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.
Rust Pajo Abstract Sculpture, Powder Coated Steel, 2010s, Unframed
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
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Marking Time II
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze freely rotating on a slate composite base Series of unique variations Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 624B The polished bronze spheres require care as ...
Bronze
Turquoise Chinlone Abstract Sculpture, Powder Coated Steel, 2010+
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
$1,800
Steven Harvey Australian Contemporary Abstract Sculpture Mixed Media Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Steven Harvey (Australian, born 1965) 1998 Mixed media painting on board Dimensions: 19-3/4 x 12 inches ( Hand signed, dated, and titled verso Provenance: Important Australian Art ...
Cord, Wood, Paint
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Shelter III
Located in Paris, IDF
52 high x 36 x 33 cm Scorched oak enclosing a “boulder” finished with oxidised silver leaf. Unique Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 806 The boulder is free to m...
Bronze
$1,800
Steven Harvey Australian Contemporary Abstract Sculpture Mixed Media Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Steven Harvey (Australian, born 1965) 1998 Summon Mixed media painting on board Dimensions: 19-3/4 x 12 inches ( Hand signed, dated, and titled verso Provenance: Important Australi...
Cord, Wood, Paint
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Fire Dancer
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made by acrylic on solid maple, matte clear coat Scott Troxel draws on the aesthetics of bygone technology and the forward-looking designs of the Atomic Age and mid-century ...
Maple, Acrylic
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Pont d'Escalier bronze wood figure 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
Triple Scribble Blue Gold
By Ryan Coleman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This laser cut acrylic series of Scribble Sculptures is inspired by the gestures and quick mark making found in abstract expressionist painting and drawing, and the whimsical, bold color and shape found in classic cartoon. Ryan Coleman...
Plexiglass
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Streamliner 2
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made by pigmented lacquer on MDF Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fair in NYC, Texas C...
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
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Cathedral
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made by acrylic on birch, satin lacquer with copper enamel backer Scott Troxel draws on the aesthetics of bygone technology and the forward-looking designs of the Atomic Age...
Birch, Acrylic
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
CHROMORITMO
Located in New York, NY
This wall installation is made up of 7 painted aluminum pieces, 4 are 24"x5"x4" and the other 3 pieces are 18"x 5"x4". Each piece is made of painted aluminum and hung individually. ...
Aluminum
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
Aluminum Sculpture 'Wandobjekt' by Carola Eggeling, White Lacquer
Located in Paris, FR
Aluminum Sculpture 'Wandobjekt' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German aluminum sculpture Finish: White Lacquer Certificate of authenticity Numb...
Steel
$6,550
"Grecian Stallion I" Bronze sculpture 24" x 11" inch by Ibrahim Abd Elmalak
Located in Culver City, CA
"Grecian Stallion I" Bronze sculpture 24" x 11" inch by Ibrahim Abd Elmalak Grecian Stallion I, 2007 Bronze & Marble Signed & Dated Sculptures that mostly depict his char...
Marble, Bronze
Mirror Mirror
By Ryan Coleman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This laser cut acrylic series of Scribble Sculptures is inspired by the gestures and quick mark making found in abstract expressionist painting and drawing, and the whimsical, bold color and shape found in classic cartoon. Ryan Coleman...
Plexiglass
Found objects sculpture by counterculture artist Marr Grounds
Located in Colfax, CA
Found art sculpture by Australian-American environmental and counterculture artist Marr Grounds. This work was likely created in the 1960s when Grounds was active at UC Berkeley, and...
Found Objects
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Over There II
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze on an oak base Unique variation Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 286A The two faces are extremely different in colour and form On the front side the broad...
Bronze
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
Light-Gllyph (Orange)
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
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
Lydia : contemporary modern abstract geometric sculpture
By Greg Chann
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...
Steel
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
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Citrus
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made in birch on MDF with satin lacquer Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fair in NYC, ...
Lacquer, Acrylic, Birch
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
"French Kiss" Sculpture 64 x 28 x 19 in by Yoram Katz
By Yoram Katz
Located in Culver City, CA
"French Kiss" Sculpture 64 x 28 x 19 in by Yoram Katz Medium: Mix Media, Recycled items Recycling Series Recognizing the importance of environmental issues that face the world toda...
Mixed Media
$3,500
MY HOME
By Astian Rey
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Astian Rey "MY HOME"
Steel
Tree of Life
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this fantastic intimate sculpture by the legendary Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson's ...
Wood, Paint
Close to Heart 1 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Close to Heart Limited edition of 12 Mediums: old pine, steel, acrylic hand painted, oil CLOSE TO HEART - Collection Working on the series I...
Steel
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Harland Tide
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze freely rotating on a painted steel base. Edition of 9 variations Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 458, 2/9 The asymmetrical form of the bronze presents a ...
Bronze
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
Title What’s Behind the Mask?
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Shelley Heffler was born and raised in the Bronx. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York where she studied interior design, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Art. She graduated from Cal State Northridge with a Master’s degree in fine art followed by a teaching credential. She traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia photographing...
Vinyl, ABS
$10,500
Aman
By Rosa Brun
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Joseph Kosuth, father of conceptual art, once famously said: “Works of art that try to tell us something about the world are bound to fail (…)The absence of reality in art is exactly...
Copper
Chairman of Themis
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A series of works .. ANCIENT .. ..FOREST .. ..AQUA .. all these series have a magical connection with each other. They have the ancient spirit of past civilizations and sections of d...
Metal
Elements
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Prodanchuk Victor is an artist with his own artistic language and a recognisable style. Techniques of his own invention, the transformation of symbols and an unconventional treatment...
Ceramic, Wood
Palm
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A series of works .. ANCIENT .. ..FOREST .. ..AQUA .. all these series have a magical connection with each other. They have the ancient spirit of past civilizations and sections of d...
Iron
Tower
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This sculpture is unique because it is a vacuum casting. It is a single cast: it was modeled in wax and cast in a vacuum. The base was made at a glassworks from molten glass, with th...
Bronze
Sofia Sheptytska
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A expressive sculptural bust combining classic portraiture with contemporary decorative elements. Crafted with rich relief detail, the figure features expressive heterochromatic eyes...
Clay
Philosopher
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The “ANCIENT,” “FOREST” and “AQUA” series all share a magical connection with one another. They hold the primordial spirit of past civilizations and of slices of history seen from di...
Bronze
Inquisition
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A series of works .. ANCIENT .. ..FOREST .. ..AQUA .. all these series have a magical connection with each other. They have the ancient spirit of past civilizations and sections of d...
Clay
Bansai
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Prodanchuk Victor is an artist with his own artistic language and a recognisable style. Techniques of his own invention, the transformation of symbols and an unconventional treatment...
Bronze
Birth
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The “ANCIENT,” “FOREST” and “AQUA” series all share a magical connection with one another. They hold the primordial spirit of past civilizations and of slices of history seen from di...
Metal, Brass
Salvador Dali
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Prodanchuk Victor is an artist with his own artistic language and a recognisable style. Techniques of his own invention, the transformation of symbols and an unconventional treatment...
Ceramic
Star
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The ANCIENT, FOREST and AQUA series are all magically connected to one another. They carry the ancient spirit of past civilisations and slices of history seen from different angles. ...
Bronze
Guardianship
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The “ANCIENT,” “FOREST” and “AQUA” series all share a magical connection with one another. They hold the primordial spirit of past civilizations and of slices of history seen from di...
Marble, Bronze
Alberto Jacameti
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Prodanchuk Victor is an artist with his own artistic language and a recognisable style. Techniques of his own invention, the transformation of symbols and an unconventional treatment...
Metal
Bay Laurel #2
By Michael Mancarella
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mancarella's sculptures are from the series titled "Elements". Formal design principles are the basis for Mancarella's work which is typically made of wood and metal. Taken individua...
