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Walking Trio, Abstract Painting
Walking Trio, Abstract Painting

Walking Trio, Abstract Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments"This painting is about the gesture and movement, not about who the people

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Forest, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Forest, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Liam Hennessy

Located in Yardley, PA

work hints of narrative or representation may emerge. :: Painting :: Abstract :: This piece comes with

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Bonbon (Abstract Expressionism painting)
Bonbon (Abstract Expressionism painting)

Bonbon (Abstract Expressionism painting)

By Laura Newman

Located in London, GB

narratives. Her paintings change a great deal in the process of making them. At the same time, she is after a

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Bonbon (Abstract Expressionism painting)
Bonbon (Abstract Expressionism painting)

Bonbon (Abstract Expressionism painting)

By Laura Newman

Located in London, GB

into characters and set them to play in unpredictable abstract narratives. Her paintings change a great

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)
Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)

Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Untitled (#706) (Abstract painting)
Untitled (#706) (Abstract painting)

Untitled (#706) (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central subject. It’s this process of

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled (#705) (Abstract painting)
Untitled (#705) (Abstract painting)

Untitled (#705) (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central subject. It’s this process of

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Andrew’s Refrain (Abstract painting)
Andrew’s Refrain (Abstract painting)

Andrew’s Refrain (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel, Wood Panel

Untitled (#704) (Abstract painting)
Untitled (#704) (Abstract painting)

Untitled (#704) (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central subject. It’s this process of

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paper

The Royal (Abstract painting)
The Royal (Abstract painting)

The Royal (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central subject

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)
Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)

Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

The Delegation (Abstract painting)
The Delegation (Abstract painting)

The Delegation (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

After Midnight (Abstract painting)
After Midnight (Abstract painting)

After Midnight (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

The Delegation (Abstract painting)
The Delegation (Abstract painting)

The Delegation (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

After Midnight (Abstract painting)
After Midnight (Abstract painting)

After Midnight (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

The Delegation (Abstract painting)
The Delegation (Abstract painting)

The Delegation (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

"Broken Christmas" Oil Painting

"Broken Christmas" Oil Painting

By Shelli Langdale

Located in Denver, CO

to the canvas full time in 2014. Shelli began exploring personal narratives in her paintings that

Category

2010s Contemporary Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

After Midnight (Abstract painting)
After Midnight (Abstract painting)

After Midnight (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

to previous decisions. He begins each painting by taping off one or more horizon lines. His initial

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Excavation - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
Excavation - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting

Excavation - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting

Located in Boston, MA

Commentary: "A double perspective reinforces the innocence and uncertainty portrayed in this narrative, a

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Sparrow" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood
"Sparrow" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood

"Sparrow" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood

By Terra Novak

Located in Denver, CO

. Frequently painting on wood panels, Terra often leaves the natural grain exposed, creating a dialogue between

Category

2010s Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

"Yearling Black Bear, " Oil painting
"Yearling Black Bear, " Oil painting

"Yearling Black Bear, " Oil painting

By Susan McDonnell

Located in Denver, CO

Minnesota after living in Southern California for 30 years. Her paintings are narratives inspired by her

Category

2010s Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache

Odds And Ends (Abstract Painting)
Odds And Ends (Abstract Painting)

Odds And Ends (Abstract Painting)

Located in London, GB

Odds And Ends (Abstract Painting) Mixed Media on Canvas — Unframed. Ludovic Dervillez is a French

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

'Camelot' Abstract Grid Painting
'Camelot' Abstract Grid Painting

'Camelot' Abstract Grid Painting

By Doug Frohman

Located in Rye, NY

‘Camelot’ is a large abstract narrative oil on panel painting created by American artist Doug

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel, Graphite

"One for Sorrow" Oil Painting
"One for Sorrow" Oil Painting

"One for Sorrow" Oil Painting

By Shelli Langdale

Located in Denver, CO

exploring personal narratives and symbolism in her paintings that center on the ephemerality of

Category

2010s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Process of Love" Oil Painting
"Process of Love" Oil Painting

"Process of Love" Oil Painting

By Shelli Langdale

Located in Denver, CO

exploring personal narratives and symbolism in her paintings that center on the ephemerality of

Category

2010s Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Acrylic Polymer, Video

DEBUT, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
DEBUT, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

DEBUT, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Pamela Ross

Located in Yardley, PA

DEBUT, by Pamela Boullier Ross is a painting of narrative essence and derives from the artist's

Category

2010s Other Art Style Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Cobalt Rhythms, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Cobalt Rhythms, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Liam Hennessy

Located in Yardley, PA

. Through the relationships between the various elements within the work hints of narrative or

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Orbital, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Orbital, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Liam Hennessy

Located in Yardley, PA

the work hints of narrative or representation may emerge. :: Painting :: Abstract :: This piece comes

