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.
42nd St. Diamond Stud
Located in Miami, FL
Adult movie marquees of old 42nd street in 1970. Double header, ABC's of Marriage and Diamond Stud Signature: Signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso Edition 2 of 15. U...
Photographic Film, Inkjet
Chicago Garage
Located in Miami, FL
Signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso, 2/15 Printed later, other size available, unframed
Photographic Paper
Lipstick Building, Citicorp New York Multiple Exposure
Located in Miami, FL
In Camera Multiple Exposure of two iconic New York Landmarks merge together in a harmony of soft colors and overlapping shapes . Signed and dated on ...
Photographic Paper
Horizon Blue
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT an...
C Print
" Ice Storm, Fernbank Forest, January 7, 2017" - Landscape Photography
By Peter Essick
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Ice Storm, Fernbank Forest, January 7, 2017" is a landscape in the forest with snow featuring hues of blue, orange, and white. Peter Essick is a photographer, author, speaker, inst...
Archival Pigment
"Out of Siege #1829" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1829" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Archival Pigment
$950
Study for Gwen Stefani Leaving Paquito Mas Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, 4/17/15
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Study for Gwen Stefani Leaving Paquito Mas Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, 4/17/15" features hues of teal, yellow, purple, and orange. This photograph is an...
Archival Pigment
"Out of Siege #1579" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1579" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Archival Pigment
"Seen and Unseen #3979" - Contemporary Still Life Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Seen and Unseen #3979" features hues of bright blue and yellow. This photograph is edition 2/7 +2 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained a...
Archival Pigment
"Out of Siege #1583" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1583" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Archival Pigment
"Kodak Sign, Atlanta, Georgia X 36" - Composite Image Photography - Cubism
By Peter Essick
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Kodak Sign, Atlanta, Georgia X 36" is a composite photograph with hues of red and orange. Peter Essick is a photographer, author, speaker, instructor, and...
Archival Pigment
$700
"Construction Site, Atlanta, Georgia X 36" - Composite Image Photography Cubism
By Peter Essick
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Construction Site, Atlanta, Georgia X 36" is an abstract photograph with several hues of grey. Peter Essick is a photographer, author, speaker, instructor, and drone pilot who spec...
Archival Pigment
"Forest, Kaaterskill, New York X 36" - Composite Image Photography - Cubism
By Peter Essick
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Forest, Kaaterskill, New York X 36" is an abstract photograph with hues of green and brown. Peter Essick is a photographer, author, speaker, instructor, and drone pilot who special...
Archival Pigment
"Out of Siege #1390" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1390" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Archival Pigment
"Out of Siege #1729" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1729" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer from Shanghai, China. Formally trained as an oil painter, Peng...
Archival Pigment
$2,000
"Emily Ratajkowski on a Boat in Positano, Italy, 6/23/17" Colorful Abstract
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Emily Ratajkowski on a Boat in Positano, Italy, 6/23/17" features hues of red, yellow, orange and green. Spencer Sloan is inspired by the work of H...
Archival Pigment
$1,800
"Angelina Jolie Heads to a Meeting in Beverly Hills, 3/14/19" Abstract Photo
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Angelina Jolie Heads to a Meeting in Beverly Hills, 3/14/19" features hues of purple, green, yellow and blue. Spencer Sloan is inspired by the work of Hieronymus Bosch, Richard Die...
Archival Pigment
"Seen and Unseen #3798" - Contemporary Still Life Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Seen and Unseen #3798" features a bright bubble-gum pink hue. This photograph is edition 3/7 +2 AP. Zhou Peng is inspired by the work of CAI Guo-qiang, Zao Wou-Ki. Zhou Peng is a f...
Archival Pigment
"Out of Siege #1669" - Figurative Black and White Photography - Zao Wou-Ki
By Zhou Peng
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Out of Siege #1669" is a black and white photograph and is edition 1/12 + 3 AP. Zhou Peng is inspired by the work of CAI Guo-qiang, Zao Wou-Ki. Zhou Peng is a fine art photographer...
Archival Pigment
$2,200
"Hilary Duff Shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond in NYC, 9/23/14" - Colorful Abstract
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Hilary Duff Shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond in NYC, 9/23/14" features hues of purple, pink, green and blue. Spencer Sloan is inspired by the work of Hieron...
