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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
Stunning wall installation of bright blue butterflies
Stunning wall installation of bright blue butterflies

Stunning wall installation of bright blue butterflies

By Paul Villinski

Located in London, GB

Paul Villinski is an American sculptor widely known for transforming littered cans from the city streets into large-scale, abstract installations of life-like butterflies. Over three...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Metal, Wire

"Les Vendanges" Lithograph in Colors, 1961
"Les Vendanges" Lithograph in Colors, 1961

"Les Vendanges" Lithograph in Colors, 1961

By Marc Chagall

Located in Astoria, NY

Marc Chagall (Russian/French, 1887-1985), "Les Vendanges" [The Harvest], Lithograph in Colors, 1961, from Daphnis et Chloe, unsigned and unnumbered as issue, printed by Mourlot, Pari...

Category

1960s Abstract Art

Materials

Lithograph

Just Be Happy
Just Be Happy

Just Be Happy

Located in Zofingen, AG

Just Be Happy This painting is a warm and sincere wish from the artist — a visual expression of joy, lightness, and inner freedom. It is created not for analysis, but for feeling: a...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Untitled #535 by Murray Duncan – Original Contemporary Mixed Media on Paper
Untitled #535 by Murray Duncan – Original Contemporary Mixed Media on Paper

Untitled #535 by Murray Duncan – Original Contemporary Mixed Media on Paper

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Untitled #535 by Murray Duncan – Contemporary Mixed Media on Paper Size: 32" x 40" Unframed, signed on the back A striking exploration of form and movement, Untitled #527 by Murray ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Oil Crayon, Acrylic, Pencil

"Emerald Pathway", Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
"Emerald Pathway", Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

"Emerald Pathway", Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By June Johnson

Located in Yardley, PA

a relaxing pathway through a dreamscape :: Painting :: Abstract :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: Signed:...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Acrylic

The Hills - Impasto Thick Paint Tall Colorful Abstract Painting
The Hills - Impasto Thick Paint Tall Colorful Abstract Painting

The Hills - Impasto Thick Paint Tall Colorful Abstract Painting

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Dreamscape, Abstract Impressionist Painting, Oil Pastel on Paper, 30x24 inches

Dreamscape, Abstract Impressionist Painting, Oil Pastel on Paper, 30x24 inches

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

I intuitively paint each of my paintings based on my mood of the day or at that moment. I never know what I am going to create until I see the end result. Sometimes it is a colorful,...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Paper, Oil Pastel

An Abstract of "Forces"
An Abstract of "Forces"

An Abstract of "Forces"

By William Shields Jr.

Located in San Francisco, CA

The artist of this piece, William "Bill" Stephens Shields Jr. (1925-2010), was born in San Francisco and following the death of his father in 1931, the then-4 year-old grew up in Tex...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

October 17
October 17

October 17

Located in Dallas, TX

gouache, tempera & colored pencil on newspaper

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Paper, Tempera, Gouache, Color Pencil

Spaces 9878: Abstract Landscape Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 2010
Spaces 9878: Abstract Landscape Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 2010

Spaces 9878: Abstract Landscape Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 2010

Located in BARCELONA, ES

I use the word landscape in a broad sense that encompasses internal and external perceptions, but not necessarily what is visible. The landscape, in a space-time context, becomes a t...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Acrylic, Cotton Canvas

Untitled #SP-202, Mixed Media on Paper by Murray Duncan - Abstract Geometric
Untitled #SP-202, Mixed Media on Paper by Murray Duncan - Abstract Geometric

Untitled #SP-202, Mixed Media on Paper by Murray Duncan - Abstract Geometric

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Untitled #SP-202 by Murray Duncan Mixed media on paper Size: 32" x 40” Unframed, signed A bold mixed-media work with dynamic lines and textures. This captivating piece by Murray D...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Paper, Oil Crayon, Acrylic

A little bird on a lettuce background.
A little bird on a lettuce background.

A little bird on a lettuce background.

Located in Zofingen, AG

An exotic bird is depicted on a 40×40 cm canvas, painted with acrylics. Its plumage shimmers with vibrant shades of green, blue, turquoise, and yellow, creating a sense of living ra...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Overhead Migration, Abstract Oil Painting
Overhead Migration, Abstract Oil Painting

Overhead Migration, Abstract Oil Painting

By Heidi Hybl

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Fascinated by the birds that soar over her Big Sur home, artist Heidi Hybl paints an abstract depiction of their migration. Their bold forms contrast the soft...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Oil

Expression 8 by M.Y., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Expression 8 by M.Y., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Expression 8 by M.Y., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

Expression 8 by M.Y. I am constantly looking for different techniques, colors and materials to experiment with, and always strive to achieve sensual harmony in every composition. I ...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Acrylic

Las Mascaras VII. From Las Mascaras (The masks) Series
Las Mascaras VII. From Las Mascaras (The masks) Series

Las Mascaras VII. From Las Mascaras (The masks) Series

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This series draws inspiration from Hatillo’s Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes, translating the festival’s vibrant movement and collective energy into a refined abstract vocabulary. Thr...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic

Umbra series 15, Abstract Sculpture
Umbra series 15, Abstract Sculpture

Umbra series 15, Abstract Sculpture

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Fear and insecurity came uninvited to keep the artist company. Suddenly it became necessary to release the sensations that surrounded him day and night. At times the artist felt as i...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Brass

The Assembled Whole. No 7
The Assembled Whole. No 7

The Assembled Whole. No 7

Located in Zofingen, AG

This painting is created on canvas using acrylic paints, elements of faux leather, and hand-embroidered details, resulting in a unique composition with rich texture. The work feature...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Composition - Lithograph on Paper - Mid-20th Century

Composition - Lithograph on Paper - Mid-20th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Composition is an original print in lithograph on paper realized by an anonymous artist of the mid-20th Century. In very good conditions. The artwork is created through confident s...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Art

Materials

Lithograph

Paolo Buggiani Mid Century Modern Abstract
Paolo Buggiani Mid Century Modern Abstract

Paolo Buggiani Mid Century Modern Abstract

By Paolo Buggiani

Located in San Francisco, CA

magnificent abstract, painting by the well listed Italian artist Paolo Buggiani relationship relationship. Born in Italy in 1933, but worked in America from the 1950s. He has auction...

Category

1960s Abstract Art

Materials

Oil

Under the Moonlight
Under the Moonlight

Under the Moonlight

Located in Zofingen, AG

On the painting, the Goddess eembraces the lamb. Her appearance reveals an underlying bond between the divine, the human, and the natural, suggesting that these realms arise from a c...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Cuerpos Magnéticos #42. Wall sculpture
Cuerpos Magnéticos #42. Wall sculpture

Cuerpos Magnéticos #42. Wall sculpture

By Carla Gimbatti

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Cuerpos Magnéticos was born searching for the relationship between nature and our bodies: we see rocks, bones, structures, flexibility, attractions, spaces, movement, stillness. Cuer...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Epoxy Resin, Pigment

"The Key" Abstract Mixed Media Painting 48 x 48 in by Yoram Katz
"The Key" Abstract Mixed Media Painting 48 x 48 in by Yoram Katz

"The Key" Abstract Mixed Media Painting 48 x 48 in by Yoram Katz

Located in Culver City, CA

"The Key" Abstract Mixed Media Painting 48 x 48 in by Yoram Katz Medium: Mix Media on board Size framed: 50 x 50 in ABOUT THE ARTIST: Born in Israel. Graduated from the Bazelel Ar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Board

Raventos Vertical Big original abstract mixed media painting
Raventos Vertical Big original abstract mixed media painting

Raventos Vertical Big original abstract mixed media painting

By Maria Asuncion Raventos

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

El dia que es va crema el Liceo original abstract mixed media painting RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Gillian Ayres - Star Spangled
Gillian Ayres - Star Spangled

Gillian Ayres - Star Spangled

Located in London, GB

Gillian Ayres Star Spangled, 2010 Sugar-lift aquatint and etching with carborundum printed in colours, extensively hand-coloured in acrylic paint, on BFK Rives wove paper, with full ...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Aquatint, Etching

Md Tokon - The Wildflowers, Painting 2014

Md Tokon - The Wildflowers, Painting 2014

By Md Tokon

Located in Stamford, CT

Collection: Earth Acrylic on canvas Md Tokon's style has reflected the art of American Abstract Expressionists. Md Tokon spent his early years in Jhenidah and Dhaka. The physicality...

Category

2010s Abstract Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Acrylic Polymer, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

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.