In 1967, artist Sol LeWitt wrote that in “Conceptual art the idea or concept is the most important aspect of the work.” He was giving a name to an art movement that had emerged in the 1960s in which artists were less focused on their medium being something traditionally “artistic” and instead engaged in using any object, movement, form, action or place to express an idea.
LeWitt’s work was featured alongside an assemblage of notes, drawings and outlines by other artists in “Working Drawings and Other Visible Things on Paper Not Necessarily Meant to Be Viewed as Art,” a groundbreaking show at New York City’s School of Visual Arts curated by Mel Bochner, another leading exponent of Conceptualism. Building on radical 20th-century statements, like Fountain (1917) by French artist Marcel Duchamp, Conceptual artists around Europe and North and South America were not interested in the commercial art scene and rather directly challenged its systems and values.
Stretching into the 1970s, this movement has also been called Post-Object art and Dematerialized art. Conceptual art reflected a larger era of social and political upheaval. Pieces associated with the style range from Roelof Louw’s Soul City (Pyramid of Oranges) (1967) — a work of installation art that sees fresh oranges stacked into a pyramid from which visitors are allowed to take one orange away — to On Kawara’s “Today” series, which saw the Japanese artist carefully painting a date in white acrylic on canvases consisting of a single color from 1966 to his death in 2014. Artists such as Ed Ruscha, who created the Twentysix Gasoline Stations book — a collection of photos of gas stations that is widely said to be the first modern artists’ book — made photography a major platform for Conceptual art, as did Bruce Nauman, who burned one of Ruscha's books and then photographed it for his own.
Conceptual art’s legacy of questioning artistic authorship, ownership and how to work with complex ideas of space and time had a significant influence on the decades of culture that followed, and it continues to inform art today.
The collection of Conceptual photography, paintings and sculptures on 1stDibs includes artworks by John Baldessari, Jenny Holzer, Lawrence Weiner, Joseph Kosuth and others.
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
Red and black composition by Gilbert Pauli - Mixed media 83x75 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Four oils on canvas glued on an aluminium plate tinted by acrylique Born in 1944 in the canton of Fribourg, Gilbert Pauli currently lives in Geneva, where he devotes himself to pai...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Limiting Beliefs
Located in Zofingen, AG
How often are we held back from deciding by the many limiting beliefs and frameworks instilled in us from birth by our immediate environment and society? These limiting beliefs are a...
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of polar bear . Original oil painting . Vintage style . Children’s room
Located in Oslo, NO
This captivating artwork presents a textured portrayal of a teddy bear exuding warmth and nostalgia. The bear is centrally positioned, wearing a vintage-style, striped cardigan, enha...
Oil, Board
An old friend . Original oil painting .Teddy bear . Children’s room
Located in Oslo, NO
This captivating painting features a charming teddy bear, exuding nostalgia and warmth. Painted with expressive, bold brushstrokes, the bear's textured fur radiates a sense of cozine...
Oil, Board
White bird Modern figurative painting on canvas by Natalia Shiporina
Located in Zofingen, AG
I like modern Japanese painting. One of the most famous artists is Yayoi Kusama. Her image and paintings inspired me to this work.
Canvas, Acrylic
Process (1)
Located in Zofingen, AG
This is the first picture from the "Process" series. In this art, I artistically describe how the process of creating an image takes place, from idea to embodiment
Oil
Conceptual Abstract I - British sixties art oil painting female artist
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1962. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Oil
Living Large - Original Canvas - Signed
Located in New York, NY
Homages to Mr. Monopoly. Conceptual. Vintage magazines in the background to create the narrative. One of a kind. About the Artist: NELSON DE LA NUEZ is one of the most sough...
Canvas, Acrylic, Watercolor, Newsprint
Qana, Palestine Large Mixed Media Conceptual Abstract Painting
By Dennis Balk
Located in Surfside, FL
From his show Hashish at Michael Steinberg Gallery (bearing their label verso) Reviewed by Roberta Smith in the New York Times. Abstract Expressionism meets graffiti photography. Cy ...
Canvas, Ink
Faith Thumbnail H Large Mixed Media Conceptual Abstract Painting
By Dennis Balk
Located in Surfside, FL
From his show Hashish at Michael Steinberg Gallery (bearing their label verso) Reviewed by Roberta Smith in the New York Times. Abstract Expressionism meets graffiti photography. Cy ...
Canvas, Ink
Original ink on Paper, Contemporary Blue Abstract Seaweeds , Waves
By TUSET
Located in Carballo, ES
Blue Minimal Painting is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2020. The painting is unframed, we can frame it in natural wood or black on request. The title of this works is "F...
Ink, Handmade Paper
Ellen Hackl Fagan, ColorSoundGrammar_3 2010, Abstraction, Meditative
Located in Darien, CT
Inviting the accidental while painting, the artist's materials continue to reveal limitless possibilities for improvisation, like jazz music. Influenced by scientific theories-both real and imagined, kitsch, music, decorative art and indigenous textiles, Fagan's abstract paintings and interactive performance build connections between color and surface to sound. This exploration has led to creating a series of interactive games with viewers, the most recent being The Alphabet Game. To play, viewers select, from colored squares, the color(s) that best represent each note in the familiar ABC Song melody. Through these playful interventions their thoughts about color and music are explored in-depth. Documenting their responses in the form of photographs and notes in journals, Fagan has compiled the results of fifteen artists who played the Alphabet Game during a lecture on color where the artist was the guest presenter in order to create this particular painting. Fagan distilled the data gathered and painted this visualization of a color/sound alphabet based on the colors selected by this artist's group. These alphabet paintings introduce a wonderful completion to this pseudo-scientific investigation and celebrate painting...
Enamel
Native ( f) - Portrait Painting - Conceptual Art By Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
Portrait of a Native Polynesian woman poses with a tropical headdress of flowers and leaves. She watches the surf crashing on the beach on her beloved island. A matching ( male) pain...
Oil
Bob Seng, Exit 326, 2000, scraped, collaged, EXIT signs, 8" x 12"
By Bob Seng
Located in Darien, CT
Robert Seng was born and raised in Seattle, served in the US Navy in Vietnam, and finished his BFA and MFA on the GI Bill. He was a founder of Artech, Seattle’s premier art services company, to support his art career. A New York resident since 1986, Seng has worked at Artforum, the Guggenheim Museum and taught at Fairfield University while continuing his studio practice in painting and sculpture. In the mid 1990’s Seng moved into site-specific installation work with collaborator Lisa Hein. Together they have made more than 40 projects with moving light...
Plastic
Errantes Serie
Located in Miami, FL
Discover beauty and hope in every stroke of this stunning piece by the talented Cuban painter Israel González Sosa. From the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts of Santa Clara -Cuba, Is...
Mixed Media
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
Harmony and Freedom - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Harmony and Freedom captures the peaceful and reflective mood of the artwork, highlighting the tranquility of the water, which signifies the moment of calm and self-recovery through ...
Canvas, Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
Unbridled Joy of Festivity - 21st Century Contemporary, Christmas Holiday, Child
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Festivity happiness, is the unbridled joy that both young and old experience during Christmas, most especially small children there experience during Christmas, and the way the holid...
Canvas, Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,638Sale Price|20% Off
Russian love. 2002, oil on canvas, acrylic, collage, 60x40 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Russian love. 2002, oil on canvas, acrylic, collage, 60x40 cm Igor Leontiev (1957) - one of the leading independent painters in Latvia Born in Riga, La...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Chinese Contemporary Art by Su Yu - Rope Swing
By Su Yu
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas Su Yu is a Chinese artist born in 1987 who lives and works in Beijing. He was an old student of prestigious art teachers as Shi Liang & Chen Danqing at Oil Paintin...
Canvas, Oil
Collage #1 (Mets), Large Painting by John Clem Clarke
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: John Clem Clarke, American (1937 - ) Title: Collage #1 (Mets) Year: 1973 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed, titled and dated verso Size: 78 in. x 49 in. (198.12 cm x 124.46 cm)
Canvas, Oil
Original ink on Paper, Contemporary Landscape Botanic Expressionist
By TUSET
Located in Carballo, ES
Black And White Minimal Painting is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2020. We can frame it in natural wood or black on request. The title of this works is "From the Apollon...
Ink, Handmade Paper
$4,366
Conceptual Abstract IV - British Sixties abstract art oil painting female artist
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1962. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Oil
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Giving Last Respect 2 - 21st Century Contemporary, Celebration of Life and Death
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The celebration of life and death in Yoruba land is deeply connected to the use of Aso Oke, a traditional and cultural wear of the Yorubas. The ones used in Ondo to celebrate the liv...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
Remarkable Day 2 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Couple Marriage Culture
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
Remarkable Day 1 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Couple Marriage Culture
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pearl - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Women, Love, Floral
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Embrace of Solitude - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Acrylic
Return Home - Kikokusuru, MInimalist Painting by Iida 1970's
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Yoshikuni Iida, Japanese (1923 - 2006) Title: Return Home - Kikokusuru Year: 1973 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed verso Size: 39.5 x 79 in. (100.33 x 200.66 cm)
Acrylic
Manhole Cover, Photorealist Oil and Sand Painting by Josep Cisquella
By Josep Cisquella
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Josep Cisquella, Spanish (1955 - ) Title: Manhole Cover (Manhattan DPW) Year: 1991 Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas, signed on verso Size: 38.25 in. x 57.5 in. (97.16 cm x 146....
Mixed Media, Oil
Still life. Oil on canvas, 60x80 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Still life Oil on canvas, 60x80 cm Victor Karnaukh (1950, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR – 2012, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine) – a painter, a monument designer, graduate of...
Canvas, Oil
$1,236Sale Price|20% Off
"ANTIQUE GAMES. Love story." Original conceptual painting. Large .Horizontal
Located in Oslo, NO
In this piece, I've harmoniously blended acrylics, spray paint, and ink to evoke the timeless dance of intimate connection. The vintage vibes and fine art elements coalesce, crafting...
