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
#130, 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Large format vintage multiple exposure female nude, signed by Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph, multiple exposure female nude. Titled, numbered, dated, and signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Ar...
Category
1990s Abstract Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
#259, 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
#157, 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
#49, 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
Human Alien - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White
#132, 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
#233, 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#124, 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
Hope in My Embrace - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White
$2,039 Sale Price
20% Off
#175, 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
#179, 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
#220, 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
Hemisphere I - large format photograph of abstract liquid cloudscape in water
Located in San Francisco, CA
mesmerizing color compositions of liquid cloudscape painting in water, hypnotizing abstract liquidscapes from Christian Stoll‘s body of works titled 'Hemisphere'
Hemisphere I by Christian Stoll
58 x 58 inches (147 x 147cm)
signed edition of 7
48 x 48 inches (122 x 122cm)
signed edition of 7
40 x 40 inches (102 x 102cm)
signed edition of 25
archival fine art pigment print
signed + numbered by artist on certificate label
„frameless“ glass face mounting available on request
_________________________
Christian Stoll has experimented with the photography medium since 1991.
His predominant interest is the still-life on a monumental scale. As his subject matter, Stoll shoots static objects, forms...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
Infinity Pool Water Reflections, Blue & White Pattern, Handmade Cyanotype Print
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype.
"Infinity Pool" is a sophisticated image that captures the water reflections shimmering over ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Emulsion, Watercolor, Photographic Paper, C Print, Lithograph, Monotype
"Glimpses of Their Garden #23", Abstract, Botanical, Black and White Photograph
Located in Franklin, MA
Hogan Seidel’s "Glimpses of Their Garden #23" is an abstract botanical photograph printed as an 11 x 17 inch silver gelatin image on 13 x 19 inch paper. This signed limited edition o...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Archival Paper
Black and White Photograph, Abstract, Geometric, Framed, 2020
Located in San Francisco, CA
This black and white abstract photograph is unique. Betsy Kenyon works in a darkroom with light and shapes. There is no negative, making each artwork one ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin, Photogram
$3,360 Sale Price
20% Off
#117, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Ignited, Nudes. The Alignment series. Limited Edition Color Photograph
By Ricky Cohete
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series “The Alignment” which is materialized from video footage shot with two ballet dancers underwater; he is carrying on the theme of water as a source of rebirth and flow...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment
#209, 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
Flux # 202517 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Edition: 1/3
Paul Snell is an Australian artist who blurs the boundaries between photography and painting, creating contemplative works that replace constant image saturation with m...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Concrete, Enamel
#246, 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
#253, 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
#166, 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
Aspen Study I - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aspen Study I 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
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
#227, 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#115, 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
Twilight, Kyoto, Japan: Asian Japanese tree landscape photo, Sumi-e tradition
By Yasuomi Hashimura
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
"Twilight, Kyoto, Japan" is a unique (one-of-a kind) photo-based mixed media sepia toned print with hand manipulation on hand-edged Japanese artist's...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#213, 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#218, 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#132, 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 ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Geometric Cloud, White and Blue Handmade Monotype on Watercolor Paper, Cutout
By Kind of Cyan
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 d...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Emulsion, Monotype, Paper
Gaia 103 - Black and White Diptych Clouds and Skyscapes above Flowers and Nature
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 103 - Black and White Diptych Clouds and Skyscapes above Flowers and Nature by Jaume Llorens Bach
Gaia 103 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and Whi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
#80, 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
#162, 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
Singularity 03 and It All Moves 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
#171, 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
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....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
Green and Green.../ Print / Photography / Limited /Signed
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Green and Green is a photography-print, limited 1/5 and signed. Inspiration was a very warm and sunny day, hopefully evoking calm and positive mood. When framed in a black frame with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color
$313 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 2 Photographs. Cyanotype photograph of the ocean waves
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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Cotton, Archival Pigment
#168, 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
Beach II, Nude Beach, Sandbar. Areal Landscape beach color photograph
By Jill Peters
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Peters has gone on to capture and document man’s wider imprint on nature. Whether it’s the graphic symmetry of urban architecture or the abstract choreography of the forms and hues o...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment
#19, 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
Gem facet2 - Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Gem facet 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...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photo...
Untitled 110/3
Located in London, GB
C Print. Unframed.
Richard Caldicott is most well known for this earlier work series which used Tupperware containers as the subject for his photographs. This work is edition 7/15.
...
Category
1990s Abstract Photography
Materials
C Print
#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
#102, 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
Rosa Sweet Haze - Pink Rose Royal Horticultural Society Wisley
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Rosa Sweet Haze 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 red...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
Blanket9, Abstract Photograph, 2015
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary:
Your purchase through TurningArt can be displayed as either a high quality print, or it's true original form as a woven blanket. Please contact TurningArt for more...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Fabric
#169, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism, Pigment print
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size
Signed on front
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#176, 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
#180, 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
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
#248, 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
Blue Knots and Hoops, Blue Tones Monotype on Watercolor Paper of Organic Lines
By Kind of Cyan
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
Watercolor, Monotype, Paper
Stream of Men, Ignited and Conception. Male Nude Dancers Color Photographs
By Ricky Cohete
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series “The Alignment” which is materialized from video footage shot with two ballet dancers underwater; he is carrying on the theme of wat...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment
#123, 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
#18, 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.