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.
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 #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 #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 #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
Cosmica #6 4 Elements Water
Located in New York City, NY
Orlando Azevedo Cosmica #6, 4 Elements, Water, 2013 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum, Framed 40 x 40 inches Edition of 7
Metal
Anemorphose Cabo Verde #9
Located in New York City, NY
27 x 44 in Edition of 9 EUR 3.500 35 x 57 in Edition of 9 EUR 5.500 48 x 71 in Edition of 9 EUR 7.100 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 48 x 77 in Edition of 9 EUR 9.100 Dye Sublimation...
Dye Transfer
$1,240Sale Price|20% Off
Daylight Cut-Outs Lightbox: Abstract Photography on Framed Paper
By Julie Beugin
Located in Vancouver, CA
Julie Beugin: Urban Abstraction and Contemplative Landscapes Julie Beugin's art vividly captures the essence of urban landscapes, focusing on the subtle details and quiet corners oft...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper
Sliced Photo Collage on Black Bristol ONE : photography collage
Located in New York, NY
Barbara Rosenthal’s Conceptual Photography is a concrete manifestation of complex inner stresses from external realities of all kinds: physical, familial, political, religious, time,...
Mixed Media, Board, Giclée
$3,200
"On the Edge of Nothingness" n51 Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n°51 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2024 Dimension: 24 x 36" External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 25.6 in.( 65.02 cm) Wi...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
"Empire in Black and White" New York, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Empire in B&W / From the series of Lights of New York / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2021 Dimension: 24 x 36” External Dimension( with white border) : Height...
Archival Pigment, Giclée, Archival Paper, Archival Ink
Liquid Gold Diptych
Located in Fairfield, CT
German-born Christine Matthäi’s fascination with photography and film began during her early teenage years. She studied and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Berl...
C Print, Plexiglass
$2,200
"Istanbul" The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Istanbul” The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2016 Dimension: 16 x 24” External Dimension( with white border) : ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
“Street” The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Street” The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2019 Dimension: 20 x 30” External Dimension( with white border) : He...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,800
"Earrings" The Frequency, Abstract Photography, Giclee Print, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Earrings” The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2016 Dimension: 24 x 16" External Dimension( with white border) : ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
"Flow" The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Flow” The Frequency, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2016 Dimension: 20 x 20” External Dimension( with white border) : Heig...
Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink
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 an...
C Print
Hanwi Wacipi Moh-He-Con-Nuck Cyanotype Print on Canvas, 24 x 24
Located in New York, NY
Collaged Cyanotype Prints on Cotton Fabric mounted to Panel, Fabric and Wood Frame A study of the unique estuary of The Moh-He-Con-Nuk (Hudson River) honoring the moon, tidal rhythm...
Photogram
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
"Pool Donuts" original framed and signed photograph by Roman Crescimanno
Located in Dallas, TX
This finely framed photograph beautifully captures a moment of tranquil abstraction. The image features the silhouette of pool donuts resting on the bottom of a pool, their round sha...
Photographic Paper
Big Sur #4
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Jay Mark Johnson, BIG SUR #4, Big Sur 2012, Archival pigment, paper, aluminum, wood frame, 25.5" x 85.5", Edition 1/9, FRAMED $12,500
Archival Pigment
$3,600
"On the edge of nothingness, n15"Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n°15 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2024 Dimension: 24 x 36" 24 x 36” - External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 25.6 in.( 65....
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$3,500
"On the edge of nothingness, n1" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
On the edge of nothingness / n1 / 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
$3,500
"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
$4,500
"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
$3,600
"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
$2,550
"Do You Remember? What About the Colors?" Giclee Print, Abstract Photography
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Do You Remember? What About the Colors? / Simple series / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2014 Dimension: 28 x 30.1” External Dimension (with white border) : Heig...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
"Tomorrow" Hidden Wounds, Giclee Print, Photograph, Limited Ed. 1/5
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tomorrow / Portraits of Hidden Wounds / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2023 Certificated Condition: New Dimension: 40 x 60” External Dimension: Height:40.8 .( 103.6...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
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
Celebration 17, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2016
By Dan Derosato
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
Blanket 11, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2016
By Dan Derosato
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...
Photographic Paper
Chimera_C, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2017
By Dan Derosato
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
As Far As The Eye Can See, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2017
By Dan Derosato
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
Celebration1, Original Abstract Photograph, 2016
By Dan Derosato
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
By Dan Derosato
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
Faces1 - Part Of Un·I·Den·Ti·Fi·A·Ble Series, Abstract Photograph, 2015
By Dan Derosato
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
Foliage, Abstract Photograph, 2016
By Dan Derosato
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: extension from the un·i·den·ti·fi·a·ble series – process was to go into the file's data and alter the dimensions of the picture, causing it to distort differently ...
Photographic Paper
Blus, Abstract Photograph, 2016
By Dan Derosato
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
Blanket6, Abstract Photograph, 2015
By Dan Derosato
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
Blanket12, Version1, Abstract Photograph, 2015
By Dan Derosato
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
Faces3 - Part Of Un·I·Den·Ti·Fi·A·Ble Series, Abstract Photograph, 2015
By Dan Derosato
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
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
Porthole #7
By Jami Goldman
Located in New York, NY
Ed. of 15 Dye infused aluminum photograph Series: Portholes, abstract realism Jami Goldman is an American fine art photographer, with over 30 years experience behind the lens. She...
Metal
"Abstract Composition XII" in Pink Red Green Black Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition XII" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail whic...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
"Abstract Composition X" in Brown and Tan Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition X" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail which largely goes unnoticed. Inspir...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
$3,500
"Abstract Composition XI" in Grey Yellow Black Green Blue Red Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition X" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail which largely goes unnoticed. Inspir...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
"Abstract Composition VII" in Green Cream Black Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition VII" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail whic...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
"Abstract Composition VIII" in White Cream Black Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition VIII" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail which largely goes unnoticed. Ins...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
"Abstract Composition VI" in Cream Grey Black Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition VI" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail which...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
$3,500
"Abstract Composition V" in Orange Turquoise Blue Yellow Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition V" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail which ...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
"Abstract Composition IV" in Black Turquoise Blue Yellow Orange Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition III" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail whic...
Plexiglass, Photographic Paper
$3,500
"Abstract Composition I" in Red Orange Yellow and Black Modern Art Spots
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Abstract Composition I" by James Chadwick is from his series that takes from vintage patterning, zooming in to see the abstraction of the detail which ...
Plexiglass, 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 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
Maple Drive
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
Barnett (green)
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