Canvas, Ink, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$5,053Sale Price|20% Off
"Antique games. Antique drama." Original conceptual painting. Large. Horizontal
Located in Oslo, NO
In the paintings of this series , images of antique figures and statues are used to talk about the eternal in modern language , as well as to present antiquity in a modern way .The w...
Canvas, Ink, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Cast Aside 1 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait Africa Modern Woman
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The inspiration for this work was gotten from the view of some African parents, most of our African parents believe that earrings and dreadlocks are meant for ladies and when they ha...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Bestty - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Women, Love, Floral
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Oil
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Viva - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait of a Woman with Flowers
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic
$7,500
Subterranean II, Conceptual Mixed Media Painting by Genichiro Inokuma
Located in Long Island City, NY
Genichiro Inokuma, Japanese (1902 - 1993) - Subterranean II, Year: 1970, Medium: Gouache, Graphite and Collage on board, signed and dated in pencil...
Gouache, Graphite
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Hope From Above -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Abeni (We Prayed for Her and She Arrived) -21st Century, Contemporary Figurative
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. The ...
Paper, Ink, Acrylic
$728Sale Price|20% Off
Coat for Sale: Figurative Oil Painting on Bamboo Paper, 2010+
Located in Oslo, NO
Through my artwork, I sought to capture the timeless allure of elegance and introspection. The rich oil on paper dance to create a figure robed in a coat radiating warmth and mystery...
Oil, Acrylic, Bamboo Paper
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
Unknown Soldier - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Military, Veteran, Men
By Makama John
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil, Acrylic
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Hilda - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa Women Hair, Eyes
By Makama John
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil, Acrylic
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
A Bond Unspoken -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women, Men Love
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
Echoes of Success and Unseen Burdens - 21st Century, Contemporary, Garden, Men
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Coffee, Mixed Media
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Ecstasy - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Indigenous, Children in Fashion
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. A young girl holding a yellow rose flower is seen in this painting during her playtime rejoicing after receiving a piece of good news. The yellow rose flower is a symbol of joy, happiness, and gratitude. About Artist Oluwatobiloba...
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
$2,680Sale Price|20% Off
Expectation - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Collage, Pregnant Woman
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Expectation is said to be the mother of manifestation. Expectations do come to reality if worked upon and not aborted. This painting depicts the posture of a woman in her gestation period waiting to be called a mother as soon as she puts to bed. A painting inspired by my wife during her second trimester, as she was overwhelmed by the joy of seeing her first child which later turned out to be a baby girl. About Artist Oluwatobiloba Amusan...
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Les Mannequins (The Supermodels) 2 - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Hair
By Alawaye Tope
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
Chinese Contemporary Art by Su Yu - Cospaly
By Su Yu
Located in Paris, IDF
Oil on canvas Su Yu is a Chinese artist born in 1987 who lives and works in Beijing. He was an old student of prestigious art teachers as Shi Liang & Chen Danqing at Oil Paintin...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Behind The Smile, Conceptual Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 21st Century
By Maria Tendo
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
White Lollipop Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Conceptual, 21st Century
By Maria Tendo
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Red Hair Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Conceptual 21st Century Art
By Maria Tendo
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Athlete Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Conceptual Style, 21st Century
By Maria Tendo
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Fruitless Endeavor: Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 21st Century Art
By Maria Tendo
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About...
Canvas, Acrylic
$9,500
Alkyd Enamel Oil Painting Half A Thought Cut Panel Wall Hanging Modern Sculpture
By Peter Wegner
Located in Surfside, FL
Oil-based alkyd enamel on plywood panel with cuts. this is a cut plywood wall relief sculpture with paint on it. This has an architectural quality to it. Peter Wegner (born 1963) i...
Enamel
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Silent Echoes: Unframed Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 21st Century
By John Ali
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Serenity Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Conceptual Style, 21st Century
By John Ali
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Sisters in Yellow: Conceptual Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"I cherish our memories and the bond we share. My love for you is like a precious gem, shining bright and always treasured." Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor on...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Unbroken Oil Painting on Canvas, Conceptual Style, Unframed
By John Ali
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Oil
$11,700Sale Price|20% Off
Large Oil Minimalistic Neutral Geometric Abstract Painting "Turquoise Tunnel"
Located in Cape Town, ZA
Mark Hilltout has always been drawn to the random, the discarded and the broken. He is attracted to the broken edge, not the perfectly straight line. F...
Varnish, House Paint, Oil, Board
Dinosaur
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dinosaur, 2011 53 x 43 inches Acrylic, oil, latex and image transfer on board $3300 2015 A painter, sculptor, and installation artist, Niki Singleton draws on both popular cu...
Acrylic, Latex, Oil
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
My Father's Car Acrylic Painting in Conceptual Style, Unframed
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"My Father's Car" is a striking artwork created by Desmond Akindoju, depicting a young man sitting in a car as though he's the driver, complete with a...
Canvas, Acrylic