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.
Contemporary Abstract Figurative Sculpture, "3 Torsos"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original figurative sculpture by San Diego artist, Susan Hawkins. Its dimensions are 9x8.5x.2.25. It is made of bronze. A certificate of authenticity will fol...
Metal
Trisha I - Elegant Original Figurative Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the strength of ancient Egyptian sculptures...
Metal, Bronze
Mid-Century Nude Male Acephale Sang de Boeuf Ceramic Sculpture with Marble Base.
By Franta (Frantisek Merte)
Located in Cotignac, FR
French Mid 20th Century ceramic figure of a man in Sang de Boeuf, oxblood red, glaze presented on a metal 'tige' and marble base. The sculpture is not signed but was purchased from ...
Marble
Metamorphosis abstract nude 1960s sculpture by John Robert Murray McCheyne
Located in London, GB
To see our other Modern British Art, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the artist you ...
Wood
Reclining Female Nude / - Original body landscape -
Located in Berlin, DE
Karl Josef Dierkes (1924 Dalhausen - 2008 ibid.), Reclining Female Nude, circa 1960. Bronze 26.5 cm (length), x 11 cm (height) x 7 cm (depth), signed “K.[arl] J.[osef] Dierkes” on th...
Bronze
Josie - Elegant Original Figurative Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
$6,515
L'Eclatée (The Fragmented One), an abstract bronze sculpture by Lili Mirante
Located in PARIS, FR
Lili Mirante (Paris, 1966 – last picture in the gallery) is a woman artist who lives and works in Paris. Born into a family of artists (her father was a renowned watercolorist), she ...
Bronze
Lovers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine abstract marble sculpture of two lovers, unsigned, in the manner of Lithuanian American artist William Zorach (1887-1966). Zorach was born in Eurberg, Lithuania, was brought t...
Marble
$2,100
Susi Con Cavallo - Horse and Female Figure One-of-a-kind Cubist Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
Female Torso
Located in Nottingham, GB
Original Penny Sculpture. This incredible sculpture has been created using 10p pieces, intricately welded together. The sculpture sits on a slate base ...
Metal, Steel
'Early Childhood, ' by Arman Hambardzumyan, Bronze Sculpture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 35.43" x 9.84" bronze sculpture by Armenian artist, Arman Hambardzumyan, features a faceless figural form with long legs and a short torso. Th...
Bronze
“Woman” Stainless Steel Sculpture by Marian Owczarski
Located in Chesterfield, MI
“Woman” is a Stainless Steel Sculpture by the artist Marian Owczarski. It measures approximately 15 x 8.5 x 6 inches. The date of creation is unknown,...
Stainless Steel
Dame Elisabeth Frink Bronze Relief Statue Of Man And Eagle Numbered 1/7 Maquette
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Dame Elisabeth Frink. English ( b.1930 - d.1993 ). Maquette For Man And Eagle. Bronze With Gold Brown Patina. Signed And Numbered 1/7 Lower Left. Size 8.7 inches x 10.2 inches ( 22cm x 26cm ). Depth 2.8 inches ( 7cm ). Weight 7.1lb ( 3.24KG). Available for sale; this original bronze plaque with raised relief is by Dame Elisabeth Frink and was conceived and cast in 1967. The maquette is presented and supplied unmounted. There is the option to hang the plaque from 2 rings applied to the rear when in previous ownership. This vintage bronze plaque...
Bronze
Brutalist Ceramic Sculpture Vase Bronze Lustre FInish California Expressionist
By Jenik Cook
Located in Surfside, FL
Jenik Cook Handmade ceramic vase or pot sculpture Hand signed by the artist. Fired clay with a luster bronze painted finish Jenik Esterm Simonian Cook is a painter and ceramicist ...
Ceramic, Luster, Paint
Figurative Grey Stone Sculpture of a Female
Located in Houston, TX
Figurative sculpture of a nude female figure. The stone is a grey tone with speckling. The artist signed and dated the piece in the crevice on the bottom. Jose Zacarias is known for ...
Stone
$5,330
Humeur Vagabonde (Wandering Mood) a geometrical bronze sculpture by Lili Mirante
Located in PARIS, FR
Lili Mirante (born in Paris, 1966 - last picture in the gallery) is a woman artist who lives and works in Paris. Born into a family of artists (her father was a renowned watercoloris...
Bronze
"Victim of War (WWII)" Signed, Stainless Steel Sculpture
Located in Chesterfield, MI
This dramatic stainless steel sculpture titled "Victim of War" by Marian Owczarski depicts a falling figure reaching towards the sky. The figure is suspended by a single leg which Ow...
Stainless Steel
Female Torso
Located in Nottingham, GB
Original Penny Sculpture. This incredible sculpture has been created using 10p pieces, intricately welded together. The sculpture sits on a slate base ...
Metal, Steel
$175
H 15 in W 8.5 in D 6 in
“Woman” Stainless Steel Sculpture by Marian Owczarski
Located in Chesterfield, MI
“Woman” is a Stainless Steel Sculpture by the artist Marian Owczarski. It measures approximately 15 x 8.5 x 6 inches. The date of creation is unknown,...
Stainless Steel
$4,382
H 6.11 in W 12.21 in D 6.7 in
Woman - XXI century Contemporary figurative bronze sculpture, Classical, Realism
Located in Warsaw, PL
RYSZARD PIOTROWSKI (born in 1952) Sculptor. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. His works include intimate, small forms in marble, bronze and silver. He specializes...
Marble, Bronze
$16,682
H 19.69 in W 7.88 in
Ad Dextram Bronze Sculpture Nude Boy Male Figure Marble Stone
Located in Utrecht, NL
Ad Dextram Bronze Sculpture Nude Boy Male Figure Marble Stone Wim van der Kant (1949, Kampen) is a selftaught artist. Nex...
Marble, Bronze
$16,267
H 17.72 in W 7.88 in
Crepis Bronze Sculpture Nude Boy Male Figure Marble Stone
Located in Utrecht, NL
Crepis Bronze Sculpture Nude Boy Male Figure Marble Stone Wim van der Kant (1949, Kampen) is a selftaught artist. Next to his busy profession as a teacher at...
Marble, Bronze
$16,765
H 27.56 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Aquila Bronze Sculpture Nude Boy Marble Stone Contemporary In Stock
Located in Utrecht, NL
Aquila Bronze Sculpture Nude Boy Marble Stone Contemporary In Stock - Sculpture without Stone is 57 cm high Wim van der Kant (1949, Kampen) is a selftaught a...
Marble, Bronze
$2,012
H 6.11 in W 2.76 in D 2.17 in
1980 Italy Late 20th Century Bronze Multiple Male Nude Bust by Roberto Nanut
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging bronze sculpture on black wooden base, well represents a human bust, but for its expressive force, the bust turns into an abstract shape of it. The artist who created t...
Bronze
$674
H 3.55 in W 5.91 in D 3.15 in
Cortney. By Nando Kallweit. Elegant bronze figurative sculpture of a female.
Located in Coltishall, GB
Cortney is an elegant figurative bronze sculpture by Nando Kallweit. Modelled on modern youthful postures but with a nod to the importance of heritage through the stylised Egyptian-...
Bronze
$1,776Sale Price|40% Off
H 7.88 in W 5.91 in D 7.88 in
Early 19th century Romantic marble sculpture - Kiss figures
Located in Varmo, IT
White marble sculpture - The Kiss. 19th century. 15 x 20 x h 20 cm including base, 12 x 17 x h 18 cm excluding base. Entirely in white marble, some small breaks and repairs. - ...
Marble
Cubist Nude Bronze Sculpture
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Cubist Nude Patinated Bronze Sculpture. Dominique Polles' bronze sculptures of female nude edition 2/4 patinated bronze signed and dated 1999. Born in Paris in 1945, young Pollès of...
