Contemporary Paintings
Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.
Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.
The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.
Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.
Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Pencil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Ink
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Linen, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Watercolor, Gouache
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Cotton Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Paper, Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Linen, Oil
Artist Comments
Inspired by a photograph, artist Hadley Northrop beautifully captures the enduring charm of a little street that remains unchanged over the years. "There is something irresistible about lit-up windows at night," shares Hadley. Set against the cobalt blue sky, the lights ranging from cream to persimmon cast a warm and inviting glow to the scene. "I used to live in England and loved the ordinary old buildings."
About the Artist
Hadley’s subject matter is inspired by her San Francisco surroundings, particularly the city at night. Her glowing depictions of light sources are reminiscent of a blurred photograph or a bleary-eyed nighttime stroll. Hadley developed her love for art from her mother, a watercolorist, and continued to pursue her artistic career at a collegiate level and beyond. She now works out of a small studio in San Francisco’s Mission District. Hadley goes into her studio seven days a week with her Boston terrier puppy.
Words that describe this painting: London, Hoxton, doors, windows, evening, night, nocturne, England, Britain, lights, twilight, roof, building, architecture, oilpaint, facade, small, modern, travel, city, architecture, travel, modern , oil painting, brown
Little London Street...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Mixed Media, Oil, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Gary Leonard presents a portrait of a woman that celebrates existence. "The painting crosses and extends the boundaries of life into an emotionally excit...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Gold, Foil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Brian Callaghan presents a street scene with the Empire State Building standing tall in the background. The iconic skyscraper emits an orange glow, casti...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Spray Paint
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Crayon, Cotton Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Brian Callaghan captures the iconic New York City skyline with the Empire State Building at its heart. From the sea, the towers exude a mesmerizing aura ...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Mixed Media, Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Brian Callaghan paints the Chrysler Building and its surrounding neighborhood at sunset. The sky transitions gracefully from vibrant orange to a soft pewter...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Brian Callaghan captures the serene beauty of a winter night in Central Park. Stars twinkle above the steel gray towers, contrasting with the neon red si...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Brian Callaghan depicts the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building in front of the Queensboro Bridge. The skewed lines and misproportioned shapes of...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1990s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men in Leather Jackets and Jockstraps](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-two-men-in-leather-jackets-and-jockstraps-for-sale/a_9323/1682438192085/Beard_Two_Men_in_Leather_Jackets_and_Jocks_master.jpg?width=240 "Mark Beard - [Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Two Men in Leather Jackets and Jockstraps")
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Enamel
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Contemporary paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
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