Nihon Noir

The first decades of the 20th century were a period of artistic upheaval, with modern art movements including Cubism, Surrealism, Futurism and Dadaism questioning centuries of traditional views of what art should be. Using abstraction, experimental forms and interdisciplinary techniques, painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and performance artists all pushed the boundaries of creative expression.

Major exhibitions, like the 1913 Armory Show in New York City — also known as the “International Exhibition of Modern Art,” in which works like the radically angular Nude Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp caused a sensation — challenged the perspective of viewers and critics and heralded the arrival of modern art in the United States. But the movement’s revolutionary spirit took shape in the 19th century.

The Industrial Revolution, which ushered in new technology and cultural conditions across the world, transformed art from something mostly commissioned by the wealthy or the church to work that responded to personal experiences. The Impressionist style emerged in 1860s France with artists like Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas quickly painting works that captured moments of light and urban life. Around the same time in England, the Pre-Raphaelites, like Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, borrowed from late medieval and early Renaissance art to imbue their art with symbolism and modern ideas of beauty.

Emerging from this disruption of the artistic status quo, modern art went further in rejecting conventions and embracing innovation. The bold legacy of leading modern artists Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian and many others continues to inform visual culture today.

Find a collection of modern paintings, sculptures, prints and other fine art on 1stDibs.

Since the introduction of photography in the 19th century, it has been used to show the earth’s diverse landscapes. Modern and contemporary landscape photography continues to capture scenes of landscapes from around the world while becoming much more exploratory.

Historically, artists have played a key role in landscape preservation. Early 20th-century landscape photography provided a powerful argument for the establishment of the U.S. National Park Service a century ago, and iconic national park shots by Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter captured the public’s imagination and fueled conservation efforts.

The world of landscape photography has grown far more experimental in the last several decades, bolstered by innovative techniques and creative talents. Abstract landscape photography is often a thought-provoking exploration of bold, bleeding colors. To understand just how abstract these images can be, look no further than Jean-François Rauzier's outstanding landscape compositions.

A simpler style is offered by minimalist landscape photography and its subdued tones. These pieces tend to imbue their surroundings with a sense of serenity, making them an excellent addition to bedrooms and quiet living rooms. And like any other works of art that you’ve brought into your home, there are many ways to arrange photography in a space. Small areas, for example, are ideal for displaying more petite pieces. These can also be positioned in a cluster as a gallery wall. You can stand framed landscape photography on an easel, a mantelpiece, floating shelves or on the floor leaning against a wall.

Browse exquisite landscape photography on 1stDibs today and find an eye-catching image to complement any home or collection.