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.
He Keeps Playing With My Heart + Until The Heart Breaks - Diptych/Framed/Fabric
By Oz Van Rosen
Located in New York, NY
Archival Print on Fabric. Abstract. Glitch Art. Vibrant Colors. Red and black hues. Beautifully framed with one inch deep gold frame. Individually ...
Fabric, Archival Pigment
$4,200Sale Price|25% Off
Windows with open shutters lower Manhattan
Located in Miami, FL
Signed, dated, numbered lower right, recto 3/15, unframed, other sizes available, Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper Mitchell Funk is a "Color Photographer Pioneer". He was colo...
Photographic Paper, Inkjet
Black and white abstract photograph by Lloyd Ullberg
Located in Colfax, CA
Early modernist photograph by California artist Lloyd Ullberg. Lloyd Ullberg was a highly talented self-taught American modernist photographer whose works were published in major Am...
Platinum
Airplanes Yellow Sky
Located in Miami, FL
Graphic depiction of a regional airport on Long Island.
Photographic Paper
Times Square Theater Posters Morosco Theatre. FORTY CARATS
Located in Miami, FL
Street Photographer Mitchell Funk breaks with tradition and shoots street photography in color. Today in 2022 this does not seem like a big deal. But 53 years ago in 1969 it was quit...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Montauk Reflections #27 Ltd Ed.
By Kat O'Neill
Located in New York, NY
Commercial Fishing boat reflections. Ltd Ed of 10. The art can be inside or outside with no visible loss of resolution. Gallery wrap fini...
Metal
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Golden Sky Scrappers Manhattan Skyline - Color Photography
Located in Miami, FL
Signed, Dated, number Lower left recto, unframed, 4/15 other size available, printed later, Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper Intense golden light reflects off of midtown glass ...
Inkjet, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Silver Shimmer Diptych
By Kat O'Neill
Located in New York, NY
Hamptons Waters. Shot in East Hampton. Ltd Ed of 10. The art can be inside or outside with no visible loss of resolution. Gallery wrap finish adds an inch to the presentation....
Metal
$4,200
manhattanhenge, Big Sun Sunset Manhattan Street Golden Light Silhouetted People
Located in Miami, FL
Manhattanhenge is a unique moment where the sun aligns with the east to west grid structure of the street. This was done on 72nd Street in ManhattanSigned, dated lower and numbered ...
Inkjet
$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
Kurason Lila, 2025, Curacao, Unique pigment print, digitally made by hand
By Gary Cruz
Located in New York, NY
Kurason Lila, is part of the artist's "The Curacao Pictures" Series. This one-of-a- kind, archival pigment print is printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag bright paper with a deckled edge....
Archival Pigment
Het Tuinpad II, 2025, Curacao, Unique pigment print, digitally made by hand
By Gary Cruz
Located in New York, NY
Het Tuinpad II, is part of the artist's "The Curacao Pictures" Series. This one-of-a- kind, archival pigment print is printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag bright paper with a deckled edg...
Archival Pigment
Chrysler Building Art Deco Skyscraper
Located in Miami, FL
Architecture becomes an abstract design statement as seen through the lens of Mithcell Funk Striking graphic design with found elements is a signature style of Mitchell Funk. He brin...
Photographic Paper, Archival Paper
Wheelbarrows
Located in Miami, FL
Utilitarian objects whose primary purpose is to transport dirt are transformed into beautiful objects of visual pleasure. Signed , dated numbered on lower right, 2/15, other size ...
Photographic Paper
Las Vegas Motel with Mid-Century Street Sign and Palm Tree
Located in Miami, FL
Gaudy commercial street signs for cigarettes visually align with a mid-century Motel sign to form a formal composition of vertical and horizontals. Pioneering color photographer, Mi...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Louse Point View, East Hampton
Located in Miami, FL
Louse Point View, East Hampton , A harmonious blend of primary colors in the foreground with a muted landscape characterizes this work. signed and dated on lower right, numbered o...
Photographic Paper
Fashion Red Hat in Paris
Located in Miami, FL
Fashion Hat in Paris. Style above it all. A graphic statement in red, black and green Signed and dated on lower right, numbered on verso, Edition 2 of 15, Printed later. Unframe...
Photographic Paper
Young girl in an Couture Pink Dress, Fashion Photography
Located in Miami, FL
The interplay of light and shadow, greys and magenta, transform a portrait of a flamboyantly dressed young girl into an optically engaging abstraction composed of alternating pattern...
