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.
#205, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$2,000
Vintage Large Format Abstract Unique Color Photo Polaroid Photograph Ellen Carey
By Ellen Carey
Located in Surfside, FL
Untitled, Unique photograph. Center panel from larger scale installation. Shot in the 20X24 format. (this measures about 20X20 inches) Ellen Carey, American artist and photographer. ...
Polaroid
Chrysler Building Top , Art Deco Architecture New York City
Located in Miami, FL
It's the epitome of Art Deco Architecture. The top of the Chrysler Building is lit by golden light in this photograph of a classic New York City scene. Photographer Mitchell Funk s...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
On Distant Shores #1
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
Pink Cherry Blossoms Central Park
Located in Miami, FL
Signed, Dated, number Lower left 3/15 recto, unframed, another size available, printed later, Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper Mitchell Funk is a pioneer of "Color Photography...
Photographic Paper
#267, 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...
Pigment
Degradê. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
#95, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#94, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$21,678
#102
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size signed on front An Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket...
Pigment
#45, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#50, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#46, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#88, 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...
Pigment
Manifest 03, From the series Power. Abstract color photograph
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
Gaia 125 - Limited Edition Black and White Print, Edition of 10, 18cm x 24cm
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 125 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 125 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White Photographic print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size is a limited edition of 1...
Black and White, Digital
#242, 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...
Pigment
Colméia. From the Trama series
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
10000 blue days
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'10000 blue days' Mesr Desert, Iran 2016. Limited edition of 20.
Photographic Paper, Giclée
Brake, unique photograph on silk with sumi ink brushwork
By Chaco Terada
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Brake, unique photograph on silk with sumi ink brushwork Chaco Terada's relationship with photo-eye dates back about 15 years. Over this period I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to ...
Silk, Archival Ink, Sumi Ink
#264, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$570
Melting Curves II, Blue Tones Monotype Cyanotype on Paper, Unique Abstract Piece
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This unique monotype cyanotype, rendered in rich blue tones, invites the viewer into a dreamlike rhythm of interwoven shapes. Created using the cyanotype process, this one-of-a-kind ...
Paper, Watercolor, Lithograph, Monotype
Wind Stretched Daydream Giclée Print, Abstract Expressionist, 2022
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Wind stretched daydream' 2022 Photographed in Richmond, London using a 4x5 large format camera. Printed on Fine art Hahnemuehle paper. 40x31cm ...
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
Central Park In Autumn With Billionaires Row Skyscrapers. Surreal City
Located in Miami, FL
Surreal City. It's Vermont in Manhattan? It's Vermont like autumn colors of oranges, amber, auburn, and crimsons of Central Park trees. They juxtaposed against the steely cold mono...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Unseen New York. Manhattan sky line in pinks, golds and blues
Located in Miami, FL
Unseen New York conjured up images of secret hideaways, architectural details, or some undiscovered treasure. Mitchell Funk gives a new twist to the term "unseen". His subject matt...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
#123, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Savanna Games. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The polyptich comprise four digital photograph and presents a series of photographs that reimagine play with children’s toys by placing them in real world settings. Savanna Games pr...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,300
Algas 88, 28, 87. Cyanotype photograhs mounted in high resistance glass dish
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...
Glass, Archival Pigment
Woodland Game 1. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"The triptychs comprise three digital photograph and presents a series of photographs that reimagine play with children’s toys by placing them in real-world settings. This transforma...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#117, 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...
Pigment
Plate Invasion - SciFi in Primary Colors - Architecture
Located in Miami, FL
Two plates are placed in the foreground and shot with a 20mm lens again the Manhattan skyline that gives an unearthly quality with common objects. Primary colors of the yellow and r...
Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
A Horse. 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
#262 Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
I Jump Over Obstacles, 2025. Cyanotype photograph
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
#223, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Renaissance Play House - TV Room. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House - Sewing Room. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House - Music Room. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House - Living Room. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House - Kitchen. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House -Chicken yard. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House - Bedroom. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Renaissance Play House - Backyard. Limited edition staged photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Renaissance Play House is a photographic series that juxtaposes Renaissance drawings and paintings with plastic toy furniture, creating unexpected visual encounters between historica...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#79, 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...
Pigment
#39, 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...
Pigment
Winter at the Beach
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edition 2/15 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 spent much of her l...
Archival Pigment
$1,464
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
$1,464
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
$1,464
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
Untitled III. 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
Silver Shimmer Diptych
By Kat O'Neill
Located in New York, NY
Hamptons Waters. Shot in East Hampton. Ltd Ed of 10. The art can be inside or outside with no visible loss of resolution. Gallery wrap finish adds an inch to the presentation....
Metal
Surrender - Ltd Ed
By Kat O'Neill
Located in New York, NY
Movement on Metal is part of a series of graphic, industrial, black and white photographic images. All are limited editions and produced with infused archival inks on metal which means the image is permeated into the metal thereby becoming part of the material versus being merely printed on the surface. It can be inside or outside in all seasons for years with very little loss of resolution. A mounting system would be included. The finish is a metal black gallery wrap. What that means is, imagine a metal frame that the image rests on. It is an inch deep and presents the art in an elegant, museum quality fashion...
Metal
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photo of Ibram Lassaw Modernist Sculpture (Photograph)
By John Reed
Located in Surfside, FL
The Photographer is John Reed. An East Hampton Photographer who shot Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Larry Rivers, Philip Guston, Conrad Marca-Relli, Syd Solomon, and James Brooks amon...
Silver Gelatin
Disappearance, 2009, From The Series Of While You Are Sleeping
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, Archival Pigment, Black and White
#261 Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$12,800
Seascape XIII (framed) - 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 Seascape XIII...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Plexiglass, Giclée...
Lily in Charcoal No.2 - abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
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
Alone Time
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edition 2/15 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 spent much of her l...
Archival Pigment
Tonelada. From the Trama series
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
For the Anniversary
By Chaco Terada
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Chaco Terada, originally from Japan, was trained at a young age in the art of calligraphy. When Chaco was in her twenties she had the opportunity to work on her calligraphy in ten co...
Silk, Archival Ink, Sumi Ink