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Abstract Art

ABSTRACT STYLE

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.

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Style: Abstract
This Week's Listings Only
Yellow, Abstract Oil Painting
Yellow, Abstract Oil Painting

Yellow, Abstract Oil Painting

By Dorothy Gaziano

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Multiple layers of color characterize this abstract piece. Shades of orange, yellow, and cream are applied dynamically, creating a vibrant composition. Bold b...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Oil

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Welded Expressionist Sculpture After Paul Evans
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Welded Expressionist Sculpture After Paul Evans

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Welded Expressionist Sculpture After Paul Evans

Located in Surfside, FL

In this bronze sculpture the artist (unknown) has welded together a group of totems or monuments into a unified piece. T Neo-Dada Abstract Sculpture: Assemblages In contrast, abstra...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Metal

Bold Contemporary - Abstract Painting, Colorful Texture, Large, Dream
Bold Contemporary - Abstract Painting, Colorful Texture, Large, Dream

Bold Contemporary - Abstract Painting, Colorful Texture, Large, Dream

By Karnish Art

Located in Pretoria, Gauteng

Title: Interconnected Dream Bold Abstract Contemporary Colorful Masculine Investment Red Yellow Grey Blue Orange Texture Detail This series expresses our unity and our interconnect...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Pastel, Oil, Acrylic, Pencil, Color Pencil, Gesso, Canvas, Stretcher Bars

In the Bag
In the Bag

In the Bag

By Aaron Wexler

Located in New York, NY

Aaron Wexler received his B.F.A. in painting from Tyler School of Art - Philadelphia, PA. & M.F.A in painting from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. He has exhibited his work nationally and internationally - including Josée Bienvenu Gallery, Pavel Zoubok Gallery, Morgan Lehman Gallery, The National Academy Museum, The Katonah Museum of Art, among many others. Works have been acquired by numerous collections such as The Saatchi Collection, The West Collection, Fidelity Investments Art...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled - Lithograph by Gianni Dova - 1970s
Untitled - Lithograph by Gianni Dova - 1970s

Untitled - Lithograph by Gianni Dova - 1970s

By Gianni Dova

Located in Roma, IT

Untitled is an artwork realized by Giovanni Dova, 1970. Color lithograph, signed lower right. Edition number III/XXX lower left. 76.5 x 51 cm. Excellent condition.

Category

1970s Abstract Art

Materials

Lithograph

1980's French Expressionist Painting Rolling Hills and Valleys Verdant Landscape
1980's French Expressionist Painting Rolling Hills and Valleys Verdant Landscape

1980's French Expressionist Painting Rolling Hills and Valleys Verdant Landscape

By Gilbert Pelissier

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Abstract Expressionist Composition by Gilbert Pelissier (French born 1924) signed oil painting on canvas, unframed inscribed verso dated 85' canvas size: 35 x 46 inches condition: ov...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Abstract 2508
Abstract 2508

Alex SenchenkoAbstract 2508, 2025

$1,867Sale Price|20% Off

Abstract 2508

By Alex Senchenko

Located in Zofingen, AG

In creating this piece, I delved into the raw emotions of rebirth and transformation. The blend of cool blues and spirited pink streaks across a tumultuous yet harmonious canvas symb...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Acrylic

'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 3 of 10
'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 3 of 10

'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition 3 of 10

By Ugne Pouwell

Located in London, GB

'Lily in Charcoal' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The charc...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Mid Century Abstract Geometric Painting, Signed 1963, Textured Layers
Mid Century Abstract Geometric Painting, Signed 1963, Textured Layers

Mid Century Abstract Geometric Painting, Signed 1963, Textured Layers

Located in Cotignac, FR

Mid Century Abstract in polymerised macro-molecular paint on canvas applied to a painted wooden board by Belgian artist Paul H Saffre. Signed and dated {1963) on the board below the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Board

Mid Century French Figurative Painting Boys in Blue Oil on Board Signed
Mid Century French Figurative Painting Boys in Blue Oil on Board Signed

Mid Century French Figurative Painting Boys in Blue Oil on Board Signed

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Artist: French School, mid 20th century Medium: Oil on board Size (framed): 34.5 x 23 inches Frame: Framed Signature: Signed lower right (indistinct) Condition: Good condition Descr...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Oil

Ethereal Abstraction 32, Abstract Painting
Ethereal Abstraction 32, Abstract Painting

Ethereal Abstraction 32, Abstract Painting

By Patrick O'Boyle

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of artist Patrick O'Boyle's ongoing Ethereal Abstraction series. He demonstrates an abstract expression of vivid colors. "I paint standing up with the pa...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Acrylic

Moon Flower Potted Plant - Lively Abstract Colorful Botanical Painting on Paper
Moon Flower Potted Plant - Lively Abstract Colorful Botanical Painting on Paper

Moon Flower Potted Plant - Lively Abstract Colorful Botanical Painting on Paper

By Krisanne Souter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Krisanne Souter weaves together elements of nature and ancient feminine archetypes, such as the Mother and the Mystic. Botanical themes, playful elements, and unexpected surprises ar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor, Color Pencil

1960's French Cubist Abstract Oil Painting - Monogrammed
1960's French Cubist Abstract Oil Painting - Monogrammed

1960's French Cubist Abstract Oil Painting - Monogrammed

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Artist/ School: French School, signed with initials, dated 1960's Title: Cubist abstract Medium: oil painting on board, unframed board: 13.75 x 10.5 inches Provenance: private co...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Oil

Large French 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Orange and Pink
Large French 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Orange and Pink

Large French 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Oil Painting Orange and Pink

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Abstract Expressionist Composition by Marie Deloume (French born 1942) signed oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas size: 51 x 38 inches condition: overall very good, a few minor s...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Paper, Oil

Midnight
Midnight

Midnight

By Auguste Herbin

Located in Paris, FR

Silkscreen, 1959 Edition : 55/150 Publisher : Denise René (Paris) Image dimensions : 49.00 cm. x 35.00 cm. (19.29 in. x 13.78 in.) Paper dimensions : 67.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. (26.38 in....

Category

1950s Abstract Art

Materials

Silk

Untitled (Concetto Spaziale)
Untitled (Concetto Spaziale)

Untitled (Concetto Spaziale)

By Lucio Fontana

Located in Washington , DC, DC

Tipped in color plate produced in 1962 for a rare official Lucio Fontana artist monograph published by famed art book publisher Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (not included), during the artis...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Paper

Pedro Friedeberg "Schloss Struwwelpeter" Silkscreen
Pedro Friedeberg "Schloss Struwwelpeter" Silkscreen

Pedro Friedeberg "Schloss Struwwelpeter" Silkscreen

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México

-Pedro Friedeberg signed print featuring a fantastical architectural scene inspired by “Struwwelpeter.” includes whimsical figures, optical art elements, and surreal details. framed ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Giclée

'Abstract, Ebony & Rust', San Francisco Bay Area Abstraction, Large Oil
'Abstract, Ebony & Rust', San Francisco Bay Area Abstraction, Large Oil

'Abstract, Ebony & Rust', San Francisco Bay Area Abstraction, Large Oil

By Eral Leek

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed lower right, "Eral" for Eral Leek (American, 20th century) and dated 1962. A substantial, mid-century oil abstract comprising bold, overlapping rectangular compositional elem...

Category

1960s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"The Ballerina" Figure with Chanel Gown French Haute Couture Oil Canvas Painting
"The Ballerina" Figure with Chanel Gown French Haute Couture Oil Canvas Painting

"The Ballerina" Figure with Chanel Gown French Haute Couture Oil Canvas Painting

By Cindy Shaoul

Located in New York, NY

Exploring the purity of the feminine form and the drama of French haute couture, artist Cindy Shaoul creates a dialogue between the figurative and the abstract. Her spirited compositions are both dramatic and invigorating, capturing the fleeting moment of innocence swept up in bold color and seemingly controlled movement. "The Ballerina" demonstrates a whimsical expression of femininity and formality; a stunning display of understated grandeur. It is as if the shape's only purpose is to hold the magnificent pallet. This piece is signed lower left by the artist and is painted oil and on canvas and it comes housed in a contemporary white floater wood...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rose Madone — Large Neutral Abstract Minimal Earth Diptych on Canvas (Set of 2)
Rose Madone — Large Neutral Abstract Minimal Earth Diptych on Canvas (Set of 2)

Rose Madone — Large Neutral Abstract Minimal Earth Diptych on Canvas (Set of 2)

By Rose Madone

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Onirisme organique (Diptych), 146 × 114 cm each panel, Acrylic on raw canvas. Total size of the two panels: 146 × 228 cm. At Escat Gallery, we are committed to maintaining the highe...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Pigment

Tuxedo Black
Tuxedo Black

Tuxedo Black

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Tuxedo Black" is an original color serigraph on black paper by American artist Fermin Landin Hernandez, 1949-2015. It is hand signed, titled and numbered 1/65 in...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Screen

Abstract art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Sumit Mehndiratta, Giorgio Lo Fermo, Francisco Nicolás, and Dadodu . Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Synthetic Resin Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Abstract art, so small editions measuring 0.02 inches across are also available.