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.
Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Orange with Blue Bands
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Orange with Blue Bands, 2018 Archival pigmented print 19 x 13 inches Edition of 10 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qual...
Archival Pigment
Bleed # 202402 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202402 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Edition: 1/3. Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar sup...
Plexiglass, C Print
A Conceptually Alternative Cyanotype, "Emptiness is Form 1"
Located in San Diego, CA
A one of a kind 10x10 Conceptually Alternative Cyanotype on Hahnemuhle Sumi-E Paper executed by artist Annalise Neil. A certificate of authenticity will...
Photographic Paper
Temporal Perception 142A (Triptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 142A (Triptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a triptych. Each element size is: 45 x...
C Print
Alice - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 25 x 35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Alice” is a part of Alex Sher’s popular series Reflections - underwater photographs that could be almost mistaken for abstract paintings as they bring up recollections of masterpiec...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
The Scream - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 24x35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An abstract composition capturing the dramatic interplay between vibrant crimson and stark white elements. The photograph presents a swirling vortex of deep red textures that dominat...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$5,241Sale Price|20% Off
NY # 201802
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 4.5mm Plexiglas - Unframed. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hanging system + keyhole option. Available on request 5-6 week turnaround. Edition: 2/3. ...
Plexiglass, C Print
Alice - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 16 x 23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Alice” is a part of Alex Sher’s popular series Reflections - underwater photographs that could be almost mistaken for abstract paintings as they bring up recollections of masterpiec...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
The Scream - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 16 x 23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An abstract composition capturing the dramatic interplay between vibrant crimson and stark white elements. The photograph presents a swirling vortex of deep red textures that dominat...
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Untitled (Signal Box, Basel)
By Roland Fischer
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original Aluminum backed C-print by Roland Richer created in 2001. The work was acquired from Von Lintel Gallery in May of 2002. (71 x 49 1/4 inches)
Aluminum
Red Guard, Seversky at 12 Guardsman, Chino, USA
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...
Dye Transfer
$614Sale Price|25% Off
Framed Brassai Black and White Heliogravure Photography, circa 1949
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
With its quiet graphic strength and unusual subject matter, this framed black and white heliogravure by Brassaï is a compelling example of the photographer’s ability to turn overlook...
Paper
Intersect # 201605 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Intersect # 201605 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 4.5mm Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request 5-6 week turnaround. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hangi...
Plexiglass, C Print
Arnold Scaasi
Located in New York, NY
Lucille Khornak (American), "Arnold Scaasi", Black and white screen print on Harmon paper, 20 x 16, Late 20th Century Hand signed by Lucille Khornak Available sizes: 14 x ...
Photographic Film
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
Located in New York, NY
Lucille Khornak (American), "Jean-Charles de Castelbajac", Black and White Screen Print on Harmon Paper, 16 x 20, Late 20th Century Hand signed by Lucille Khornak Availabl...
Photographic Film
André Courrèges
Located in New York, NY
Lucille Khornak ( American ), "André Courrèges", Black and White Screen Print on Harmon Paper, 16 x 20, Late 20th Century Hand signed by Lucille Khornak Available sizes: 1...
Photographic Film
Chantal Thomass
Located in New York, NY
Lucille Khornak (American), "Chantal Thomass", Black and White Screen Print on Harmon Paper, 20 x 16, Late 20th Century Hand signed by Lucille Khornak Available sizes: 14 ...
Photographic Film
Ears of Wheat
Located in New York, NY
Michael Williams, Untitled Landscape 5, Colored Photograph on Paper, 22 x 32, 2010 - Colors: Blue, White, Gold, Brown
Photographic Paper
Doll No. 1 "Pierre" (Edition 1/25)
Located in New York, NY
Doll No. 1 (Edition 1/25) "Pierre", Lucille Khornak, Color Photograph on Board with Acrylic Finish, 40 x 26, Late 20th Century Colors: ...
Photographic Film, Mixed Media
Doll No. 2 "Madeline" (Edition 1/25)
Located in New York, NY
Doll No. 2 (Edition 1/25) "Madeline", Lucille Khornak, Color Photograph on Board with Acrylic Finish, 40 x 26, Late 20th Century Colors...
Photographic Film
Doll No. 16 (Edition 1/25)
Located in New York, NY
Doll No. 16 (Edition 1/25), Lucille Khornak, Color Photograph on Board with Acrylic Finish, 40 x 26, Late 20th Century Colors: Blue, Gray, Brown,...
