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.
Gaze Into The Lake 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
The Block 01, 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
Below 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...
Color, Archival Pigment
$8,800
Tentation #8 Floral landscape soft pastel color contemporary abstract photograph
Located in New York, NY
This abstract floral landscape photography has pastel soft dominant color of grey, pink and white. Belgian photographer Isabelle Menin creates portraits of flowers that are not on...
Photographic Paper
$2,200
Maze Me 03, From the series Return to Source. 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
Below 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
Look Up 01, From the series Return to Source. 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
Maze Me 01, From the series Return to Source. 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
$6,000
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
$14,600
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
Singularity 03. From the series We are one. 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
Singularity 02, From the series We are one. 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...
Color, Archival Pigment
CoCreate 02, From the We Are One 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
Mannerport after Monet, Etretat, Normandy, France
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Mannerport after Monet, Etretat, Normandy, France, 2017 44 x 44 inches - Edition of 10 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. As...
Archival Pigment
He Said 01. From the series Power. 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
She Said 02. From the series Power. 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
He Said 03. From the series Power. 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
Blender 01. From the Making Sense series. 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
A New Life 02, Print. From the The Journey 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 w...
Archival Pigment
Into the void 01, From the Portal 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
Follow U 03, From the Portal 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
Into the void 03, From the series Portal. 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 w...
Archival Pigment
Gateway 03, From the series Portal. 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 w...
Archival Pigment
The Mask 02, From the Making Sense series. 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
Healing 01, From the The Journey 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 w...
Archival Pigment
$2,200
Maze Me 02, From the series Return to Source. 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
He Said 02, From the series Power. 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
Gaze Into The Lake 01, 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 w...
Archival Pigment
$2,200
There, Here 02, From the series Universe Within. 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
Gateway 02, From the series Portal. 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 w...
Archival Pigment
$2,200
Look Up 02, From the series Return to Source. 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
Into The Void 02, From the series Portal. 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 w...
Archival Pigment
$1,900
It All Moves 02, From the series Universe Within. 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
I Got Your Back 03, 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
Gateway 01, From the series Portal. 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 w...
Archival Pigment
CoCreate 01, From the series We are one. 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
Look Up 03, From the series Return to Source. 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...
Color, Archival Pigment
$1,900
That Same Old Love 02, From the series Universe Within. 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
Below 01, 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
She Said 03, From the series Power. 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
Light, kite and string #01 - abstract sea landscape photography
Located in New York, NY
The series 'Trespassing' explores encounters between human and nature. Human-made objects are placed into a landscape, where their interactions with the natural elements are recorded...
Digital Pigment
String, cloth and kite #07- abstract sea landscape color photography
Located in New York, NY
The series 'Trespassing' explores encounters between human and nature. Human-made objects are placed into a landscape, where their interactions with the natural elements are recorded...
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
$2,500
Untitled (2155): still life photograph w/ antler, bone & abstract shadows, large
Taos Vibes - Mixed Media Art, 36"x48", Signed Limited Edition of 5
By Viet Chu
Located in New York, NY
" I have seen and photographed so many majestic landscapes, clouds and flora and fauna while visiting the Southwest, namely Taos & Sedona. There was certainly a vibe to the area and ...
Archival Pigment
$5,000
"Butterfly 1" Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Edition of 24 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Butterfly 1" Photograph 24" x 24" in Limited Edition of 24 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Butterfly B1 Year: 2018 Print size: 24" x 24" Inch Edition: 1/24 Artist proof: 2 Medium: Arch...
Archival Pigment
$14,500
"Modernismo M105" Photograph 48"x48" in Limited Edition of 12 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Modernismo M105" Photograph 48"x48" in Limited Edition of 12 by Giuliano Bekor Title of artwork: M105 Year: 2012 Printed on a high-quality museum-grade archival photo paper. Not fr...
Archival Pigment
$14,600
Songs For Dead Heroes #8 blue yellow 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
$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
Floral Study 13: still life color photograph w/ dried flowers on black field
$1,200
Floral Study 181: still life color photograph w/ dried flowers on sky blue field
Ancient Woodland Collage, Abstract Geometric Archival Pigment Print
Located in London, GB
This artwork captures a kaleidoscopic arrangement of flowers, symbolising growth and renewal. All the elements used were collected from a small woodland in North Norfolk, England. ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment
"Fat Tuesday - 2" (2016) By Dan Kaufman, Archival Abstracted Photo Print
By Dan Kaufman
Located in Denver, CO
"Fat Tuesday - 2" Is a beautiful original edited photography print, done on archival photo canvas. Created in 2016, this piece features a landscape shot of a willow tree resting abov...
Canvas
Heterotopia #93 Chromogenic Print Limited Edition of 5
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #93' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Untitled #54 Chromogenic Print, Heterotopia Series, Edition of 5
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #54' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Heterotopia #91, Desert Flower Photography, Interior Design Wall Art
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #91' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Heterotopia #47, Chromogenic Print Limited Edition of 5
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #47' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Heterotopia #50, Limited Edition Chromogenic Print, French Photographer
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #50' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Heterotopia #1 Limited Edition Chromogenic Print Surrealist Photography
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #01' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Heterotopia #70 Limited Edition Chromogenic Print Surrealist Photography
By Karine Laval
Located in Brighton, GB
'Untitled #70' from the series Heterotopia is a dazzling Chromogenic Print by Contemporary photographer Karine Laval and is available in this size in an Edition of 5. The vividly c...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital