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.
Shadow of Her Former Self
By David Sokosh
Located in Hudson, NY
Shadow of Her Former Self Photograph of Found Objects Printed in Cyanotype Panel is 10 x 8 inches, 12 x 10 inches framed Wire backing, ready to hang Signed, verso (lower right) Sok...
Other Medium
$6,445
Flux 01 -Signed limited edition abstract pigment print, Contemporary Large Format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Flux 1 - Large scale photograph by Michael Banks Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
Blue 1 - Signed limited edition pigment print, Large Format, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Blue 1 - Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This print that is being offered is a high-quality Archival Pigment print which has...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
$11,400
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
$7,250
Songs For Dead Heroes # 9 abstract pastel color floral landscape photo montage
Located in New York, NY
This pastel color abstract floral landscape photography has a dramatic sense of composition which recalls the careful arrangements of Dutch and Flemish still life paintings from the ...
Digital Pigment
$3,281
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...
Mandala 8A, From the Mandalas series. Color Photographs
By Emma Anna
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Mandala 8A by Emma Anna From The Mandalas Series Archival pigment print on Photo Rag 308gsm Image size: 19.5 H x 19.5 W inches Sheet size: 22 H x 22 W inches Frame size: 24.5 H x 24...
Color, Archival Pigment
$2,929
Future city 3- Signed limited edition abstract print, Large format contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Future city 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 + numbere...
Archival Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photo...
Devorah's Wing, Close Up Abstract Photograph, Color Print, 8 x 10
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Devorah, an insect-like character from Mortal Kombat, is photographed here in the artist's studio, in color portrait mode using stage light. This is focused on Devorah's delicate wing.
Photographic Paper
$6,000
Songs For Dead Heroes #8 blue yellow floral abstract landscape photo composition
Located in New York, NY
This floral blue white yellow dominant color abstract landscape photography has a dramatic sense of composition which recalls the careful arrangements of Dutch and Flemish still life...
Digital Pigment
$8,800
New Rome #7- Floral landscape soft pastel color contemporary photograph framed
Located in New York, NY
This abstract floral landscape photography has dominant pastel blue, pink and white colors. Belgian photographer Isabelle Menin creates portraits of flowers that are not only gorgeo...
Photographic Paper
$2,200
Aspen Study II - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aspen Study II by Frank Schott a series of images capturing the yellow golden Indian summer foliage palette of aspen trees in California's Sierra Nevada ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$4,400
Aspen Study II - large scale photograph of Indian summer autumnal color palette
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aspen Study II by Frank Schott a series of images capturing the yellow golden Indian summer foliage palette of aspen trees in California's Sierra Nevada ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
$2,929
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...
$2,343Sale Price|20% Off
Boat 1 -Signed limited edition fine art print, Red Still life, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Boat 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 by ar...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigme...
$2,000
Wave I - large format abstract liquidscape in azur and lapis blue color palette
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wave I by Christian Stoll 40 x 40 inches (102 x 102cm) edition of 25 signed 58 x 58 inches (147 x 147cm) edition of 7 signed 48 x 48 inches (122 x 122cm) edition of 7 signed arch...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$400Sale Price|20% Off
From 'A Romance Set At Sea' #13
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Digital art and photography on inkjet print.
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper
$2,929
The Girl 2 -Signed limited edition contemporary print, Large format, Abstract
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
The Girl 2 - Large scale photograph by Michael Banks This print that is being offered is a high-quality Archival Pigment print which has been printed on fiber based paper, Hahnemüh...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigme...
$6,093
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...
Cracked Paint
By Brett Weston
Located in Buffalo, NY
Signed and dated on the front of the mount. Limited edition of 35. Number 17 of 35. From the “Twenty Photographs, 1970-1977” Portfolio.
Silver Gelatin
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
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
Pando Forest #6 Color Photography, Abstract Landscape, Edition of 5
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
Pando Forest #6 is available in a Limited Edition of 5 + 2 Artist Proofs 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
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Thriving No. 5
By G.K. Austin
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Digital fractal flame
Digital
Pando Forest #3 Color Abstract Photography, Edition of 5, 30x45 in
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
Pando Forest #3 is available in a Limited Edition of 5 + 2 Artist Proofs Laval's new body of work continues her ongoing exploration of light in nature. Combining the natural landsca...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color
Signed Abstract Concrete Archival Pigment Print, 48x72\", 21st Century
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Concrete by Frank Schott monochromatic details of architecture 48 x 72 inches / 122cm x 183cm edition of 7 signed 27 x 40 inches / 68cm x 102cm edition of 25 signed archival fine ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
Pando Forest #5 Color Abstract Photography, Edition of 5, 30x45
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
Pando Forest #5 is available in a Limited Edition of 5 + 2 Artist Proofs Laval's new body of work continues her ongoing exploration of light in nature. Combining the natural landsca...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color
$14,600
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
Laminariales XIII. From the series Bosque Cyanotype photograph
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...
Archival Pigment
$14,600
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
Laminariales III. From the series Bosque Cyanotype photograh
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...
Archival Pigment
$2,929
Boat 4 - Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Boat 4 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, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigme...
$14,600
Songs For Dead Heroes # 9 large abstract pastel color landscape photography
Located in New York, NY
This pastel color abstract floral landscape photography has a dramatic sense of composition which recalls the careful arrangements of Dutch and Flemish still life paintings from the ...
Digital Pigment
$2,929
Light Mandala1 - Signed limited edition abstract art print, Contemporary, Square
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Light Mandala 1 - Photograph by Michael Banks Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered by arti...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
$3,500
P, From the series Opposed Tendencies. Mixed media portrait 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
$3,500
E, From the series Opposed Tendencies. Mixed media portrait 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
$3,500
B, Portrait Intervened by the artists..From the series Opposed Tendencies.
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
A I, 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
O, From the series Opposed Tendencies. Mixed media fashion 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
$3,500
V, From the series Opposed Tendencies. Mixed media portrait 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
$3,000
LV, 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
Miami Stripes. Black and White Architectural Landscape 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
$3,000
Kakoma, From the series Lous and The Yakuza. Mixed media fashion color photo
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
$2,200
I Got Your Back 01. 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
Miami 10partbn2. Black and White Architectural Landscape Photograph
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
$2,200
I Got Your Back 02. 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
$2,200
There, Here 01, From the Universe Within series. 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
$2,200
There, Here 03, From the Universe Within series. 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
Metallurgic B. Abstract limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artist's photographs capture the transformation of everyday life into another reality. Images that explore what the future will be like. Industrial, eccentric and progressive, Ca...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color
POV. Abstract architectural limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artist's photographs capture the transformation of everyday life into another reality. Images that explore what the future will be like. Industrial, eccentric and progressive, Ca...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color
Breathe # 202501 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Edition: 1/3 Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar supplied) or the screw-eye system if it needs support from wire or above. Paul Snell is an Australian ar...
Plexiglass, C Print
That Same Old Love 3, From the Universe Within series. 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
Healing 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
Healing 02, 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
$1,900
That Same Old Love 01, From the Universe Within series. Abstract color photo
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
$4,650
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
$2,929
Earth Poem2- Signed limited edition abstract art print, Large format contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Earth Poem 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 + number...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photographic P...
$2,929
Bright star 4 - Signed limited edition abstract pigment print, Color square photo
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
' Bright star 4 ' - Limited edition pigment print Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber bas...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Pelagic
By Susie Loucks
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Being a native Californian, the Pacific Ocean greatly influences Susie’s creativity. Her passion is photographing the motion, anatomy, and mechanics of seabirds and their environment...
Archival Pigment
"Pépite 3", Gold Nugget on Red Semi-abstract Printed Photography on Dibond Panel
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Named "Pépite 3", this semi-abstract photography artwork by artist Olivier Muhlhoff is presented via a print laminated on a 3-mm-Dibond pa...
Color