Photographic Film
Bridge Lane
Located in New York, NY
Michael Williams, Untitled Landscape 1, Color Landscape Photograph on Paper, 2010 - Colors: Gray, Green, Brown, Yellow
Photographic Paper
Doll No. 7 (Edition 1/25)
Located in New York, NY
Doll No. 7 (Edition 1/25), Lucille Khornak, Color Photograph on Board with Acrylic Finish, 26 x 40, Late 20th Century Colors: Black, Blue, White,...
Photographic Paper
Log Bridge
Located in New York, NY
Michael Williams, Untitled Landscape 2, Color Photograph on Paper, 22 x 32, 2010 - Colors: Brown
Photographic Paper
$3,200
Acacia #1
Located in Westport, CT
Jeri Eisenberg creates nature inspired works in single panels, diptychs and triptychs. Her soft colored photographic pieces are created using non-traditional and alternative photo-ba...
Photographic Film, Encaustic, Handmade Paper
Bleed # 202482 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202481 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar supplied) or the ...
Plexiglass, C Print
Bleed # 202321 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202198 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request 5-6 week turnaround. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hangi...
Plexiglass, C Print
Temporal Perception 4 (Diptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 4 (Diptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a diptych. Each element size is: 45 x 30" ...
C Print
Temporal Perception 114 (Diptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 114 (Diptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a diptych. Each element size is: 45 x 30...
C Print
Temporal Perception 361 (Diptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 361 (Diptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a diptych. Each element size is: 45 x 30...
C Print
A Surreal Watercolor and Cyanotype, "Saltwater Gradient, var 9"
Located in San Diego, CA
A one of a kind Surreal Watercolor and Cyanotype on Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag Paper, Mounted on Wood Panel by artist Annalise Neil. Its dimensions are 6" x 6. A certificate of authenti...
Photographic Paper
Untitled #168 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Untitled #168 (Abstract Photography) C-print — Unframed. Edition: 3/5 + 2 A/P This early work from Caldicott's acclaimed Tupperware series exemplifies his ability to breathe life i...
C Print
$6,500
Downtown Las Vegas Colorful Vintage Car And Buses Fine Art Print Color Print
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Lady Luck dealer school and colorful car in downtown Las Vegas. The work is signed, dated, and numbered 3/15 in the lower right recto corner, with other sizes available. It ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Magnolia : Photograph
By Holly Gordon
Located in New York, NY
Holly Gordon is a Bay Shore, Long Island–based photographer who creates fine art and documentary photography. In recent years, she has become widely recognized for pioneering photo-l...
Archival Pigment, Photography
Anesthesia - underwater photograph from series REFLECTIONS - acrylic 36x54"
$614Sale Price|25% Off
1949 Framed Brassaï Black and White Heliogravure
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
A striking framed black and white heliogravure by Brassaï, published in 1949 as part of Anthologie de La Poésie Naturelle by K éditeur. This image shows a broken window or glazed sur...
Paper
Surreal Arches National Park, Fine Art Print Hahnemuhle Paper Baryta
Located in Miami, FL
Abstract interpretation of Arches National Park In Utah using negative and positive color. The work is signed, dated, and numbered 3/15 in the lower right recto corner, with other ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Breathe # 202205 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Breathe # 202205 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hanging system + keyhole option. Available...
Plexiglass, C Print
$1,900
Anesthesia - underwater photograph series REFLECTIONS - archival pigment 43x64"
Combination No.2 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Combination No.2 (Abstract Photography) C-print — Unframed. Edition: 3/5 + 2 A/P This early work from Caldicott's acclaimed Tupperware series exemplifies his ability to breathe lif...
C Print
$1,330Sale Price|35% Off
ATO>MIC #15, Unique Silver Gelatin Luminogram/Photogram Small Print
Located in London, GB
The ">" (greater-than sign) in the ato>mic title of the series is a link and the difference between larger and smaller scales of the artistic representation of miniature still ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Black and White, Photogram
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography)
By Seb Janiak
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
C Print
$700
"Flowering Dogwood, Atlanta, Georgia X 16" Composite Image Photography - Cubism
By Peter Essick
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Flowering Dogwood, Atlanta, Georgia X 16" is an abstract photograph with hues of blue and cream. Peter Essick is a photographer, author, speaker, instructor, and drone pilot who sp...
