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.
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkin, Red/White, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Red/White Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued Notes...
Epoxy Resin
Bark Wall Sculpture, Abstract Geometric, Resin and Pigment
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the Series Reliefs Aquaresin and Pigment 79 H x 16.5 W in. This striking artwork features three elongated, vertical panels, each uniquely textured with a rugged, charred surf...
Resin, Pigment
"Ambient Resonance" - Organic hand-built ceramic sculpture bowl
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Ambient Resonance" Hand-coiled and pinched wide ceramic bowl sculpture by Jessamyn Go. Iron Speckled Brown Stoneware, White Crawl Glaze, White Glaze Interior Size: 11.5 x 11.5 x 7...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
White Standing Pod Ceramic Vessel Sculpture
Located in East Quogue, NY
"White Standing Pod", Ceramic Sculpture Dimensions: 5 H × 5.5 W × 5.5 D Medium: Hand-built ceramic, glazed stoneware Adrienne Fierman’s "White Standing Pod" embodies the meditative ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bark and Reliefs Abstract Geometric Wall Sculpture, Resin
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Bark and Reliefs, 2018 By Carla Gimbatti From the Series Reliefs Aquaresin and Pigment Overall Size: 79 H x 33 W in. Individual Size: (Bark) 79 H x 16.5 W in. (Reliefs) 79 H x 8....
Resin, Pigment
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkin, Red/White, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Red/White Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued Notes...
Epoxy Resin
Crustacean Green Ceramic Bowl Sculpture
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Green Crustacean Seapod", Ceramic Bowl Sculpture Dimensions: 8 H × 8 W × 5 D Medium: Hand-built ceramic, glazed stoneware Hand-built ceramic sculpture finished in a green glaze. Ad...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkin, Red/White, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Red/White Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued Notes...
Epoxy Resin
White Contemporary Ceramic Organic Clam Bowl Sculpture
Located in East Quogue, NY
White Clam Bowl Sculpture Dimensions: 8 x 11" diameter Glazed stoneware Hand-built ceramic bowl sculpture finished in a white, glossy glaze on the interior. Adrienne Fierman’s White...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Green Ceramic Seapod Sculpture
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Green Seapod", Ceramic Sculpture Dimensions: 7 H × 6 W × 6 D Medium: Hand-built ceramic, glazed stoneware Hand-built ceramic sculpture finished in a green glaze. Adrienne Fierman’s...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Pumpkins, Yellow/Black, Red/White (Two Sculptures), Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkins, Yellow/Black, Red/White (Two Sculptures) Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculptures Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches, each Insc...
Epoxy Resin
"Resonance" Metallic Raku glazed ceramic abstract stoneware sculpture
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
Stunning hand-pitched Raku metallic glazed, speckled stoneware ceramic sculpture by Jessamyn Go. Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the visceral, meditative experience of workin...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkins, Yellow/Black, Red/White (Two Sculptures), Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkins, Yellow/Black, Red/White (Two Sculptures) Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculptures Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches, each Insc...
Epoxy Resin
"Lunar Calendar VI" - wall sculpture, light, crystals, space
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Lunar Calendar VI" is a wall sculpture made of copper, paint, pigments & mica on wood + light LED lights are installed verso and there is an extension chord that needs to be plu...
Copper, Steel
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkin, Red/White, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Red/White Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued Notes...
Epoxy Resin
Green Seapod Ceramic Vessel Sculpture
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Dark Green Seapod", Ceramic Sculpture Dimensions: 5 H × 5.5 W × 5.5 D Medium: Hand-built ceramic, glazed stoneware Hand-built ceramic sculpture finished in a green glaze. Adrienne ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkin, Yellow/Black, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Yellow/Black Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued No...
Epoxy Resin
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkin, Yellow/Black, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Yellow/Black Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued No...
Epoxy Resin
Reliefes Wall Sculpture, Abstract Geometric, Resin and Pigment
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Bark and Reliefs, 2018 By Carla Gimbatti From the Series Reliefs Aquaresin and Pigment Overall size: 79 H x 16.6 W in. Individual size:79 H x 8.3 W in. each _____ After graduating ...
Resin, Pigment
Owl's Eye Hand Carved Wood Sculpture, Abstract, 21st Century, Unframed
By Greg Joubert
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand carved aspen wood sculpture torched burnished and painted Greg Joubert was born in 1977 and raised in the seaside New England town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Joubert gained hi...
Wood, Acrylic
$6,500
Rare 1970 Israeli Abstract Sculpture Steel Menashe Kadishman Suspension
Located in Surfside, FL
Beautiful table top sculpture by renowned Israeli sculptor Menashe Kadishman. Super quality, and visually stunning. There is a large sculpture of his in Rabin Square in the heart of ...
Stainless Steel
Perception Hand Carved Aspen Wood Sculpture, Abstract, 21st Century
By Greg Joubert
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand carved aspen wood sculpture torched burnished and painted Greg Joubert was born in 1977 and raised in the seaside New England town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Joubert gained hi...
Wood, Acrylic
Cuerpos Magnéticos Autum. Wall sculpture
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series Cuerpos Magnéticos (Magetic Bodies) Cuerpos Magnéticos was born searching for the relationship between nature and our bodies, attraction and rejection. We see rocks,...
Epoxy Resin, Pigment
$28,800
Land Ice Bohemian Crystal Sculpture, Optical Glass, Green Tones, Abstract, 2025
Located in Miami, FL
Land Ice Bohemian Crystal Sculpture, Optical Glass, Green Tones, Abstract, 2025 This striking sculpture by Jaroslav Prošek is a powerful exploration of form, light, and natural move...
Glass
"Ambient Chrome" Chrome metallic heart shaped glazed ceramic sculpture
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
Hand-pitched chrome metallic glazed heart shaped ceramic sculpture vessel by Jessamyn Go. Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the visceral, meditative experience of working with ...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Layered Hand-Carved Aspen Wood Sculpture, Abstract, Unframed
By Greg Joubert
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand carved aspen wood sculpture torched burnished and painted Greg Joubert was born in 1977 and raised in the seaside New England town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Joubert gained hi...
Wood, Acrylic
$2,000
Large Outdoor Vessel No 1 - glazed, outdoor, ceramic, snake and vessel sculpture
By Bill Greaves
Located in Bloomfield, ON
A decade ago, Bill Greaves took his niece to participate in a clay class at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto. He was entranced and soon afterwards began his...
Ceramic
Black Crush - Black Ceramic Porcelain Vase
By Mary Jaffe
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Black Crush" Porcelain sculptural vase with black satin glaze. Size: 11.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 Porcelain, ceramic, ceramic sculpture, functional sculpture, functional vessel, vessel, cerami...
Porcelain, Glaze
$5,500
All That Jazz XXI / ceramic wall sculpture - cream, white, neutral 36 x 36 in
Located in Burlingame, CA
Minimal Abstract Ceramic 36 x 36 inch wall sculpture in glossy and matte white ceramic tiles that are mounted to a white wood panel. A neutral work showcasing an "X" in matte white s...
Ceramic, Wood, Paint
"Organic Rhythm II" - Tall contemporary ceramic vase sculpture
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
Hand-coiled and pinched tall ceramic sculpture vessel by Jessamyn Go. Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the visceral, meditative experience of working with clay. Drawn to the t...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Tall Haptic Vessel (Scraped) - abstract, glazed, vessel, ceramic sculpture
By Bill Greaves
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This unique tall ceramic vessel is handmade. Bill Greaves creates handsome contemporary ceramics inspired by the colours, forms and textures found in nature. The Canadian ceramicist...
Ceramic
Warm Luau Ceramic Sculpture, Abstract Style, 21st Century, Unframed
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Warm Luau" is an original, painted ceramic sculpture by John Oliver Lewis measuring 7”h x 5”w x 5”d. ABOUT // Originally from Wisconsin, John Oliver Lewis currently lives and works...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Owl's Eye Hand Carved Wood Sculpture, Abstract, 21st Century, Unframed
By Greg Joubert
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand carved aspen wood sculpture torched burnished and painted Greg Joubert was born in 1977 and raised in the seaside New England town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Joubert gained hi...
Wood, Acrylic
"Ancestral" - wall sculpture, paddle, copper, tree
Located in Atlanta, GA
Corrina is inspired by the work of Louise Bourgeois, Louise Nevelson, Albert Paley, Lee Bontecou. Corrina Sephora is an Atlanta-based mixed-media Artist specializing in sculpture, p...
Bronze, Copper
Black Oval Pinch - Black Pinched Oval Porcelain Ceramic Vase
By Mary Jaffe
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Black Oval Pinch" Pinched Oval Porcelain sculptural vase with black satin glaze by Mary Jaffe. Size: 7.5 x 6 x 4 in Mary Jaffe creates functional and sculptural ceramics inspired...
Porcelain, Glaze
Pulse Point - Chrome metallic glazed ceramic sculpture
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
Hand-pitched chrome metallic glazed ceramic sculpture vessel by Jessamyn Go. Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the visceral, meditative experience of working with clay. Drawn t...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Silver Orbit by Kuno Vollet - Contemporary brass sculpture with silver base
By Kuno Vollet
Located in DE
Contemporary Minimal Silver polished stainless steel sculpture. It is a stunning polished stainless steel and makes for an elegant statement in any garden, lobby or private home. Ku...
Marble, Brass
"Ut Tenebras" Dimensional Geode Motif Wall-Hanging Sculpture
By Paige Smith (A Common Name)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Ut Tenebras" is an original sculptural work in a painted wooden frame by Paige Smith (A Common Name). The piece is solid resin dyed and cast by the artist and measures 18in x 12in ...
Resin, Silicone, Wood
Coral Mood (small)
Located in Zofingen, AG
In Coral Mood sculpture, bronze transforms into a living organism. The organic form recalls underwater reefs, echoing the fragile yet eternal architecture of the sea. Its folds and c...
Bronze
From the series- “Visions from a White Hole” (small)
By Brittany Gould
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"From the series- “Visions from a White Hole” (small)" is an original an original ceiling-hanging luminous sculptural work made of PVC and light element measuring approximately 11" x...
PVC, Acrylic Polymer, Lights
Green Seapod Ceramic Vessel Sculpture
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Green Seapod", Ceramic Sculpture Dimensions: 7 H × 6 W × 6 D Medium: Hand-built ceramic, glazed stoneware Hand-built ceramic sculpture finished in a green glaze. Adrienne Fierman’s...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Balance Hand Carved Aspen Wood Sculpture, Abstract, 21st Century
By Greg Joubert
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand carved aspen wood sculpture torched burnished and painted Greg Joubert was born in 1977 and raised in the seaside New England town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Joubert gained hi...
Wood, Acrylic
Zig Zag / ceramic wall sculpture - cream, white, neutral 36 x 36 in
Located in Burlingame, CA
Minimal Abstract Ceramic 36 x 36 inch wall sculpture in glossy and matte white ceramic tiles that create a zig-zag motif. Tiles are mounted to a white wood panel. A neutral work of a...
Ceramic, Wood, Paint
Cream String - Porcelain Vase Sculpture
By Mary Jaffe
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Cream String" round porcelain vase sculpture with cream and white satin glaze. Size: 7 x 8 x 8 inches Porcelain, ceramic, ceramic sculpture, functional sculpture, functional vessel...
Porcelain, Glaze
Santiago Medina - INFINITY (OUTDOOR MONUMENTAL), Sculpture 2022
Located in Greenwich, CT
This sculpture is made out of Outdoor Marine Italian Stainless Steel. This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.
Stainless Steel
Madame Butterfly Sculpture, Abstract Wood and Polystyrene
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The act of painting becomes a form of meditation. Marino explains that the time and process of creating work are at the core of what the painting wants to mean, declaring: that is ho...