Archival Pigment
$2,400
"Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons at Gelson's Market in LA, 5/2/18" - Abstract
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons at Gelson's Market in LA, 5/2/18" features hues of green, blue, yellow and purple. This photograph is an archival inkjet ...
Archival Pigment
$2,400
"Emma Roberts Out in LA, 11/14/16" Colorful Abstract Photograph - Celebrity
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Emma Roberts Out in LA, 11/14/16" features hues of pink, purple, green and magenta. Spencer Sloan is inspired by the work of Hieronymus Bosch, Richard D...
Archival Pigment
$2,400
Mena Suvari Hiking in Runyon Canyon in LA, 7/5/15 - Colorful Abstract Photograph
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Mena Suvari Hiking in Runyon Canyon in LA, 7/5/15" features hues of pink, purple, yellow and teal. This photograph is an archival inkjet print with sintra mount and polished acryli...
Archival Pigment
$800Sale Price|60% Off
Rosadue Abstract Photography Print, Signed, 2010s, 20x15 Inches
Located in New York, NY
Paper size is 30 x 25 inches, image size is 20 x 15 inches Signed, dated and numbered Pigment print on Kodak Metallic paper, there is a 5 inch border around the image which enhances...
Digital Pigment
$800Sale Price|60% Off
Lampone, Abstract Digital Pigment Print, Signed, 2010s, 25x25 in.
Located in New York, NY
15x 15 inches image size 25 x 25 inches paper size Please Note: This work is framed; the framed photograph shows the print with the 5 inch paper border Pigment print on Kodak meta...
Digital Pigment
Heading In
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edition 2/15 Archival pigment print “Water's Edge” a collection of photos by Marian Crostic defines the power of the ocean and the land which borders it. Having spent much of her l...
Archival Pigment
Heading Out
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edition 2/15 Archival pigment print “Water's Edge” a collection of photos by Marian Crostic defines the power of the ocean and the land which borders it. Having spent much of her l...
Archival Pigment
Cosmica #9, 4 Elements, Earth
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #9, 4 Elements, Earth, 2014 Archival Pigment Print Mounted and Framed 30 x 30 inches Edition of 10
Metal
Amanda Bynes - Leaving a boutique in West Hollywood 9/712012
Located in Atlanta, GA
Spencer Sloan is a mixed-media artist whose recent work, digitally manipulating paparazzi photographs into abstraction using a series of image-corrupting applications, stems from his years spent as a pop-culture blogger. Sloan received his BFA in Painting from the University of Georgia and studied graphic design at The Creative Circus. In 2015, Sloan was commissioned by Dolby to create a piece for their San Francisco headquarters which was featured in Fast Company magazine. Sloan lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. Archival pigment print. Edition 1 of 1 Spencer Sloan is inspired by the work of Hieronymus Bosch, Richard Diebenkorn, Ralph Steadman.
Inkjet
Light Path
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT a...
C Print
$3,800
"Jessica Alba - riding her bike in Malibu, July 5, 2015" Colorful Abstract Photo
Located in Atlanta, GA
Spencer Sloan is a mixed-media artist whose recent work, digitally manipulating paparazzi photographs into abstraction using a series of image-corrupting applications, stems from his...
Inkjet
$10,000
Echo
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT a...
C Print
Stones and Swirls : nature photography
Located in New York, NY
Roslyn Meyer’s lens plays on the surface of soft undulating ripples; reflecting sky, flora and fauna, as well as the man-made world. These abstract images...
Archival Pigment
Tiger III : nature photography
Located in New York, NY
Roslyn Meyer’s lens plays on the surface of soft undulating ripples; reflecting sky, flora and fauna, as well as the man-made world. These abstract images...
Archival Pigment
Moon Bathers
By Chris Leidy
Located in Fairfield, CT
In this fast moving world, photographer Chris Leidy has found his inspiration within the depths of global oceans. Under water, Chris captures a vision – a flash in time – through his...
Photographic Paper
Day Dream
Located in Fairfield, CT
Also available 50 x 70 in. $9,500, edition of 10. Christine Matthäi was born in Germany. She lives and works between Shelter Island, New York, Germany and the Bahamas. Her LIGHT a...
C Print
Ferry Ride
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, ...