Photographic Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Street Art Houston Street, Soho - Early Street Art
Located in Miami, FL
Early Street Art in New York City documented in color in 1971. Street Art is not a recent phenomenon. The appreciation of it by the art world is. The horizontal white painted lines...
Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
$7,500
New York City, 1970 - Multiple Exposure by Mitchell Funk - Abstract Photography
Located in Miami, FL
This image is 52 years old and yet still looks cutting-edge beautiful. New York City, 1971 is an image generationsahead of its time. Not just for its creative graphic use of color a...
Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
HegdeFun - The Five Trees - Street Art made by the Rich
By Robert Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Robert Funk’s photographs of elaborate landscaping redefine what Street Art is. Street Art created by the Rich with the help of Landscapers and Gardeners. This type of street art m...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
"Butterfly 25" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/24 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Butterfly 25" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/24 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Butterfly B12 Year: 2018 Print size: 24" x 24" Inch Edition: 1/24 Artist proof: 2 Medium: Archival f...
Archival Pigment
The Road To Monument Valley - Surreal Road in Desert
Located in Miami, FL
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Four Corners at dawn. Signed dated and numbered 2/15 lower right recto, other sizes available, unframed, printed later, Printed on Hahnemühle Fi...
Inkjet
"Lily 2" Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Lily 2" Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition 1/15 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the artist Not fra...
Photographic Paper
Empire State building Multiple Exposure Zoom
Located in Miami, FL
Six in-camera exposures with yellow, green and red filters on a single frame of Kodacrome while moving the position of the camera and zooming yields a striking semi-abstract color i...
Inkjet
Art Deco Marlin Hotel On South Beach, Miami Beach with Hot Colors
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage pink Cadillac car in front of the classic art deco Marlin on Miami Beach. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Brooklyn Row Houses with Candy Store and 19th-century buildings
Located in Miami, FL
Typical Brooklyn street with 19th-century buildings captured with late afternoon light. It is noteworthy how beautiful this scene looks without the influence of contemporary iconogra...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
Fashion Red Hat in Paris
Located in Miami, FL
Fashion Hat in Paris. Style above it all. A graphic statement in red, black and green Signed and dated on the lower right, numbered on verso, Edition 3 of 15, Printed later. Unf...
Photographic Paper
$4,500
Strangers not Friends - People Passing On Powell Street, Nob Hill San Francisco
Located in Miami, FL
An uncanny caught moment where two people with the same build and with the same pose appear as if they are going to greet one another as friends. On closer inspection, their body l...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Star View Motel Fremont Street Las Vegas
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
Man Tree Duet
Located in Miami, FL
It's a dance performed by man and nature. Both gesture in unison as a pair. Defined by their dark expressive outlines, these shadows are revealing the true nature of the objects t...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
$5,500
Manhattanhenge, Big Sun Sunset Manhattan Street Golden Light Silhouetted People
Located in Miami, FL
Signed, dated lower and numbered 2/15 lower right recto, unframed, other sizes available. Manhattanhenge. Unique moment where the sun aligns with the east to west grid structure of t...
Inkjet
Times Square in Pieces
Located in Miami, FL
Billboard fragments of breasts, cropped heads of people, helter-skelter pedestrians, heroic bronze statues and tourist bus riders form a neo-cubist composition where disparate elemen...
Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
Reflections In Central Park Pond Of Skyscrapers
Located in Miami, FL
Autumn reflections in Central Park pond with duck. Shipping should be around $100. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk is signed, dated and numbered...
Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
Vintage Car On Country Road In Vermont
Located in Miami, FL
Brilliant illuminated curvy mountain road in Vermont. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk is signed, dated and numbered 2/15, lower right recto. Oth...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Royal Poinciana Abstract in Lavender, Purple and Green
By Robert Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Shipping is $100. Art made by God. The first photo enlarged should be most accurate for color. You will see delicate purple, lavender and green hues Shot with a Hi-res 36 megap...
Inkjet
Engine, Frankfurt Airport April 19 2001
By Vera Lutter
Located in London, GB
Merce Cunningham Dance Company 50th Anniversary Photography Portfolio Edition of 40 91.5 x 76.5 cms (36 x 30 1/8 ins)
Silver Gelatin
High Angle View Of The Colony Hotel On Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Located in Miami, FL
Closeup view of neon top of Colony Hotel at night on South Beach, Miami Beach. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk is s...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Silhouette Of People Walking On New York City Street
Located in Miami, FL
Elevated view of people and silver light on New York City street. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk is signed, dated and numbered 2/15, lower righ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Abstract Reflections in Madison Avenue Store Window, New York City
Located in Miami, FL
Mannequin in store window on Madison Avenue in New York City. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitchell Funk is signed, dated and numbered 2/15, lower right r...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet
Indian Wigwam Motel In Holbrook, Arizona
Located in Miami, FL
Old cars parked in front of vintage Wigwam Motel off U.S. Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona. This archival color photograph by fine art photographer Mitche...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Inkjet, Archival Pigment
$13,500
"Echoes No.07" Abstract Photograph 40" x 40" in Ltd. Ed. of 20 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Echoes No.07" Abstract Photograph 40" x 40" in Ltd. Ed. of 20 by Giuliano Bekor Original fine art photography by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA iss...
Metal
Hedge Fun - Collins Avenue Miami Beach - Blue
By Robert Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Street Art by the Rich. Robert Funk’s photographs of elaborate landscaping redefine what Street Art is. Large blue boxwood balls stand next to a long teal blue boxwood hedge Beautiful landscaping greets visitors as they approach sophisticated residences along Miami's fabled Collins Avenue. Hedge Fun...
Inkjet, Archival Pigment
$4,800
Neon Bar and Grill Sign Tenderloin at Night Street Photographer Mitchell Funk
Located in Miami, FL
Vestiges of a bygone era, a funky old original neon sign acts as a glowing beacon to the thirsty. Inkjet archival print. Signed and dated on lowe...
Photographic Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$15,000
"Emulsion 13" (FRAMED) Photography 40" x 40" in Edition of 20 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Emulsion 13" (FRAMED) Photography 40" x 40" in Edition of 20 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Emulsion EM13 Year: 2018 Print size: 40" x 40" Inch Artwork finished size: 42" x 42" Inch Ed...
Laminate, Digital
Yellow Girl in Blue Bars
Located in Miami, FL
Mitchell Funk brings the compositional precision of studio photography to street photography. Yellow Girl in Blue Bars is a grab shot. The result is a vibrant interplay of primary colors. Blue bars and blue jeans merge with yellow hair and yellow shoes...
Photographic Paper, 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
Running Dog among the Shadows, Neutral Palette
Located in Miami, FL
Shipping should be around $100. The black and white patterning of a running dog blends into an larger overall patten of late afternoon shadows that seem be...
Inkjet
Sledding in Central Park
Located in Miami, FL
A festive crowd exploits a rare snow fall in New York. Colorful people fill the picture in an "All-over" composition as if it were an energenic Jackson Pollock drip and splash pai...
Photographic Paper
Cosmica #81, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print ...
Metal
Cosmica #70, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print Unframed
Metal
Cosmica #74, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print ...
Metal
Cosmica #69, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print ...
Metal
Cosmica #73, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print Unframed
Metal
Cosmica #68, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print Unframed
Metal
Cosmica #115, 4 Elements
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #115, 4 Elements, Archival Pigment Print Unframed Ask us for framing options. 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13 Archival Pigment Print Unframed
Metal
$24,960
"TIME TA25" (FRAMED) Photography 72" x 48" inch Edition 2/4 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"TIME TA25" (FRAMED) Photography 72" x 48" inch Edition 2/4 by Giuliano Bekor Original fine art photography by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist Title: Time TA25 Year: 2018 Print size: 72" x 48" Inches Artwork finished size: 73" x 49" Inches Limited edition 2 of 4 Artist proof: 2 Medium: The artwork is printed on the highest resolution museum-quality polished aluminum with a high-gloss finish. Infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets The waterproof scratch-resistant surface hygienic and durable medium. Comes in a custom gallery-style floater frame in a semi-gloss silver-face finish. Comes with a heavy-duty wooden liner float mount hanger. This artwork comes with two customizable time zone clocks...
Metal
New York City Marathon Runners Blur
Located in Miami, FL
His early color work anticipates developments in color photography by generations. In 1970 he participated in one the first " Color Photography" shows at a major museum. Brooklyn Mus...
Photographic Paper, Inkjet
Funky Red Chicken and Girl with Dreamy Blue Dress
Located in Miami, FL
A young girl in a dreamy blue dress takes her red chicken out for a walk. Signed, dated, numbered lower right, recto 4/15, unframed, other sizes available, printed later Printed on H...
Photographic Paper, Inkjet
Synchronous Pedestrians - Three Figures Crosswalk
Located in Miami, FL
Three synchronous figures cross a Manhattan street just after a snow fall. The normally black pavement is turned light grey due to the salting of the street. Mitchell Funk is a "Colo...
Photographic Paper, Inkjet