on canvas 78 47/64 H x 55 1/8 W in 200 H x 140 W cm The large-sized paintings, signed by Zsolt Berszán, addresses the subject of ...
Canvas, Oil
The Pale Pursuit - abstraction art, made in gray, black and white colors
By Mila Akopova
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. The diptych is made with india ink in black, grey color on Yupo paper. Each work is 11 by 14 inches in size, framed (black) with sizes 16 by 20 in. Mila A...
Paper, India Ink
Evening over Green, Abstract Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Bold texture and vibrant color convey the drama of Tennessee’s summer evenings. A vast sky of purples and blues reflects the shifting light at dusk, while lay...
Oil
Wien 101 - Chine Colle Watercolor with Collage
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful abstract expressionist collage by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Composed of two sections of black and navy blue, this piece has layers of depth, both in the watercolor and the paper applique. Dark chine colle...
Paper, Watercolor
$1,590
The Deep by Gabriela Azar Schreiner. Contemporary abstract Painting
Located in Mentone, AU
This painting is unstretched and unframed. It will be carefully rolled and shipped in a tube. "Creating large-scale abstract paintings that evoke tranquility and presence in any spa...
Acrylic
Stream of Consciousness
Located in Zofingen, AG
“Stream of Consciousness” From the series “Between States” This work unfolds as a continuous inner movement — a space where thoughts, sensations, and images flow into one another ...
Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$2,400Sale Price|25% Off
Connected by one network, 90x150cm, acrylic on canvas
By Tatiana Nega
Located in Yerevan, AM
Connected by one network, 2020, 90x150 cm
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Antique American School Abstract Expressionist Original NYC Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. No signature found. Framing is available.
Canvas, Oil
Whisper of Freedom
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Whisper of Freedom" is a new original abstract painting from Tetiana Pchelnykova's "Depths of Freedom" series. This artwork, created with acrylic paints, textured paste, and gold a...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
The Seven Oceans/Haft Qulzum #1 - Abstract Mixed Media on Canvas, 2010+
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This mixed media contemporary abstract composition is rendered in earthy colours. The dramatic and elegant artwork of Shireen Kamran is rooted in and inspired by her rich Pakistani...
Canvas, Acrylic
$276Sale Price|20% Off
American School New York City Abstract Expressionist Original MCM Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
American school abstract painting. Watercolor on paper, circa 1960. Signed. Image size, 18"L x 24"H.
Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache
"Instant Gratification" Abstract Geometric Oil Painting
By Ned Martin
Located in Westport, CT
This abstract geometric painting by Ned Martin is made with oil on aluminum and board, and features a cool blue-grey palette. It is signed by the artist on the back of the board and ...
Metal
$820
Pot of Gold: Painting Floral Bouquet Fine-art Invest Color Flowers Contemporary
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Pot of Gold Painting Floral Bouquet Gold Fine art Investment Colorful Flowers Contemporary This acrylic painting bursts with vibrant colors, capturing the wild, untamed ener...
Gold, Gold Leaf
Sculptural folds N1
Located in Zofingen, AG
This is an abstract, textured artwork on canvas, built around expressive relief and the sculptural flow of folds. The surface evokes soft fabric or drapery frozen in motion: broad wa...
Mixed Media, Canvas
Happy Yellow Green- Colorful Geometric Abstract Original Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petra Rös-Nickel’s original paintings merge playful forms, bright colors, and architectural compositions in oil and mixed media on canvas. Her contemporary artworks contain rich text...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$165Sale Price|20% Off
Bright & Colorful French Landscape Impressionist Painting Oil Impasto
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Maggy Clarysse (1931-2011) Oil on thick card, unframed 7.5 x 10 inches Signed Initials ...
Oil
Untitled (6)
Located in Columbia, MO
Signed recto, Signed and titled verso. John von Wicht (German-American, 1888 - 1970) was a painter and printmaker whose abstract works evolved from European modernism t...
Paper, Oil
$922Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century French Geometric Abstract Starburst in Blue Green and Purple
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Mid Century French Geometric Abstract Starburst in Blue Green and Purple by Serge Guerin (b. 1916), French signed lower right “SG”, name stamped verso Acrylic and gouache on b...
Ink, Acrylic, Gouache
Christina Gschwantner New Strokes Contemporary Abstract Painting Bright 2025
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
The work reflects the artist’s mastery of gesture and emotion, where each mark becomes a visual language. A striking piece that brings movement, depth, and intensity to any collectio...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$15,800Sale Price|20% Off
Antique American School 1930s NYC Surrealist Abstract Gold Gilt Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American school modernist mixed media painting. Oil on board with gold leaf assemblage, circa 1930. Unsigned. Image size, 13L x 17H. Housed in a period wood frame most li...
Canvas, Oil
Abstract Expressionism in a Mid-Century Modern Impasto Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
This abstract painting is an original vintage piece likely from the mid-20th century. Paintings of this scale and aesthetic are frequently associated with the Mid-Century Modern move...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$10,000
Falling Fire - Muted Color Atmospheric Abstract Alluring Oil Painting on Canvas
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
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Modernist Abstract Flower Field European Town Landscape Framed Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique European flower field oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Image size, 24L x 18H.
Canvas, Oil
$800Sale Price|20% Off
"Paris Light" Abstract Figure w Gown French Haute Couture Oil Painting on Canvas
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
Exploring the purity of the feminine form and the drama of French haute couture, artist Cindy Shaoul creates a dialogue between the figurative and the abstract. Her spirited composit...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Regrowth (Lush Greenery), Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Nestor Toro
Located in Yardley, PA
DEEP EDGE AND READY TO HANG! Forest inspired abstract painting. Lots of texture and lush greenery combined and blended with teal and many shades of blue with subtle gold and iride...
Acrylic
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.