Polystyrene, Wood
$18,000
Duality R - dynamic, translucent, red, glass, steel, abstract wall sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Elegantly curved deep red glass pieces in twos are suspended on fine black steel cables in this dramatic new wall sculpture by Canadian artist John Paul Robinson. His glass work is i...
Metal
Transition (White) Abstract Wood Sculpture, 21st Century, Hand Carved
By Greg Joubert
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand carved aspen wood sculpture torched burnished and painted Greg Joubert was born in 1977 and raised in the seaside New England town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Joubert gained hi...
Wood, Acrylic
Don Frost - Devon, Sculpture 2026
By Don Frost
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fiberglass/carbon fiber with a burnished graphite finish on composite base "Don Frost, sculptor, creator of completely unique, innovative and original fine art. ""We can only truly...
Resin, Fiberglass, Polyester, Lacquer, Acrylic Polymer, Graphite
Cascade, Hanging Sculpture, Metal art, Gold, Anodised aluminium, Nature, Energy
Located in Deddington, GB
Cascade is a hanging sculpture by artist Simon Day. HANDMADE TO ORDER : 8-12 WEEKS The material is anodised aluminium. Complete size of sculpture: 340 H x 170 W x 25 D cm (133.86 x ...
Metal
"L'eau" - wall sculpture, metal, paddle, staff, feathers
Located in Atlanta, GA
"L'eau" is a wall sculpture made of forged and fabricated steel and copper featuring blue and red hues. Corrina is inspired by the work of Louise Bourgeois, Louise Nevelson, Albert ...
Copper, Steel
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Pumpkins, Yellow/Black, Red/White (Two Sculptures), Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkins, Yellow/Black, Red/White (Two Sculptures) Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculptures Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches, each Insc...
Epoxy Resin
$6,750
John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Holiday 35 (Speckled Stone), Sculpture 2017
Located in Greenwich, CT
Riverstone/ Pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major fo...
Stone, Metal, Steel
"Grandpa's Birthdatay Cake" Sculpture 35 x 29 x 29 in by Yoram Katz
By Yoram Katz
Located in Culver City, CA
"Grandpa's Birthdatay Cake" Sculpture 35 x 29 x 29 in by Yoram Katz Medium: Mix Media, Recycled items Recycling Series Recognizing the importance of environmental issues that face ...
Mixed Media
"Steel City Dragster" Mixed-Media Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
To Chicago-based artist Patrick Fitzgerald, his miniature car sculptures are a means of traveling through time. Born from a fascination with the soap box derby cars of his youth, eac...
Wood, Mixed Media, Oil, Cardboard
Celadon Green Ribbed Texture Ceramic Vessel Vase with Fold
By Mary Jaffe
Located in East Quogue, NY
Textured Green Ceramic Vessel Vase with Fold Porcelain with green celadon glaze Size: 4.5 × 3.5 × 3 in Mary Jaffe creates functional and sculptural ceramics inspired by vast landsca...
Porcelain, Glaze
Small White Oval Crackle Ceramic Porcelain Vessel with Crushed Edge
By Mary Jaffe
Located in East Quogue, NY
Small oval vessel with crushed-edge porcelain with white crackle glaze Size: 5.75 H x 4 x 3 inches Mary Jaffe creates functional and sculptural ceramics inspired by vast landscapes...
Porcelain, Glaze
Pumpkin, Yellow/Black, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Yellow/Black Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued No...
Epoxy Resin
Pumpkin, Yellow/Black, Yayoi Kusama 草間 彌生
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (1929) Title: Pumpkin, Yellow/Black Year: 2016 Medium: Painted cast resin sculpture Sculpture Size: 4 × 3.5 x 3.5 inches Inscription: ©Yayoi Kusama, as issued No...
Epoxy Resin
Ribbed Porcelain Vessel Vase with Blue Celadon Glaze
By Mary Jaffe
Located in East Quogue, NY
Ribbed texture porcelain folded vessel vase with blue Celadon glaze Size: 6 x 5 x 5 inches Mary Jaffe creates functional and sculptural ceramics inspired by vast landscapes and the...
Porcelain, Glaze