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.
$5,000
Pieces
By Jim Molloy
Located in New York, NY
Oil painting. The implied narrative adds to the piece. A glimpse into a child's world, one we all have experienced. Tone is engaging, fun with universal appeal. About the art...
Canvas, Oil
$531
"Chromatic Explosion n. 4" by Corrado Ferrante, original, mixed media on paper
Located in Milano, MI
"Chromatic Explosion n. 4" - Dynamic Abstract Composition by Corrado Ferrante A captivating burst of energy radiates from this vibrant abstract work by Italian artist Corrado Ferran...
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil
$531
"Chromatic Explosion n. 1" by Corrado Ferrante, original, mixed media on paper
Located in Milano, MI
"Chromatic Explosion n. 1" - Dynamic Abstract Composition by Corrado Ferrante A captivating burst of energy radiates from this vibrant abstract work by Italian artist Corrado Ferran...
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil
Window
Located in New York, NY
Figurative piece with a fun, simple narrative. The beauty of the piece lies in its simplicity. On 3/4 canvas.
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
CAROUSEL IN PINK
Located in New York, NY
CAROUSEL IN PINK Large scale dynamic. A four-panel piece, artist's modern take on the traditional carousel. Imaginary horses, colorful and full of flamboyant gestures. Each panel...
Mixed Media
Hidden menina
Located in Barcelona, CT
This artwork is a vibrant fusion of abstract and figurative elements, showcasing the artist's bold approach to color and form. Dominated by earthy tones and metallic gold, it feature...
Acrylic
Lips among bamboo
Located in Barcelona, CT
The artwork showcases a striking composition featuring vertical stripes in earthy tones of green, brown, and beige, which create a harmonizing background. The distinct feature is the...
Acrylic, Canvas
The rusty 13th door
Located in Barcelona, CT
This dynamic abstract artwork features a rich tapestry of colors and textures. Dominated by vertical streaks, it employs bold blues, earthy browns, and deep reds, which cascade down ...
Acrylic, Wood
Red deep delirium
Located in Barcelona, CT
This artwork boldly captures the viewer's attention with its dynamic use of color and form. Dominated by vibrant reds, deep blacks, and earthy browns, the piece creates a striking vi...
Acrylic, Wood
Amsterdam buildings
Located in Barcelona, CT
This striking artwork showcases a series of abstract buildings, each uniquely colored and adorned with whimsical windows. The composition is dominated by bold shades—deep greens, vib...
Acrylic
Exotic faces
Located in Barcelona, CT
The artwork features a striking composition of abstract faces, each rendered with bold, flat colors and outlined in sharp, decisive lines. Dominating the canvas are faces that appear...
Acrylic
"Dismay" by Corrado Ferrante, oil on wood, 24x24cm
Located in Milano, MI
In the compositions, the gaze is attracted by an interplay of harmonious balances between full and empty spaces, which compel the regarding to an observation dynamic approach in orde...
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Board
Healing of Mankind
Located in Boca Raton, FL
You Are the One in Which I See the Truth of Love and Its Healing Effects On Mankind Acknowledging that love, as represented by a person, has a transformative, restorative, and heali...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Boris LACROIX (1902-1984), wallpaper design
Located in Paris, FR
Boris Lacroix (born in Paris in 1902, where he died in 1984) was a French Art Deco architect and designer. Boris Lacroix served as the artistic director of the Vionnet fashion house ...
Paper, Gouache
Four Seasons : colorful figurative work of art
By John Hrehov
Located in New York, NY
A diptych by an accomplished artist John Hrehov. The painting is a visual allegory of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, the characteristics of which can be seen in the backgrounds of...
Canvas, Oil, Panel
La música de los canes II
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
#fantastic #zoology #texture #piano #keya #sound #music #color #dog #animal miguel villafuerte (Quito 1991) graphic designer and visual artist, litirature, editorial. the work as...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
La música de los canes I
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
#fantastic #zoology #texture #piano #keya #sound #music #color #dog #animal miguel villafuerte (Quito 1991) graphic designer and visual artist, litirature, editorial. the work as...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
Las flores del mal
By Nadín Ospina
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
He refers to the history of art, particularly to pop culture and the social circumstances of its local environment as well as its universal confrontation. Humor and irony with a crit...
Cotton, Color
$6,000
Ideas
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Lidzie Alvisa Jiménez (Havana in 1969), one of the most recognized conceptual artists in Cuba, studied from the elementary level to the ISA (Superior Institute of Art), graduating in...
Canvas, Oil
Casa Blanca (USA)
By Donis Dayán
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Multidisciplinary artist. Twenty years of artistic experience in the Fine Arts. Eight years of practice as a University professor of Fine Arts. Broad knowledge of design software: Ad...
Canvas, Oil
Naturaleza muerta con botella
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Eduardo Costa is one of the key figures in global conceptual art. He was born in Buenos Aires in 1940. He graduated in Literature and Art at the University of Buenos Aires in 1965 where he took courses with Jorge Luis Borges in the late fifties. His practice developed into Conceptual POP with the Fashion Fictions Series, 1966-to the present. He is also credited with creating Conceptual Geometry which he showed internationally starting in 1995 at the Elga Wimmer Gallery, NY, and in 2001 at Cecilia de Torres LTD., NY. With Cecilia de Torres he exhibited a fully developed edition of his Volumetric Paintings, which use painting to such a volume that it stands by itself without any cloth or other support.Eduardo Costa lived twenty-five years in New York and over four years in Rio de Janeiro where he met almost daily with Hélio Oiticica, Lygia Pape...
