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.
#257, 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
#39, 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
New York 288
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Aaron Siskind (1903-1992) started his career as a documentary photographer and a member of the Photo League. Many of Siskind's images from the 1930's for example explored life in H...
Silver Gelatin
Gewitter and Directive Forces. Diptych. Mixed media portrait photograph
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...
Acrylic, Archival Paper
E, O and V. Triptych. Mixed media portrait
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
$9,650
Changing Moods 1- Floral landscape apple green 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
$400
"Broken Television 300", Abstract, Graphic, Blue, Maroon, Photo, Digital Print
Located in Franklin, MA
Patty deGrandpre’s “Broken Television 300” is a vivid 6 x 6 inch abstract unique inkjet digital print. Striations of blue and maroon dominate as they sit above the contrasting panel ...
Digital, Color
#24, 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
#25, 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
#20, 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
#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...
Pigment
#14, 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
#10, 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
$6,078
Ink 2- Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format blue contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Ink 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 a...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
$6,429
Flowing 1 - Signed limited edition abstract pigment print, Large contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Flowing 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 + numbered...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
Windows on Las Vegas Casino, Signed Color Photography, 3/15 Edition
Located in Miami, FL
Architectural detail of windows with golden light on Las Vegas casino. The work is signed, dated, and numbered 3/15 in the lower right recto corner, with other sizes available. It i...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
NYC Street Picture with Abstract Reflections, Fine Art Print, Signed, 3/15
Located in Miami, FL
New York City street photography. The work is signed, dated, and numbered 3/15 in the lower right recto corner, with other sizes available. It is unframed and printed later. Printed...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Frenetic Blur Car Lights On Park Ave, NYC Fine Art Print Hahnemuhle Paper
Located in Miami, FL
Abstract impressionistic view of New York City at night. The work is signed, dated, and numbered 3/15 in the lower right recto corner, with other sizes available. It is unframed and ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
'Baltic freeze' - black and white analogue landscape photography 100 x 67 cm
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Baltic freeze' 2022 A photograph captured with a 35mm camera showcases the winter landscape of Lithuania in black and white. Printed on the finest archival paper, these limited ed...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
Dahlia on Ink #3 - Floral film photography, Limited edition of 30.
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Dahlia on Ink #3' 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
$2,046
Dahlia on Ink No.2 - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
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
$1,636
Delphinium in cut - abstract analogue floral photography, limited edition 2 of 5
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Delphinium in cut' 100x100 cm Limited edition 2 of 5. Printed on Hahnemühle photo rag Baryta 308 Gsm fine art paper, these limited edition photographs are designed to withstand ...
Archival Ink, Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Giclée
$532
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...
Polaroid, Giclée, Color, Photographic Film, Film
'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...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
Path # 3 gray white yellow floral abstract photo composition
Located in New York, NY
This floral photography has a dramatic sense of composition which recalls the careful arrangements of Dutch and Flemish still life paintings from the 17-18 century. Belgian photog...
Digital Pigment
$2,922
Italia 1 - Signed limited edition archi print, Color Photography, Large Format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Large scale photograph by Michael Banks - Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Italia 1 - Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered b...
Archival Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photo...
Gaia 57 - Black and White Print, Limited Edition Photographic Diptych
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 57 by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 57 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awagami Factory This size in a Limited Edition of 10 + 2 Artist's ...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
$7,300
Changing Moods bright green 2- Floral landscape 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
Holding Light In Darkness #6
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
Holding Light In Darkness #1
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
$9,650
Changing Mood Pink 1- Floral still life contemporary abstract contemporary 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
Chris Kister "My Desires / Lust_Last_01449" Nude
By Chris Kister
Located in Winterswijk, NL
My Desires / Lust_Last_01449 by Artist Chris Kister. This work deals with the ambivalence of (un)fulfilled fantasies, the lust and burden of obsessive thoughts and daydreams ... Af...
Photographic Paper
"Rusted Web", Abstract, Texture, Yellow, Orange, Rust, Color Photograph
Located in Franklin, MA
Rebecca Skinner’s “Rusted Web” is part of a her "Texture" series taking an up close look at rusted and/or weathered metal. With tones of yellow and orange, this 18 x 12 inch abstract...
Metal
'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
$9,650
Changing Moods 5- Floral landscape cyan blue 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
'Lily in Charcoal no.2' abstract expressionism photography edition of 20
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
$2,922
Ink 3- Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Ink 3 - 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 a...
Archival Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photo...
'Lily in Charcoal no.3' abstract expressionism photography edition of 20
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....
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
#251, 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
#252, 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
#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...
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...
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...
Pigment
$6,078
Italia 1 - Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Large scale photograph by Michael Banks - Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Italia 1 - Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered b...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
#223, 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
#226, 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
#232, 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
#109, 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
"Metal Woman in the Mirror" abstract photo & sculpture, 8 x 10 color photo 2026
Located in Chesterfield, MI
An Abstract Metal Woman is reflected in a contermporary mirror in this photograph. The sculpture is by Polish American Sculptor Marian Owczarski and the photo is by American photogr...
Photographic Paper
Ramunės No. 2 Giclée Print, Abstract Geometric, Limited Edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Ramunės no. 2' London, United Kingdom 2022 Limited edition of 20. Photograph printed on heavyweight fine art paper. COA Included.
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
Absinthe Faces
Located in Chicago, IL
Absinthe Faces 22" x 17" Edition of 9 + 3 APs Analog Presets Series Archival pigment print of treated instant film
Archival Pigment
$4,750
Changing Moods bright green 2- Floral landscape 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
'Cuts' - Black and White Abstract Photography, Limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Cuts' London, United Kingdom 2022 Limited edition of 20.
Film, Photographic Paper
He Said 03 and 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...
Archival Pigment
Healing 03 and The Block 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...
Archival Pigment
He Said 01 and She Said 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...
Archival 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
Healing 02 and Gaze Into The Lake 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
$7,300
Changing Moods 2- Floral landscape orange 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