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.
Gaia 59 - Clouds Sky Birds Murmuration Black and White Landscape Photograph
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 59 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 59 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's ...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
Ramunės - abstract analogue black and white floral photography, Ltd. 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Ramunės' London, United Kingdom 2022 Limited edition of 20. Photograph printed on heavyweight fine art paper. Photograph is shipped fast and flat in secure thick cardboard packa...
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
Sandstill No.3 - abstract mixed media photography, Limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Sandstill No.3 London, United Kingdom 2021 From limited edition of 20. The photograph is signed front bottom right corner and comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed date...
Giclée
Cretan dream No.2 - Monochrome Water Abstraction, Limited Edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Cretan dream No.2 is an abstract study of light moving across Aegean water, filaments of brightness threading through soft tonal depths. The piece sits between seascape and drawing: ...
Giclée
'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 3 of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The charc...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$532
Oris - abstract black and white butterfly photography, limited edition 2 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
From June and Oris collection Printed on archival Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta paper. Signed both front and back with Certificate of Authenticity. Limited edition of 20. Photograph ...
Giclée
$900Sale Price|40% Off
Large format vintage multiple exposure male nude, signed by Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph, multiple exposure male nude. Titled, numbered, dated, and signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Arch...
Silver Gelatin
Gaia 23, Black-and-White Print Diptych, Limited Edition of 10, 18x24cm
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 23 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 23 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's ...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
Extra Large Black and White Giclée Print of Tranquil Water Patterns, Seascape
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive limited edition black and white giclée print, on 100% cotton Hahnemühle Photo Rag Fine Art matte paper. This series of black and white photographs captures the ...
Rag Paper
$592Sale Price|25% Off
José Ortiz Echagüe, Spanish Heritage, 1930, Photogravure
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jose Ortiz Echagüe's Vision: Spanish Heritage in Photogravure, circa 1930 from 1930 Photography by Jose Ortiz Echagüe Photogravure Framed in black lacquered wood Dimensions: 31.5 cm ...
Paper
Gaia 6, Black-and-White Photographic Diptych, Limited Edition of 10
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 6 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 6 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's Pr...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
$1,097Sale Price|25% Off
After Brassaï, Black and White, 1930s, Photographic Heliogravure Print, Framed
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a journey through the nocturnal streets of "Paris de Nuit" with this exclusive rare heliogravure test print by Brassai. Prior to the publication of his iconic book, this ...
Paper
'Lily in Charcoal No.2' abstract expressionism photography edition of 2/20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal no.2' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal No.2' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash....
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
ID No. 13 The Startled. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
'Lily in Charcoal No.5' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal No.5' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The ...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
ID No. 14 The Furious. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Gaia 31, Black and White Print of Daisies and Sparrows, Limited Edition
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 31 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 31 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's ...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
Gaia 114 - Limited Edition Black and White Print, 18cm x 24cm Diptych Print
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 114 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 114 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White Photographic print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size is a limited edtion of 10...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
ID No. 16 The Watchful. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Gaia 8, Diptych Monochrome Photograph, Limited Edition of 10
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 8 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 8 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's Pr...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
Visible, Disappearance and Destiny, Triptych
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
‘While you are sleeping’ (Seascape Series) In his seascape works, Sukan manipulates his imagery connected to the constant tensions between the mental grasp of the specificity and rep...
Archival Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment
Eclipsed in Time - black and white abstract portrait, limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
"Eclipsed in Time" suggests a moment of transition, obscurity, or transformation—much like an eclipse where something is temporarily veiled yet still present. The title reflects the ...
Giclée
Gaia 19, Black and White Diptych Photograph, Limited Edition of 10
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 19 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 19 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's ...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
Gaia 78 - Limited Edition of 10, Black and White Diptych Print
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 78 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 78 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a limited edition of 10 + 2 Artist's ...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
$950
Architectural Detail, Signed and Numbered Silver Gelatin Print by Ralph Gibson
By Ralph Gibson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gibson is a master of dramatic understatement. His high-contrast pictures - usually focusing on one geometric element (the corner of a room) or a single human gesture (the curve of a...
Silver Gelatin
ID No. 17, 1, 3, 4, 7, 13, 15, 12 and 8. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the for...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Daydream - black and white landscape photography Limited edition 2 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Daydream' London, United Kingdom 2022. It is a still life black and white film photograph, made with a large format 4x5 Linhof camera. The photograph is signed front and back an...
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
ID No. 10 The Visionary. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,097Sale Price|25% Off
After Brassaï, Black and White, 1930s, Photographic Heliogravure Print, Framed
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a journey through the nocturnal streets of "Paris de Nuit" with this exclusive rare heliogravure test print by Brassai. Prior to the publication of his iconic book, this ...
Paper
Gaia 4, Black-and-White Diptych Landscape Photography, Limited Edition
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 4 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 4 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's Pr...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
Enroute - Large Mountain Skiing Black & White Art Photography
Located in Zürich, CH
Hailing from the picturesque city of Zaragoza, nestled near the Pyrenees, Carlos Blanchard's journey into the realm of photography was influenced by the rich tapestry of his upbringi...
Black and White
Gaia 1 - Black and White Diptych, Limited Edition Photographic Print, Ed of 10
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 1 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 1 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's Pr...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
Old Cars Miami. Black and White Still life limited editionPhotography
By Luca Artioli
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The 'Miami Skin Series' it’s not a traditional collection of photos about the architecture of Miami and Miami Beach. It’s rather a quick journey between its own skin from the Art Dec...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Crosshatch
Located in Plano, TX
" "Crosshatch" is a classic example of my abstract PhotoLuminism technique. When light travels, the human eye cannot see its trails, but the camera can. Capturing images that are int...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Black and White
$900Sale Price|40% Off
Large format vintage multiple exposure male nude, signed by Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph, multiple exposure male nude. Titled, numbered, dated, and signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Arch...
Silver Gelatin
Ralph Gibson, Signed Art Edition No. 1–100 ‘Untitled, Elba, 1980' & Book
By Ralph Gibson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited Art Edition (No. 1–100), with the gelatin silver print Untitled (Elba, 1980), numbered and signed by Ralph Gibson. Edition of 100. Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in., in portf...
Silver Gelatin
'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 7 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The charc...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$1,097Sale Price|25% Off
After Brassaï, Black and White, 1930s, Photographic Heliogravure Print, Framed
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a journey through the nocturnal streets of "Paris de Nuit" with this exclusive rare heliogravure test print by Brassai. Prior to the publication of his iconic book, this ...
Paper
Gaia 117 - Black and White Diptych Print, Limited Edition of 10
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 117 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 117 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size available in a Limited Edition of 10 +...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
Facing South
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Facing South Edition 1/15 Archival pigment print “Water's Edge” a collection of photos by Marian Crostic defines the power of the ocean and the land which borders it. Having spen...
Archival Pigment
$1,842
'Black Hellebore No.5' black and white botanical film photograph, edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Black Hellebore No.5 reflects on openness and retreat through two flowers, one facing outward and one bowed. Made by Ugnė Pouwell on large format 4 × 5 film and printed on Hahnemühle...
Paper, Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Charcoal, Photographic Film
$1,097Sale Price|25% Off
After Brassaï, Black and White, 1930s, Photographic Heliogravure Print, Framed
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a journey through the nocturnal streets of "Paris de Nuit" with this exclusive rare heliogravure test print by Brassai. Prior to the publication of his iconic book, this ...
Paper
$289Sale Price|24% Off
Hodge-Podge
By Jim Dingilian
Located in East Quogue, NY
Small bleached found abstract photographic artwork by Jim Dingilian. Offered framed in plexiglass. Frame size: 5 x 6.25 inches Paper size: 3 3/8 x 4.75 inches Jim Dingilian makes ...
Archival Paper
$1,463
After Brassaï, Black and White, 1930s, Photographic Heliogravure Print, Framed
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a journey through the nocturnal streets of "Paris de Nuit" with this exclusive rare heliogravure test print by Brassai. Prior to the publication of his iconic book, this ...
Paper
ID No. 17 The Refined. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
ID No. 4 The Confident. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
ID No. 3 The Ambitious. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$600
Manhattan photograph 'New York Walk' 1984 (1980s New York street photography)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
"New York Walk " by Fernando Natalici: Manhattan 1984. The simplicity & grace of the anonymous passer-by rendered timeless by the snap of the camera. A window into a street photogra...
Silver Gelatin
Gaia 45, Black and White Abstract Geometric Print, Limited Edition
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia Diptych 45 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia Diptych 45 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of ...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
$2,414Sale Price|25% Off
Man Ray, Electricite Rayograph, 1931, Framed Heliogravure
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, ES
Framed Rayograph Heliogravure by Man Ray for Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution d'Electricite´, 1931. Printed in Heliogravure and signed in the negative. Limited to 500 copies. ...
Paper
$886Sale Price|25% Off
After Man Ray, Black and White Rayograph, Limited Edition Photogravure, 1982
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, ES
Discover the timeless elegance of this framed black and white Rayograph by the legendary artist and photographer Man Ray. This unique artwork, printed in heliogravure, is part of a l...
Paper
$3,277
Enlighten 1 - Signed limited edition abstract pigment print, Large Format black
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Enlighten 1 - Large scale photograph by Michael Banks -Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions of 5 , signed + number...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
"Waterfall Galleria" Black and White Figurative Photography
By Pat Truax
Located in Houston, TX
Photograph of the iconic waterfall in the Houston Galleria area. This photograph showcases the Sabbttier process or the results of solarization. The photograph is not framed. Artist...
Photographic Film
Abstract Ceiling, Cambria Hotel, Detroit
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Uniquely decorated with abstract designs throughout, The Cambria Hotel in Detroit is one of the most tastefully decorated in the country. Formerly WWJ Radio Station, it is now a pop...
Photographic Paper
$1,755
Diamond 11 - Signed limited edition abstract print, square photo, contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Diamond 11 - Limited edition pigment print Limited Editions of 5, unframed Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber ...
Archival Paper, Black and White, Giclée, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
'Lily in Charcoal No.5' abstract expressionism photography edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal no.5' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal No.5' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash....
Photographic Film, Paper, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$532
'Black Hellebore No.5' black and white botanical film photograph, edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Black Hellebore No.5 reflects on openness and retreat through two flowers, one facing outward and one bowed. Made by Ugnė Pouwell on large format 4 × 5 film and printed on Hahnemühle...
Photographic Film, Paper, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$1,500
Ralph Gibson, Signed Art Edition No. 101–200 ‘Untitled, Sardegna 1980’ & Book
By Ralph Gibson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited Art Edition (No. 101–200), with the gelatin silver print Untitled (Sardegna, 1980), numbered and signed by Ralph Gibson. Edition of 100 Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in., in ...
Silver Gelatin
$3,511
Adagio 3 - Signed limited edition abstract brown pigment print, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Adagio 3 - Limited edition pigment print of 5 This print that is being offered is a high-quality Archival Pigment print which has been printed on fiber-based paper. The paper used ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, C...
$1,463
After Brassaï, Black and White, 1930s, Photographic Heliogravure Print, Framed
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embark on a journey through the nocturnal streets of "Paris de Nuit" with this exclusive rare heliogravure test print by Brassai. Prior to the publication of his iconic book, this ...
Paper