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.
Desert Flame - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
Nebula XL - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
Double Helix Vertical Lg - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
Posture by Julien Guarneri - Stainless Steel Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Posture (2022) by Julien Guarneri Sanded stainless steel sculpture, 42 × 11 × 13 cm / 16.5 × 4.3 × 5.1 in. (Can be produced on a monumental scale - contact us for further information...
Stainless Steel
$1,260
Don't Let Them Burst your Bubble: Cerulean 61426 - Abstract Glass Sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary cerulean colored glass wall sculpture was created by Cheryl Wilson Smith. Each work is individually hand-formed in glass, so slight variations in colour, shape, an...
Glass, Blown Glass
Dualis Chimera I: Primal Shadow, sculpture, ceramic
Located in Zofingen, AG
Ceramic sculpture, granite, ceramics, paints. 1046 gradus Size of painting - 17cm x 26cm x 47cm, (7" x 10" x 18.5") Part of the Dualis Chimera series, this sculpture explores the coe...
Granite
Double Dancer Huge - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
Double Spinner Lg - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
$7,998
"Cloche" (Bell) Hand-Woven Smooth Pendant Sculpture in Grey Stainless Steel Wire
By Delphine Grandvaux
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Titled "CLOCHE", this airy metallic sculpture was entirely hand-woven by artist Delphine Grandvaux using stainless steel wire. This piece can be displayed both indoors and outdoors a...
Stainless Steel, Wire
No.020125 by Thierry Martenon - Monumental Abstract Wood Sculpture, Outdoor Art
Located in Paris, FR
No.020125 is an abstract wood sculpture by French sculptor Thierry Martenon. This monumental sculpture combines smooth geometric patterns with a highly textured surface. The artist ...
Wood
Bas-relief V - Geometric Abstract Wall Sculpture, Charred Mapple Wood
Located in Paris, FR
Bas-relief V is a wall sculpture made from maple wood by the artist Alban Lanore. The pieces in the Bas-reliefs series extend the artist’s exploration of geometry, balance and compos...
Wood
Tectonics 028
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Experience the captivating "Tectonics 028", a striking wall sculpture that delves into the interplay of structure and rhythm. This oversized piece, meticulously crafted from carved a...
Wood, Mixed Media
Double Helix Sail Huge - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
$46,000
Equilibre Rouille No.6 - Abstract Metal Outdoor Sculpture in Stainless Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary outdoor metal sculpture is geometric in shape. Philippe Pallafray's hand forged and welded stainless steel sculpture seems to defy gravity. The Quebec sculptor is ...
Metal
Union VI, Bronze by Delphine Brabant - Geometric Abstract Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Delphine Brabant: Union VI, Bronze, 2025 25 × 7 × 6 cm / 9.8 × 2.8 × 2.4 in 5 kg / 11 lbs Edition of 8 + 4 Artist's Proofs Union VI, Bronze is a sculpture by contemporary French art...
Bronze
Desert Lily Lg - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
Next by Julien Guarneri - Stainless Steel Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Agitation évolution inox (2024) by Julien Guarneri Stainless steel sculpture, 22 × 32 × 12 cm / 8.7 × 12.6 × 4.7 in. (Can be produced on a monumental scale - contact us for further i...
Stainless 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
$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
$58,000
Projection II - Abstract Stainless Steel Outdoor Sculpture, Contemporary Art
Located in Bloomfield, ON
As an acclaimed Quebec sculptor, Claude Millette is well known for his public artwork. Projection II is a fine example of Millette’s mastery in forging steel, his preferred material ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Bas-relief I - Geometric Abstract Wall Sculpture, Charred Mapple Wood
Located in Paris, FR
Bas-relief I is a wall sculpture made from maple wood by the artist Alban Lanore. The pieces in the Bas-reliefs series extend the artist’s exploration of geometry, balance and compos...
Wood
Pieced - Glass Sculpture, Abstract Wall Art, Soft Colors, 2010-
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Glass artist Cheryl Wilson Smith’s grandmother used to create hand-stitched quilts from cut squares of fabric. This beautiful wall sculpture with its patchwork pattern, and its soft ...
Glass
$17,500
Temps Zero: Contemporary Outdoor Sculpture, Stainless Steel, Red, 72x42
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This elegant contemporary outdoor sculpture in bright poppy red was hand-forged from stainless steel by Philippe Pallafray. Its eye-catching minimalist form has one large ring and tw...
Stainless Steel
$90,000
Cones 690: Abstract Sculpture, Hand Forged Aluminum, Dynamic Form
Located in Bloomfield, ON
He has been called the ‘Light Sculptor.’ Quebec artist Jean-Pierre Morin is inspired by the light and shapes found in nature. The pleasing organic shape of this gorgeous sculpture is...
Metal
$13,700
Cloudstack - Large Oversized Red Contemporary Geometric Metal Steel Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by dance and weightlessness, Granville Beals' industrial metal sculptures are primarily about relationships. Concerned with form and abstraction, he does not merely manipula...
Metal, Steel
Dualis Chimera II: Breath of Jade, sculpture, ceramic
Located in Zofingen, AG
Ceramic sculpture, granite, ceramics, paints. 1046 gradus Size of painting - 18cm x 23cm x 36cm, (7" x 9" x 14") Dualis Chimera II: Breath of Jade is an original contemporary sculptu...
Granite
Noteworthy - Original Contemporary Expressive Geometric Abstract Metal Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by dance and weightlessness, Granville Beals' industrial metal sculptures are primarily about relationships. Concerned with form and abstraction, he does not merely manipula...
Metal, Steel
Untitled III by Antoine Vidal - Vertical abstract sculpture, light gray and gold
Located in Paris, FR
Untitled III is an abstract sculpture by French artist Antoine Vidal. Bronze, 19.3 × 5.9 × 3.5 in (49 × 15 × 9 cm). Limited edition of 8 + 4 Artist's Proofs. Vidal's works in bronz...
Bronze
Huma by Antoine Vidal - abstract bronze sculpture, vertical
Located in Paris, FR
Huma is an abstract bronze sculpture by French artist Antoine Vidal. Vidal's works in bronze, very often marked by a verticality with totemic accents, reflect an aesthetic pursuit fo...
Bronze
Breeze - Abstract Sculpture in White Felt, Contemporary, Handmade, 2010+
By Chung-Im Kim
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary white sculptural wall hanging was handmade. For more than three decades, internationally acclaimed artist Chung Im-Kim has woven two worlds together. The Canadian...
Felt
$32,000
Shamsé 2- minimalist, contemporary, geometric abstract, steel outdoor sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This monumental metal outdoor sculpture is rendered in a contemporary geometric form. Amin Sadraei is a sculptural artist whose arresting work is based on the intricate beauty of tr...
Steel
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
"Flow"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This contemporary wooden wall sculpture is part of an ongoing series exploring rhythm, movement, and the expressive potential of natural material. Hand-carved from solid wood, the su...
Wood, Mixed Media
$4,900
Dale Chihuly Hand-Blown Mango & Teal Lip Glass Basket Sculpture Signed & Dated
By Dale Chihuly
Located in Portland, OR
Artist: Dale Chihuly Title: Mango Basket with Teal Lip Wrap Medium: Hand Blown Glass Size: 6 1/2" wide x 6 1/4" deep x 7" tall Signed: Inscribed and dated by Chihuly Year: 2000 Prove...
Blown Glass
$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
"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
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
$13,575
Sophia by Antoine Vidal - Bronze sculpture, organic forms, vertical artwork
Located in Paris, FR
Sophia is an abstract bronze sculpture by French artist Antoine Vidal. Dimensions are 50 × 14 × 13 cm (19.7 × 5.5 × 5.1 in). 8 editions, 4 artist's proofs. Antoine Vidal’s bronze sc...
Bronze
"Tectonics 016"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This work is part of the Tectonics series, exploring structure, rhythm, and material. Wall sculpture is crafted from charred wood, shaped into two vertical elements , emphasizing bot...
Wood, Mixed Media
$1,350
Don't Let Them Burst Your Bubble: Lagoon 2 XL - Blown Glass Sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary turquoise glass bubble tabletop sculpture is by Cheryl Wilson Smith. Cheryl Wilson Smith is known for her uniquely beautiful glass work-its form, colour and textur...
Glass, Blown Glass
My Joyful Heart - Lively Colorful Abstract 3-D Painted Weaving
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...
Wire
$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
Juste Milieu by Julien Guarneri - Stainless Steel Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Juste Milieu (2022) by Julien Guarneri Sanded stainless steel sculpture, 42 x 22 × 14 cm / 16.5 × 8.7 × 5.5 in. (Can be produced on a monumental scale - contact us for further inform...
Stainless Steel
$9,000Sale Price|62% Off
Three Totems - Large Oversized Abstract Modern Textural Grey Steel Sculptures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by dance and weightlessness, Granville Beals' industrial metal sculptures are primarily about relationships. His original artworks capture the essence of Abstract Expression...
Metal, Steel
$2,050
Deep Roots - Original Elegant Organic Abstract Redwood Sculpture with Maple Base
By Joe Garnero
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Garnero’s medium of choice for his winding abstract wood sculptures is reclaimed Redwood roots, which he finds along the northern California coast. The distinct curving shapes of...
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
$3,240Sale Price|40% Off
Oh So Blue - Tall Modern Large Contemporary Abstract Minimalism Steel Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by dance and weightlessness, Granville Beals' industrial metal sculptures are primarily about relationships. Concerned with form and abstraction, he does not merely manipula...
Metal, Steel
Zephyr Monumental 2/7 Mirror Polished Stainless Steel - outdoor sculpture
By Jeremy Guy
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This sculpture is number 2 in an edition of 7 and can be purchased on a commission basis. Please allow 24 -30 weeks before shipping. It can also be created in smaller sizes, between ...
Stainless 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
Mécanique Céleste Rouille V2 - (Celestial Mechanics Rust) - Outdoor Sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary outdoor architectural sculpture is forged from steel. Philippe Pallafray’s visually compelling monumental sculptures are widely collected around the world. The ide...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Equilibre Oblique 2/10 - monumental, geometric abstract, steel outdoor sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
As a young artist, Philippe Pallafray was inspired by sculpture masters and years later his dynamic contemporary sculptures are collected in both Canada and the United States. The Qu...
Stainless Steel
Sculpted white folds. 3D texture
Located in Zofingen, AG
The artwork is crafted on a wooden circular canvas, enhancing its organic and natural appeal. The folds, created from durable mesh and coated with plaster, add depth and texture to t...
Mixed Media
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
"Tectonics 09"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This work is part of the Tectonics series, exploring structure, rhythm, and material through repetitive carved patterns. The piece consists of three vertical panels forming a tripty...
Wood, Mixed Media
$2,900Sale Price|38% Off
Little Red Ball - Abstract Original Modern Playful Geometric Steel Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by dance and weightlessness, Granville Beals' industrial metal sculptures are primarily about relationships. His original artworks capture the...
Metal, Steel
Entfaltung 12 by Kuno Vollet - Contemporary red Steel sculpture for Outdoors
By Kuno Vollet
Located in DE
Contemporary red powder coated steel sculpture on polished black granite base for inside or garden outdoor spaces. base: 18x10x9,5cm Born in 1951 in Petersaurach, located in Upper F...
Granite, Steel
$1,850
Skirted Wall Plates Pair (Pistachio) - abstract, glazed, ceramic, wall sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary pair of ceramic wall plates is by Bruce Cochrane. The striking clay artwork of this Canadian artist has garnered him international attention, including several nom...
Ceramic
$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
CC #86 - Green Blue Abstract Geometric Wall Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Anna Kruhelska, a talented visual artist and practicing architect from Lodz, Poland, merges her expertise in both fields to create captivating artworks. With a background in major ar...
Wood, Plywood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,550
Chrome Double Doodle Mesa Bloom Sculpture - Abstract Powder Coated Steel
Located in Santa Fe, NM
It was the tumult of the sixties that compelled me to drop out of Swarthmore College, move “back to the land” and become an intuitive artist. I believed that if we were to survive a...
Steel