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.
Temporal Perception 206A (Triptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 206A (Triptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a triptych. Each element size is: 45 x...
C Print
Temporal Perception 142A (Triptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 142A (Triptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a triptych. Each element size is: 45 x...
C Print
Temporal Perception 109 (Diptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 109 (Diptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a diptych. Each element size is: 45 x 30...
C Print
Temporal Perception 365 (Diptych) (Abstract photography)
By Serge Hamad
Located in London, GB
Temporal Perception 365 (Diptych) (Abstract photography) Archival C-Print — Unframed. Edition: 1/12 Available in 2 weeks turnaround. Sold as a diptych. Each element size is: 45 x 30...
C Print
"Waterfall Galleria" Black and White Figurative Photography
By Pat Truax
Located in Houston, TX
Photograph of the iconic waterfall in the Houston Galleria area. This photograph showcases the Sabbttier process or the results of solarization. The photograph is not framed. Artist...
Photographic Film
Bleed # 202181 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202181 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Edition: 1/3. Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar supp...
Plexiglass, C Print
Bleed # 202205 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202205 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Edition: 3/3 Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar sup...
Plexiglass, C Print
Contemporary Black and White Abstract Framed Rayography 1/1 by Adrian 2013
Located in Barcelona, ES
Contemporary photography by Adrian from 2013. Black and white photography, rayograph. Unique piece 1/1. Comes Handsigned. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Mixed Media
Contemporary Rayography 1/1 by Adrian, Framed, Paper, Wood, Glass, 2013
Located in Barcelona, ES
Contemporary photography by Adrian from 2013. Black and white photography, rayograph. Unique piece 1/1. Comes Handsigned. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Mixed Media
David Urbano Contemporary Land Photography, Rewind or Forward N04
By David Urbano
Located in Barcelona, ES
Analogue photography, giclée print in Hahnemüler Paper. Signed, stamped and numbered. Edition of 9. Year 2018 printed 2018. Measures: Framed 43 x 34.5 cm. Without frame 19.5 x 13...
Paper
Contemporary Black and White Abstract Framed Rayography 1/1 by Adrian 2013
Located in Barcelona, ES
Contemporary photography by Adrian from 2013. Black and white photography, rayograph. Unique piece 1/1. Comes Handsigned. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Mixed Media
Combination White/Cream (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Combination White/Cream (Abstract Photography) C-print — Unframed. Edition: 4/5 + 2 A/P This early work from Caldicott's acclaimed Tupperware series exemplifies his ability to brea...
C Print
Bleed # 202142 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202402 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Edition: 1/3. Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar sup...
Plexiglass, C Print
Bleed # 202420 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202420 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Work can be hung with either the WallCleat system (support bar supplied) or the ...
Plexiglass, C Print
#67, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Pigment
Naming Rights, Quampium (Long Water, Greenwood Lake)
Located in New York, NY
Cyanotype print on Muslin Fabric, sewn with thread and stretched over a wooden frame. Using the cyanotype process, the artist places the UV treated fabric into bodies of water docu...
Photogram
Untitled #58 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Untitled #58 (Abstract Photography) C print - Unframed. "Edition of 5 + 2AP, next 1/5 Richard Caldicott is most well known for this earlier work series which used Tupperware contain...
C Print
Bleed # 202331 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202331 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas — Unframed. Edition: 1/3. Snell creates small production runs, printing each unique work in ...
Plexiglass, C Print
Morphogenetic field - Dandelion (Pissenlit) (Abstract Photography)
By Seb Janiak
Located in London, GB
Morphogenetic field - Dandelion (Pissenlit) (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Morphogenetic fields series, Janiak examines the visible manifestation of ...
C Print
$3,800
Brooklyn Bridge, Lights of New York, Abstract Photography, Giclee Large Print
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Brooklyn Bridge" Abstract, Expressionist, Photography, Giclee Print, Ltd.Ed. Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2025 Dimension: 24 x 36" External Dimension( with white border) He...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, 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
Orb # 201906 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Orb # 201906 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request - 4 week turnaround. Backed with extruded polystyrene, conc...
Plexiglass, C Print
"Brief Passes" Into the Light, Abstract Photography, Giclee Print, Numbered
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2025 Dimension: 40 x 60” External Dimension( with white border) Height:40.8 in.( 103.63 cm) Width:60.8 in (154.43 cm) / Large Print In Edition o...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
Morphogenetic field - Beluga Caviar (Abstract Photography)
By Seb Janiak
Located in London, GB
Morphogenetic field - Beluga Caviar (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Morphogenetic fields series, Janiak examines the visi...
C Print
Cosmica #67, 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
$5,010Sale Price|20% Off
Dissolve # 201801
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 4.5mm Plexiglas- Unframed. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hanging system + keyhole option. Edition: 2/3. Paul Snell combines traditional and digit...
Plexiglass, C Print
Blooms in Red - abstract analog colour photography, limited edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
This analogue colour photograph was created using a traditional film process, allowing the material qualities of colour and grain to remain present and tactile. The composition is pr...
Photographic Paper
$3,600
"Chrysler Building" Abstract Expressionist, Photography, Giclee Print, Ltd.Ed.
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Chrysler Building" Abstract, Expressionist, Photography, Giclee Print, Ltd.Ed. Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2025 Dimension: 42x28" External Dimension( with white border) He...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,575
Water Reflection, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris, Blue, Black
Located in New York, NY
Water Reflection, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris Archival pigment print on museum fine art paper Edition of 7 Includes certificate of authenticity. Signed and numbered...
Color, Archival Pigment
Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography)
By Seb Janiak
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
C Print
Bleed # 202021 (Abstract photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202021 (Abstract photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request 5-6 week turnaround. Edition: 1/3. Paul Snell combines tra...
Plexiglass, C Print
New Day, Handmade Monotype Cyanotype Landscape, Unique, Blue Tones Diptych
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
Details: + Title: New Day + Year: 2026 + Stamped and Certificate of Authenticity provided + Measurements : 100x140 cm (40x 55.2in.), each panel measures 100x70cm (40x28 in.) a stand...
Paper, Monotype
Golf: Archival Pigment Print on Canvas, Abstract, 31.4 in, Ed. of 5
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Eduardo Rezende’s 2024 series Lavori in Corso revisits one of the artist’s most enduring themes: the urban and architectural landscape — this time focused on construction sites, scaf...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
$20,400Sale Price|20% Off
"Butterfly 22" Photograph (FRAMED) 50" x 50" in Limited Ed 2/8 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Butterfly 22" Photograph (FRAMED) 50" x 50" in Limited Ed 2/8 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Butterfly B22 Year: 2018 Print size: 50" x 50" Inch trim bleed Framed size: 52" x 52" Inch ...
Plexiglass, Photographic Film, Archival Pigment
$1,021
EM2020-59
By Bill Kane
Located in London, GB
Pigment on watercolor paper - Unframed. Edition of 10. The Emanations series is an attempt to express the spiritual potential of the most essential aspect of photography: light. Ea...
Paper, Pigment
$3,800
"Glimmering Blue" Into the Light, Abstract Photography, Giclee Print, Numbered
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Glimmering Blue" Into the Light, Abstract Photography, Giclee Print, Numbered 1/20 Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2025 Dimension: 36 x 24” External Dimension( with white bor...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
"Boathouse" Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris, Blue, Green
Located in New York, NY
Boathouse, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris Archival pigment print on museum fine art paper Edition of 7 Includes certificate of authenticity. Signed and numbered by art...
Color, Archival Pigment
$23,500
"JM Basquiat-GB5" Photography (FRAMED) 66" x 48" inch Ed. 2/8 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"JM Basquiat-GB5" Photography (FRAMED) 66" x 48" inch Ed. 2/8 by Giuliano Bekor Original fine art photography by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issu...
Metal
Flowing 1 - Signed limited edition abstract print, Oversized, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Flowing 1 - Large scale photograph by Michael Banks Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Di...
$2,290
Dance 1 - Signed limited edition abstract pigment print, Contemporary, Square
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Dance 1 - Limited edition pigment print of 5 This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ). The inks used are known for their longe...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photographic Paper, B...