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

For Henry Hudson (Abstract painting)
For Henry Hudson (Abstract painting)

For Henry Hudson (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

The Big Spill (Abstract painting)
The Big Spill (Abstract painting)

The Big Spill (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

What I heard (Abstract painting)
What I heard (Abstract painting)

What I heard (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central subject. It’s this process of

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Chinese painting on rice paper “Procession” Guangzhou
Chinese painting on rice paper “Procession” Guangzhou

Chinese painting on rice paper “Procession” Guangzhou

Located in Valladolid, ES

placed quite accurately within the realm of folk narrative and ceremonial painting, closely related to

Category

1890s Qing Figurative Paintings

Materials

Rice Paper

The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)
The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)

The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

What I heard (Abstract painting)
What I heard (Abstract painting)

What I heard (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central subject. It’s this process of

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)
The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)

The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)

By Clay Johnson

Located in London, GB

editing. As Johnson says, “that narrative—the story of the painting’s own making—becomes the central

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Cactus Wren" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood
"Cactus Wren" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood

"Cactus Wren" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood

By Terra Novak

Located in Denver, CO

. Frequently painting on wood panels, Terra often leaves the natural grain exposed, creating a dialogue between

Category

2010s Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

"House Finch" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood
"House Finch" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood

"House Finch" - Oil Animal Painting on Wood

By Terra Novak

Located in Denver, CO

. Frequently painting on wood panels, Terra often leaves the natural grain exposed, creating a dialogue between

Category

2010s Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Summer Story  -  Minimalist Figurative Landscape Painting
Summer Story  -  Minimalist Figurative Landscape Painting

Summer Story - Minimalist Figurative Landscape Painting

By Mike Gough

Located in Los Angeles, CA

in the narrative. These paintings partially stem from a fear of memory loss as a result of

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Landscape Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel

Cindy Kane 1985 Original Painting on Plywood
Cindy Kane 1985 Original Painting on Plywood

Cindy Kane 1985 Original Painting on Plywood

By Cindy Kane

Located in New York, NY

of art and narrative. Her paintings begin with a black background, into which she carves figures

Category

1980s American Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Plywood, Oil

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Narrative Painting For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate narrative painting for your needs in our varied inventory. There are many Contemporary, Abstract and Expressionist versions of these works for sale. Finding the perfect narrative painting may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. On 1stDibs, the right narrative painting is waiting for you and the choices span a range of colors that includes black, gray, brown and white. There have been many interesting narrative painting examples over the years, but those made by Tom Bennett, Stephen Basso, Fiona Ackerman, Britt Spencer and Gerard Schriemer are often thought to be among the most thought-provoking. Artworks like these of any era or style can make for thoughtful decor in any space, but a selection from our variety of those made in paint, oil paint and paper can add an especially memorable touch.

How Much is a Narrative Painting?

The average selling price for a narrative painting we offer is $1,450, while they’re typically $300 on the low end and $18,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Paintings for You

Painting is an art form that has spanned innumerable cultures, with artists using the medium to tell stories, explore and communicate ideas and express themselves. To bring abstract paintings, landscape paintings, still-life paintings and other original paintings into your home is to celebrate and share in the long tradition of this discipline.

When we look at paintings, particularly those that originated in the past, we learn about history, other cultures and countries of the world. Like every other work of art, paintings — whether they are contemporary creations or works that were made during the 19th century — can often help us clearly see and understand the world around us in a meaningful and interesting way.

Cave walls were the canvases for what were arguably the world’s first landscape paintings, which depict natural scenery through art. Portrait paintings and drawings, which, along with sculpture, were how someone’s appearance was recorded prior to the advent of photography, are at least as old as Ancient Egypt. In the Netherlands, landscapes were a major theme for painters as early as the 1500s. Later, artists in Greece, Rome and elsewhere created vast wall paintings to decorate stately homes, churches and tombs.

Today, creating a wall of art is a wonderful way to enhance your space, showcase beautiful pieces and tie an interior design together.

No matter your preference, whether you favor Post-Impressionist paintings, animal paintings, Surrealism, Pop art or another movement or specific period, arranging art on a blank wall allows you to evoke emotions in a room while also showing off your tastes and interests. A symmetrical wall arrangement may comprise a grid of four to six pieces or, for an odd number of works, a horizontal row. Asymmetrical arrangements, which may be small clusters of art or large, salon-style gallery walls, have a more collected and eclectic feel.

Download the 1stDibs app, which includes a handy “View on Wall” feature that allows you to see how a particular artwork will look on a particular wall, and read about how to arrange wall art. And if you’re searching for the perfect palette for your interior design project, what better place to turn than to the art world’s masters of color

On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive collection of paintings and other fine art for your home or office. Browse abstract paintings, portrait paintings, paintings by emerging artists and more today.