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.
#42, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#118, 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
#19, 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
Red Boat - Still life colour photography, limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Red boat' Printed on archival paper with museum-grade precision, this limited edition work balances mystery and simplicity. A photograph is carefully placed in a secure cardboard ...
Archival Paper
#260, 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
#96, 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
#213, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#189, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Gaia 1 - Black and White Diptych of Waves on Shoreline with Sand and Flowers
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 1 - Black and White Diptych of Waves on Shoreline with Sand and Flowers by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 1 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by...
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
#115, 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
#115, 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
#258, 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
#199, 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
#200, 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
#157, 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
Retaining Wall II, Rockingham - Abstract Blue Color Photograph
Located in Cambridge, GB
Blue abstract photograph from Richard Heeps' series Trading Paint. Richard Heeps has a history of photographing Drag Racing in the UK, America and Europe. Trading Paint is a term tha...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$1,800
The Sight: photograph by Black African American artist, girl w/ gold & cotton
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This is the first print (#1) in a limited edition of 10 signed, titled, and numbered photographs titled "The Sight," by artist Tokie Rome-Taylor. The photograph itself measures 24" x...
Archival Pigment
$2,200
28° 14' 22.942''N, 114° 6' 4.129'' W-9. 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...
Cotton, Archival Pigment
$14,000
Multilayer 285 - unique abstract collage of layered torn sculpture photographs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Multilayer 285 unique abstract photo paper collage (1 of 1) signed 39" x 31.5" / 100cm x 80cm About the artist Felix Schramm was born in Hamburg, German...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Silver Gelatin, Archival ...
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
"Bryant Park" New York, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Bryant Park” New York, Giclee Print, Limited Edition Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2021 Dimension: 42 x 28 External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 43.6 inch Weigh...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$14,000
Multilayer 270 - unique abstract collage of layered torn sculpture photographs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Multilayer 270 unique abstract photo paper collage (1 of 1) signed 39" x 31.5" / 100cm x 80cm About the artist Felix Schramm was born in Hamburg, German...
Photographic Paper, Giclée, Silver Gelatin, Archival Paper, Inkjet
A New Life 01 and Below 01, 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
Dahlia Ink: Black and White Floral Photography, Limited Edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Dahlia on Ink' 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. Prin...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
$520
Fish Swimming Below Water, Fresh Blue Tones Cyanotype Print, Pool Art on Paper
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes. It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv-...
Emulsion, Watercolor, Monotype, Paper
$4,750
Changing Moods 8- Floral landscape pink dominant 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
Algas 45-IV. From the series Mareas. Cyanotype photograhs Mounted
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, Plexiglass
Blender 02 and CoCreate 02, Diptych. Abstract color photographs
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
$344Sale Price|20% Off
Limited Edition Signed City Abstract Photography - 21st Century
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography, limited to 5, signed. Sometimes just walking around the city and than this...I liked it.
Paper, Photographic Paper
$4,800
Hemisphere II - large format photograph of abstract liquid cloudscape in water
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photography of mesmerizing color compositions of liquid cloudscape painting in water, hypnotizing abstract liquidscapes from the body o...
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Paper, Giclée
Untitled (W.O.F 04-11-14)
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Works of Fire When I look into the night sky I am awestruck by the darkness that is the universe. As the sparse light of the stars descends, I am entangled in a state of wonder, sea...
Silver Gelatin
Algas 45-XIX. From the series Mareas. Cyanotype photograhs
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
Frosted Window
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This vintage silver gelatin print is signed in pencil on the front of the mount. This rare exhibition print in glossy paper (later prints of this image from Portfolio II were made on...
Silver Gelatin
$1,410
Dahlia on Ink No.3 - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
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
#270, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
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
$1,200
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 ...
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper
Wind stretched daydream - linen pigment canvas print, limited edition 5.
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Wind stretched daydream' 2022 Photographed in Richmond, London using a 4x5 large format camera. 100×130 cm printed on organic linen canvas, limited edition of 5 + 1AP. Photograph...
Fabric, Canvas, Linen, Organic Material, Archival Pigment, Pigment
$306Sale Price|20% Off
Framed Impression Abstract Photography on Paper, 21st Century Art
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The photo was taken by me in an abandoned house. I like the colors and the impression from the picture. Will be signed, framed in a simple black frame, which can be hanged on the wal...
Photographic Paper
#270 Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$3,600
Wave I - large format abstract liquidscape in azur and lapis blue color palette
Located in San Francisco, CA
mesmerizing large scale photographic capture of strikingly abstract water surface shimmering in soothing tones of cobalt, admiral, azur and lapis blue Wave I (Abstract) by Christian...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
Untitled 27 NY, From The Series Of Public On Paper. Color Photograph
By Arslan Sükan
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Sukan has set out to identify alternative sites of public display and common space within the banal recesses of the everyday world. Collecting and adopting the sketch pads and papers...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Color
#208, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Temporal Perception 92 (Diptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 92 (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
Abstract Persian calligraphy limited edition photogravure ink print, black/white
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Nazanin Moghbeli is a Persian American artist with training in Persian calligraphy, miniature painting, and music. The abstracted calligraphy text in her "Words from My Mother" seri...
Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Photogravure
Untitled (W.O.F 15-16)
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Works of Fire When I look into the night sky I am awestruck by the darkness that is the universe. As the sparse light of the stars descends, I am entangled in a state of wonder, sea...
Silver Gelatin
Miami Downtown, 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
Downtown Miami. 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
Metallurgic A. 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
$278Sale Price|86% Off
White Mood Abstract Photography Print, Signed, Limited Edition 1/5
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography / fine art print, limited 1/5, signed by the author.
Photographic Paper, Digital
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
Holding Light In Darkness #3
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
$3,000
28° 14' 34.127’’N, 114° 6' 44.679’’W-14. 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...
Cotton, Archival Pigment
Untitled (W.O.F 15-2)
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Works of Fire When I look into the night sky I am awestruck by the darkness that is the universe. As the sparse light of the stars descends, I am entangled in a state of wonder, sea...
Silver Gelatin
$4,500
28° 14' 22.942''N, 114° 6' 4.129'' W-12. 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...
Cotton, Archival Pigment
$3,000
28° 14' 22.942'' N, 114° 6' 4.129'' W-5. 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...
Cotton, Archival Pigment
$4,500
27° 42' 26.32'' N, 7° 42' 26.32'' W-15. 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...
Cotton, Archival Pigment
Untitled (W.O.F 2-16)
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Works of Fire When I look into the night sky I am awestruck by the darkness that is the universe. As the sparse light of the stars descends, I am entangled in a state of wonder, sea...
Silver Gelatin
Untitled (W.O.F 15-41)
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Works of Fire When I look into the night sky I am awestruck by the darkness that is the universe. As the sparse light of the stars descends, I am entangled in a state of wonder, sea...
Silver Gelatin
$325Sale Price|20% Off
Hot Red Abstract Photography, Limited Edition of 5, 21st Century
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography, abstract, limited edition of 5, will be signed. For me reflecting a very strong emotion.
Photographic Paper
Blanco 8, 2010 - Limited Edition Digital Photographic Print on Cotton paper
By Rosa Basurto
Located in Brighton, GB
Blanco 8 is a 30cm x 30cm digital print on 50cm x 50cm cotton paper in a limited edition of 9 + 2 Artist Proofs. Rosa Basurto is a self-taught photographer from Spain who, within ...
Photographic Paper, Digital