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.
Gaia 59 - Clouds Sky Birds Murmuration Black and White Landscape Photograph
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 59 - Clouds and Sky Murmuration Black and White Photographic Print by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 59 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper by Awa...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital
$440Sale Price|88% Off
Abstract II., Photography, Fine Art Print, Limited
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography, printed as fine art print, limited edition of 15, signed by the author.
Archival Pigment
Unfold - black and white abstract flower photograph, limited edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Unfold is a black-and-white abstract botanical photograph by Ugnė Pouwell, exploring form, shadow, and layered texture. A sculptural floral presence emerges from soft, drifting silho...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper
Intersect # 202101 (Abstract photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Intersect # 202101 (Abstract photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 4.5mm Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request 5-6 week turnaround. Backed with Dibond and C-channel hangi...
Plexiglass, C Print
BLEED # 202042 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
BLEED # 202042 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request - 4 week turnaround. Backed with extruded polystyrene, co...
Plexiglass, C Print
Bleed # 202042 (Abstract Photography)
By Paul Snell
Located in London, GB
Bleed # 202042 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic Print Face-mounted 3mm Matte Plexiglas - Unframed. Available on request - 4 week turnaround. Backed with extruded polystyrene, co...
Plexiglass, C Print
Stearman Tail, Boeing Stearman model 75, Chino, USA
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
Gaia 21 - Springtime in Catalonia Black and White Diptych Nature Photography
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 21 - Springtime in Catalonia Black and White Diptych Nature Photography by Jaume Llorens Bach Gaia 21 is a 18cm x 24cm Black-and-White print on Premio Kozo 180gsm White Paper b...
Photographic Paper, Black and White, Digital, Color
Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography)
By Seb Janiak
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 83 (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
1948 Picasso Sculpture Photogravure by Brassaï, French Framed Modernist Print
By Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, ES
Issued in France in 1948, this photogravure by Brassaï reproduces one of Picasso’s sculptural constructions with striking clarity and dramatic tonal control. The print belongs to the...
Paper
ID No. 14, 11, 6 and 16. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the for...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#267, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#270, 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
#266, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#271, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#268, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
#223, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
ID No. 11, 5, 1 and 15. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$1,076
Bleeding Iron by Luca Marziale - contemporary photography, vivid colors, Iceland
Located in Paris, FR
Bleeding Iron is a photograph from the Testament series by contemporary photographer Luca Marziale. Dimensions : * 30 x 30 inches (76.2 x 76.2 cm), edition of 10 * 45 x 45 inches (...
Photographic Paper
#192, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Peacock Displaying Blue and Green Plumage
Located in Miami, FL
Sometimes the simplest images are the most complex. Peacock Displaying Blue and Green Plumage is more than a bird portrait. It's a portrait of a bird as a living work of abstract ar...
Inkjet
ID No. 5 The Naive. Limited edition photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
In this early photographic series, Dubravka Lazić turns her lens toward a subject rarely treated with such a quiet dignity: domestic cats. Shot in 2005, these portraits mimic the fo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Woodland Game 1. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"The triptychs comprise three digital photograph and presents a series of photographs that reimagine play with children’s toys by placing them in real-world settings. This transforma...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
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, ...
C Print
'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 3 of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 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 charc...
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$432Sale Price|20% Off
Peony No.14 - still life abstract floral photogrpahy, limited edition 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Peony No.14 Printed on museum-grade Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta paper, each print is hand-signed by the artist on both the front and back, numbered as part of a limited edition of 2...
Archival Paper
$1,076
Selassie IX by Luca Marziale - volcanic landscape photography, purple, Ethiopia
Located in Paris, FR
Selassie IX is a photograph from the Testament series by contemporary photographer Luca Marziale. Dimensions : * 30 x 30 inches (76.2 x 76.2 cm), edition of 10 * 45 x 45 inches (11...
Photographic Paper
#225, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Savanna Games. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The polyptich comprise four digital photograph and presents a series of photographs that reimagine play with children’s toys by placing them in real world settings. Savanna Games pr...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Iris Eye #13, 2022, digitally made abstract print, edition of 2, signed
By Gary Cruz
Located in New York, NY
Iris Eye #13, feels like a blossoming aperture—its center a radiant star encircled by deep magenta segments that suggest both iris fibers and flower petals. The repeated arc forms b...
Archival Pigment
"Metal Woman in the Mirror" abstract photo & sculpture, 8 x 10 color photo 2026
Located in Chesterfield, MI
An Abstract Metal Woman is reflected in a contermporary mirror in this photograph. The sculpture is by Polish American Sculptor Marian Owczarski and the photo is by American photogr...
Photographic Paper
"Rothko Series 3: ND2-2-2" (2015) Archival Abstracted Texture Photo Print
Located in Denver, CO
"Rothko Series 3:ND2-2-2" Is a beautiful original edited photography print, done on archival photo canvas. Daniel J. Kaufman (b. New York City, May 4th, 1949) Childhood in Great Nec...
Canvas
Blooms in Red - abstract analog colour photography, limited edition of 20
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
#260, 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
"Butterfly 1" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/24 by Giuliano Bekor
Located in Culver City, CA
"Butterfly 1" Photography 24" x 24" in Edition 1/24 by Giuliano Bekor Title: Butterfly B1 Year: 2018 Print size: 24" x 24" Inch Edition: 1/24 Artist proof: 2 Medium: Archival fin...
Archival Pigment
Poppy on ink - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Poppy on Ink' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. Print...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
#205, 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
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
Encaixe. From the Trama series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
#226, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
$6,500
New York City Street Starbursts over Mid-Town Manhattan -Abstract Photography
Located in Miami, FL
Streetlights on Manhattans' Sixth Avenure transform into a starburst of kaleidoscope color through an act of creativity from Photographer Mitchell Funk. The emanating light is a m...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
#233, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request. Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Pigment
Hole in One. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Tonelada. From the Trama series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Privilégio. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Degradê. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Gap. From the Trama series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Fortress. From the Trama series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Canvas
Aluminum Siding Bale
Located in New York, NY
60"x40" framed photograph This photograph is from Stephen Mallon's series, "American Reclamation" and depicts bailed Aluminum Siding. The recycling industry in America and its va...
Photographic Paper, C Print
Tones. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Tides. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Transparência. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Theater. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
Vedado. From The Lavori in Corso series
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
1991 "Gate" Large Scale Signed Vintage Silver gelatin Print Photograph
By Zeke Berman
Located in Surfside, FL
Gate Taught Version 1991. Large format silver gelatin photo. signed and dated. Zeke Berman’s still lifes are fabrications derived from the material of ordinary and intimate experienc...
Silver Gelatin
Trip to Egypt. Cyanotype
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The photos from the series Let Me Tell You a Story show, each one individually, certain themes through strongly narrative visual units. Each photograph is dedicated to a specific rep...
Archival Paper
#139, 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
$3,800
Maze Me 01 and She Said 01, Diptych. Abstract Liminited Edition photographs
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artists computer-generated paintings merge craftsmanship and technology, creating an eclectic and unique style. Through her art, she aims to illuminate the world. Tcherassi's wo...
Archival Pigment
Untitled IX. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The exploration of the concept of play as an artistic impulse presents playful, almost "baroque-written"photographs that are the result of a repeated (recycled) notion of play. Start...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Desert Games. From LenkPlay Series. Limited edition color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The diptych comprises two digital photographs and presents a series of photographs that reimagine play with children’s toys by placing them in real-world settings. Desert Games prese...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment