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
#42, 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
#43, 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
#70, 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
#164, 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
New York City Street Art: Literally - Hot Pink Umbrella - Like Rothko
Located in Miami, FL
New York City is renowned as a center of world-class Museums and tastemaker Art Galleries. However, some of the greatest art is street art mad...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#230, 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
#216, 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
#173, 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
#211, 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
#223, 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
#254, 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
Rosa Loving Memory - Red Roses Royal Horticultural Society Wisley
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Rosa Loving Memory 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
#200, 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
#202, 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
#170, 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
#185, 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
Wolfgang Tillmans, Texte zur Kunst Edition 2018: Photography, Signed Print
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wolfgang Tillmans (German, born 1968)
Texte zur Kunst Edition 2018, 2018
Medium: Inkjet print on paper
Dimensions: 29.5 × 21 cm (11 3/5 × 8 3/10 in)
Edition of 100: Hand-signed and n...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Gaia 114 - Black and White Diptych Birds Flying in Formation above Spanish Waves
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 114 - Black and White Diptych Birds Flying in Formation above Spanish Waves by Jaume Llorens Bach
Gaia 114 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and Whi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
Untitled 16 and 17, Diptych. From The While You Are Surfing Series
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The physical gestures that make up our interactions with touch-screen personal devices are intensely intimate, yet abstract signatures of our everyday browsing and messaging patterns...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Inkjet, Archival 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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Parliament in autumn No.3 - abstract photography, London, Limited edition 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Reimagining the iconic silhouette of the Westminster Parliament through the lens of abstraction and atmosphere. Cloaked in an autumnal haze, the architectural presence dissolves into...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper
Untitled 15 and 3, Diptych. From The While You Are Surfing Series
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The physical gestures that make up our interactions with touch-screen personal devices are intensely intimate, yet abstract signatures of our everyday browsing and messaging patterns...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Inkjet, Archival Pigment
Gaia 127 - Black and White Photographic Diptych Birds Murmuration Skyline
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 127 - Black and White Photographic Diptych Birds Murmuration Skyline by Jaume Llorens Bach
Gaia 127 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White, Digital
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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
A Tiger. 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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Gaze Into The Lake 02 and Hearing Gaia 02, 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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
The King and the Dragon. 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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#231, 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
Urban Art Street Art, Graffiti Wall In Soho, New York City, Abstract Photography
Located in Miami, FL
Graffiti wall in Soho district in Manhattan was photographed in 2007 that's more than a decade before the Urban Art craze had seized the attention of the art world. Art photographer...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Marine Stadium II. Areal Landscape limited edition color photograph
By Jill Peters
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Jill Peters finds her inspiration in the quickly changing architectural landmarks of her youth, like the demolished Miami Herald building, an abandoned roller coaster or a neglected ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment
Untitled 13 and 14, Diptych. From The While You Are Surfing Series
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The physical gestures that make up our interactions with touch-screen personal devices are intensely intimate, yet abstract signatures of our everyday browsing and messaging patterns...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Inkjet, Archival Pigment
Retaining Wall II, Rockingham - Abstract Blue Color Photograph
Located in Cambridge, GB
Blue abstract photograph from Richard Heeps' series Trading Paint.
Richard Heeps has a history of photographing Drag Racing in the UK, America and Europe. Trading Paint is a term tha...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
Visible and Disappearance, Diptych From The While You Are Sleeping Series
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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment
Miami at Night, Brickell Avenue Street Scene Neon Abstraction
Located in Miami, FL
Photographer Mitchell Funk transforms a Miami street scene at night with glowing neon signs into a complex abstract pattern. A recurring element in Funk's iconography is secondary a...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Black and White Photography, Limited Edition Figurative Photograph
By Alain Pino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black and White Photography, Limited Edition Figurative Photograph
Alain Pino’s new works continue his exploration on the intersection between identity and industrial design. In a h...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Inkjet
Abstract Dancers, Dark Blue 4 - Royal Ballet Dancers Abstract Performance Print
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Abstract Dancers, Dark Blue 4 - Royal Ballet Dancers Abstract Performance Print by Giles Revell
Archival Pigment Print in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 15
Giles ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment
"Rothko on the Savannah: 14-3" (2014) Archival Abstracted Texture Photo Print
Located in Denver, CO
"Rothko on the Savannah: 14-3" Is a beautiful original edited photography print, done on archival photo canvas.
Daniel J. Kaufman (b. New York City, May 4th, 1949) Childhood in Grea...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Canvas
#260, 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
Manhattanhenge, Big Sun Sunset Manhattan Street Golden Light Silhouetted People
Located in Miami, FL
Signed, dated lower and numbered 2/15 lower right recto, unframed, other sizes available.
Manhattanhenge. Unique moment where the sun aligns with the east to west grid structure of t...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Inkjet
#257, 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
L, K and B Triptych. Mixed media portraits
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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Oil, Wax, Acrylic, Archival Paper
E, O and V. Triptych. 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 consists...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Oil, Wax, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Crystal - Still life colour photography, limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Crystal'
Printed on archival paper with museum-grade precision, this limited edition work balances mystery and simplicity.
A photograph is carefully placed in a secure cardboard p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper
HOT Red Photography Signed limited
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography, abstract, limited edition of 5, will be signed. For me reflecting a very strong emotion.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
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 Archives with a certificate of authenticity.
Jack Mitchell's artist’s statement on this project: For five decades in New York City I photographed established and emerging creative and performing artists for major publications. The Numbered Nudes photographs are a development, and expansion, of my dance photography...
Category
1990s Abstract Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Chrysler Building Spire with Moon - Art Deco skyscraper
Located in Miami, FL
Pioneering Color Photographer Mitchell Funk carefully crafts a composition where the graceful Art Deco shapes of the Chrysler Building spire play off t...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#237, 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
Disappearance and Destiny, Diptych From The While You Are Sleeping Series
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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment
Shadow of Her Former Self
By David Sokosh
Located in Hudson, NY
Shadow of Her Former Self
Photograph of Found Objects Printed in Cyanotype
Panel is 10 x 8 inches, 12 x 10 inches framed
Wire backing, ready to hang
Signed, verso (lower right)
Sok...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Other Medium
Exquisite Ghost - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 16x23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Exquisite Ghost” 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Untitled 2275: still life photograph w/ yellow apples & 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
Aspen Study II - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aspen Study II by Frank Schott
a series of images capturing the yellow golden Indian summer foliage palette of aspen trees in California's Sierra Nevada
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
Street Walkers - New York Street Photography Abstraction
Located in Miami, FL
The history of street photography has been characterized by a loose snapshot style where the central purpose was to capture random moments as they unfold in time. Little emphasis was...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#76, 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
#27, 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
Liquid Gold Diptych
Located in Fairfield, CT
German-born Christine Matthäi’s fascination with photography and film began during her early teenage years. She studied and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Ber...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
C Print, Plexiglass
#165, 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
Follow U 01, From the series Portal. 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Singularity 01 and It All Moves 01, 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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
#114, 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 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.