Acrylic
"NeoRealism (on the Subway)" conceptual, text based work on paper
By David Kramer
Located in New York, NY
38"x25" signed by the artist, David Kramer. (oil, enamel, acrylic, pencil on gessoed paper) In this conceptual work on paper, the text "Keeping it Real...Whatever That Means" is wr...
Enamel
Satirical Text Based Conceptual Painting: "Log Entries..."
By David Kramer
Located in New York, NY
38"x27" signed by the artist, David Kramer. (acrylic, pencil on gessoed paper) In this conceptual work on paper, the text "Handmade Memes... Old World Flavor." is hand drawn to loo...
Paper, Oil, Pencil
Still Pretty Though
By Alex Gingrow
Located in New York, NY
graphite, flashe, ink and gesso on paper, 22"x30" signed by the artist The text in this painting reads: still pretty though, painted in stark capital letters faded into the backgroun...
Gesso, Ink, Graphite
Not If But When
By Alex Gingrow
Located in New York, NY
graphite, flashe, ink and gesso on paper, 22"x30" signed by the artist The text in this painting reads like a mantra: Not If But When, in grades of red, pink and blue on a washed gre...
Gesso, Ink, Graphite
Plot Plan No. 10616
Located in New York, NY
Plot Plan No. 10616 Potentially Materialized Triple Chamber Confinement Study This ink and watercolor, work on paper is from Patricia Smith's newly released series: "Shelter in...
Archival Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
Eva al desnudo
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Acrylic
Niño a caballo
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Lithograph
They grey square
By Juan Canals
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Humanoids
By Juan Canals
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Aguas Serenas
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Mixed Media
Surflow - Surfing Art - Figurative Art By Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
Surflow - Surfing Art - Figurative - Oil Print By Marc Zimmerman Marc Zimmerman creates playful paintings, whether deep mysterious jungle or delightfully whimsical florals. His colo...
Canvas, Oil
Praise for the Misguided
Located in New York, NY
Oil on canvas. Conceptual piece - female centric. About the artist: “There's a dry ironic twist to Paul’s paintings that give the work — while realistic — a postmodern feeling of reflection, observation and cultural critique. Somewhere between the Cohen Brothers...
Canvas, Oil
Emergency Broadcast
Located in New York, NY
Figurative piece with a fun, simple narrative. The beauty of the piece lies in its simplicity. On 3/4 canvas.
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
Oddity
Located in New York, NY
Figurative piece with a fun, simple narrative. The beauty of the piece lies in its simplicity. On 3/4 canvas.
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
The Last Narcissus
By Stephen Hall
Located in New York, NY
Conceptual. Acrylic on canvas. About the Artist: Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Stephen Hall moved to New York in 1978 and began exhibiting his work in the East Village in the earl...
Canvas, Acrylic
Prime Colors
By Jim Molloy
Located in New York, NY
Nostalgic painting of vintage toy car that has been worked on by a novice mechanic. Oil on canvas with black frame one inch on front, two inches deep. This piece sold but commissio...
Canvas, Oil
Up on Blocks Commission
By Jim Molloy
Located in New York, NY
Nostalgic painting of vintage toy car that has been worked on by a novice mechanic. Oil on canvas with black frame one inch on front, two inches deep. This piece sold but commissio...
Canvas, Oil
Chair
Located in New York, NY
Figurative piece with a fun, simple narrative. The beauty of the piece lies in its simplicity. On 3/4 canvas.
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
$4,500
Commuter
By Jim Molloy
Located in New York, NY
Oil painting. The implied narrative adds to the piece. A glimpse into a child's world, one we all have experienced. Tone is engaging, fun with universal appeal. About the art...
Oil, Canvas
The Walking Spaceman
Located in New York, NY
Homage to the Toys of the past. Oil on canvas. Vibrant colors. Evokes great memories. About The Artist: D’Avino cultivated his life-long interest in Art at the State Univers...
Canvas, Oil
Price Upon Request
Solar Eclipse, Acrylic Painting by Jack Goldstein
Located in Long Island City, NY
Solar Eclipse Jack Goldstein, Canadian (1945-2003) Date: 1984 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 72 x 72 inches
Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Ascoltando Il Sole II
Located in Rye, NY
With these pieces Mattia is painting a self-portrait in a unique and creative way without the typical technique of using paint with brush strokes. Mattia starts by creating molds then ice sculptures with color...
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Ascoltando Il Sole I
Located in Rye, NY
With these pieces Mattia is painting a self-portrait in a unique and creative way without the typical technique of using paint with brush strokes. Mattia starts by creating molds then ice sculptures with color...
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Ascoltando I Fulmini Listening to Lightning Green
Located in Rye, NY
With these pieces Mattia is painting a self-portrait in a unique and creative way without the typical technique of using paint with brush strokes. Mattia starts by creating molds then ice sculptures with color...
Canvas, Acrylic