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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
Winter Swells

Marian CrosticWinter Swells, 2025

$1,200

Winter Swells

By Marian Crostic

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Edition 2/15 Archival pigment print “Water's Edge” a collection of photos by Marian Crostic defines the power of the ocean and the land which borders it. Having spent much of her l...

Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

'Lily in Charcoal no.3' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
'Lily in Charcoal no.3' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10

Ugne Pouwell'Lily in Charcoal no.3' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10, 2023

$835

'Lily in Charcoal no.3' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10

By Ugne Pouwell

Located in London, GB

'Lily in Charcoal no.3' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal No.3' 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

Calm Water Blue Tones Diptych of Japanese Zen Pond Ripples, Feng Shui Cyanotype
Calm Water Blue Tones Diptych of Japanese Zen Pond Ripples, Feng Shui Cyanotype

Kind of CyanCalm Water Blue Tones Diptych of Japanese Zen Pond Ripples, Feng Shui Cyanotype, 2021

$730

Calm Water Blue Tones Diptych of Japanese Zen Pond Ripples, Feng Shui Cyanotype

By Kind of Cyan

Located in Barcelona, ES

This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. This diptych is titled "Japanese Zen Pond Ripples", and shows ripples of water from a calming pond. Details: + Title: Ja...

Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Emulsion, Monotype, Photographic Film, Watercolor, C Print, Lithograph, ...

Lily in Charcoal No.2 - Limited Edition of 10 Abstract Expressionist Photograph
Lily in Charcoal No.2 - Limited Edition of 10 Abstract Expressionist Photograph

Ugne PouwellLily in Charcoal No.2 - Limited Edition of 10 Abstract Expressionist Photograph, 2023

$1,340

Lily in Charcoal No.2 - Limited Edition of 10 Abstract Expressionist Photograph

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10

Ugne Pouwell'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10, 2023

$835

'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Gaia 6 - Monochrome Spanish Landscape Catalonian Nature Photographic Diptych

Jaume LlorensGaia 6 - Monochrome Spanish Landscape Catalonian Nature Photographic Diptych

$559

Gaia 6 - Monochrome Spanish Landscape Catalonian Nature Photographic Diptych

By Jaume Llorens

Located in Brighton, GB

Gaia 6 - Monochrome Spanish Landscape Catalonian Nature Photographic Diptych by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 6 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital

Gaia 117 - Black and White Diptych of Clouds and Waves Catalonia Spanish Sea

Jaume LlorensGaia 117 - Black and White Diptych of Clouds and Waves Catalonia Spanish Sea

$559

Gaia 117 - Black and White Diptych of Clouds and Waves Catalonia Spanish Sea

By Jaume Llorens

Located in Brighton, GB

Gaia 117 - Black and White Diptych of Clouds and Waves Catalonia Spanish Sea by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 117 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper

Crosshatch
Crosshatch

Christopher Kennedy (Photo Luminism)Crosshatch, 2014

$880Sale Price|20% Off

Crosshatch

Located in Plano, TX

" "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

Anesthesia - underwater photograph - series REFLECTIONS - archival print 35x52"
Anesthesia - underwater photograph - series REFLECTIONS - archival print 35x52"

Alex SherAnesthesia - underwater photograph - series REFLECTIONS - archival print 35x52", 2018

$960Sale Price|20% Off

Anesthesia - underwater photograph - series REFLECTIONS - archival print 35x52"

By Alex Sher

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Lost in a sea of rich saturation of dark and light blue colors, a feminine form gracefully traverses the expanse of the water. Alex Sher’s “Anesthesia” invites us into an abstracted ...

Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment, Archival Paper

Gaia 8 - Diptych Monochrome Photograph Catalonian Nature Grass Imagery

Jaume LlorensGaia 8 - Diptych Monochrome Photograph Catalonian Nature Grass Imagery

$560

Gaia 8 - Diptych Monochrome Photograph Catalonian Nature Grass Imagery

By Jaume Llorens

Located in Brighton, GB

Gaia 8 - Diptych Monochrome Photograph Catalonian Nature Grass Imagery by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 8 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awaga...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital

The Sun, Golden Colors, Warm Tones Diptych, Space Age, Abstract Geometry Hue
The Sun, Golden Colors, Warm Tones Diptych, Space Age, Abstract Geometry Hue

Ryan RivadeneyraThe Sun, Golden Colors, Warm Tones Diptych, Space Age, Abstract Geometry Hue, 2023

$580

The Sun, Golden Colors, Warm Tones Diptych, Space Age, Abstract Geometry Hue

By Ryan Rivadeneyra

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

Anemorphose Cabo Verde #4
Anemorphose Cabo Verde #4

Manolo Chrétien 1Anemorphose Cabo Verde #4, 2014

$8,296

Anemorphose Cabo Verde #4

By Manolo Chrétien 1

Located in New York City, NY

27 x 44 in Edition of 9 EUR 3.500 35 x 57 in Edition of 9 EUR 5.500 48 x 71 in Edition of 9 EUR 7.100 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 48 x 77 in Edition of 9 EUR 9.100 Dye Sublimation...

Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Dye Transfer

Gaia 4 - Monochrome Diptych Spanish Catalonian Landscape Photography

Jaume LlorensGaia 4 - Monochrome Diptych Spanish Catalonian Landscape Photography

$559

Gaia 4 - Monochrome Diptych Spanish Catalonian Landscape Photography

By Jaume Llorens

Located in Brighton, GB

Gaia 4 - Monochrome Diptych Spanish Catalonian Landscape Photography by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 4 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital

Multilayer 328 - unique abstract collage of layered torn sculpture photographs
Multilayer 328 - unique abstract collage of layered torn sculpture photographs

Felix SchrammMultilayer 328 - unique abstract collage of layered torn sculpture photographs, 2020

$9,800

Multilayer 328 - unique abstract collage of layered torn sculpture photographs

By Felix Schramm

Located in San Francisco, CA

Multilayer 328 unique abstract photo paper collage (1 of 1), signed 28.8" x 21.7" / 73cm x 55cm About the artist Felix Schramm was born in Hamburg, Ger...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Inkjet, Archiv...

Fish (Stay) - Contemporary, Expired, Polaroid, Photograph

Stefanie SchneiderFish (Stay) - Contemporary, Expired, Polaroid, Photograph, 2006

$350

Fish (Stay) - Contemporary, Expired, Polaroid, Photograph

By Stefanie Schneider

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

ID No. 14 The Furious. Limited edition photograph
ID No. 14 The Furious. Limited edition photograph

Dubravka LazicID No. 14 The Furious. Limited edition photograph, 2005

$2,100

ID No. 14 The Furious. Limited edition photograph

By Dubravka Lazic

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...

Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

ID No. 10 The Visionary. Limited edition photograph
ID No. 10 The Visionary. Limited edition photograph

Dubravka LazicID No. 10 The Visionary. Limited edition photograph, 2005

$2,100

ID No. 10 The Visionary. Limited edition photograph

By Dubravka Lazic

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...

Category

2010s Abstract Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Set of 2 Photographs. Cyanotype photograph of the ocean waves
Set of 2 Photographs. Cyanotype photograph of the ocean waves

Paola DavilaSet of 2 Photographs. Cyanotype photograph of the ocean waves, 2022

$4,400

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

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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