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Modern Abstract Photography

MODERN STYLE

The first decades of the 20th century were a period of artistic upheaval, with modern art movements including Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism and Dadaism questioning centuries of traditional views of what art should be. Using abstraction, experimental forms and interdisciplinary techniques, painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and performance artists all pushed the boundaries of creative expression.

Major exhibitions, like the 1913 Armory Show in New York City — also known as the “International Exhibition of Modern Art,” in which works like the radically angular Nude Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp caused a sensation — challenged the perspective of viewers and critics and heralded the arrival of modern art in the United States. But the movement’s revolutionary spirit took shape in the 19th century.

The Industrial Revolution, which ushered in new technology and cultural conditions across the world, transformed art from something mostly commissioned by the wealthy or the church to work that responded to personal experiences. The Impressionist style emerged in 1860s France with artists like Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas quickly painting works that captured moments of light and urban life. Around the same time in England, the Pre-Raphaelites, like Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, borrowed from late medieval and early Renaissance art to imbue their art with symbolism and modern ideas of beauty.

Emerging from this disruption of the artistic status quo, modern art went further in rejecting conventions and embracing innovation. The bold legacy of leading modern artists Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian and many others continues to inform visual culture today.

Find a collection of modern paintings, sculptures, prints and other fine art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Modern
Artist: Mitchell Funk
Eiffel Tower with flocks of people
Located in Miami, FL
The arching shape of a 20mm lens reflected in the grand arches of the Eiffel Tower. Flocks of meandering tourists give a sense of scale Grandiose wrought iron tower...
Category

Early 2000s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

9/11 - Twin Towers in Angelic Light, Architecture
Located in Miami, FL
Since its construction, Mitchell Funk has been chronicling the Twin Towers, of the World Trade Center. More specifically, he has been recording how light affects and transforms the two giant monoliths. Like us all, Mitchell was inspired by the formidable presence of the two buildings. Living in Brooklyn Heights with great views of lower Manhattan gave him a special advantage and opportunity to assemble some of the most iconic Twin Tower images ever taken. To Mitchell Funk, the Twin Towers, of the World Trade Center were the perfect synthesis of commerce and art. Most modern architecture is simply functional. Minoru Yamasaki's Twin Towers were in fact something quite radical. They were a steel and glass expression of Minimalism on the grandest scale in human history. Everything in the towers was stripped down to its essential quality with nothing extraneous added ….. except light. The way the buildings reflected light made them unique and inspired Mitchell to record them in color for 32 years. Although, the exterior was actually made of a very reflective blue/grey stainless steel the warm light of daybreak and sunset could change their color and transform them from buildings into and mystical monumental sculptures. With the help of the sun as a key player, Mitchell’s images of the Twin Towers progress from the mystical to the spiritual as they reflect the sun’s intense golden energy. Under these conditions, one could argue, that the Twin Tower housed the same type of divine energy as the adjacent churches. In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, one could interpret Twin Tower sunset images differently. A sunset can be a symbol for the end of the day or simply The End. The 1969 image “Dead End” is a visual prognostication. The North Tower is under construction in the background and in the foreground, Mitchell has framed it between two street signs that read Dead End. In Mitchell’s Twin Tower photographs, he is not taking a tourist picture that says “here I am on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade...
Category

1970s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Live Bait New York, New York at Night Street Scene
Located in Miami, FL
This noir is a photograph of a New York at Night street scene. In "Live Bait New York Neon" we see an illuminated bus stop juxtaposed against neon l...
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

American Flag in Neon Reflections of Red White and Blue
Located in Miami, FL
American Flag in Times Square rendered in Neon. Patriotic colors of Old Glory are described in vibrating neon. Cars in the foreground reflect the striped pattern, while faces and fi...
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Paper, Inkjet

American Flag in Neon in New York City Street Scene at Night
Located in Miami, FL
The patriotic colors of Old Glory are described in vibrating neon. Cars in the foreground reflect the striped pattern, while faces and figures punctuate the scene. Signed and dated ...
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment

American Flag in Neon
Located in Miami, FL
The patriotic colors of Old Glory are described in vibrating neon. Cars in the foreground reflect the striped pattern, while faces and figures punctuate the scene. Signed and dated ...
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Main Street, Denton Texas
Located in Miami, FL
Signed dated, numbered lower l 4/15 left recto , other sizes available, unframed, printed later
Category

1980s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Live Bait New York
Located in Miami, FL
Neon illuminated bus stop juxtaposed against trendy bar. Signed, dated, numbered 4/15 other size available, unframed
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Neil's Coffee Shop
Located in Miami, FL
An upward view of a rare old sign in Manhattan's upper east side is transformed into an abstract composition of bold colors and strong shapes Signed, dated numbered lower right and ...
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Life Magazine Cover July 1980, Mithcell Funk Lighthouse
Located in Miami, FL
alternative photo - done on assignment in Cape Hatteras Signed lower right, numbered, 3/15 dated
Category

1970s Modern Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

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Modern abstract photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Modern abstract photography available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add abstract photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, red, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Stuart Möller, Adolph Studly, Mitchell Funk, and Howard Schatz. Frequently made by artists working with Archival Pigment Print, and Pigment Print and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Modern abstract photography, so small editions measuring 3.63 inches across are also available. Prices for abstract photography made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $320 and tops out at $18,000, while the average work sells for $2,200.

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