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.
Mistique, 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract Sculpture, Marble
Located in Barcelona, Catalonia
Beautiful Abstract Black Marble Sculpture The Ingravidesa Sculpture Alliance is formed by an international group of sculptors and desi...
Marble
$2,250
Istorzo
By Kosso Eloul
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Kosso Eloul (1920-1995) is one of our favorite sculptors and an important contributor to public art in Toronto and beyond. In addition to the numerous public sculptures in Toronto b...
Metal
Shatter Stainless
Located in Lenox, MA
Shatter Stainless 14.5" x 8.5" x 8.5" High Chromium Stainless Steel Unique $60,000
Stainless Steel
"Bronze Age" Triptych Sculpture Set, Unique Burnt Wood and Bronze Art
Located in Zofingen, AG
This triptych consists of three individual sculptures and is sold only together. The price is for the entire set. The burnt wood is covered with a patina and bronze elements of abstr...
Bronze
Open Clef Ed. 2/15 - abstract, sculpture, contemporary, bronze
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary bronze indoor sculpture was inspired by music and created by David Chamberlain. David Chamberlain’s compelling, lyrical sculptures are celebrations of form inspire...
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture 'O.T. VII' by Carola Eggeling, Bronze Polished
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze Sculpture 'O.T. VII' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German bronze sculpture Bronze Polished Certificate of authenticity Numbered and sign...
Bronze
"Totem", wood and bronze sculpture, one of kind. 2007
Located in Zofingen, AG
This sculpture is inspired by ancient folk art and is called a "Totem", like those ancient obelisks that stand at places of power. The base of the sculpture is cherry wood. All the c...
Bronze
$19,246
Silver Orbit by Kuno Vollet Contemporary Stainless Steel sculpture for Outdoors
By Kuno Vollet
Located in DE
Artist: Kuno Vollet Title: Silver Orbit Very large Contemporary stainless steel sculpture for inside or garden outdoor spaces. Beautiful spiral dancing its way towards the sky.
Steel
$42,100
Sezione Aurea-C3 by Mattia Bosco - Monumental sculpture, marble, white, gold
Located in Paris, FR
Sezione Aurea-C3 is a unique monumental sculpture by contemporary artist Mattia Bosco. This sculpture is made of Cave Michelangelo statuary marble and 23.8-carat gold leaf, dimension...
Marble, Gold Leaf
Ceramic #2405
Located in Fairfield, CT
Alice Federico was born in Selma, Alabama in 1945. She received a BA degree in history from Hollins University (1967), an MFA in ceramics from East Carolina University (1977), as wel...
Ceramic
1974 Italy Abstract Bronze Sculpture Post-Modern Oval Sphere by Carmelo Cappello
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an intense bronze abstract sculpture created by the well known Italian artist Carmelo Cappello. This is a multiple of 250 specimens. It is made in bronze with a wooden black...
Bronze
$5,172
Textile and Glass Hanging Sculpture “Suspended Whispers” by Vivian Alarcón
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Au...
Textile, Glass, Fiberglass
Bronze Sculpture 'Rosenmontagsstele' by Carola Eggeling
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze Sculpture 'Rosenmontagsstele' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German bronze sculpture Numbered and signed artwork Limited edition of 6 Meas...
Bronze
Figural Terracotta Sculpture, Alexander Ney, 'Guardian', 2012
Located in New York, NY
'Guardian', 2008 Alexander Ney White Italian Terra Cotta 6 x 9.25 x 2.75 in. / 15 x 24 x 7 cm. Unique Work, Signed by the Artist underside The ‘Guardian’ by visionary artist Alexand...
Terracotta
$6,615
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
$5,000
Abstract Australian Post Modernist Sculpture Peter D. Cole Metal, Enamel, Marble
Located in Surfside, FL
Peter D. Cole (Australian, b. 1947) Symbols of Landscape, 1987 Mixed metal, enamel and marble signed P.D. Cole and dated 21 x 6 1/2 x 6 in (53 x 16.5 x 15cm) Provenance: Macquarie G...