Bronze
$17,949
H 20.87 in W 3.94 in
Aestus Bronze Sculpture Marble Stone Nude Boy Contemporary
Located in Utrecht, NL
Aestus Bronze Sculpture Marble Stone Nude Boy Contemporary Wim van der Kant (1949, Kampen) is a selftaught artist. Next to his busy profession as a teacher ...
Marble, Bronze
Apollo
Located in PARIS, FR
"Apollo" by Henri Bouchard (1875-1960) An Art Deco period masterpiece! Exceptional bronze sculpture with a golden-brown patina Signed " H. Bouchard " Unique piece This work personifies Apollo, god of the Arts. Represented here as Apollo Musagète, leader of the procession of muses and winner of the serpent Python. This subject was commissioned to adorn the entrance to the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, and whose monumental bronze is still exhibited there. To participate in the Venice Biennale in 1938, Henri Bouchard had reduced in 1937 the large Apollo of the Palais de Chaillot, which had not yet been installed. Vintage cast by Bisceglia (cast founder stamp) made during the artist's lifetime. Incised dedication below signature : " à mon cher ami E. Sandoz " This is a unique cast made for the sculptor Edouard-Marcel Sandoz (1881-1971). This cast was exhibited at the 1938 Venice Biennale. France 1937 height : 82 cm width : 45 cm depth : 30 cm weight : 31,2 kgs Stickers under the bronze cast : - Sticker mentioning that this cast has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale of 1938 under the number 354 ("Biennale Internaz. d'Arte Venezia – 1938 – XVI – 354"). - Sticker mentioning that this cast went through Italian customs ("ne – merci – dogana italiana – visitate - 9622") - Damaged Sticker mentioning the name ("A…") and the address ("25…") of the owner of the cast (maybe for the workshop "Atelier Henri Bouchard", 25 rue d’Yvettes, 75016 Paris). Provenance : - Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, Paris, according to the dedication. - Property from the Collection of Seymour Stein (entrepreneur and founder of Sire Records, famous American record label ; and avid collector of 19th and 20th century fine art...
Bronze
Nude Torso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A tall dynamic chipped wood standing nude torso mounted on a stone base. Great form and patina. Stone, wood and ceramics sculptor Lorrie Goulet, who also makes drawings and lithograp...
Stone
Nude Torso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A tall dynamic chipped wood standing nude torso mounted on a stone base. Great form and patina. Stone, wood and ceramics sculptor Lorrie Goulet, who also makes drawings and lithograp...
Stone
Lucas - One-of-a-kind Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
Emilio - One-of-a-kind Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the strength of ancient Egyptian sculptures...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 7 in W 3 in D 2 in
José - One-of-a-kind Male Cubist Sitting Figure Original Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 12 in W 6 in D 2 in
Neile - Graceful Female Figure Modern Cubist Solid Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
Two Figurative Bronze Sculptures - Dean and Mareike
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two Figurative Bronze Sculptures For Sale: Dean (4x3x3 inches) and Mareike (9x2x2 inches) German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the strength of ancient Egyptian...
Metal, Bronze
Terracotta bozzetto, dancing woman nude
Located in Greding, DE
Terracotta bozzetto of a dancing female nude with scarf in mannerist style, on square base.
Terracotta
Sold
H 34.26 in W 11.82 in D 8.67 in
Leap of Faith - Wall mount abstract figure Nude Male bronze sculpture modern art
By Ian Edwards
Located in London, Chelsea
In the expression of our heart’s desires, we take the Leap of Faith. A powerful figurative Nude bronze sculpture, signed , Ed of 12. Edwards’ practice expresses the power and deter...
Bronze
Lea - One-of-a-kind Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
Davide - One-of-a-kind Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze
Leandro - One-of-a-kind Bronze Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...
Metal, Bronze