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.
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 #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 #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 #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
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
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
Exocet, North American B25 Mitchell, Oshkosh, USA
Located in New York City, NY
27 x 44 in Edition of 9 EUR 3.200 35 x 57 in Edition of 9 EUR 5.200 48 x 71 in Edition of 9 EUR 6.800 Dye Sublimation on Aluminum 48 x 77 in Edition of 9 EUR 8.800 Dye Sublimation...
Dye Transfer
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
$15,000
"Echoes No.02" Abstract Photography 40" x 40" in Edition of 20 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Echoes No.02" Abstract Photography 40" x 40" in Edition of 20 by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issues by the artist. Printed on fujiflex mounted...
Metal
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
"Kendall Jenner Out in Paris, 07/05/15 I" Colorful Abstract Photograph
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Kendall Jenner Out in Paris, 07/05/15 I" features hues of forest green, orange, yellow, gold, red, and turquoise. This photograph is an archival inkjet...
Archival Pigment
$15,000
"Echoes No.14" Photography 40" x 40" inch Edition of 20 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Echoes No.14" Photography 40" x 40" inch Edition of 20 by Giuliano Bekor Original fine art photography by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issues by...
Metal
$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
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
$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
Haze
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
Night on Sunset Beach
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 and...
C Print, Plexiglass
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
$3,200
"Empire in Blue, Lights of New York" Giclee, Abstract Photography, Limited Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Empire in Blue / from the series of Lights of New York / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2021 Certificated Dimension: 36 x 24" External Dimension( with white border...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$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
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
"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
Airplane Abstraction, Aviation photograph
By Brett Weston
Located in New York, NY
This is a vintage photogravure taken from a Camera Works or Photographie publication. Retains a marvelous vintage feel accurate to the original image taken by Weston - meaning the t...
Photogravure
$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
$12,500
Sea Pen
By Chris Leidy
Located in Fairfield, CT
Palm Beach native and grandson of iconic fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer, Chris Leidy grew up with a deep admiration for the ocean and aquatic life and has made his mark as a world-r...
C Print
Golden Dawn
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
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
Sagaponack Liquid Gold
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 and...
C Print
Lichtblick
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
$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
$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
$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
$3,500
"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
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
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
$8,500
"Absent" Portraits of Hidden Wounds, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absent / From the series of Portraits of Hidden Wounds / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2023 Dimension: 48 x 36 External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 48....
Archival Paper, Archival Ink, Archival Pigment, Giclée
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
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
Celebration 11, Mixed Media Digital Print, 2016
By Dan Derosato
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
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
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
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
Edd, Abstract Photograph, 2016
By Dan Derosato
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
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
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
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
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
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
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