Marble, Metal, Enamel
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
GEMINI - Abstract Slip Cast Ceramic Fine Art Sculpture Artist Signed 1994
Located in Chico, CA
Slip cast form. Fired to cone 01. Glaze fired to cone 07. Finished with acrylics and oils Dimensions: 13"h x 10"w x 7"d Year: 1994 Reflecting on her Mexican roots, Nora Pineda...
Ceramic, Clay
Stack IV : contemporary modern geometric sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Greg Chann creates contemporary modern abstract geometric sculptures. His constructions are complex interwoven systems of physical elements varying in size, material, and color. Thes...
Acrylic
Wall-Mounted Abstract Carved Wood Art Panel Sculpture by Maxime Tendero
Located in Atlanta, GA
Transform your private space with this exquisite, handcrafted abstract wood art panel—a true testament to modernist design. Created by renowned French artist Maxime Tendero (1927-199...
Wood
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
L'Escalier Sous La Table bronze wood steps
Located in Palm Desert, CA
These sculptures were inspired by the spirituality of the twelve-step programs and the eight-fold path of Buddhism. Meshing these philosophies with meditation led me to express these small sculptures to achieve the connection between art and spirit. Wire figures...
Bronze
Totems by Frédérique Domergue - Set of abstract metal sculptures, steel, bronze
Located in Paris, FR
Totems is a set of sculptures by French contemporary artist Frédérique Domergue. The sculptures are made with oxidized zinc and bronze leaves on aluminum, patina fixed with oak slats...
Bronze, Steel
Orpheus Sculpture with Bird & Blocks
Located in Milford, NH
A fine abstract expressionist assemblage by American artist Varujan Boghosian (1926-2020). Boghosian was born in New Britain, CT and after serving in the United States Navy, he attended Central Connecticut Teachers College and the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. In 1953, he had a Fulbright grant to paint in Italy, and from 1956 to 1959, he worked with Josef Albers, geometric abstractionist, at Yale University where he earned both his BFA and MFA. Boghosian became a professor of sculpture at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, and became primarily known for his assemblages in which he uses a variety of incongruous objects such as parts of weathered barn...
Found Objects
Sculpture in Brass "Angel #7"
Located in New York, NY
Reclining figure in Brass by Jacques Jarrige. Formed with a ribbon of brass and hand hammered. #7 from a series of 18 Each is unique and signed
Brass
Ragisména series White M8, Abstract Wall Sculpture
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Ragisména which in Greek means cracked, has its materiality manifested through the desire to recreate and make feelings, memories and mythology tangible in the physical world. The wo...
Canvas, Plaster
$5,500
"Yellow Graphite - Out", Hand Cut Paper Wall Relief Sculpture, Abstract
Located in New York, NY
"Yellow Graphite - Out" by Elizabeth Gregory-Gruen Hand cut 2-ply museum board, gouche This sculptural wall piece can mounted in a plexi box (dimensions: 24" x 20" x 3") Cut Work -...
Paint, Paper, Gouache, Board
Bulle d'Or 4- white and gold textural floral abstract circle on sculpted paper
Located in New York, NY
Anne-Charlotte Saliba's artistic universe is largely inspired by nature, its abyssal dimension as well as its vegetal or mineral forms. Her sculpted artworks are a confrontation of s...
Archival Paper
Undulating Trio in White Outdoor Large Abstract Metal Sculpture
By Zammy Migdal
Located in Miami, FL
This large monumental white sculpture is actually painted in three colors of white. The outdoor/indoor work is suited for any environment as it is fabricated from aluminum and poly...
Aluminum
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
Stretch 33/100
By Sandy Graves
Located in Napa, CA
Born in Colorado and raised in Nebraska, Sandy Graves first forayed into the art world by presenting work as a child and 4-H member at local county fairs. As she continued her educat...
Bronze
Untitled I by Antoine Vidal - Vertical abstract sculpture, light gray and gold
Located in Paris, FR
Untitled I is an abstract sculpture by French artist Antoine Vidal. Bronze, 23.6 × 6.3 × 5.5 in (60 × 16 × 14 cm). Limited edition of 8 + 4 Artist's Proofs. Vidal's works in bronze...
