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.
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
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
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
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
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
Surfer, Perth, Western Australia (Oceans series)
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Surfer, Perth, Western Australia (Oceans series), 2016 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label 59 x 59 inches Edition of 5 Signed by the artist
Archival Pigment
Blanket 7, 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 information. The process consisted of creating a very small image and having the computer attempt to fill the rest of the art space, resulting in stretched and distorted shapes. In Dan DeRosato...
Fabric
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
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
$7,800
Palm Pool 2
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
Climbing the Columns
By Harold Davis
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: This composite photograph originated with rays of sunlight through a glass bottle. Words that describe this piece: color, light, bright, sunlight, red, light bea...
Photographic Paper
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
$4,500
"On the edge of nothingness, n4" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n°4 / 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 Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
"Washington Square" New York, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Washington Square / From the series of Lights of New York / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2022 Dimension: 40 x 50" External Dimension( with white border) : Height...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
$4,000
"On the edge of nothingness, n6" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n6 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2024 Dimension: 40 x 60” External Dimension( with white border) Height:40.8 in.( 103.63 cm) Width:6...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
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
Monsters, Douglas DC-4, Dugny, Le Bourget, 2008 - Aero series (Air)
Located in New York City, NY
Manolo Chretien, France Monsters, Douglas DC-4, Dugny, Le Bourget, 2008 - Aero series (Air) 27 x 43 in Edition of 9 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 35 x ...
Dye Transfer
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
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
Broome 2, Western Australia
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Broome 2, Western Australia, 2016 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 50...
Archival Pigment
Estuary, Shark Bay, Western Australia
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Estuary, Shark Bay, Western Australia Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available i...
Archival Pigment
Blue on Light Blue with Dancing Angels
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Blue on Light Blue with Dancing Angels, 2021 Archival pigmented print 19 x 13 in Edition of 10 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qualities of Oaxaca City...
Archival Pigment
Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Night Sky
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Night Sky, 2018 Archival pigmented print 19 x 13 in Edition of 10 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qualities of Oaxaca C...
Archival Pigment
Breaking Surf, Hookipa, Hawaii
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Breaking Surf, Hookipa, Hawaii, 2011 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 50 x 50 inches Edition of 3
Archival Pigment
Abstract Landscape #23
Located in New York City, NY
Daniel Mansur Abstract Landscape #23 Canvas Fine Art - Framed Archival Pigment Print
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Pink Wave
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Pink Wave, 2019 Archival pigmented print 11 x 33 in Edition of 10 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qualities of Oaxaca C...
Archival Pigment
Shanghai Night II, China
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Shanghai Night II, China, 2011 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 59 x 59 inches
Archival Pigment
Shanghai Skyline (Dawn), China
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Shanghai Skyline (Dawn), China, 2011 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 59 x 59 inches
Archival Pigment
Rock Pool, Australia
Located in New York City, NY
David Burdeny Rock Pool, Australia, 2016 Archival Pigment Print Signature Label Print only. Ask us for framing options. Also available in 59 x 59 inches
Archival Pigment
Cosmica #45, 4 Elements, Water
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #45, 4 Elements, Earth, 2016 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum, Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 7
Metal
Cosmica #30, 4 Elements, Earth
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #30, 4 Elements, Earth, 2016 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum, Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 7
Metal
Cosmica #40, 4 Elements, Water
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #40, 4 Elements, Earth, 2016 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum, Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 7
Metal
Cosmica #4, 4 Elements, Water
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #4, 4 Elements, Earth, 2012 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum, Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 7
Metal
Cosmica #17, 4 Elements, Water
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #17, 4 Elements, Earth, 2014 Mounted on Plexiglas (matt or glossy) Floating on the wall 30 x 30 inches Edition of 10
Metal
Cosmica #36, 4 Elements, Water
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #36, 4 Elements, Earth, 2016 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum, Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 7
Metal
Cosmica #8, 4 Elements, Earth
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #8, 4 Elements, Earth, 2014 Archival Pigment Print Mounted and Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 13
Metal
Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Red Band in the Universe
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gary Goldberg Finding the Universe in Oaxaca, Red Band in the Universe, 2018 Archival pigmented print 30 x 20 in Edition of 3 Gary Goldberg has been photographing the unique qualiti...
Archival Pigment
Cieux, Sky 1
Located in New York City, NY
27.5 x 27.5 in 70 x 70 cm Edition of 9 USD 6.000 40 x 40 in 100 x 100 cm Edition of 9 USD 8.000 51 x 51 in 130 x 130 cm Edition of 9 EUR 11.500 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 48 x 77...
Dye Transfer
On Distant Shores #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
On Distant Shores #1
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
Holding Light In Darkness #6
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
Holding Light In Darkness #9
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
Holding Light In Darkness #5
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
Holding Light In Darkness #2
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
Holding Light In Darkness #1
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
Mohamed Yakub Color Long Exposure Photograph Teal Abstract Horizontal Kenyan
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mohamad does not use titles for his photographs. Such naming or framing can constrain or shape a viewer’s engagement with an image. Without such titles, his imagery conjures imagi...
Photographic Paper
The Color of Water #5 Perseverance
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 weath...
Archival Paper
Negative Star (Blue)
By Michael Dee
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A work by Michael Patrick Dee. "Negative Star (Blue)" is a ight jet on fujiflex, facemounted photograph featuring an abstracted, deep blue star buy contemporary artist Michael Patric...
Photographic Paper
Spanish
Located in New York, NY
Lambda digital-c print on Ilford Ilfoflex Archival Super Gloss. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered 2/2 on verso. Artist Andrew George is based in Los Angeles. He recently premiere...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda
Piet 1
Located in New York, NY
Lambda digital-c print on Ilford Ilfoflex Archival Super Gloss. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered 1/2 on verso. Artist Andrew George is based in Los Angeles. He recently premiere...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda
Piet 2
Located in New York, NY
Lambda digital-c print on Ilford Ilfoflex Archival Super Gloss. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered 1/2 on verso. Artist Andrew George is based in Los Angeles. He recently premiered his latest series of photographic murals entitled Analogies & Metaphors in New York City. Andrew’s work has been in 20 international exhibitions, most recently in Japan and Korea (where accompanying books of his work were published) and Germany. Andrew’s internationally acclaimed photography and interview project, Right, before I die, traveled abroad 7 times and attracted more than half a million visitors at its various venues. Andrew has won numerous awards for his photography and has appeared in The Huffington Post, Vanity Fair, CBS News...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda
Northeaster 2
Located in New York, NY
Lambda digital-c print on Ilford Ilfoflex Archival Super Gloss. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered 1/2 on verso. Artist Andrew George is based in Los Angeles. He recently premiere...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda
Northeaster 1
Located in New York, NY
Lambda digital-c print on Ilford Ilfoflex Archival Super Gloss. Signed, dated, titled, and numbered 2/2 on verso. Artist Andrew George is based in Los Angeles. He recently premiere...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda