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.
FRECUENCIA GEOMETRICA - Red/Black
Located in New York, NY
This wall sculpture installation is made of 10 painted steel elements in black and red. Each piece is 17"x11"x8". About the artist: Mariana Copello is a Houston-based artist who ...
Cut Steel
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Cosmic Butterflies
Located in Paris, IDF
Mixed media on wooden panel Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in International Fashion Marke...
Mixed Media
"Crucible" Abstract, Metal Chain Link Sculpture by John Ruppert
By John Ruppert
Located in New York, NY
"Crucible" by John Ruppert Aluminum chain link fabric, stainless steel Over the past 35 years, John Ruppert has been working in cast metals; manufactured...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Envelope No. 1
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
Richard Smith (British 1931-2016) Envelope No.1 1968 Aluminum Wall Sculpture 16 x 16 x 16-inch, triangle shape, by 2 ½ inches wide Signed and dated ‘68 Numbered edition 10/30 Abo...
Metal
$725Sale Price|21% Off
Sculpture ceramic vessel: 'Creature Medium No 3'
By Ak Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Ak Jansen was born in Dongen, The Netherlands, in 1988. He studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven focusing on textile design, material culture, and techniques of fabrication. He wor...
Clay, Glaze
Golden Apples 60 Ceramic Sculpture, Abstract, Hand Built, 2010-
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand Built and glazed ceramic. Free standing, two pieces (sphere and stand). My interest in clay as an artistic medium began in 1984. Like most beginners in the medium, I focused ...
Ceramic
Golden Apples 61 Ceramic Sculpture, Abstract, Hand Built, 2010-
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand Built and glazed ceramic. Free standing, two pieces (sphere and stand). My interest in clay as an artistic medium began in 1984. Like most beginners in the medium, I focused ...
Ceramic
Golden Apples 56 Ceramic Sculpture, Abstract, Hand Built, 2010+
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Hand Built and glazed ceramic. Free standing, two pieces (sphere and stand). My interest in clay as an artistic medium began in 1984. Like most beginners in the medium, I focused ...
Ceramic
African Shirt IV
By Jay Walker
Located in Dallas, TX
acrylic on African fabric
Fabric, Acrylic
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Vibrant Hypnosis
Located in Paris, IDF
Vinyl print on stainless steel Set of 12 Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Internationa...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Big Yellow Poppies, 2015
Located in Fairfield, CT
Donald Sultan (born 1951), is one of the leading American contemporary still life artists. He currently lives and works in New York. Sultan has been given numerous exhibitions dedica...
Steel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Navy White
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made with spray acrylic on poplar with gloss clear coat Scott Troxel draws on the aesthetics of bygone technology and the forward-looking designs of the Atomic Age and mid-c...
Wood, Acrylic
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Tenser
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made by birch, pigmented lacquer & MDF Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fair in NYC, T...
Birch, Lacquer
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Archer
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made with birch, pigmented lacquer & MDF Scott Troxel draws on the aesthetics of bygone technology and the forward-looking designs of the Atomic Age and mid-century modernis...
Birch
$1,199
Amazing Original Fahri Aldin Bronze Sculpture. Limited Edition Stunning New Work
By Fahri Aldin
Located in Belleville, CA
An Amazing New Piece at an Incredible Price by renowned Canadian Artist Fahri Aldin. This Stunning Beauty titled 'The Stallion III' is Limited Edition 2 out of 27. From his latest se...
Bronze
Untitled #2/ Tied series, Handmade Abstract Sculpture
Located in Boston, MA
Untitled #2/ Tied series 10.0 x 16.0 x 0.5, 1.0 lbs Handmade paper Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "'Tied', the title of the installation series, is a phonetic pun on the rising tides and the paper pages bound by threads. As the water rises and falls, pages of our daily experience add and subtract to and from our memory. Our daily life permeates our memory just as the ink is absorbed into each page and create new shapes and patterns onto what once was a clean slate of a blank page." About the Artist: Yoonshin Park is a Chicago based multimedia artist, curator, and educator working with sculptural papers, artist books, and installations. Her interest in the comprehensive process of papermaking and bookbinding caters her work to encompass various elements woven into complete objects. She often uses her experience as a foreign transplant to question space and its implications in defining one's identity as the inspiration behind her work. Park has shown at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Hyde Park Art Center...