Bronze
Green moon - abstract figurative sculpture
By Gal Melnick
Located in New York, NY
This abstract figurative sculpture by Gal Melnick is from here latest body of works. It is a laser cut metal sculpture which is painted with automotive pai...
Metal
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The sculpture is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Metal
$12,000
L'Envol II (The Flight) - contemporary, abstract, mild steel indoor sculpture
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This stunning modern abstract sculpture is made from steel and its form was inspired by nature. The contemporary sculptural work of Quebec artist Claude Millette has been lauded int...
Steel
$31,756
Korè-Elba granite by Mattia Bosco - Monumental sculpture, marble, Rome, Korai
Located in Paris, FR
Korè-Elba granite is a unique monumental sculpture by contemporary artist Mattia Bosco. This sculpture is made of Elba granite, dimensions are 176.5 × 48 × 88.5 cm (69.5 × 18.9 × 34....
Granite
Eros by Antoine Vidal - abstract bronze sculpture, vertical
Located in Paris, FR
Eros 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
CSP 1882, Abstract Geometric Acrylic Sculpture by Unknown Artist
Located in Long Island City, NY
Unknown Artist - CSP 1882, Year: 1991, Medium: Colored Acrylic Sculpture, signature, date and title inscribed bottom left, Size: 24 x 18.5 x 3 in. (60.96 x 46.99 x 7.62 cm)
Resin
Suspended Organic Metamorfosis Natural Raffia Textile Sculpture by Eliurpi 2026
By Eliurpi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
At Escat Gallery we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and professionalism for our collectors. Every artwork in our collection comes with a Certificate of Au...
Textile
$43,303
Sezione Aurea-C2 by Mattia Bosco - Monumental sculpture, marble, white, gold
Located in Paris, FR
Sezione Aurea-C2 is a unique monumental sculpture by contemporary artist Mattia Bosco. This sculpture is made of Cave Michelangelo statuary marble and 23.8-carat gold leaf, dimension...
Marble, Gold Leaf
Signed Handmade Felt textile tree w/ quilting stitching, African-American artist
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This is a rare, early textile art piece by African-American artist Dindga McCannon depicting an abstracted fruit tree, with quilting stitching. It is mounted on a painted background,...
Felt, Thread, Acrylic
$9,500
Blue
By Dennis Leri
Located in New York, NY
Painted steel. Metal sculpture. Abstract sculpture. Blue. About the Artist: I create sculpture for indoor, outdoor, private and public spaces from various materials such as stee...
Steel
Pulse Point - Chrome metallic glazed ceramic sculpture
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
Ice and Fire : small interior sculpture out of glaze
Located in New York, NY
Katie Yang's abstract ceramic sculptures delve into the unknowable nature of our world, exploring the interplay between control and chance. Influenced by artistic traditions from bot...
Glaze
Two Arcs of 236.5° Each
By Bernar Venet
Located in London, GB
A striking example of Bernar Venet’s iconic Arc series, Two Arcs of 236.5° Each (1988) embodies the artist’s rigorous exploration of mathematical form and controlled randomness. Exec...
Steel
Saturación, Luminosidad & Destornillador. From The Composition with Tools series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The “Composition with Tools” series engages observers with quirky and playful truisms, gently leading them toward deeper reflections. Jose Ricardo Contreras...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood, Found Objects
Genesis V by Tien Wen - Abstract ceramic sculpture, light tones, lines, slender
By Tien Wen
Located in Paris, FR
Genesis V is a unique ceramic sculpture by contemporary artist Tien Wen, dimensions are 50 × 15 × 15 cm (19.7 × 5.9 × 5.9 in). The sculpture is signed and comes with a certificate o...
Ceramic
$8,000Sale Price|50% Off
Serendipity
By Sally Hepler
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Serendipity hand-fabricated steel 24 x 24.5 x 24" There are two sides to any circle: the inside and the outside. In a similar way, there are two elusive forces at work when ex...
Steel
$12,870
La femme en deux by Antoine Vidal - abstract bronze sculpture, vertical
Located in Paris, FR
La Femme en deux 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 aestheti...
Bronze
$25,200
Arnaldo Pomodoro, Signed metal pendant (Brooch), International Scullpture Center
Located in New York, NY
Arnaldo Pomodoro Signed metal pendant (Brooch), ca. 1989 Sculpted metal brooch. Incised signature by Arnaldo Pomodoro. 4 4/5 × 4 inches Elegant sculpted metal brooch and/or pendant....
Metal
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Monarch
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Spray acrylic on solid poplar Scott Troxel draws on the aesthetics of bygone technology and the forward-looking designs of the Atomic Age and mid-century modernism to make dynamic, ...
Wood, Acrylic
$5,894
Sezione Aurea 2024-013 by Mattia Bosco - Wall sculpture, marble, gold leaf, rock
Located in Paris, FR
Sezione Aurea 2024-013 is a unique wall sculpture by contemporary artist Mattia Bosco. This sculpture is made of Palissandro marble and gold leaf, dimensions are 67 × 39 × 6 cm (26.4...
Marble, Gold Leaf
No.201125 by Thierry Martenon - vertical wood sculpture, totem
Located in Paris, FR
No.201125 an abstract sculpture in wood by French sculptor Thierry Martenon. Walnut wood, India ink patina, 35.4 x 13 x 5.9 inches (90 × 33 × 15 cm). This piece, with its marked vert...
Walnut, India Ink
Untitled 02 - Contemporary, Abstract, Organic, Black, Metal, 21st Century
Located in Baden-Baden, DE
Untitled 02, 2016 Mixed media on metal sheet (Signed on reverse) 70,87 H × 39,37 W x 12,6 D in 180 H × 100 W x 32 D cm Berszán’s black silicon structures arise through a process of ...
Metal, Wire
$32,000
Climbing Ivy - large sweeping elongated forms, stainless steel outdoor sculpture
By Kevin Robb
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The highly polished stainless-steel reflects the sunlight; like ivy, three gently curved pieces ‘climb’ a central ‘branch’. This is Kevin Robb. The American sculptor is known for his...
Stainless Steel
Closed Vase by Tien Wen - Abstract ceramic sculpture, black and white
By Tien Wen
Located in Paris, FR
Closed Vase is a unique ceramic sculpture by contemporary artist Tien Wen, dimensions are 41 × 28 × 24 cm / 16.1 × 11 × 9.4 in. The sculpture is signed and comes with a certificate o...
Ceramic
Transblue : contemporary modern abstract geometric sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Greg Chann creates contemporary modern abstract geometric sculptures. His constructions are complex interwoven systems of physical elements varying in size,...
Steel
Light-Glyph (Yellow)
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Brindle’s Light Glyph’s, are luminescent and mercurial sculptures, constantly shifting in hue as the viewer moves around them. Absorbing and reflecting light, they have a meditative ...
Acrylic Polymer, Automotive Paint, Acrylic
$7,518
Aspiring Path by Kuno Vollet - Contemporary Black Steel sculpture for Outdoors
By Kuno Vollet
Located in DE
Artist: Kuno Vollet Title: Aspiring Path Contemporary steel sculpture for inside or garden outdoor spaces. Stunning large artwork. Possible to put on a pedestal or directly on to ...
Steel
$16,238
MM1 by Mattia Bosco - Large-size stone sculpture, Palissandro marble, grey tones
Located in Paris, FR
MM1 is a unique sculpture by contemporary artist Mattia Bosco. This sculpture is made of black Palissandro marble and stainless steel, dimensions are 90 × 80 × 30 cm (35.4 × 31.5 × 1...
Marble, Stainless Steel
$400
Holocaust Remembrance Logo Pin enamel Pendant in bespoke box incised artist name
By Judy Chicago
Located in New York, NY
Judy Chicago Logo Pin and Pendant, 1993 Enameled pin with pendant loop in original presentation box 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 1/5 inches Judy Chicago's incised name and date on the verso Comes...
Metal, Enamel