C Print
$3,200
"On the edge of nothingness, n7" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n°7 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2024 Dimension: 28 x 50 / External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 28.8 in. Width : 50.7 ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
"On the edge of nothingness, n3" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n°3 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2024 Dimension: 40 x 60” External Dimension( with white border) Height:40.8 in.( 103.63 cm) Width ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$3,500
"On the edge of nothingness, n11"Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n11 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2024 Dimension: 24 x 36” - External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 25.6 in.( 65.02 cm) Wid...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$3,600
"Rhapsody, Lights of New York" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rhapsody / from the series of Lights of New York / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2022 Dimension: 48 x 36” External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 48.8 in....
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
As Far As The Eye Can See, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2017
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: the inevitable continuation of pain Keywords: landscape, eyes, targets, surreal, surrealism, stare, ocean, clouds Artist Biography: Daniel DeRosato is a freelan...
Photographic Paper
Chimera_C, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2017
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: Included in Artrageous28!, Montserrat College of Art's yearly auction to benefit financial aid for students. Keywords: abstract, digital, print, photo, glitch Ar...
Photographic Paper
Celebration 11, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: collection of stills taken from Celebration, 2015. This video compilation celebrates gesture. Unlike “Goodbye Friend” where DeRosato slowly glitches the likeness...
Photographic Paper
Celebration 17, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: From a collection of stills taken from Celebration, 2015. This video compilation celebrates gesture. Unlike “Goodbye Friend” where DeRosato slowly glitches the li...
Photographic Paper
Rock Pool, Australia
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Rock Pool, Australia, 2016 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label 21 x 21 inches Edition of 4 Unframed Print only. Ask us for framing option...
Archival Pigment
Celebration1, Original Abstract Photograph, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: From a collection of stills taken from Celebration, 2015. This video compilation celebrates gesture. Unlike “Goodbye Friend” where DeRosato slowly glitches the l...
Photographic Paper
Celebration3, Original Abstract Photograph, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: From a collection of stills taken from Celebration, 2015. This video compilation celebrates gesture. Unlike “Goodbye Friend” where DeRosato slowly glitches the l...
Photographic Paper
Celebration6, Original Abstract Photograph, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: From a collection of stills taken from Celebration, 2015. This video compilation celebrates gesture. Unlike “Goodbye Friend” where DeRosato slowly glitches the l...
Photographic Paper
Edd, Abstract Photograph, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: glitched each RGB channel, resulting in the image pulling apart in different locations. Thank you Eddie. Keywords: glitch, digital, digital art, print, abstract, ...
Photographic Paper
Blanket8, Abstract Photograph, 2015
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: Your purchase through TurningArt can be displayed as either a high quality print, or it's true original form as a woven blanket. Please contact TurningArt for more...
Fabric
Daniela, Original Abstract Photograph, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: glitched each RGB channel, resulting in the image pulling apart in different locations. Thank you Daniela. Keywords: glitch, digital, digital art, print, abstract...
Photographic Paper
Golden Edge, North American B25 Mitchell, Oshkosh, USA, 2012 - Aero series (Air)
Located in New York City, NY
27 x 43 in Edition of 9 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 35 x 57 in Edition of 9 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 44 x 71 in Edition of 9 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 48 x 78 in Edition of 9...
Dye Transfer
Mesh, South China Sea, Traverse, 2011
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Mesh, South China Sea, Traverse, 2011 44 x 44 inches - Edition of 10 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for frami...
Archival Pigment
Channel Entrance, China, Traverse, 2012
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Channel Entrance, China, Traverse, 2012 44 x 44 inches - Edition of 10 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available i...
Archival Pigment
Blanket6, Abstract Photograph, 2015
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: Your purchase through TurningArt can be displayed as either a high quality print, or it's true original form as a woven blanket. Please contact TurningArt for more...
Fabric
Blus, Abstract Photograph, 2016
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: Glitching a greyscale image to reveal color in the file - part of the original set of glitches. Keywords: glitch, digital, digital art, print, abstract, colorful ...
Photographic Paper
Faces3 - Part Of Un·I·Den·Ti·Fi·A·Ble Series, Abstract Photograph, 2015
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: part of un·i·den·ti·fi·a·ble series – inspiration was to work with a portrait and distort the image until the face became invisible. "removing identities until the...
Photographic Paper
Man Watching Sunrise, Hangzhou, China
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Man Watching Sunrise, Hangzhou, China, 2011 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in...
Archival Pigment
VELD 22, Noordoostpolder, Flevoland, The-Netherlands
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny VELD 22, Noordoostpolder, Flevoland, The-Netherlands, 2016 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 50 x 50 in...
Archival Pigment