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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
Black and White Abstract Ripples Under Moonlight, Nocturnal Nautical Giclée
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive limited edition black and white giclée print, on 100% cotton Hahnemühle Photo Rag Fine Art matte paper. This series of black and white photographs captures the ...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Paper

Crosshatch
Located in Storrs, CT
" "Crosshatch" is a classic example of my abstract PhotoLuminism technique. When light travels, the human eye cannot see its trails, but the camera can. Capturing images that are int...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Black and White

Black and White Photography, Limited Edition Figurative Photograph
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

#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

#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

#199, 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

#192, 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

#191, 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

#190, 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

#189, 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

#186, 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

#184, 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

#227, 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

#228, 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 106 - Black and White Diptych Spanish Cork Trees in Nature Landscape
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 106 - Black and White Diptych Spanish Cork Trees in Nature Landscape by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 106 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White Phot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper

Fish Swimming Below Water, Fresh Blue Tones Cyanotype Print, Pool Art on Paper
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

Halcyon / cerulean glaze
Located in Bristol, GB
Halcyon / cerulean glaze is a metallic Lambda photographic print, optionally mounted to Plexiglass and Dibond, and fitted with a hidden subframe, ready to install. The edition may al...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, C Print

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

Remedy (Winter)
Located in New York, NY
48"x40" photogram Wendy Small’s “Remedy” photograms are made by collecting leaves, weeds, or flowers from a specific place (indicated in the title) and placing those leaves directly ...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photogram

Cosmica #68, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print Unframed
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Metal

Everyone’s Photos Any License (654 of 1, 146, 034 Full Moons on Flickr), 2015
Located in Orange, CA
Everyone’s Photos Any License (654 of 1,146,034 Full Moons on Flickr, November 2015), 2015 Additional information: Medium: Digital c-prints with attributions and image map Dimension...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

C Print

Aspen Study II - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
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, Archival Ink, Giclée

I Got Your Back 02 and Healing 02. Abstract color photographs, Diptych.
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

Cosmica #71, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print Unframed
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Metal

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

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

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...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

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

Surfer, Perth, Western Australia (Oceans series)
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Surfer, Perth, Western Australia (Oceans series), 2016 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 59 x 59 inches
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Corkscrews
Located in Storrs, CT
"Corkscrew" is a classic example of my abstract PhotoLuminism technique. When light travels, the human eye cannot see its trails, but the camera can and does. Capturing images this w...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Metal

Psyche D / EvH
Located in Bristol, GB
Psyche D / EvH is a metallic Lambda photographic print, optionally mounted to Plexiglass, laser cut to shape, and fitted with a hidden subframe, ready to install. Work can be suppli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, C Print

Arnold Scaasi
Located in New York, NY
Lucille Khornak (American), "Arnold Scaasi", Black and white screen print on Harmon paper, 20 x 16, Late 20th Century Hand signed by Lucille Khornak Available sizes: 14 x ...
Category

1980s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Film

Hot Air Balloon Panorama, Championship, black and white photography, landscape
Located in Vienna, Vienna
Black and White Fine Art panorama photography. Hot Air Balloon Panorama, Championship, Waldviertel, Austria. Archival pigment ink print, edition of 9. Signed, titled, dated and numbe...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital Pigment

Sandstill no. 4 - black and white photograph of abstract sand grain pattern
Located in London, GB
'Sandstill no.4' From serries of abstract shapes formed by sand grain. Limited edition of 20. Photograph is printed on heavyweight fine art paper. Photograph is signed and stam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Film, Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Black and White, Giclée

ATO>MIC #9, Unique Silver Luminogram Print, "Atomic like Explosion or Moonscape"
Located in London, GB
ATO>MIC #9, 2020 Unique Gelatin Silver Print/ Luminogram and Photogram technique, Printed on tea infused fibre based paper, Framed 23 x 18 cm print size 38 x 35.5 cm framed Unique Series: ATO>MIC Signed and dated in pencil on print's verso © Michael G Jackson...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Black and White, Photogram, Silver Gelatin

"Acacia ARM1" Abstract Photography 60" x 48" in Edition 1/4 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Acacia ARM1" Abstract Photography 60" x 48" in Edition 1/4 by Giuliano Bekor Acacia series Title of artwork: ARM1 Year: 2020 Printed on a high-quality museum-grade archival photo p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper

"Empire in Blue, Lights of New York" Giclee, Abstract Photography, Limited 2/20
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Empire in Blue / from the series of Lights of New York / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2021 Certificated Dimension: 36 x 24" External Dimension( with white border...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

East Hampton Sky with Flock of Birds at Golden Sunset, Abstract Photography
Located in Miami, FL
A flock of birds at sunset in East Hampton is captured by color photographer Mitchell Funk. The overall composition without a central point of focus is not unlike the work of East H...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Untitled 7, From The Series Of While You Are Surfing
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

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Color

Set of 4 Abstract color photographs
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

Into The Void 02 and Be The Eye In the Storm 01, Diptych.
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

Flying Swimsuit
Located in Austin, TX
Limited edition print, Flying Swimsuit by Art Kane, taken in 1970 for Harper’s Bizaar Magazine Art Kane fine art print details Limited edition, fine art prints of Art Kane photogra...
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Photography

Materials

C Print

Seascape XIII (framed) - 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 Seascape XIII...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Plexiglass, Giclée...

'That Was Just A Dream Some Of Us Had'. Abstract blue white leaves flight
Located in Penzance, GB
'That Was Just A Dream Some Of Us Had' Original Artwork From a body of work titled 'Elemental', in which Sophia employs her unique method of working using the four elements of eart...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Photogram

Iris Give Me Patience by Giles Revell - Color Photography, Abstract Photography
Located in Brighton, GB
Iris Give Me Patience by Giles Revell is a dynamic, abstract archival pigment print. Available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in an edition of 25. Larger prints are available, please c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

#229, 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

Ramunės - abstract analogue black and white floral photography, Ltd. 20
Located in London, GB
'Ramunės' London, United Kingdom 2022 Limited edition of 20. Photograph printed on heavyweight fine art paper. Photograph is shipped fast and flat in secure thick cardboard packa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Film, Photographic Film, Giclée

Hemerocallis by Giles Revell - Color Photography, Abstract Photography
Located in Brighton, GB
Hemerocallis by Giles Revell is a dynamic, abstract archival pigment print. Available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in an edition of 25. Larger prints are available, please contact th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Color, Archival Pigment

Red Sun - Limited Edition Abstract Color Photograph - Fine Art Digital Print
Located in New York, NY
Red Sun is an abstract limited edition fine art color print by photographer and graphic artist Susan Daboll. This colorful square digital print ships safely in tube. Print Size is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Luster, Paper, Digital

Eugene 8- Floral landscape white dominant contemporary abstract color 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

No. 5, Cubes (Abstract Cameraless Photograph in Black and Neutral, Framed)
Located in Hudson, NY
Abstract digital print on black/white photo paper 31.5 x 26.5 inches in custom black stained wood frame with black 8 ply mat and AR non glare glass These energetic prints are digital copies of original handmade monoprints by photographer Birgit Blyth. Without the use of a camera, the artist produced the original chromoskedasic image by applying the photographic chemicals to black and white photo pager and exposing it to light. The rich black, faded gold, and crisp white tones are determined by the different chemicals used and the amount of time they are exposed to light. In this piece, Blyth painted gestural, intersecting lines to create a grid-like pattern that falls back in space. About the artist and work: Birgit Blyth is one of our most innovative and prolific photographers who works in a darkroom yet uses no camera! Blyth has been experimenting with a technique known as Chromoskedasic painting since the early ‘90s and variations on this concept have been shown at the gallery for the last 20 years. The unusual process involves the use of silver particles in black and white photographic paper to scatter light at different wavelengths when exposed. A chemist of sorts, Blyth demonstrates a thorough knowledge of how the various photographic chemicals will react when applied to paper and exposed. Each work is unique with palettes that resonate brilliant tonalities of brown, green, black, and purple. Using this technique, Blyth creates abstract crosshatching grids and most recently has developed a more gestural series of 20 x 16 inch chromoskedasic paintings that explores the ethereal qualities made possible by the unconventional material. Birgit Blyth succeeds at keeping her work fresh and cutting-edge using analog methods that are being quickly replaced elsewhere with digital technology. Artist Resume: Born: Kousted, Denmark Resident in U.S.A. since 1963 Education: Denmark and U.S.A. Project, Inc., Cambridge MA (Photography) DeCordova Museum School, Lincoln MA (Printmaking) Maine Photography...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital

Shadow of Her Former Self
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

Aspen Study II - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
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

The Block 03 and The Mask 01. Abstract color photographs. Diptych.
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

#215, 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

Discontiguous
Located in Storrs, CT
"Discontiguous" was created in the field behind my second house in Pennsylvania. It's a light painting captured in about 30 seconds. Printed on flat archival paper, double matted, ...
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Inkjet

Ephemera, Huangshan, China
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Ephemera, Huangshan, China, 2017 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options.
Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Wave I - large format abstract liquidscape in azur and lapis blue color palette
Located in San Francisco, CA
mesmerizing large scale photographic capture of strikingly abstract water surface shimmering in soothing tones of cobalt, admiral, azur and lapis blue Wave I (Abstract) by Christian...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée

Look Up 03, From the series Return to Source. 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

Color, Archival Pigment

Green Abstracted Ikat Photograph
By Janet Van Arsdale
Located in Soquel, CA
Stunning green abstract photograph reminiscent of Ikat fabric by Janet Van Arsdale (American, 20th Century). Signed in pencil lower left corner. Presented in black frame with double ...
Category

1990s Abstract Photography

Materials

Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée

Fish (Stay) - Contemporary, Expired, Polaroid, Photograph
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Fish (Stay) - 2006, 20x24cm, Edition 4/5. Archival C-Print, hand-printed by the artist on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper, matte surface, based on the Polaroid. Signature label and cer...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

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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