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.
Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue Central Park South with Kelly Green Roof
Located in Miami, FL
The Plaza Hotel in New York City looks differently in this detailed view. Photographer Mitchell Funk has honed in on a less studied part of the historic French Renaissance-inspired ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Nothing of This Remains, Abstract Digital Print on Metal, 21st Century
By Henri Venne
Located in Montreal, Quebec
It is within the locality of the dream where we are at once sentient of ourselves within a multitude of reflections. The momentary awareness of self reveals transitions between those...
Metal
Chicago 24, 1965 Silver Gelatin Print The Art Institute of Chicago
Located in Miami, FL
Great Price. The Art Institue of Chicago Signed, named and dated verso, Chicago 25, 1965, Printed 1965 Archivally Matted but not framed
Silver Gelatin
Foggy Walk II
Located in Barcelona, CT
Available upon request (A0, A1, A2, A3 and aluminum) Other Available Formats: Format: A3 Passe-partout (1/7) · Measure: · Aperture - 27 × 40,4 cm · External - 50,8 × 40,...
Photographic Paper
Prayer
Located in Fairfield, CT
Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT and SEA series, and all other water related series, a...
C Print
$4,900Sale Price|27% Off
Skyscrapers Magical light Manhattan Skyline at Dusk, Architectural Photography
Located in Miami, FL
Signed , Dated lower right and numbered recto 3 /15, Unframed, Other sizes available, Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper Mitchell Funk is a pioneer of " Color Photography" In 19...
Inkjet, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$800
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Extraterrestrial Plantation
Located in Paris, IDF
Photograph on canvas, edition of 15 Vibrant Archival ink print on Epson matte finish Canvas. Canvas print with museum finish archival inks lasting more than 50 years in vibrancy and...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
French Contemporary Photo by Olivier Attar - Rocknrollartishow
Located in Paris, IDF
Subligraphy (CHROMALUX) on aluminium 78 x 78 cm - 30.7 x 30.7 in = $2200 Ed.1/15 Possibility of frame with additional costs
Mixed Media, Digital
French Contemporary Photo by Olivier Attar - Rosh
Located in Paris, IDF
Subligraphy (CHROMALUX) on aluminium Ed.1/15 Possibility of frame with additional costs
Mixed Media, Digital
French Contemporary Photo by Olivier Attar - WaBasAtt
Located in Paris, IDF
Subligraphy (CHROMALUX) on aluminium 100 x 100 cm - 39.4 x 39.4 in = $2800 Ed.1/15 Possibility of frame with additional costs
Mixed Media, Digital
French Contemporary Photo by Olivier Attar - La Plume
Located in Paris, IDF
Subligraphy (CHROMALUX) on aluminium 92 x 93 cm - 36,2 x 36,6 in = $2,200 Ed.1/15 Possibility of frame with additional costs
Mixed Media, Digital
French Contemporary Photo by Olivier Attar - Grrr
Located in Paris, IDF
Subligraphy (CHROMALUX) on aluminium 80 x 80 cm - 31,5 x 31,5 in = $1,800 Ed.1/15 Possibility of frame with additional costs
Mixed Media, Digital
French Contemporary Photo by Olivier Attar - Emo
Located in Paris, IDF
Subligraphy (CHROMALUX) on aluminium 65 x 63 cm - 25,5 x 24,8 in = $1,600 Ed.1/15 Possibility of frame with additional costs
Mixed Media, Digital
C3H6-PRO-01 Abstract Digital Pigment Print on Plexiglass, 21st Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Informed by microbiology, Laurent Lamarche’s sculptural installations and photographic production look like living unidentified microorganisms. Its narrative is ambiguous, constantly...
Plexiglass, Digital Pigment
I Wonder Will We Remember: Abstract Photography on Plexiglass
By Henri Venne
Located in Montreal, Quebec
In the digital age, we collectively photograph everything all of the time. But how much does anyone remember from a scene or a moment when looking at a digital photo? Someone could g...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
Chrysler Building: Abstract Expressionist Photography
Located in Miami, FL
A 1930s Art Deco icon is interpreted in the frenetic technique that recalls the Abstract Expressionist painters of the 1950s. As if he were painting with light, visionary photographe...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Pink Cab - Florescent Abstract Photograph of New York City
By Pico Garcez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pico Garcez (b.1963, São Paulo, Brazil) In Love with Photography, Iconography and Painting, exercises his gaze from childhood when he began to play with his first camera. Practicing ...
Cotton, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
Think Back To All This, Abstract Photography on Plexiglass, 2010-
By Henri Venne
Located in Montreal, Quebec
In the digital age, we collectively photograph everything all of the time. But how much does anyone remember from a scene or a moment when looking at a digital photo? Someone could g...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
Elevation 3 Abstract Photography on Plexiglass, 2010s, Unframed
By Henri Venne
Located in Montreal, Quebec
In the digital age, we collectively photograph everything all of the time. But how much does anyone remember from a scene or a moment when looking at a digital photo? Someone could g...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Nature Quadri 001
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Fougères Série Dénature
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - H2O Meta Graphic 001
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Effect Mirror 002
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Jaune Meta Graphic 002
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Orange Meta Graphic Sport 1
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Vert Meta Graphic 002
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Autoportrait Virtuel 001
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Optique Effect 001
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Origami 001
Located in Paris, IDF
Collages on handmade paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Entre Vous & Nous
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Macro Meta Graphic Miroirs
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Noir/ Blanc Meta Graphic 01
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
JAUNE 3D 003
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Lévitation Effect 003
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Violet Meta Graphic 001
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Noir/ Blanc Meta Graphic 03
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Sepia Meta Graphic Lettre 8
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
$610
French Contemporary Art by Jean-Claude Byandb - Apparition ( ) Disparition
Located in Paris, IDF
Photography on paper
Handmade Paper
Tennis Court in Snow with Footprints Green and Wine Color Abstraction
Located in Miami, FL
An aerial view looking down on a Manhattan tennis court is photographed so that it is representational and abstract at the same time. The interplay of large areas of color, pattern...
Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
New York City Street Scene with the Real Street Art
Located in Miami, FL
The real street art in New York City is literally the lines painted on the street pavement. Street Photographer Mitchell Funk expands the boundaries of the popular art term by captu...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Étendue: Hommage à Charles Gagnon, Abstract Photography, 35x39 in
By Henri Venne
Located in Montreal, Quebec
It is within the locality of the dream where we are at once sentient of ourselves within a multitude of reflections. The momentary awareness of self reveals transitions between those...
Enamel
Industrial Romance M1, Abstract Digital Photography on Aluminum, 2010-
By Tom White 1
Located in New York, NY
Composite photographs digital imaging Dye sublimation on aluminum panels Edition of 5 **Please not it takes about 6 weeks for delivery from purchase date**
Panel
$1,273Sale Price|20% Off
Land III - Landscape Art Photography
Located in Zürich, CH
Hailing from the picturesque city of Zaragoza, nestled near the Pyrenees, Carlos Blanchard's journey into the realm of photography was influenced by the rich tapestry of his upbringi...
Color
"Red for Love 11" Photography 24" x 37" inch Edition of 11 by Tetiana Kalivoshko
Located in Culver City, CA
"Red for Love 11" Photography 24" x 37" inch Edition of 11 by Tetiana Kalivoshko Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist "The Red One - That Is Love" ...
Archival Paper, Digital Pigment
$2,025Sale Price|20% Off
The Three Off One 2
By Roger Reist
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Color
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
"Red for Love 5" Photography 24" x 37" inch Edition of 11 by Tetiana Kalivoshko
Located in Culver City, CA
"Red for Love 5" Photography 24" x 37" inch Edition of 11 by Tetiana Kalivoshko "The Red One - That Is Love" "The Red One - That Is Love" is a thought-provoking art series by Tetian...
Archival Paper, Digital Pigment
$2,025Sale Price|20% Off
2020 - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
By Roger Reist
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Black and White
$2,025Sale Price|20% Off
Awake - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
By Roger Reist
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Black and White
$2,025Sale Price|20% Off
Shine On Me Crazy Diamond - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
By Roger Reist
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Black and White
$2,025Sale Price|20% Off
Space Running Girl - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
By Roger Reist
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Black and White
$2,026Sale Price|20% Off
The Entertainer - Abstract Expressionist Art Photography
By Roger Reist
Located in Zürich, CH
Der Foto-Künstler, Roger Reist, reflektiert die Welt um uns herum und in seinen Bildern auf zauberhafte Weise: "Die gesellschaftlichen Muster zu erkennen, diese anhand von meinen Bil...
Black and White
Cherry Blossoms Central Park Manhattan
Located in Miami, FL
Cherry Blossoms in full bloom adorn the verdant fields of Central park and make beautiful abstract patters. Signed, dated, numbered lower right, recto 3/15, unframed, other sizes a...
Photographic Paper, Inkjet
Manhattan Snow Storm - Golden Abstraction, Archival Pigment Print
Located in Miami, FL
Street Photographer Mitchell Funk grabs a taxi moment in front of Grand Central Station. The image communicates the spirit of wintery New York, with skies filled with falling snow. I...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Shivering Crabapple
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
$6,500
New York City Street Starbursts over Mid-Town Manhattan -Abstract Photography
Located in Miami, FL
Streetlights on Manhattans' Sixth Avenure transform into a starburst of kaleidoscope color through an act of creativity from Photographer Mitchell Funk. The emanating light is a m...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Chrysler Building Looking Up in Light and Shadow
Located in Miami, FL
The play of light and shadow is on full display in this photograph by Mitchell Funk. His upward view of the Chrysler Building from an unexpected angle departs from traditional color ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Quebec City with Vintage Car on Crisp Autumn Day
Located in Miami, FL
Photographer Mitchell Funk selects a perfect day with intense direct lighting to create a photograph that is as much abstraction as it is representation. Funk lies on his stomach to ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Elegant Manicured Topiary Garden San Francisco - Tree Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
A row of four verdant topiary trees mimics the shape and cadence of elegant windows in a home in the Sea Cliff section of San Francisco. The overall resulting image is a combinati...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$6,000
Colorful New York City Facade with Blue, Yellow and Red Squares like Mondrian
Located in Miami, FL
Mondrian came to New York City in the 1940s, and the city's real-world grid-like street design inspired him to create his famous Broadway Boogie-Woogie series, composed of primary co...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Mid- Century Star View Motel Fremont Street Las Vegas, Landscape Photography
Located in Miami, FL
Man painting vintage motel sign in Las Vegas, Nevada. Signed, dated and numbered 2/15 lower right recto. Other sizes are available. The work is unframed...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet