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.
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Navy Citron
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made in acrylic on birch with satin lacquer and Venetian gold plaster paint backer Navy Citron is a striking mid century modernist inspired wall sculpture made from birch, m...
Metal, Bronze, Enamel
Triad 3 : contemporary steel sculpture and home decor
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful contemporary sculpture by Susan Woods. This artwork would be a great addition to any location and a wonderful decor for your home or commercial space. The sculpture is a...
Steel
Aria (Green)
By Eric Johnson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Inspired by both art and science, Eric Johnson creates composite works of pigment, wood and resin that reference a kinship with other artists: to the sensuality of Brancusi, the arch...
Wood, Lacquer
Sphère, 2025, sculpture - Pascal Courcelles
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
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Tiki III
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Tiki III Wood, paint, lacquer on MDF 24" x 24” x 1” Tiki III is a discreet and elegant minimalist contemporary wall sculpture. It is constructed with high-end birch plywood, acrylic...
Enamel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - SSB6
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made with MDF, enamel, Shou sugi ban pine, oil & satin lacquer Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The ...
Enamel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Pinwheel
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made in birch, wax and acrylic washes Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fair in NYC, Te...
Enamel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Natural Mystic
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made with birch panel, latex, lacquer, enamel & MDF Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art F...
Enamel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Atlas
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Lacquer on MDF with cherry and mahogany wood lacquer This Series focuses on the combination of wood and sleek modern painted panels. I feel they are retro-futurist. The juxtapositi...
Lacquer
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - 30LOVE
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Enamel and latex on MDF + birch with satin lacquer 30LOVE is an elegant modern and minimalist contemporary wall sculpture. It is constructed with birch panels, acrylic and latex was...
Enamel
$6,242
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
Red Magic
Located in Naples, Florida
Colombian-American artist has a 35-year career in sculpture and painting. Trained in Italy, USA and Colombia with renowned artists Libe de Zulategui, Dora Ramirez...
Steel
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
Birdwatcher Trophy
Located in Bozeman, MT
The heart and hand needed to create a strong American painting is not limited to those living east of the Mississippi. It is a product of endless work, self-evaluation, and the coura...
Mixed Media, Oil
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
Abstract Ceramic Sculpture 'Moonlight Underwater'
Located in White Plains, NY
'Moonlight Underwater' 2025 by Contemporary American artist, Sheryl Zacharia. Ceramic, 17 x 22.5 x 6 in. This sculpture incorporates a rich palette of colors in bronze, gray, red, bl...
Ceramic
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Rockpool
Located in Paris, IDF
Wall mounted bronze in a MDF box Series of variations Stamped with monogram signature and numbered 642A The sculpture is supplied with everything required for hanging. Weight: 3 kg
Bronze
British Contemporary Sculpture by Philip Hearsey - Let's Go !
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze on a slate composite base Series of unique variations Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 765A The natural bronze raised patterns are finely rubbed and lacqu...
Slate, Bronze
Star fossil, polished bronze sculpture 16 x 16 x 4 cm - 2025
Located in Milano, MI
This striking bronze sculpture "Fossile di stelle" (Fossil of Stars) by acclaimed Japanese artist Kyoji Nagatani presents a captivating interplay between geological and celestial the...
Bronze
Autumn, bronze sculpture with red patina, 10 x 8 x 8 cm , 2025
Located in Milano, MI
This intimate bronze sculpture by renowned Japanese artist Kyoji Nagatani presents a minimalist architectural form rendered in pristine white patina. Measuring 10 x 8 x 8 cm and weig...
Bronze
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - SSB1
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made in Shou Sugi Ban Pine, MDF, enamel, satin lacquer & stain Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The ...
Enamel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Pagoda
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made found Objects (table legs) ebony wood & latex Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art Fa...
Latex, Wood
Untitled XI : large-scale steel sculpture
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
Blue Squares
By Dennis Leri
Located in New York, NY
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. Through the...
Metal, Steel
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Divergence
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made in latex washes, enamel, birch & lacquer on MDF Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other Art ...
Lacquer, Mixed Media, Birch, Acrylic
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Tonka II
By Scott Troxel
Located in Paris, IDF
Artwork made in matte metallic automative enamel & lacquer on MDF Scott Troxel has exhibited his work at numerous fairs and exhibitions across the United States, including The Other...
Lacquer
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 - Phases
Located in Paris, IDF
Bronze on a Cumbrian slate base Unique variation Stamped with monogram signature and uniquely numbered 713A The lunar crescent in different positions on each face is finished with me...
Bronze
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
$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
$14,500
Aria (Clear)
By Eric Johnson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Inspired by both art and science, Eric Johnson creates composite works of pigment, wood and resin that reference a kinship with other artists: to the sensuality of Brancusi, the arch...
Wood, Lacquer
Crescendo
Located in Greenwich, CT
Dutch, b. 1938 Renowned for his monumental sculpture created primarily for open-air public locales, Hans Van de Bovenkamp has been described as an artist-mystic whose work -- with i...
Bronze
Vibron : steel sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A 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 scal...
Stainless Steel
Lulo 1 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova, Yakisugi technique
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Lulo 1 Limited edition of 12 Dimensions : H. 80 cm x D. 27 cm Mediums: Ash, oil, brass Japanese technique Yakisugi LULO - Collection Climbing. Both word and action are ...
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
White Bronze Sculptures 'OPUS' by Carola Eggeling, Set of 2
Located in Paris, FR
White Bronze Sculptures 'OPUS' by Carola Eggeling. Abstract sculptures with beautiful curved lines. German bronze sculptures Bronze Lacquered...
Bronze
$20,790
Becoming-Sculpture, Abstract, Marble, Italian Carrara, contemporary, statement
Located in Knowle Lane, Cranleigh
Becoming is a contemporary abstract sculpture, hand-carved from Italian Carrara marble. British sculptor Ian Thomson possesses the skill and expertise requ...
Marble
Vanguard : 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
Untitled
By James Guy
Located in New York, NY
Signed (at lower center): Guy
Steel
$18,000
Untitled
By Robert Adams
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled" is a bronze sculpture made by Robert Adams in 1979. The work is number 3 from an edition of 6. The artwork size is 29 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 3 1/2 inche...
Bronze
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
fan 19 - Original Abstract Wood Sculpture
Located in Boston, MA
fan 19 48.0 x 35.0 x 3.0, 17.0 lbs Wood Founder's stamp Artist's Commentary: "Wood wall sculpture. 48 inches wide. I work with wood like a painter works with oils and a sculptor with stone. From a distance, lines, shapes, contours and shadows are easily seen but when you move from side to side, the change in perspective alters the image like the features of a face when it turns. If a light source moves, shadows in the piece move with it like the sun moving across a landscape. As you approach the piece, shallow contours appear like swells on a lake and intricate patterns emerge. You can't help but touch the smooth flowing surface to feel the highly finished solid wood. The furniture grade modified tung oil allows that. It also makes my art easy to clean if necessary. The lines and shapes in my art are the natural colors of solid wood joined along curves. No inlays, veneers, dyes or stains are used." About the Artist: Marc Lamm is a self-taught wood-artist who has been art since 1973. In 1996, he began developing techniques which he uses in his art. In 2011, he began making wood-wall-sculptures and has pieces in Mayo...
Wood
Cloud
Located in Greenwich, CT
Dutch, b. 1938 Renowned for his monumental sculpture created primarily for open-air public locales, Hans Van de Bovenkamp has been described as an artist-mystic whose work -- with i...
Bronze
Quinquerimi with Blue
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 York City. His father, Horacio Torres, was an accomplished classically trained artist. Aurelio’s artistic training was in Barcelona, Spain, where he studied for several years with his uncle Augusto Torres, also a classically trained painter. Aurelio’s grandfather, was the acclaimed Modernist Master Joaquin Torres...
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
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 Drops sprinkling my discontinuous trip
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 Forgotten
By L.G.
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous One of a kind Blown and fused Glass Sculpture in molted opaque black , black, brown, grey and sandbusted. Includes its black metal base ( about 32 cm X 10 cm X 18 cm ). To...
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 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
Untitled I : abstract steel sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Transform any interior or exterior into a truly unique space with the dynamic works of an acclaimed sculptor Naomi Press. Naomi Press was one of the very few women working in large ...
Steel
Triple Roller
By Clark Derbes
Located in Lincoln, MA
carved and polychromed pine
Wood, Paint, Underglaze