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Abstract 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
#166, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#49, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Wave III, Unique Monotype Cyanotype, Horizontal Diptych of
Located in Barcelona, ES
Wave III, is an exclusive handmade cyanotype horizontal diptych that captures the gentle curl of an organic mid-motion wave. Rendered in deep Prussian blues and ethereal whites, the...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Paper, Monotype

Urban Curves and Forms, Abstract Photogram Cyanotype in Blue Tones and White
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes. It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv-...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Emulsion, Watercolor, Monotype, Paper

#167, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#102, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#232, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#179, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#66, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#233, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#175, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

"Acacia ARM5" Abstract Photography 60" x 48" in Edition 1/4 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Acacia ARM5" Abstract Photography 60" x 48" in Edition 1/4 by Giuliano Bekor Acacia series Title of artwork: ARM5 Year: 2020 Printed on a high-quality museum-grade archival photo p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper

Infinity Pool Water Reflections, Blue & White Pattern, Handmade Cyanotype Print
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Infinity Pool" is a sophisticated image that captures the water reflections shimmering over ...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Emulsion, Watercolor, Photographic Paper, C Print, Lithograph, Monotype

Breathe # 202503 (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Edition: 1/3 Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar supplied) or the screw-eye system if it needs support from wire or above. Available in 4-5 weeks turnaro...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, C Print

Original Print of Layered Looping Lines, White and Blue Monotype, Organic Shapes
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes. It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv-...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photogram, Monotype, Color, C Print, Photographic Pap...

"Conversation" - Charcoal and watercolor abstract expression, Limited editon 15
Located in London, GB
"Conversation" intertwines the raw, emotive qualities of charcoal with the fluidity of watercolor. The juxtaposition of the two mediums and dimentions creates a dynamic interplay of ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Charcoal, Watercolor, Giclée, Film

#180, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Calm Water Blue Tones Diptych of Japanese Zen Pond Ripples, Feng Shui Cyanotype
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...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Emulsion, Watercolor, C Print, Color, Engraving, Lith...

#176, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Antelope Canyon Desert, USA, abstract, black and white photography, landscape
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Black and white fine art abstract - landscape photography. Archival pigment ink print as part of a limited edition of 9. All Gerald Berghammer prints are made to order in limited edi...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

#157, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Miami Downtown, Black and White Architectural Landscape Photography
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...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Black and White, Archival Pigment

#244, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Abstract Waterscape, Waterfall, Mountain Stream
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Black and white fine art long exposure waterscape - landscape photography. Archival pigment ink print as part of a limited edition of 7. All Gerald Berghammer prints are made to orde...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

#124, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#160, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#171, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Caribbean Sandy Shore Triptych, Blue Tones Seascape, Sunny Waves Cyanotype Print
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series of cyanotype triptychs showcases the beauty of nature scenes, including stunning beaches and oceans, as well as the intricate textures of water, forests, and skies. These triptychs are large pieces that feature lush blues, making them an impressive addition to any beautifully designed space. Each triptych is printed by hand and carefully crafted to capture the unique essence of these natural environments, with a focus on the interplay of light and shadows, and the subtle nuances of tone and texture. The beach and ocean scenes depict the dynamic beauty of waves crashing against the shore, with the cyanotype process lending a dreamy, ethereal quality to the images. Similarly, the forest and wood scenes offer a glimpse into the hidden depths of nature, with the cyanotype process lending a sense of mystery and wonder to the images, while the lush blues of cyanotypes imitate the sky and clouds perfectly. These triptychs are perfect for anyone who loves to surround themselves with the beauty of nature, and they make an excellent centerpiece for any beautifully designed space. Details: + Title: Pleasant Waters in Tulum Beach...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Lithograph, Monotype, Paper

#108, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#132, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

As Above, So Below 02. Abstract color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artist's computer-generated paintings merge craftsmanship and technology, creating an eclectic and unique style. Through her art, she aims to illuminate the world. Tcherassi's w...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

#243, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#172, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Gaia 117 - Black and White Diptych of Clouds and Waves Catalonia Spanish Sea
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 117 - Black and White Diptych of Clouds and Waves Catalonia Spanish Sea by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 117 is a 45cm x 18cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Black and White, Digital

Bleed # 202390 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202390 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hanging system + keyhole option. Edition: 1/3...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, C Print

Abstract Photograph Post USSR Russian Avant Garde Solarized Photo Non Conformist
By Valentin Samarine
Located in Surfside, FL
Valentin Samarine started doing abstract painting in the 60s, and abstract photography in the 70s. He moved fairly easily from one to the other. It is in a perfectly logical sense: ...
Category

20th Century Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

#19, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#147, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#123, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#253, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Set of 2 Photographs. Cyanotype photograph of the ocean waves
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 2 Photographs, 2022 by Paola Davila 1. 27° 44' 30.192" N 114° 14' 36.340" W-10. 2. 28° 14' 22.942''N, 114° 6' 4.129'' W-9. From the Mareas series. Cyanotype on 300 gr cotton p...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Cotton, Archival Pigment

Oris - abstract black and white butterfly photography, limited edition of 20
Located in London, GB
From June and Oris collection - Oris As he steps inside, the air thickens, pressing in like an unseen weight. The room hums with movement, bodies shifting, voices murmuring, the c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Giclée

Breathe # 202206 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Breathe # 202206 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hanging system + keyhole option. Available...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, C Print

#238, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#246, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Changing Moods 8- Floral landscape pink dominant contemporary abstract photo
Located in New York, NY
Belgian photographer Isabelle Menin creates portraits of flowers that are not only gorgeous in form and color, but also uniquely expressive. Fresh blossoms and withering blooms melt ...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Art Deco Geometry in Blue, Vertical Architecture, Primary Shapes, Suprematist
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes. It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv-light. Details: + Title: Art Deco Geometry...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Emulsion, Watercolor, Monotype

#198, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

#131, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Contemporary sensual, erotic photograph of nude man & woman from historic image
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
"Pipe Tee" by artist Paul Cava is a one-of-a-kind (unique) archival pigment print of a nude man and woman from a historical glass plate on a historic mechani...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Ink

Forest Embers, Giclée Print Diptych Landscape, Warm Tons Abstract Autumn Leaves
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...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Desert Sunrise (22 x 13 abstract cyanotype)
Located in Oakland, CA
Though it resembles a giant abstract watercolor painting owing to its soft gradations and luminous quality, this is a form of photography called a cyano...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Paper, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Monotype, Photogram

Esplanade, Promenade, France, black and white gelatin silver photography, framed
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Gerald Berghammer - Limited Edition 1/9. Silver Gelatin Prints, Selenium Toned, Printed 2018. Signed, numbered, dated by Artis. Handmade wood frame, dark-brown, natural white archiva...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Digital Pigment

#115, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Dark Forest, Giclée Print Diptych Landscape, Blue Tones Impressionist Leaves
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...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Giclée, Archival Pigment

#241, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Untitled 1994: still life photograph w/ coffee cups & abstract shadow patterns
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This is an archival pigment print depicting an abstracted still life printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308 gsm by artist Paul Cava. It is from the "Table Top" series, which is one of t...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment

#162, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Pigment

Seascape XIII - large scale abstract photograph of monochrome seascape
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Black and White, Giclée, Archival Pi...

Green and Green.../ Print / Photography / Limited /Signed
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Green and Green is a photography-print, limited 1/5 and signed. Inspiration was a very warm and sunny day, hopefully evoking calm and positive mood. When framed in a black frame with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Color

Abstract photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic 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 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, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mitchell Funk, Paul Snell, Michael Banks, and Seb Janiak. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, 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 Abstract photography, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available. Prices for 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 $50 and tops out at $36,000, while the average work sells for $3,359.

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