"Bryant Park" New York, Giclee Print, Abstract Photography, Limited Edition
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Bryant Park” New York, Giclee Print, Limited Edition Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2021 Dimension: 42 x 28 External Dimension( with white border) : Height: 43.6 inch Weigh...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$25,529Sale Price|25% Off
New York City Anthem - Abstract, Unique Selenium Toned Luminogram Print, Framed
Located in London, GB
New York City Anthem: In 2016 I visited New York and took the opportunity to not only experience how it felt to be there, but to write down every sensation that I was having. I live in a rural part of Dorset so the city’s effect on me was exaggerated - sounds, smells and sights that were all being experienced at once. It was dazzling. When I returned home, I started work on making a piece that I felt would contain everything about New York City that enthralled me. It had to be big and it had to be from the viewpoint of being inside the city itself. Using my notes, I relived my time there and experimented with new techniques in the darkroom to help me capture the wide and sensational thrill of the place. – Mike...
Metal, Silver
$16,000
"JM Basquiat-GB6" Abstract Photograph 60" x 48" in Ed. 1/8 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"JM Basquiat-GB6" Abstract Photograph 60" x 48" in Ed. 1/8 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Basquiat series - JMB-GB6 Year: 2020 Medium: Printed on high-quality museum-grade archival photo ...
Archival Pigment
Bling Nature 2- Signed limited edition print, Brown Square, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Bling Nature 2 - Limited edition pigment print - Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
$5,922
Boat 1-Free delivery-Signed limited edition still life contemporary print, Large
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Large scale photograph by Michael Banks - Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ) Boat 1 - Limited Editions of 5 , signed + numbered ...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigme...
$1,575
Water Reflection, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris, Red, Black
Located in New York, NY
Water Reflection, Abstract Color Photography by Geoffrey Baris Archival pigment print on museum fine art paper Edition of 7 Includes certificate of authenticity. Signed and numbered...
Color, Archival Pigment
$2,847
Diamond 3 -Signed limited edition pigment print, Color, purple, Square format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Diamond 3 - Limited edition pigment print of 5 This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo RAG Baryta 315 gsm ). The inks used are known for their lon...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
'Lily in Charcoal No.5' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal No.5' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The ...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$1,708
Bling 13 -Signed limited edition abstract brown print, Contemporary dark, Square
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Bling 13 - Limited edition pigment print - Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based pap...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Digital, Pigment
$1,708
Bling 15-Signed limited edition abstract print, Contemporary brown Photo, square
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
'Bling 15' - Limited edition pigment print Limited Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based pape...
Archival Paper, Color, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment
$2,277Sale Price|20% Off
Bling 13 - Signed limited edition pigment print, Color Photo, Gold square format
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Bling 13 - Limited edition pigment print - Editions of 5 Signed + numbered by artist, with certificate of authenticity This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hah...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Color, Digital Pigment
Abstract Ceiling, Cambria Hotel, Detroit
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Uniquely decorated with abstract designs throughout, The Cambria Hotel in Detroit is one of the most tastefully decorated in the country. Formerly WWJ Radio Station, it is now a pop...
Photographic Paper
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
"JM Basquiat-GB3" Photography (FRAMED) 48" x 48" inch Ed. 1/8 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"JM Basquiat-GB3" Photography (FRAMED) 48" x 48" inch Ed. 1/8 by Giuliano Bekor Original fine art photography by Giuliano Bekor Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA iss...
Metal
$1,302
Aporia II - abstract black and white figurative fine art photography, E.d. 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Aporia II is a black and white fine art photograph exploring uncertainty, inner conflict and the space between knowing and not knowing. The title comes from the Greek term for a stat...
Photographic Film
Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography)
By Seb Janiak
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
C Print
Facing South
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Facing South Edition 1/15 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 spen...
Archival Pigment
$531
'Black Hellebore No.5' black and white botanical film photograph, edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Black Hellebore No.5 reflects on openness and retreat through two flowers, one facing outward and one bowed. Made by Ugnė Pouwell on large format 4 × 5 film and printed on Hahnemühle...
Photographic Film, Paper, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Knot
By G.K. Austin
Located in Santa Monica, CA
C-Print mounted on acrylic board
C Print
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