Handmade Paper
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Condenser
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made by birch, pigmented lacquer & MDF Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fair in NYC, T...
Birch, Lacquer
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Nightwalk VI
Located in Paris, IDF
59 high x 15 x 13 cm Bronze on a circular oxidised brass base Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 881 The exposed natural bronze tip of the curve is highly polished...
Bronze, Brass
$5,605Sale Price|20% Off
Bronze Sculpture EXCLOS
Located in Pasadena, CA
Guillaume ROCHE The artist translates movement and energy through the dynamism of assemblages and seeks the balance of composition. His sculptures offer aerial movements, round shapes with powerful lines, delicate and sensual cuts. The contextualization of his works, inscribing the approach of Guillaume Roche in the field of architecture: work of structure, lines, matter and skin, study of a volume and its proportions according to context and environment. His work is conceived to be connected with the territory. The EXCLOS series is born from the encounter of the concepts of EXPLOSION and ECLOSION. The artist conceives these imposing spheres of steel as a powerful breath contained by a gentle force that channels and envelops this primary energy. Working with stainless steel, Guillaume seeks contrast through concepts such as full-void, light-weight, balance-fall. In contrast, he finds total freedom of creation...
Bronze
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Ronin
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made with enamel on MDF with cherry & mahogany Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fair i...
Enamel
$650
Israeli Contemporary Abstract Geometric Painted Pierced Sculpture Zigi Ben Haim
Located in Surfside, FL
Zigi Ben-Haim, Metal sculpture Hand signed and dated Zigi Ben-Haim, 1998 Untitled, patinated aluminum or steel, Dimensions: 6"h x 2"w x 2"d This listing is for 1. I have 2 similar...
Metal
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Rhombus Optica
Located in Paris, IDF
Archival pigment on wooden panel, edition of 12 Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Intern...
Wood Panel, Archival Pigment
"Random Thoughts, " Painted Steel signed by Ralph Wickstrom
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Random Thoughts" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom. The sculpture consists of a circular form with a zig-zag piece within it and an additional off-shooting part on the...
Steel
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Egyptian Vase of Spring
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic on ceramic vase Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in International Fashion Marketin...
Acrylic, Ceramic
$7,200
WTF!
By Tim Yankosky
Located in Fairfield, CT
Materials are often the driving force and inspiration behind the works of art that I create. I have always been drawn to the functional wear and patina of vintage and found objects. ...
Other Medium
Moroccan Pyrite and Calcite Crystal Modern Organic Sculpture
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This exquisite piece from the Crystalline Collection is made from Moroccan pyrite and calcite, set atop a high-polish stainless steel base with integrated lighting. The pyrite crysta...
Stone
Clouds of Smoke – Flare
By Chingke Lin
Located in New York, NY
Ching Ke Lin is a bamboo artist, who keeps delving into the land, exploring the common ground between humans and bamboo, and refining his creative vocabulary in the law of nature. R...
Wood
"Queen Bee Standing", Abstract, Steel Metal Sculpture by Isobel Folb Sokolow
Located in New York, NY
"Queen Bee Standing" by Isobel Folb Sokolow Welded, found metal and automotive steel Sokolow creates both abstract and figurative metal sculpture for indoor display. Organic, Abstr...
Steel, Metal
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - This Is Not A Phone
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made by cherry, walnut, mahogany, boat nails, Acrylic, reclaimed suede & table legs Scott Troxel draws on the aesthetics of bygone technology and t...
Mahogany, Walnut, Acrylic
$6,200
Embattled
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stephen Lee is a Korean-American sculptor based in Dallas, Texas. Born in South Korea and immigrating to the United States as a teenager, Lee draws from a dual set of cultural influe...
Steel
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Nailed it Series No.162
Located in Paris, IDF
Textiles, acrylic paint and metal on wooden panel Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Inter...
Metal
Artist Window No. 2
By Daniel Torre
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Wood carving with Yakisugi finish (Yakisugi is a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation. (It involves burning cedar boards, smoothing them with sandpaper and wire brushes, ...
Wood
Black Forest No. 4
By Daniel Torre
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In “Black Forest No. 4” Daniel Torre has reimagined the possibilities of wood carving, transforming a traditionally static medium into an evocation of the ethereal and the transient....
Wood
Inspired Reflection
Located in West Hollywood, CA
At first glance, “Silver Butterflies” may deceive the viewer, who might not immediately discern that the entire composition consists of meticulously crafted butterflies, each intrica...
Foil
Ceramic Texture Square Sculpture Abstract Wall Earth
Located in Buffalo, NY
The material of choice for Neil Tetkowski's abstract sculptural work comes directly from the Earth. Most often he uses clay, which he believes is the perfect medium to express his re...
Ceramic
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Zephyr II
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Zephyr Wood, paint, lacquer on MDF + birch on MDF with enamel & wax finish 24" x 24” x 1” Zephyr II is a mixed media wall sculpture. Made from oils on birch, wax, MDF and copper spray enamel. Finished with a hand waxed process. Zephyr II is a complex and sophisticated monochromatic piece which is minimalistic in nature, so the form, composition and the balance of the artwork trumps any definitive subject matter. With flowing Art Deco inspired lines and midcentury feel, Zephyr feels at once modern and retro. The bold copper background...
Enamel
"Mystic Aura in Red" abstract expressionist wall sculpture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This minimalist abstract wall sculpture made from Wood Block and Acrylic by Anthony Liggins is a beautiful addition to any home. It has brackets attached to the back and is ready to be hung in any interior. INSPIRATION - Inspired by the artist's background in fashion design, Le Smoking sculptures...
Wood
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Response IV
Located in Paris, IDF
91 high x 34 x 34 cm Bronze on a circular oxidised brass base Series of variations Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 694A The sweeping curve on the face is finely...
Bronze
Robert's Dumpster, Modern and Abstract Wall Art, Inspired by Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: This piece was inspired by a richly splattered construction dumpster. Sections of it reminded me of work by Robert Rauschenberg which I have often admired. I have...
Mixed Media, Leather
$24,000
Untitled by Yuko Nasaka. Resin and lacquer on board (1984) (abstract sculpture)
By Yuko Nasaka
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Yuko Nasaka (1938) Untitled Resin and lacquer on board 44.5 x 44.5 cm (17.5 x 17.5 in) not considering the frame Executed in 1984 About the Artist: Born in Osaka in 1938, Yuko Nasak...
Resin, Lacquer, Board
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Scope
Located in Paris, IDF
53 high x 29 x 9.5 cm Bronze on a Jesmonite composite base. Unique Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 884 The natural bronze edges of the “marquise” shape are fine...
Bronze
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Fronts
Located in Paris, IDF
58 high x 28 x 15 cm Bronze on a circular oxidised brass base Unique variation. Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 880 The exposed natural bronze elements are high...
Bronze, Brass
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Ceremony
Located in Paris, IDF
57.5 high x 22 x 15 cm Bronze on a weathered steel base Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 870 Unique The natural bronze areas are lacquered for protection against...
Bronze
Bodies at Rest #22 - Small Ceramic Abstract Sculpture - Bronze Metallic
Located in SEATTLE, WA
“Bodies at Rest” #22 is a one-of-a-kind, ceramic abstract figurative sculpture by Paige Stewart (in bronze metallic glaze) is a small scale sculpture that add class and personality t...
Ceramic
$3,000
Tantra 9: abstract India spiritual mandala circle sculpture painting, red beads
By Antonio Puri
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Antonio Puri's "Tantra" sculptural painting is one of 100 intimately-scaled minimalist round mandala circles built from tiny seed beads adhered to canvas in a range of red hues, crea...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Arched Dancers 2 (Miniature) #11/40
Located in Napa, CA
A civil engineer for 30 years, Holmes has been exhibiting and selling his sculptures since 1975 in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is now very well-known for h...
