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.
Poppy on ink - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Poppy on Ink' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. Print...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
$399
Window - Polaroid colour photography of window in London, Limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Window' Detail of Christ Church by architect John Peter Darvall. 2023 Printed on 30 x 30cm Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art paper. Photograph is signed front and back and comes wi...
Film, Photographic Film, Color, Giclée, Polaroid
$1,500
Ralph Gibson, Signed Art Edition No. 101–200 ‘Untitled, Sardegna 1980’ & Book
By Ralph Gibson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited Art Edition (No. 101–200), with the gelatin silver print Untitled (Sardegna, 1980), numbered and signed by Ralph Gibson. Edition of 100 Gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in., in ...
Silver Gelatin
Gaia 127 - Black and White Diptych, Limited Edition Print of 10, 18cm x 24cm
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 127 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 127 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size is a limited edition of 10 + 2 Artist'...
Black and White, Digital
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Discontiguous
Located in Plano, TX
"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, ...
Archival Paper, Inkjet
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...
Digital, Black and White
Limited Edition Black and White Abstract Photography, 2010+
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Cuts' London, United Kingdom 2022 Limited edition of 20.
Film, Photographic Paper
Ultramarine hills - abstract blue desert dunes, Limited edition 10 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Ultramarine hills' Ultramarine hills was photographed in Iran, 2016 with a combination of the special ultramarine colour filter. The idea of colour combination together with Iranian...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
10000 blue days
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'10000 blue days' Mesr Desert, Iran 2016. Limited edition of 20.
Photographic Paper, 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
$1,238
Calendula Officinalis - Geometric Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print, Ed 25
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Calendula Officinalis 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 Reve...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, 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
Gaia 106 - Limited Edition Black and White Print, 18cm x 24cm Diptych Print
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 106 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 106 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White Photographic print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size from a limited edition of...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
Foggy Fields
Located in New York, NY
Michael Williams, Untitled Landscape 3, Color Photograph on Paper, 22 x 32, 2010 - Colors: Gold, Yellow, Brown, Gray
Photographic Paper
$6,000
Songs For Dead Heroes # 6 soft color floral abstract landscape photo composition
Located in New York, NY
This abstract floral landscape photography has a dramatic sense of composition which recalls the careful arrangements of Dutch and Flemish still life paintings from the 17-18 century...
Digital Pigment
At Rest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
At Rest 2018 Archival Pigment Print Image 30.48 x 35.56 cm Framed 52.51 x 60.01cm Edition 4/6 plus 2 AP Pamela Takiff is a New York based abstract photographer. As an artist, and hu...
Archival Pigment
Abstract Dancers, Dark Blue 3 - Archival Pigment Print, 50cm x 50cm
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Abstract Dancers, Dark Blue 3, 2019 by Giles revell Archival Pigment Print in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 15 Giles Revell creates imagery that is driven by ana...
Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment, Color
3497
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'3497' London, United Kingdom 2022 It is a black and white film photograph. Giclée print on Hahnemühle photo rag Baryta 308 Gsm fine art paper, limited edition of 20. Photograph...
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
$14,500
"Modernismo M110" Abstract Photography 48"x48" in Ed. 3/12 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modernismo M110" Abstract Photography 48"x48" in Ed. 3/12 by Giuliano Bekor Title of artwork: M110 Year: 2012 Printed on a high-quality museum-grade archival photo paper. Not frame...
Archival Pigment
Osteospermum Sunny - Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition of 25 Prints
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Osteospermum Sunny 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 ...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 6/20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The charc...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
Rainbow Reflections, Waterscape Diptych, Altered Nature Limited, Giclée, Ripples
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 of digital art. Drawing inspiration from the ethereal beauty of nature, Fontaine's artistic journey has taken her on an imaginative exploration of space, depth, and emotion through the medium of large digital prints. Her signature style is characterized by the use of vast, immersive gradients that seem to stretch infinitely across space. These gradients evoke a sense of enigmatic calmness, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the expanse of her visual landscapes. Her ability to create a feeling of boundless depth and space within her pieces, combined with subtle minimalist compositions, is a testament to her mastery of the digital medium. Fontaine’s pieces resonate with audiences seeking a connection to the sublime, offering a window into a world where colors blend seamlessly and boundaries dissolve. Her work can be found in several private collections throughout Europe and the United States. She currently lives and works between Barcelona and Lausanne. Details: Title: Rainbow Reflections...
Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, C Print, Digital, G...
Abstract Dancers, Dark Blue 4 - Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Abstract Dancers, Dark Blue 4 by Giles Revell Archival Pigment Print in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 15 Giles Revell creates imagery that is driven by analytica...
Archival Pigment, Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment
$1,238
Phlox Paniculata Blue Evening - Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition Print
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Phlox Paniculata Blue Evening 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, Gil...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
$1,238
Rosa East Park - Abstract Photography, Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Rosa East Park 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 reduce...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
$1,238
Iris Give Me Patience - Abstract Archival Pigment Print, Limited Edition of 25
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Iris Give Me Patience 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 Reve...
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
Singularity 02 and 03, 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...
Archival Pigment
$4,400
Vanilla Sky - large scale photograph of iconic American national park landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vanilla Sky by Frank Schott a series of images capturing the epique infinety of White Sands 48 x 72 inches / 122cm x 183cm edition of 7 signed 27 x...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
$1,424
Poppy on ink #2 - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Poppy on Ink #2' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. Pr...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
Red Window (artist framed) - large scale abstract monochromatic photograph
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale monochromatic abstract observation of geometric architectural elements, from Raymond Meier's series Renderings Red Window (Renderings 05) by Ra...
Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée
Dahlia on Ink #2 - floral film photography, Limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Dahlia on Ink #2' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. P...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
$412
Window - Polaroid colour photography of window in London, Limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Window' Detail of Christ Church by architect John Peter Darvall. 2023 Printed on 30 x 30cm Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art paper. Photograph is signed front and back and comes wi...
Film, Photographic Film, Color, Giclée, Polaroid
$1,923Sale Price|20% Off
"Early birthday flowers", square, yellow, purple, floral art, abstract floral
Located in Oslo, NO
The gallery guarantees the uniqueness and high quality of this work of art, confirmed by a certificate of authenticity. By purchasing paintings by Irina Forrester, you make a smart ...
Oil, Wood Panel
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
'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...
Paper, Mixed Media, Photogram
'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
Verushka with Snake
By Michel Comte
Located in Vienna, AT
For decades Michel Comte has been shooting protagonists from the world of art, film and entertainment. However, he does not only take photos – perhaps more than any other artist Comt...
Archival Pigment
Richmond flow - abstract black and white photograph of dark forest
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Richmond flow' London, United Kingdom 2020 Limited edition of 20. Printed on heavy-weight fine art paper. Signed front and back, COA included.
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
To the moon and back - abstract sky photography, limited edition 14 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'To the moon and back' is a photograph of one of the summer evening sunsets. As you gaze at the horizon, you see a plane flying at the perfect horizontal...
Giclée, Color
Look Up 03 and Maze Me 01, Diptych. 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...
Archival 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...
Wax, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Holding Light In Darkness #2
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
E and V Diptych, Mixed media photography
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...
Wax, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Holding Light In Darkness #7
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
Holding Light In Darkness #10
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
Miami Beach NYE. Black and White Abstract Photography
By Luca Artioli
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...
Black and White, Archival Pigment
$7,250
Song for Dead Heroes #5 bright floral abstract photo landscape composition
Located in New York, NY
This abstract floral landscape photography has a dramatic sense of composition which recalls the careful arrangements of Dutch and Flemish still life paintings from the 17-18 century...
Digital Pigment
$2,000
Vanilla Sky - large scale photograph of iconic American national park landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vanilla Sky by Frank Schott a series of images capturing the epique infinety of White Sands 27 x 40 inches / 66cm x 102cm edition of 25 signed 48 x ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
A II, From the series Opposed Tendencies. Intervened by the artists.
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...
Wax, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
$273Sale Price|20% Off
Summer Photography: Abstract Still-Life, 21st Century, Signed & Framed
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
I like the mood of a summer day and the expression, taken on a lake limited to 5, framed in a black frame, will be signed by the author.
Photographic Paper
$4,800
Hemisphere III - large format photograph of abstract liquid cloudscape in water
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photography of mesmerizing color compositions of liquid cloudscape painting in water, hypnotizing abstract liquidscapes from the body of works titled 'Hemisphere' Hemisp...
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Hemisphere III - large format photograph of abstract liquid cloudscapes in water
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photography of mesmerizing color compositions of liquid cloudscape painting in water, hypnotizing abstract liquidscapes from the body of works titled 'Hemisphere' Hemisp...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
The Mask 03. From the series Making Sense. 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...
Archival Pigment
$3,600
Hemisphere II - large format photograph of abstract liquid cloudscapes in water
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photography of mesmerizing color compositions of liquid cloudscape painting in water, hypnotizing abstract liquidscapes from the body of works titled 'Hemisphere' Hemisp...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
Great Dune
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Snow Fence on Dunes in the Hamptons Black & White Photography Printed to order edition of 10 Dye Sublimation Print on Metal 16x24 on metal - 20x30 on metal - Title: Great Dune Year:...
Metal
$4,000
Untitled 29, Paris From The Series Of Public On Paper. Black & White Photograph
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Sukan has set out to identify alternative sites of public display and common space within the banal recesses of the everyday world. Collecting and adopting the sketch pads and papers...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Black and White
Pando Forest #7 Color Photography, Edition of 5, 30x45 Inches
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
Pando Forest #7 is available in a Limited Edition of 5 + 2 Artist Proofs Karine Laval's new body of work continues her ongoing exploration of light in nature. Combining the natural landscape with a radical manipulation of light, Laval creates an other-worldly scape that bridges the gap between our reality and one that could only ever be imagined. The Pando Forest is an incredible display of vegetation in Utah's Fishlake National Park in the United States. Comprised of over 40,000 individual trees, this forest is really one living organism. Connected by one enormous root system, the forest continues to exist by producing clones of itself in response to environmental stresses. Creating small, temporary interventions in the organic landscape, Laval takes natural and artificial light and observes the interaction in nature through reflective surfaces. Marine blues and plush magentas describe this living organism, while radiant aquamarines...
C Print
A New Life 03, From the series The Journey. 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
Gaze Into The Lake 03, From the series The Journey. 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
$3,000
Y, From the series Lous and The Yakuza. Mixed media fashion color photography
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...
Wax, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper