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.
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - The Sun Hardly Rises
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze / brass strip / composite Unique variation Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 759A Natural bronze remains on the sun but is treated with a translucent golde...
Bronze, Brass
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Dreaming of Summer
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze on an oak base Edition of 7 variations. Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 545, 5/7 The front edge of the bronze is finely rubbed and lacquered, the back ed...
Bronze
Fossile Petri 12 Abstract Sculpture in Metal and Plexiglass, 2010+
Located in Montreal, Quebec
When Laurent Lamarche reflects on the concept of origin, he thinks in terms of traces. His vision goes at once forward and backward, knitting together yesterday and tomorrow – thus e...
Metal
Abstract Framed Landscape Construction
Located in Milford, NH
A spectacular three dimensional abstract framed construction by American artist Varujan Boghosian (b. 1926). Boghosian was born in New Britain, CT and ...
Metal
$6,124
The Dance - 21st Century, Marble sculpture, Organic shapes, nature inspired
Located in Barcelona, Catalonia
Noemi Palacios expresses herself through form and matter, a medium through which she has found a deep understanding of her inner self. Her evocative pieces are inspired by the univer...
Marble
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Balanced Point Stone and Steel with Patina Angled Abstract Sculpture
By Delos Van Earl
Located in Miami, FL
Two marble pieces converge on one point in this perfectly balanced sculpture of warm marble and steel. It is a beautiful abstract work that hold both inte...
Marble, Steel
$4,944
The Link - 21st Century, Marble sculpture, Organic shapes, nature inspired
Located in Barcelona, Catalonia
Noemi Palacios expresses herself through form and matter, a medium through which she has found a deep understanding of her inner self. Her evocative pieces are inspired by the univer...
Marble
Scars - 21st Century, Marble sculpture, Organic shapes, nature inspired
Located in Barcelona, Catalonia
Noemi Palacios expresses herself through form and matter, a medium through which she has found a deep understanding of her inner self. Her evocative pieces are inspired by the univer...
Marble
L' Angel Combattant
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 12 copies ( 8 + 4 ) Artwork signed Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, metal, bro...
Bronze
$12,000
Improvisation
Located in New York, NY
Painted, Welded -Aluminum Kinetic Sculpture. Blue and red colors. About the Artist: Studied engineering and sculpture at Stony Brook University. Steve has created sculptures of welded bronze or aluminum and have installed them around the world, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, England, France, Germany, Israel, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Grand Cayman...
Mixed Media
Bronze Sculpture 'O.T. IV' by Carola Eggeling, Patinated Bronze
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze Black Sculpture 'O.T. IV' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German bronze sculpture Certificate of authenticity Numbered and signed artwork L...
Bronze
$18,500
Carib
By Zammy Migdal
Located in Miami, FL
Undulating on the wall in any pattern desired, this colorful installation of various shades of Caribbean blue is a multi element installation that can be arranged in any way you like...
Metal
$55,000
Blowout
By Ed Haugevik
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Sculpture. About the Artist: Ed Haugevik has established a career as professional sculptor placing his work at numerous private and public sites throughout the country. ...
Steel
From OJ to Merlot
By Zammy Migdal
Located in Miami, FL
This interactive work can fit in any format the collector desires and can contain as many elements, both big and small, that the space requires. From the artist's Levitation series...
Steel
$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 Proud Stallion' is Limited Edition 3 out of 27. From his latest ...
Bronze
$14,500
Kerla
By Zammy Migdal
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful shades of green resembling fields of green grass are the inspiration for these undulating steel elements installation. There are 18 element of various sizes that can be arr...
Steel
Poupées, 2025, sculpture - Pascal Courcelles
Located in Porto, 13
Pascal Courcelles – Poupées, 2024 Mixed media sculpture – 30 x 15 x 17 cm (11.8 x 5.9 x 6.7 in) Unique piece, signed by the artist Poupées by Pascal Cource...
Canvas, Oil
Gallant : large-scale steel sculpture
By Naomi Press
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale steel sculpture by Naomi Press. Signed with initials. Naomi Press is a female abstract sculptor, who was one of the very few women working i...