Bronze
Gradient No.10
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lisa Bartleson is a Northern California - based mixed-media artist whose work is inspired by the Light and Space movement from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Her work has a luminous quality ...
Resin, Wood Panel, Pigment
$1,199
Amazing Original Fahri Aldin Bronze Sculpture. Limited Edition Stunning New Work
By Fahri Aldin
Located in Belleville, CA
An Amazing New Piece at an incredible price by renowned Canadian Artist Fahri Aldin. This stunning beauty titled 'The Stallion Above' is Limited Edition 3 out of 27. From his latest ...
Bronze
$1,199
Amazing Original Fahri Aldin Bronze Sculpture. Limited Edition Stunning New Work
By Fahri Aldin
Located in Belleville, CA
An Amazing New Piece at an Incredible Price by renowned Canadian Artist Fahri Aldin. This Stunning Beauty titled 'The Stallion' is Limited Edition 2 out of 27. From his latest series...
Bronze
$5,175
Crossed Gazes by Taly Cohen Mixed Media Textile Window Sculpture Photograph 2025
By Taly Cohen
Located in Miami, FL
Crossed Gazes by Taly Cohen Mixed Media Textile Window Sculpture Photograph 2025 SUPPORT: CANVAS ON WOODEN STRETCHER FRAME: WOODEN FRAME The Janelas series by Taly Cohen was born...
Wool, Cotton, Wood
$6,288
Helios
Located in Belgravia, London, London
"Helios" by Michael Thacker British, 21st Century Carrara Marble Sculpture size (HxWxD): 11.75 X 27.5 X 6 inches Executed in 2019
Marble
$3,000
Tantra 99: minimalist abstract mandala sculpture painting, red circle planet
By Antonio Puri
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Antonio Puri's "Tantra" sculptural painting is one of 100 intimately-scaled minimalist round mandala circles built from tiny seed beads adhered to canvas in a range of red hues, crea...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Tantra 11: minimalist abstract mandala sculpture painting, red circle
By Antonio Puri
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Antonio Puri's "Tantra" sculptural painting is one of 100 intimately-scaled minimalist round mandala circles built from tiny seed beads adhered to canvas in a range of red hues, crea...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Indian Contemporary Art By Sumit Mehndiratta - Unblock
Located in Paris, IDF
Wooden sculpture Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in International Fashion Marketing from M...
Wood
Blue Cube, Abstract Sculpture Suitable for Outdoors, 2021
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: The piece was originally commissioned by a son for his mother. Her property in Mont Tremlant, Canada was an ideal setting for this piece. Truly a piece of sculpt...
Steel
Bad Moon Ascending, Abstract Steel Sculpture, 2020
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: Bad Moon Ascending is a result of a lyric in the CCR song "Bad Moon Rising", the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and my sculptural pursuits of my "Event" series. Keywords: abstract, welded metal Artist Biography: Fred Klingelhofer, a primarily self-taught artist, grew up in a Chicago south side neighborhood. He received a BS degree in physics from Roosevelt University and worked as an engineer for 30 years. During those years he enrolled in art workshops and classes at a nearby community college completing courses in figure drawing, 2D and 3D design, ceramics, sculpting the figure, welding and metal sculpture. His focus has been on creating sculpture since 2006. Fred has exhibited his sculpture in a number of group exhibitions with Chicago Sculpture International, Art Prize (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Sculpture in the Park (St Charles, Illinois), Sculpture Walk Sioux Falls...
Steel
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Butterfly Park 4
Located in Paris, IDF
Mixed media sculpture on wood panel framed Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Internationa...
Mixed Media, Wood Panel
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Nailed it Series No.165
Located in Paris, IDF
Textiles, acrylic paint and metal on wooden panel, edition of 5 Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Sc...
Metal
Barjo
Located in Bozeman, MT
In 1968 Waddell joined the University of Montana art faculty, teaching sculpture and design. For eight years he lived in Arlee MT, teaching at the Universi...
Bronze
Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Butterfly Park 9
Located in Paris, IDF
Mixed media sculpture on wood panel framed Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Internationa...
Mixed Media, Wood Panel