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.
Vestige - Color Photograph, Abstract Expression, Signed Edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
A botanical form appears as both presence and disappearance, its outline softened, interrupted and partially absorbed into the surface. The scratches, shifts of tone and uncertain ed...
Giclée
Poppy Bird - Color Photograph, Abstract Expression, Signed Edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Poppy Bird explores how quickly we categorise the world through familiar symbols and associations. Naming helps us recognise, but it can also limit what we are able to see. Here, the...
Giclée
Lights in Motion Photograph Chromo Photo Kodak Professional Endura
Located in Surfside, FL
Artist Unknown. From Muse X Editions. An (now defunct) LA based innovative publisher of limited-edition prints, Muse X has launched its first group of prints and is just beginning to...
Photographic Paper, C Print
$1,225
Phlomis Russeliana - Abstract Photography, Archival Pigment Print, Edition of 25
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Phlomis Russeliana by Giles Revell This is an Archival Pigment Print available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 25 prints. In Cartographic Colour, Giles Revell r...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
$2,200
Aspen Study I - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aspen Study I by Frank Schott a series of images capturing the yellow golden Indian summer foliage palette of aspen trees in California's Sierra Nevada ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
Vestige - Color Photograph, Abstract Expression, Signed Edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
A botanical form appears as both presence and disappearance, its outline softened, interrupted and partially absorbed into the surface. The scratches, shifts of tone and uncertain ed...
Giclée
Blue Horizons
By Gary Mankus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by artist Gary Mankus exists in an edition of 40. Paper size is 24"h x 48"w with an image size of 18.5"h x 41"w. Gary Mankus was...
Photographic Paper, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Tones, Archival Pigment Print on Canvas, Abstract, 39.3 x 25.5 in.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Eduardo Rezende’s 2024 series Lavori in Corso revisits one of the artist’s most enduring themes: the urban and architectural landscape — this time focused on construction sites, scaf...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
$5,922
Italia 4- Limited edition pigment print, Gold light, Sculpture, Greek Mythology
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Italia 4 - Large scale photograph by Michael Banks Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editio...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
$1,575
Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris, Expressionist, Contemporary, Water
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris Archival pigment print on museum fine art paper Edition of 7 Includes certificate of authenticity. Signed and numbered by artist. Custom...
Color, Archival Pigment
Abstract Landscape #
Located in New York City, NY
Daniel Mansur Abstract Landscape #22 Canvas Fine Art - Framed Archival Pigment Print
Canvas, Archival Pigment
$2,847
Bling 11 -Signed limited edition art print, Contemporary abstract, Square format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Bling 11 - Limited edition pigment print . Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based pape...
Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Pigment
Anemorphose Cabo Verde #4
Located in New York City, NY
27 x 44 in Edition of 9 EUR 3.500 35 x 57 in Edition of 9 EUR 5.500 48 x 71 in Edition of 9 EUR 7.100 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 48 x 77 in Edition of 9 EUR 9.100 Dye Sublimation...
Dye Transfer
$1,236Sale Price|20% Off
Land VII - Landscape 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...
Color
$4,400
Healing 02 and Gaze Into The Lake 03, Diptych. Abstract color photographs
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artists computer-generated paintings merge craftsmanship and technology, creating an eclectic and unique style. Through her art, she aims to illuminate the world. Tcherassi's wo...
Archival Pigment
$22,500
"JM Basquiat-GB1" Photography (FRAMED) 50" x 40" inch Ed. of 8 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"JM Basquiat-GB1" Photography (FRAMED) 50" x 40" inch Ed. of 8 by Giuliano Bekor Original fine art photography by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA iss...
Metal
Fairy, 2025, Cyanotype on Archival Paper, 12.2 x 16.3 in, Signed
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The photos from the series Let Me Tell You a Story show, each one individually, certain themes through strongly narrative visual units. Each photograph is dedicated to a specific rep...
Archival Paper
$2,847
Gem facet 3 - Signed limited edition abstract print, Contemporary Large format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
' Gem facet 3 ' - Limited edition pigment print - Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber ...
Archival Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Everyday Life Cyanotype on Archival Paper, Abstract, 2010s, Signed
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The photos from the series Let Me Tell You a Story show, each one individually, certain themes through strongly narrative visual units. Each photograph is dedicated to a specific rep...
Archival Paper
$1,708
Bling 11 -Signed limited edition contemporary print , Color Photo, square white
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Bling 11 - Limited edition pigment print Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity Limited Editions of 5 ,Unframed This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber b...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Set of 9 unique photographs altered by the artist. Mixed media portrait
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This artwork was created by the artistic duo Hunter & Gatti (2010–2023). These works are part of the archive managed and exhibited by Cristian Hunter. The artist's technique cons...
Oil, Archival Paper, Acrylic, Wax
$580
The Sun, Golden Colors, Warm Tones Diptych, Space Age, Abstract Geometry Hue
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cyd Fontaine (Lausanne, 1992) is a contemporary artist renowned for her captivating use of dreamy atmospheric gradients, which has helped her carve a distinctive niche in the world o...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,225
Rhododendron Denny Hybrid - Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition of 25 Prints
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Rhododendron Denny Hybrid by Giles Revell This is an Archival Pigment Print available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 25 prints. In Cartographic Colour, Giles ...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
$1,225
Alstroemeria Cyprus - Limited Edition Geometric Archival Pigment Print, Ed 25
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Alstroemeria Cyprus by Giles Revell This is an Archival Pigment Print available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 25 prints. In Cartographic Colour, Giles Revell...
Color, Archival Pigment, Pigment
My Greece Cyanotype Photograph, Abstract Style, Signed, 23.6x31.4 in.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The photos from the series Let Me Tell You a Story show, each one individually, certain themes through strongly narrative visual units. Each photograph is dedicated to a specific rep...
Archival Paper
Seascape XIII - large scale abstract photograph of monochrome seascape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mesmerizing large scale photograph from the artist's Seascape series, a body of works capturing the tactile surfaces and monochromatic nature of oceanic water and cloudscapes Seasca...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Black and White, Giclée, Archival Pi...
Space Field, Digital Iris Print Muse X Large Photograph on Heavy Paper
Located in Surfside, FL
These are from the 1990s printed at Muse X and never framed. they are unsigned and unnumbered but from a very small edition. they are quite beautiful. Victor Raphael was born in Los ...
Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Levels: Abstract Color Photography on Canvas, 41.7x31.4 in, Ed. of 5
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Eduardo Rezende’s 2024 series Lavori in Corso revisits one of the artist’s most enduring themes: the urban and architectural landscape — this time focused on construction sites, scaf...
Canvas
$4,800
Hemisphere II - large format photograph of abstract liquid cloudscape in water
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photography of mesmerizing color compositions of liquid cloudscape painting in water, hypnotizing abstract liquidscapes from the body o...
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Paper, Giclée
$1,000
Anesthesia - underwater photograph series REFLECTIONS - archival pigment 23x35"
$730
Calm Water Blue Tones Diptych of Japanese Zen Pond Ripples, Feng Shui Cyanotype
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. This diptych is titled "Japanese Zen Pond Ripples", and shows ripples of water from a calming pond. Details: + Title: Ja...
Photographic Film, Emulsion, Watercolor, C Print, Color, Engraving, Lith...
The Horse and Apples. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The exploration of the concept of play as an artistic impulse presents playful, almost "baroque-written"photographs that are the result of a repeated (recycled) notion of play. Start...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Waves: Trama Series, Abstract Print on Canvas, 47.2 x 35.4 in.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Leveza Archival Pigment Print on Canvas, Abstract, 31.4x47.2 in, 2010+
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Eduardo Rezende’s 2024 series Lavori in Corso revisits one of the artist’s most enduring themes: the urban and architectural landscape — this time focused on construction sites, scaf...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Algas 45-XIX. From the series Mareas. Cyanotype photograhs
By Paola Davila
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Water is constant in the artist's visual investigation, for her water is no longer the stage in which the body's memory bursts, but rather the environment and protagonist, constant o...
Archival Pigment
The Streets of Kowloon (gold), Hong Kong - Abstract color photography
Located in Cambridge, GB
Streets of Kowloon Gold, part of Richard Heeps series photographing on the streets of Hong Kong in Kowloon in 2016 this stunning abstract piece is so striking in a room. The whole 20...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
On Distant Shores #3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
THE COLOR OF WATER Lake Michigan blue sits at the pastel confluence of green, grey and cyan on the nearby shoreline. In truth, the color of the lake is as transitory as Chicago weather. The shade of blue is widely determined by the reflection of the sky above and the organic material and sediment carried below. I recently learned that invasive mussel species have slowly transformed the lake from green to bluer over the past two decades. I often return to the water’s edge to document the color of a given day. Susan Isaacson...
Archival Paper
$1,800
Burst II - large scale abstract photograph of caleidoscopic color explosions
Located in San Francisco, CA
From Christian Stoll's body of works BURST (2015), an abstract exploration of high speed photographs capturing mesmerizing explosions of caleidoscopic color 27 x 40 inches (68 x 102...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$1,230Sale Price|20% Off
Land IV - Landscape 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...
Color
Holding Light In Darkness #5
Located in Los Angeles, CA
THE COLOR OF WATER Lake Michigan blue sits at the pastel confluence of green, grey and cyan on the nearby shoreline. In truth, the color of the lake is as transitory as Chicago weather. The shade of blue is widely determined by the reflection of the sky above and the organic material and sediment carried below. I recently learned that invasive mussel species have slowly transformed the lake from green to bluer over the past two decades. I often return to the water’s edge to document the color of a given day. Susan Isaacson...
Archival Paper
$3,000
Y, From the series Lous and The Yakuza. Mixed media fashion color photography
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This artwork was created by the artistic duo Hunter & Gatti (2010–2023). These works are part of the archive managed and exhibited by Cristian Hunter. The artist's technique consists...
Oil, Wax, Acrylic, Archival Paper
A II, From the series Opposed Tendencies. Intervened by the artists.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This artwork was created by the artistic duo Hunter & Gatti (2010–2023). These works are part of the archive managed and exhibited by Cristian Hunter. The artist's technique consists...
Wax, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Space Field, Digital Iris Print Muse X Large Photograph on Heavy Paper
Located in Surfside, FL
These are from the 1990s printed at Muse X and never framed. they are unsigned and unnumbered but from a very small edition. they are quite beautiful. Victor Raphael was born in Los ...
Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Alice - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 35" x 49"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Alice” is a part of Alex Sher’s popular series Reflections - underwater photographs that could be almost mistaken for abstract paintings as they bring up recollections of masterpiec...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Untitled 28 NY, From The Series Of Public On Paper. Color Photograph
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Sukan has set out to identify alternative sites of public display and common space within the banal recesses of the everyday world. Collecting and adopting the sketch pads and papers...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Color
Hampton Fields
Located in New York, NY
Michael Williams, Untitled Landscape 4, Color Photograph on Paper, 22 x 32, 2010 - Colors: Blue, Gold, Brown, Green
Photographic Paper
$1,200
Anesthesia - underwater photograph - series REFLECTIONS - archival print 35x52"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Lost in a sea of rich saturation of dark and light blue colors, a feminine form gracefully traverses the expanse of the water. Alex Sher’s “Anesthesia” invites us into an abstracted ...
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Untitled XIII. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The exploration of the concept of play as an artistic impulse presents playful, almost "baroque-written"photographs that are the result of a repeated (recycled) notion of play. Start...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$16,500
"JM Basquiat-GB5" Photograph 66" x 48" in Limited Edition of 8 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"JM Basquiat-GB5" Photograph 66" x 48" in Limited Edition of 8 by Giuliano Bekor Year: 2020 Medium: Photography Print size: 66 x 48 Inches trim bleed Edition of 8 Artist proof: 2 Ot...
Archival Paper
Untitled VII. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The exploration of the concept of play as an artistic impulse presents playful, almost "baroque-written"photographs that are the result of a repeated (recycled) notion of play. Start...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Bizalu (Eye)
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Bizalu (Eye), 2018 Archival pigmented print 19 x 13 in Edition of 10 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qualities of Oaxac...
Archival Pigment
$191Sale Price|84% Off
Green Abstract Photography Print, Signed Limited Edition of 15
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Print, limited edition of 15. Signed by the author.
Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
Papel Corten, 2024. Abstract Fine Art Photography on canvas
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
$5,000
"Butterfly 1" Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Edition of 24 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Butterfly 1" Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Edition of 24 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Butterfly B1 Year: 2018 Print size: 24" x 24" Inch Edition: 1/24 Artist proof: 2 Medium: Arch...
Archival Pigment
Water Reflection, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris, Blue
Located in New York, NY
Water Reflection, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris Archival pigment print on museum fine art paper Edition of 7 Includes certificate of authenticity. Signed and numbered...
Color, Archival Pigment
Bling 15 - FRee delivery- Yellow print, Color abstract, Square brown photo
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
'Bling 15' - Limited edition pigment print Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based pape...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
$1,230Sale Price|20% Off
Land II - Landscape 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...
Color
Blue on Light Blue with Dancing Angels
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Blue on Light Blue with Dancing Angels, 2021 Archival pigmented print 19 x 13 in Edition of 10 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qualities of Oaxaca City...
Archival Pigment
$1,360Sale Price|20% Off
Torquidos
Located in Plano, TX
"Torquidos" is a painting of light 'unseen.' When light travels, the human eye doesn't see its trails, but the camera does. My usual version of light painting involves leaving the li...
Metal
$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