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Abstract Black and White Photography

ABSTRACT STYLE

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.

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Style: Abstract
Returnable Items Only
Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large) (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large) (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity Bulle d'air 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form canno...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces that shape the physical universe. He creates images that blend science with creativity, analytics with the poetic. He lives and works in Paris, France. Janiak began his career as a graphic designer. While freelancing, he engaged with state-of-the-art technology, becoming a pioneer in the field of digital photography. His work gained him global attention, and he expanded into music video directing, fashion photography, and finally into fine art. Since 2009, he has focused on expanding the potential of contemporary analogue photography. Technique Since 2009, Janiak has only used basic photographic tools. He says, “I only allow myself the techniques which have been used in analogue photography since 1850. Namely, making adjustments to contrast and exposure, and using superimposition.” When a special effect is needed in order to achieve a particular shot, he finds a way to achieve it manually rather than through digital manipulation, for example by using refraction...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist w...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Black & White Photography "Brutalism -Barbican Centre, London No13", 2019
Located in London, GB
"The Barbican Centre of London photomontages by Hsu show no longer a space of unity and yet, we get lost in it. The carved self-portraits of Hsu are split up. Why do they have multip...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Giclée

Gravity - Liquid 51 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 51 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 2/2. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium) (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form can...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Architectonic 3- Signed limited edition print, Large contemporary, Architecture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Architectonic 3 Large scale photograph by Michael Banks - Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbe...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Pigment, Photographic Paper, Black and White, Archival Paper, Archival P...

Black & White Photography "Brutalism -Barbican Centre, London No20", 2020
Located in London, GB
"The Barbican Centre of London photomontages by Hsu show no longer a space of unity and yet, we get lost in it. The carved self-portraits of Hsu are split up. Why do they have multip...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Giclée

Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofl...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Black and White Abstract Ripples Under Moonlight, Nocturnal Nautical Giclée
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 ...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Emulsion, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée

Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Caribbean Sandy Shore, Black and White Abstract Seascape, Sunny Waves, Limited
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 ...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Emulsion, C Print, Giclée

Heart, Antelope Canon, Arizona, USA, minimalist black and white photo, landscape
Located in Vienna, Vienna
© Gerald Berghammer - Limited edition of 7. Archival fine art pigment print. Signed, titled, dated and numbered by artist. Certificate of authenticity included. Printed with 4cm whit...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Black and White, Digital, Digital Pigment, Archival In...

Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magnet...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Black & White Photography "Brutalism -Barbican Centre, London No19", 2019
Located in London, GB
"The Barbican Centre of London photomontages by Hsu show no longer a space of unity and yet, we get lost in it. The carved self-portraits of Hsu are split up. Why do they have multip...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Giclée, Photographic Paper

Cherry Tree Black & White: original painting on photograph, abstract landscape
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Free shipping with code ART2021SHIP through December! This is an original gouache painting layered over an original inkjet print using alternative process photography. Image measures 8" x 8" on 11" x 8.5" paper. Ava Blitz...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Gouache, Inkjet

Scherzo (Nude female dancer c.1920s photograph)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful abstract female nude photo by American artist, Richard T. Dooner. Archival print measures 3 x 3.75 inches. Small cream in lower left corne...
Category

1920s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Mimeograph", contemporary, abstract, black and white, monochromatic, print
Located in Natick, MA
Patty deGrandpre’s “Mimeograph” is a unique abstract 6.25 x 10 inch inkjet print on 9 x 13 inch photo paper in black and white that incorporates a picture taken of a broken televisi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Digital, Black and White

Black & White Photography "Brutalism -Barbican Centre, London No14", 2019
Located in London, GB
"The Barbican Centre of London photomontages by Hsu show no longer a space of unity and yet, we get lost in it. The carved self-portraits of Hsu are split up. Why do they have multip...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Giclée

"Erosion #1", black and white, abstract, tree, roots, bark, landscape, photo
Located in Natick, MA
Rebecca Skinner’s “Erosion #1” was photographed on the shoreline of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont. The textural beauty is natures own art form. The 24 x 16 inch abstract blac...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Metal

Cypress Hill, Tuscany, Italy, minimalist black and white photograhy, landscape
Located in Vienna, Vienna
© Gerald Berghammer - Limited edition of 7. Archival fine art pigment print. Signed, titled, dated and numbered by artist. Certificate of authenticity included. Printed with 4cm whit...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Digital, Digital Pigment, Photographic Film, Archival I...

Diamond 11 - Signed limited edition abstract print, square photo, contemporary
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Diamond 11 - Limited edition pigment print Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Black and White, Giclée

Round Falls, Finger Lakes, NY
Located in East Hampton, NY
Black and white photo of the waterfall at Round Falls, Finger Lakes, NY Size: 21” x 14” Edition: 1/5 Medium: Archival Pigment Print Price: $550 Printed to...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Universe of Each Moment 08 5694
Located in Dallas, TX
"My artwork is always in progress. There is not a goal. There is not a category for my work. It is all about enjoying the process of every moment. On a blank sheet of washi calli...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

' Fire Escape ' signed Oversize Silver Gelatin Print
Located in London, GB
Exquisite oversize silver gelatine fibre print. 40x30 inches / 101 x 76 cm paper size unframed. Edition size 10 only this size Signed & Numbered on front. Supplied with certificate ...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Silver Gelatin

The Universe of Each Moment 08 5329
Located in Dallas, TX
"My artwork is always in progress. There is not a goal. There is not a category for my work. It is all about enjoying the process of every moment. On a blank sheet of washi calli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Universe of Each Moment 08 4831
Located in Dallas, TX
"My artwork is always in progress. There is not a goal. There is not a category for my work. It is all about enjoying the process of every moment. On a blank sheet of washi calli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA, black and white photography, abstract, landscape
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Black and white fine art landscape photography. Antelope Canyon detail in heart shape, Page, Arizona, USA. Archival pigment ink print as part of a limited edition of 9. All Gerald Be...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Black and White, Digital...

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...
Category

1990s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

"Out of Siege #1829" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1829" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Antelope Canyon Desert Arizona, abstract black and white photography, landscape
Located in Vienna, Vienna
© Gerald Berghammer - Limited edition of 9. Archival fine art pigment print. Signed, titled, dated and numbered by artist. Certificate of authenticity included. Printed with 4cm whit...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Black and White, Digital...

Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

"Beach scene" Black and White Landscape Photography
Located in Houston, TX
This black and white photo shows an island with palm trees and a cloudy sky. The photograph was developed using the Sabattier process. The photograph is not framed. Artist Biograph...
Category

1960s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Photographic Film

"Out of Siege #1583" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1583" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Foggy Revelation, Mountains, Foggy Lake, black and white fineart photography
Located in Vienna, Vienna
© Gerald Berghammer - Limited edition of 20. Archival fine art pigment print. Signed, titled, dated and numbered by artist. Certificate of authenticity included. Printed with 4cm whi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Black and White, Digital...

"Houston Skyline" Black and White Sabbttier Photography
Located in Houston, TX
This photograph is a picture of the Houston skyline with a mirrored image of the skyline below. This photograph showcases the Sabbttier process or the ...
Category

1960s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Out of Siege #1390" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1390" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA, black and white large photography, medium
Located in Vienna, Vienna
© Gerald Berghammer - Limited edition of 7. Archival fine art pigment print. Signed, titled, dated and numbered by artist. Certificate of authenticity included. Printed with 4cm whit...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Black and White, Digital, Digital Pigment, Archival Ink, Archival Paper,...

"Out of Siege #1579" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1579" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Out of Siege #1729" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1729" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Out of Siege #1669" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1669" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is inspired by the work of CAI Guo-qiang, Zao Wou-Ki. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Waterfall Galleria" Black and White Figurative Photography
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...
Category

1960s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

Interior Black and White Photography
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white interior photograph developed using the Sabattier process. The photograph is not framed. Artist Biography: Pat Truax is a Texas based fine art photograph best known ...
Category

1960s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Photographic Film

Blanco 8 - Nature photography, Winter imagery, Trees, Landscape imagery
Located in Brighton, GB
Please bear in mind that all prints are produced to order. Lead times are expected between 15-20 days. This is a 30x30cm Digital print on 50x50cm Cotton Paper in an Edition of 9 plu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital

Blanco 7 - Winter imagery, Landscape photography, Nature, Trees
Located in Brighton, GB
Please be aware that all prints are produced to order and lead times are between 15-20 days. This is a 30x30cm Digital print on 50x50cm Cotton Paper in an Edition of 9 plus 2 Artis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital

black and white photography of blurred urban landscape with man
By Luis Mallo
Located in New York, NY
Cuban photographer, Luis Mallo roams city streets taking pictures of obstructed urban landscapes, as shown in this evocative work. Leaving much to the imagination, the artist reveals...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Abstract black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract black and white 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. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Seb Janiak, Kimberly Schneider Photography, Hsu Yun Chin, and Osheen Harruthoonyan. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Photographic Paper and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Abstract black and white photography, so small editions measuring 3 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white 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 $140 and tops out at $28,000, while the average work sells for $1,250.

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