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.
$360Sale Price|20% Off
"Glimpses of Their Garden #1", Abstract, Botanical, Blue, Print, Photograph
Located in Franklin, MA
Hogan Seidel’s "Glimpses of Their Garden #1" is an abstract botanical photograph in vibrant cyanotype blue, printed as an 11 x 17 inch archival inkjet print on 13 x 19 inch fine art ...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper
Doll No. 3 (Edition 1/25)
Located in New York, NY
Doll No. 3 (Edition 1/25), Lucille Khornak, Color Photograph on Board with Acrylic Finish, 40 x 26, Late 20th Century Colors: Black, Blue, White,...
Photographic Film
Doll No. 15 (Edition 1/25)
Located in New York, NY
Dolls No. 15 (Edition 1/25), Lucille Khornak, Color Photograph on Board With Liquid Acrylic Finish/ Mixed Media, 26 x 40, Late 20th Century Colors: Bla...
Photographic Film
$10,000
Echo
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT an...
C Print
$1,700Sale Price|26% Off
Terracotta 10 Silver Gelatin Print The Art Institute of Chicago
Located in Miami, FL
Signed and dated verso 1961 Matted with archival board. Not framed The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Richard L. Menschel
Silver Gelatin
Abstract Dancers White 3 - Limited Edition Color Archival Pigment Print
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Abstract Dancers White 2 by Giles Revell is a Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 15 ...
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
$4,750
Eugene 2 - 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 ...
Photographic Paper
Submerge I
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
30 x 45 inches ($5200) and 40 x 60 inches ($7200) limited editions of 10, printed on Archival Watercolor Fine Art Paper, 335 gram weight, signed by the artist. Cheryl Maeder was b...
Photographic Film
$4,650
Song for dead heroes #2 dark color abstract floral 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
$12,500
"FS30B" Abstract Photograph 40" x 40" in Limited Ed. 1/10 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"FS30B" Abstract Photograph 40" x 40" in Limited Ed. 1/10 by Giuliano Bekor Facescape Series Title of artwork: FS30B Year: 2014 Printed on a high-quality museum-grade archival photo...
Archival Pigment
$795
"Erosion #1", Contemporary Abstract, Tree, Roots, Black and White Photograph
Located in Franklin, MA
Rebecca Skinner’s “Erosion #1” was photographed on the shoreline of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont. The textural beauty is natures own art form. The 24 x 16 inch abstract blac...
Metal
$274Sale Price|86% Off
White Mood Abstract Photography Print, Signed, Limited Edition 1/5
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography / fine art print, limited 1/5, signed by the author.
Photographic Paper, Digital
Dreaming Of The Park, Abstract Landscape Art, Original Oil Painting, Cornwall
Located in Deddington, GB
This piece reflects the magical beauty of Mount Edgecumbe Country Park in Cornwall, where Katy Brown lives and paints. In particular, it is about the Englis...
Oil, Panel
#250, 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
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photo of Ibram Lassaw Modernist Sculpture (Photograph)
By John Reed
Located in Surfside, FL
Galaxy in Ursa Major with Zabriskie Gallery stamp and Ibram Laassaw stamp verso. The Photographer is John Reed. An East Hampton Photographer who shot Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, L...
Silver Gelatin
#206, 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
#169, 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
#141, 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
#139, 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
#109, 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
$16,949Sale Price|20% Off
#96, 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
$412Sale Price|20% Off
Willowherb. 2004, photography, 81x51 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Willowherb. 2004, photography, ice/sun/water, 81x51 cm
Photographic Paper
$2,863
Fluidity 2- Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Fluidity 2-Large scale photograph by Michael Banks Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered by...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigme...
#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
#92, 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
#89, 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
#86, 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
$1,800
The Sight: photograph by Black African American artist, girl w/ gold & cotton
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This is the first print (#1) in a limited edition of 10 signed, titled, and numbered photographs titled "The Sight," by artist Tokie Rome-Taylor. The photograph itself measures 24" x...
Archival 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
#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
#42, 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
#33, 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
#263, 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
Strata # 202532 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Unique. Paul Snell is an Australian artist who blurs the boundaries between photography and painting, creating contemplative works that replace constant image saturation with moment...
Concrete
$905
Abstract Dancers Light Blue 2 - Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print in Color
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Abstract Dancers Light Blue 2 by Giles Revell is a Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of...
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
Abstract Dancers Light Blue 1 - Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Abstract Dancers Light Blue 1 by Giles Revell is a Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of...
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
$900Sale Price|40% Off
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...
Silver Gelatin
$962Sale Price|30% Off
Yellow Abstract Photography Print, Signed, Limited Edition of 15
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
print / photo. Signed by the author. Also available in limited edition of 15 - in different sizes (signed by the author).
Photographic Paper, Color, Digital, Archival Pigment
$7,300
Changing Moods grey- Floral landscape grey color contemporary abstract photo
Located in New York, NY
Belgian photographer Isabelle Menin creates portraits of flowers that are not only gorgeous in form and color, but also uniquely expressive. Fresh blossoms and withering blooms melt ...
Photographic Paper
#270, 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
#269, 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
#268, 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
#267, 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
#266, 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
#263, 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
$1,980
Barbara Hocker, Whirlwind Waterfall, 2021, encaustic, photography, Naturalism
Located in Darien, CT
Barbara Hocker sees her life’s vocation as being an ambassador for the natural world through her art. Nature is facing many challenges right now. Hock...
Mixed Media, Encaustic, Panel, Digital, Monotype, Thread, Wood
#270 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
#240, 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
$5,955
Golden Girl 1 - Signed limited edition pigment print , Large scale photo, model
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Golden Girl 1 Large scale photograph by Michael Banks - Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbere...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pi...
Untitled DYSMORPHOLOGIES SERIES (hair magnification in grid) Mounted to Aluminum
Located in Surfside, FL
Genre: Contemporary Subject: People Medium: Digital, Print Surface: Metal Country: United States This extra large montage of photographs is mounted onto aluminum from Ken Gonzales-D...
Digital
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Sea Cliffs Diptych II ( Pair abstract cyanotypes each framed to 25 x 15)
By Christine So
Located in Oakland, CA
Though it resembles a giant abstract watercolor painting owing to its soft gradations and luminous quality, this is a form of photography called a cyanotype, photogram or sun print. ...
Paper, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Monotype, Photogram
Photographic Print, "Silva’s Rockweed Study 7"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a Silver Gelatin Lumen toned photographic print by California artist, Oriana Poindexter. Its framed dimensions are 16" x 13"x 1". A certificate of authenticity will follow d...
Photographic Paper
ID No. 17, 10, 12 and 2. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
ID No. 11, 5, 1 and 15. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
ID No.9, 13 and 8 Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print, 2010+
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
$467Sale Price|41% Off
Zic Zac Abstract Photography Print, Limited Edition, 21st Century
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography/ print, abstract, limited edition of 15, signed by the author.
Color, Digital
Vibrant - acrylic mounted - LARGE
By MAE Curates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a new series available exclusively through gallery. This series is largely influenced by the abstract expressionist field paintings of the 40’s and 50’s with a nod to Gerhar...
Archival Pigment
$1,125
Barbara Hocker, Woven Water XXIV, encaustic, photograph, watercolor, Naturalism
Located in Darien, CT
Barbara Hocker sees her life’s vocation as being an ambassador for the natural world through her art. Nature is facing many challenges right now. Hock...
Mixed Media, Encaustic, Digital, Monotype, Watercolor, Panel
1977 "Boat, Barn, Truck" Still Life Black & White Photograph
Located in Arp, TX
Tricia Sample Boat, Barn, Truck 1977 Matte black and white photo 12.5" x9.5" Frame measures 16.25"x19.25" Gallery label on reverse from the Friends of Photography Gallery Friends of Photography was a nonprofit organization started by Ansel Adams and others in 1967 to promote photography as a fine art. During its existence the organization held at least 330 photography exhibitions at its galleries in Carmel and San Francisco, California, and it published a lengthy series of monographs under the name Untitled. Among those who were featured in their exhibitions and publications were well-known photographers Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Ruth Bernhard, Harry Callahan, Roy DeCarava, Lee Friedlander, Emmet Gowin, Mary Ellen Mark, Barbara Morgan, Aaron Siskind, Paul Strand, Brett Weston, Edward Weston and Minor White, as well as then newly starting photographers such as Marsha Burns, William Garnett, Richard Misrach...
Photographic Paper
$4,750
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 ...
Photographic Paper