Stainless Steel
Spotted Blue White
By Eric Johnson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
The Madame X works exemplify Eric Johnson’s passionate embrace of the sensuality of form. The sculptures are imbued with abstract bursts of color beneath pristine surfaces, which appear to undulate as one moves around their double-helix curves. Seen together, the series is a celebration of the exquisite harmony of depth, structure, color, and lovingly polished surfaces, somewhat blurring the line between painting and sculpture. Interestingly, the Madame X series was inspired by a painting by John Singer Sargent, and pays homage to Sargent’s portrait of the same title, which scandalized the Paris Salon of 1884. While Parisians were shocked by the slip of a dress strap and the alabaster complexion of the portrait’s subject, Johnson was inspired by the sinewy, vertical curves of Sargent’s composition. At the nexus of the L.A. art scene for nearly forty years, Eric Johnson’s work bears a distinctly Southern California hot-rod, materials-based aesthetic. Early on, Johnson was drawn to artists whose work also grew out of L.A.’s surf and car culture sensibilities. Utilizing new materials and industrial products, like resin & plastic, artwork of impossibly slick, sleek character began to emerge and was termed “Finish Fetish”. Johnson’s work is next generation heir to this work, and carries forward the DNA of such legendary Light and Space, Finish Fetish, artists as Craig Kaufman, DeWain Valentine, Billy Al Bengston, Larry Bell, Tom Jenkins and Tony DeLap. Eric Johnson’s works are also acutely personal representations of his life. A severe neck injury, and struggle with intense spinal pain, served as the initial catalyst for his exploration of structural forms, which are also informed by his ancestral heritage - Scottish, Cree Indian, and perhaps a boat-building urge from the Norse. His father, a race-car driver and expert in custom car fabrication, passed on a passion for cars and their restoration. Scouted into the Air Force during the Vietnam war as a fencing instructor (though he never served), Johnson discovered he was color-blind during an eye-exam. Surprisingly, this ignited an interest in color and experiments with layering automotive pigments and clear resins, which Johnson continues with in this series, fabricating molds, which allow him to do multiple iterations of the same shape while investigating variations of color. Eric Johnson attended Valley College; California Institute of Art and received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from University of California at Irvine. Johnson’s work is in many public and private collections, including: Oakland Museum; Laguna Beach Museum; Museum of Art and History (MOAH); Lancaster, CA; C.B.S. Broadcasting, New York, NY; Digital Domain, Venice, CA; Mary Barnes...
Resin, Acrylic
Chapter II - Catharsis
By Ed Haugevik
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Sculpture. About the Artist: Ed Haugevik has established a career as professional sculptor placing his work at numerous private and public sites throughout the country. ...
Steel
Pig Pile
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Joe Davidson’s recent body of work consists of interlocking forms stacked one on top of another. Upon closer inspection, one can see the remnants of the ...
Plaster, ABS
Improvisation in Red and Blue
Located in New York, NY
Painted, Welded -Aluminum Kinetic Sculpture. Blue and red colors. About the Artist: Studied engineering and sculpture at Stony Brook University. Steve has created sculptures of welded bronze or aluminum and have installed them around the world, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, England, France, Germany, Israel, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Grand Cayman...
Mixed Media
$10,974
Aluminium Sculpture 'Dialog' by Carola Eggeling, Aluminum Polished
Located in Paris, FR
Aluminium Sculpture 'Dialog' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German aluminum sculpture Numbered and signed artwork Limited edition of 9 Measures: ...
Steel
$120,000
Artemis
By Ed Haugevik
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Sculpture. About the Artist: Ed Haugevik has established a career as professional sculptor placing his work at numerous private and public sites throughout the country. ...
Stainless Steel
Scribbles Pink
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
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
Sculptures 'Wandobjekt' by Carola Eggeling, Bronze and Aluminum
Located in Paris, FR
Sculptures 'Wandobjekt' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. Set of 3 German aluminum and bronze sculptures Finishes: - Aluminum white lacquered - Al...
Bronze, Steel
Bronze Sculpture 'O.T. III' by Carola Eggeling, Bronze Patina
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze Sculpture 'O.T. III' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German bronze sculpture Bronze Patina Numbered and signed artwork Limited edition of ...
Bronze
Nebza I Sculpture by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez a.k.a CarmWorks
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Paris, FR
Nebza I by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez Iranian Pink Marble Dimensions: H. 16 cm x 15 cm x 4 cm Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez is a Colombian born designer with a degree in In...
Marble
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
Wok Hei : contemporary modern 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...
Acrylic
Bokeru : contemporary modern 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...
Acrylic
Discovery 2017-1, Kug Kyung Oh
By Kug Kyung Oh
Located in Porto, 13
"Discovery 2017-1" by Kug Kyung Oh Medium: Bronze Edition: 3 of 6 Dimensions: 29 x 29 x 155 cm / 11.4 x 11.4 x 61 in Year: 2011 "Discovery 2017-1" by Kug Kyung Oh stands as a testame...
Bronze
Sphère, 2025 Mixed Media Sculpture, Unique 1/1, Abstract Art, 45 cm
Located in Porto, 13
“Sphère”, 2025 Mixed media on preformed structure, edition 1/1 Ø 45 cm / 17.7 in Unique piece – signed by the artist The artwork “Sphère” (2025) by Pascal Courcelles is a true paint...
Canvas, Oil
Flight
Located in Somerset West, WC
Flight is a limited edition bronze sculpture, plated in brass. The minimalist and streamlined bird in flight symbolizes freedom.
Bronze
Summerscale : abstract steel sculpture
By Naomi Press
Located in New York, NY
Abstract steel sculpture by Naomi Press. Signed with initials. Naomi Press is a female abstract sculptor, who was one of the very few women working in large scale with steel in the ...
Stainless Steel
Untitled VIII : large-scale steel sculpture
By Naomi Press
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale steel sculpture by Naomi Press. Signed with initials. Naomi Press is a female abstract sculptor, who was one of the very few women working i...
Stainless Steel
$9,200
Rhythm
Located in New York, NY
Painted Aluminum Sculpture. Blue and white. About the Artist: Studied engineering and sculpture at Stony Brook University. Steve has created sculptures of welded bronze or aluminum and have installed them around the world, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, England, France, Germany, Israel, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Grand Cayman...
Mixed Media
$40,000
Waves of Blue
Located in New York, NY
Abstract. Painted, Welded -Aluminum Kinetic Sculpture. Blue colors. Moves in the wind. About the Artist: Studied engineering and sculpture at Stony Brook University. Steve has created sculptures of welded bronze or aluminum and have installed them around the world, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, England, France, Germany, Israel, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Grand Cayman...
Mixed Media
Glass Sculpture Escape
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glasswhite silver transparent and matte white and noir. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). Total weight about 2...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Rainning inside
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in molted opaque black , brown/black and sandblasted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). Total we...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Constantly and successively
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass in opaque black, blueish black, transparent white and sandblasted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). Tota...
Blown Glass
Glass sculpture Assiduosly without words
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in brown/black, bluish black, opaque white and White sandblasted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 c...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Fragmentation
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in opaque black , opaque white,black, grey and silver white. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). T...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Division
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in metal opaque black, black, grey and sandblasted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). Total weig...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Fear catalogues
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass in mottled opaque black, black, grey, transparent white silver and sandblasted transparent. Includes its black metal base (about32 cm X ...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Thin
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in moltted opaque black, transparent white crystal, grey, silver transparent sandblasted. Includes its black metal base ( abou...
Blown Glass
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
Glass sculpture When the Queen leaves
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous,One of a kind Blown and fused Glass in opaque black with metal effects, black, grey and transparent sandblasted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 ...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Ecartelee Shared
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Really gorgeous, One of a kind Blown and fused Glass. Black opaque, white opaque, black, grey and brown. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). Total weigh...
Blown Glass
Glass Sculpture Discreet presence
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous art piece, One of a kind Blown and fused Glass in opaque black, opaque white, grey, dark forest green and sandblasted transparent. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 ...
Blown Glass
The 3 Quinquerimi
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Sculpture. Can be outside or inside. Materials are reclaimed lumber. About the Artist: Born in Montevideo, Uruguay to a family of artists, Aurelio was raised in New Y...
Mixed Media
Black Sculpture 'Wandobjekt' by Carola Eggeling, Patinated Bronze
Located in Paris, FR
Black Sculpture 'Wandobjekt' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German bronze sculpture Finish: Black Bronze Patinated Certificate of authenticity Nu...
Bronze
Contemplation #2
By Dennis Leri
Located in New York, NY
Abstract. Painted steel. Metal sculpture About the Artist: I create sculpture for indoor, outdoor, private and public spaces from various materials such as steel, copper and wood. ...
Metal, Steel
Untitled IX : large-scale steel sculpture
By Naomi Press
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale steel sculpture by Naomi Press. Signed with initials. Naomi Press is a female abstract sculptor, who was one of the very few women working i...
Stainless Steel
Silver Sculpture 'Phönix I' by Carola Eggeling
Located in Paris, FR
Silver Sculpture 'Phönix I' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German silver sculpture (alloy of copper, nickel and zinc) Numbered and signed artwork...
Silver
Abstract, Black & White Clay Sculpture: 'Probe'
By Judi Tavill
Located in New York, NY
"Probe" is created by hand building with clay, firing the form, painting, drawing with graphite, as well as painting with graphite powder, mica powder and acrylic medium on the surfa...
Clay, Paint, Varnish, Acrylic, Graphite
Abstract, Black & White Clay Sculpture: 'Console'
By Judi Tavill
Located in New York, NY
"Console" "Twist" is one continual form created by hand building with clay, firing the piece, drawing with graphite and spraying with a matte clear varnish. The piece is created to a...
Clay, Paint, Varnish, Graphite
Silver Sculpture 'Curva I' by Carola Eggeling
Located in Paris, FR
Silver Sculpture 'Curva I' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German silver sculpture Silver - Alpaca Certificate of authenticity Numbered and signe...
Silver
Silver Sculpture 'Curva II' by Carola Eggeling
Located in Paris, FR
Silver Sculpture 'Curva II' by Carola Eggeling Abstract sculpture with beautiful curved lines. German silver sculpture Silver - Alpaca Certificate of authenticity Numbered and sign...
Silver