Archival Pigment
$5,500
Vintage Car On Truck On 42nd Street, NYC, Fine Art Print Hahnemuhle Paper Baryta
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Car on flatbed truck on 42nd Street and 8th Ave, NYC. The work is signed, dated, and numbered 4/15 in the lower right recto corner, with other sizes available. It is unframe...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$4,777
Orbital Echoes Abstract Photograph, Surrealism, Monochrome tones Framed 70x50 cm
By Sander Vos
Located in London, GB
Geometric forms captured in a whirl of motion, creating an illusion of depth and continuity with echoes of shadows... The works aim to challenge the conventional perception of depth...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Color, Giclée, Monoprint, Archival ...
$754Sale Price|25% Off
After Man Ray, Solarized Image of Georges Braque, 1982, Photogravure
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, ES
Immerse yourself in the surrealist world of Man Ray with this framed black and white photograph, a masterpiece of surrealist art. Printed in heliogravure, this artwork is part of a l...
Paper
$592Sale Price|25% Off
José Ortiz Echagüe, Spanish Heritage, 1930, Photogravure
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jose Ortiz Echagüe's Vision: Spanish Heritage in Photogravure, circa 1930 from 1930 Photography by Jose Ortiz Echagüe Photogravure Framed in black lacquered wood Dimensions: 31.5 cm ...
Paper
Bleed # 202390 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202390 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hanging system + keyhole option. Edition: 1/3...
Plexiglass, C Print
$1,583Sale Price|20% Off
Ephemeral #1, Sand Dunes landscape, Silver Gelatin Print, Framed
Located in London, GB
"The dunes change with the wind, but the desert remains the same." - Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist Print info: Ephemeral #1, Sand Dunes, Morocco, 2006 #landscape, Silver Gelatin Prin...
Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Black and White, ...
$658Sale Price|25% Off
French 1948 Brassaï Photogravure of Picasso Sculpture in Black Lacquered Frame
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Published in France in 1948, this framed photogravure by Brassaï reproduces one of Picasso’s sculptural works with striking clarity and tonal depth. Issued by Editions du Chêne for T...
Paper
Untitled 153 (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Untitled 153 (Abstract photography) C print - Unframed. Richard Caldicott is most well known for this earlier work series which used Tupperware containers as the subject for his ph...
C Print
Combination Green (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Combination Green (Abstract Photography) C-print — Unframed. Edition: 4/5 + 2 A/P This early work from Caldicott's acclaimed Tupperware series exemplifies his ability to breathe li...
C Print
Kate #7 #5
By Ant Pearce
Located in Brecon, Powys
New technique as the artist continues his exploration of the image of Kate Moss. Emulsion + Cotton sewn on paper
Cotton, Emulsion, Thread
Kate #7 #6
By Ant Pearce
Located in Brecon, Powys
New technique from the artist emulsion + cotton sewn on cotton paper Based on a single image of Kate Moss
Cotton, Emulsion, Ink, Paper, Thread
$614Sale Price|25% Off
Brassaï Black and White Framed Heliogravure Photography, circa 1949
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Presented in a natural wood frame and finished with a wide light mount, this black and white heliogravure by Brassaï has a calm, balanced presence that works beautifully in both mode...
Paper
$311Sale Price|30% Off
Before AI Limited Edition Abstract Print, Signed 1/5, 21st Century
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The idea behind was a 10 KG Dictionary from 1991 which nobody wanted. According to me a special piece. At the present when AI is to be a subject of discussion I wanted to point out t...
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment
"Beech Trees, Fernbank Forest, Atlanta, Georgia X 16" - Abstract Landscape
By Peter Essick
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Beech Trees, Fernbank Forest, Atlanta, Georgia X 16" is an abstract photograph with hues of pink and brown. Peter Essick is a photographer, author, speak...
Archival Pigment
Cosmosis Collages 4A57F Comp no 85 Blue black (Abstract Photography)
By Anne Senstad
Located in London, GB
Cosmosis Collages 4A57F Comp no 85 Blue black (Abstract Photography) Photographic C Prints, printed on Canson Platinè fiber Rag 310g - Unframed "Edition of 6 + 2Ap Turnaround ti...
Paper, C Print
Interior Black and White Photography
By Pat Truax
Located in Houston, TX
Black and white interior photograph developed using the Sabattier process. The photograph is not framed. Artist Biography: Pat Truax is a Texas based fine art photograph best known ...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
$5,500
Times Square Upward View Of Skyscrapers With Moon, Signed Fine Art Color Print
Located in Miami, FL
Times Square neon and skyscraper at dusk. 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....
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment