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Abstract Color 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
Hard Edge Abstraction - Signs and Shapes, Modern Photography Cover
By Mitchell Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Modern Photography Cover , August 1978 Signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso Edition 3 of 15, Unframed. Printed later, Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper Other size...
Category

1970s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Hard Edge Abstraction - Signs and Shapes, Modern Photography Cover
Hard Edge Abstraction - Signs and Shapes, Modern Photography Cover

Mitchell Funk
Hard Edge Abstraction - Signs and Shapes, Modern Photography Cover, 1976

Umbrellas on Fifth Avenue in the Rain. Street Photography Literally
By Mitchell Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Umbrellas on Fifth Avenue in the Rain. Street Photography is as abstract as it is representational. It's literally street photography. Chromogenic archival print, signed and dated ...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Umbrellas on Fifth Avenue in the Rain. Street Photography Literally

Mitchell Funk
Umbrellas on Fifth Avenue in the Rain. Street Photography Literally, 2014

Light Path
By Christine Matthai
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Color Photography

Materials

C Print

Light Path

Christine Matthai
Light Path, 2016

Still
By Christine Matthai
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT a...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

C Print

Still

Christine Matthai
Still, 2016

Golden Dawn
By Christine Matthai
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Color Photography

Materials

C Print

Golden Dawn

Christine Matthai
Golden Dawn, 2016

Moon Bathers
By Chris Leidy
Located in Fairfield, CT
In this fast moving world, photographer Chris Leidy has found his inspiration within the depths of global oceans. Under water, Chris captures a vision – a flash in time – through his...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Moon Bathers

Chris Leidy
Moon Bathers, 2016

Split Screen
By Chris Leidy
Located in Fairfield, CT
In this fast moving world, photographer Chris Leidy has found his inspiration within the depths of global oceans. Under water, Chris captures a vision – a flash in time – through his...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Pigment

Split Screen

Chris Leidy
Split Screen, 2015

2 Large Format Abstract Unique Color Photo Polaroid Pulls Ellen Carey Photograph
By Ellen Carey
Located in Surfside, FL
Ellen Carey Unique pair of photo art Polaroid panels Untitled, Red Moire Positive (Polaroid Pulls) Dimensions: H 75" x W 25.5" x D 2" From a series...
Category

1980s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Polaroid

2 Large Format Abstract Unique Color Photo Polaroid Pulls Ellen Carey Photograph
2 Large Format Abstract Unique Color Photo Polaroid Pulls Ellen Carey Photograph

Ellen Carey
2 Large Format Abstract Unique Color Photo Polaroid Pulls Ellen Carey Photograph, 2010

Mimi Love 02 - The Painters Project, by Eric Ceccarini
By Eric Ceccarini
Located in New York, NY
A photograph mounted to aluminum, protected by a mat lamination and set in a black float frame. This limited edition artwork is offered in 3 sizes. This artwork is offered in 3 sizes. The price of the artwork increases with the edition. Please contact us to inquire about the current edition number, availability, and price. A meeting between a painter, a model and the photographer… Extensive, both in time and scope; ThePainters Project is an ongoing collection of collaborations with painters to whom Eric offers as a canvas some of the very best models he has enjoyed working with during his career. For a number of these artists the project offers them a step in the dark, an escape into unknown territory. They must settle into a new environment with unfamiliar light, unusual shadows and highlights and a canvas that is not only three dimensional but alive, breathing and sentient. Movements and poses influence their strokes, they must discover, adapt and ultimately tame this canvas with their brush. Together, the body and the art become one to achieve the sublime. To blend the often distinct viewpoints of different disciplines and work together; to mix various instruments, tools and angles is an uncommon, yet extremely rewarding and exciting approach, but also contrary to the eternal solitude of the artist, a commonly echoed mantra in the art sphere. This unorthodox partnership gives birth to wonderful and often surprising creations. Magic succeeds when the ephemeral and volatile nature of paint on the human skin is forever captured through the lens and immortalised onto the image. The electric blue lines across the woman's body illuminate the photo and it seems as if she's wearing a cape. More than hundred meetings have already taken place with artists from the UK, Uruguay, Mauritius, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, the US, China, Venezuela, Russia and many other countries all across the globe. Photography, painting, model, contemporary, collaboration, women, paint, writing, shapes, black, white, blue, nude, body, beauty, emotion, pride, belgium, colors, bright, silhouette, french art, portrait, nude, body, portrait, thick layers, material, lina redford...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Digital, Archival Pigment, Digita...

Mimi Love 02 - The Painters Project, by Eric Ceccarini
Mimi Love 02 - The Painters Project, by Eric Ceccarini

Eric Ceccarini
Mimi Love 02 - The Painters Project, by Eric Ceccarini, 2020

Triptych - Water Theme - Mounted on Plexiglass
By Bob Tabor
Located in New York, NY
Water photography - abstract feel - turquoise hue. About the Artist: Known for his large format prints of equestrian portraits and stunning sea...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Triptych - Water Theme - Mounted on Plexiglass

Bob Tabor
Triptych - Water Theme - Mounted on Plexiglass

Untitled #10 (from Unfocused Series)
By Anne K Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Anne K Smith Title: Untitled #10 (from Unfocused Series) Medium: Archival Inkjet Print on Museo Silver Rag Size: 10.5 x 16 inches Available in sets of 3 (mix and match) Entire "Unfo...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet

Untitled #10 (from Unfocused Series)

Anne K Smith
Untitled #10 (from Unfocused Series), 2019

Untitled #2 (from Unfocused Series)
By Anne K Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Anne K Smith Title: Untitled #2 (from Unfocused Series) Medium: Archival Inkjet Print on Museo Silver Rag Size: 10.5 x 16 inches Available in sets of 3 (mix and match) Entire "Unfoc...
Category

2010s Abstract Color Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet

Untitled #2 (from Unfocused Series)

Anne K Smith
Untitled #2 (from Unfocused Series), 2019

Abstract color photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract color 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 color 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, red, orange, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mitchell Funk, Michael Banks, Stuart Möller, and Carol Inez Charney. Frequently made by artists working with Pigment Print, and Archival 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 Abstract color photography, so small editions measuring 7 inches across are also available. Prices for color 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 $105 and tops out at $36,000, while the average work sells for $4,141.

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