Steel
Eduardo Chavez “Chama” Abstract Bronze Sculpture, 1966
Located in Denver, CO
A refined mid-century abstract bronze sculpture by Eduardo (Edward Arcenio) Chavez (1917–1995), titled Chama and created circa 1966. Cast in bronze and presented on its original wooden base, the sculpture demonstrates Chavez’s sophisticated approach to organic form, abstraction and modernist design. The fluid, sculptural composition combines gently curved and angular forms into a balanced arrangement that changes character from every viewpoint. Its warm bronze surface and compact scale give the work an intimate yet commanding presence, making it particularly effective as a tabletop sculpture, desk sculpture or small-scale modernist centerpiece. Born in Wagon Mound, New Mexico, Chavez was a versatile American artist whose career encompassed sculpture, mural painting, illustration, lithography and painting. He studied at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, where he worked with influential artists including Boardman Robinson and Frank Mechau. His early career included mural commissions throughout the American West before his service during World War II. After the war, Chavez and his wife, painter Jenne Magafan, became part of the vibrant postwar art community in Woodstock, New York. He went on to receive a Tiffany Grant in 1948, a Fulbright Award in 1951 and the Childe Hassam Award in 1953. He was also a member of the Woodstock Art Association, the National Academy of Design and the National Society of Mural Painters, and taught at the Art Students League of New York, Colorado College and Syracuse University. Chama is an especially appealing example of Chavez’s American modernist sculpture, bringing together his Southwestern background with the formal experimentation of mid-century American abstraction. Details: Bronze Original wooden base Titled Chama By Eduardo (Edward Arcenio) Chavez American, 1917–1995 Circa 1966 Height: 7 ¼ in. Width: 10 in. Depth: 3 ¼ in. Condition: Good An exceptional choice for collectors of Eduardo Chavez...
Bronze
"Prières et Rituels dans L'émerveillement" - indoor / outdoor sculpture, surreal
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Prières et Rituels dans L'émerveillement" is a surrealist metal sculpture made of stainless steel & bronze with patina. This boat, branch, ladder sculpture...
Bronze, Stainless Steel
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
Wallreliefs black and white 4 (Abstract Sculpture)
Located in London, GB
Cristina Ghetti is a leading voice in contemporary Post-Medial Geometry, whose work bridges the gap between digital precision and traditional painting. Born in Argentina and based in...
Plastic, Etching
Wallreliefs black and white 2 (Abstract Sculpture)
Located in London, GB
Cristina Ghetti is a leading voice in contemporary Post-Medial Geometry, whose work bridges the gap between digital precision and traditional painting. Born in Argentina and based in...
Plastic, Etching
Wall relief (Abstract Sculpture)
Located in London, GB
Cristina Ghetti is a leading voice in contemporary Post-Medial Geometry, whose work bridges the gap between digital precision and traditional painting. Born in Argentina and based in...
Enamel, Iron
Set of Three Cut Crystal Obelisks with Inner Pagodas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are three cut crystal obelisks with the unexpected pagodas appearing inside. By cutting stylized geometrics into the back the results in the fronts are truly magic.
Organic Material
$1,440
Just Tapes
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
$80,000Sale Price|20% Off
CRUCIFIX MEXICAN HEADDRESS - Abstract Bronze Fine Statue Sculpture 1993
By Nora Pineda
Located in Chico, CA
Full bronze sculpture. Private collection piece. ARTIST STATEMENT My work passionately reflects my Mexican cultural roots. The art forms appear and are created as stories in the r...
Bronze
Finney I, (6/15) Bronze Cat Sculpture by Theodore Waddell
Located in Bozeman, MT
Created in 2018 by acclaimed contemporary American artist and rancher Theodore Waddell (b. 1941), Finney I is an evocative cast bronze sculpture that translates the artist’s painterl...
Bronze
$4,500
"Midnight Rider" Wall Sculpture 42" x 29" inch by Ibrahim Abd Elmalak
Located in Culver City, CA
"Midnight Rider" Wall Sculpture 42" x 29" inch by Ibrahim Abd Elmalak Fiberglass Signed & Dated Sculptures that mostly depict his characteristic figures of feminine form and feel...
Fiberglass
Glass Sculpture Shell
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass sculpture in opaque white, black, grey, and white silver transparent . Includes its black metal base (about 32cm X 10 cm X 18cm ). Total ...
Blown Glass