How did abstract art come about?

Abstract art grew out of the desire by artists in the early 20th century, like Wassily Kandinsky, to create “pure art,” grounded not in visual reality but in the artist’s imagination.

How do you describe abstract art?

To describe abstract art, focus on its elements. Take notice of the types of lines and shapes the work features. Discuss its color and value, the term for the interplay between light and dark in a piece. You can also consider its texture, the materials used to produce it and how it fits into the space that surrounds it. Find a wide range of abstract art on 1stDibs.

Can abstract art be representational?

No, abstract art , by definition, is not representational. Although the shapes in an abstract composition may be based on real world objects, these objects are not recognizable in the finished work.

What is an abstract piece of art?

A%20definition%20of%20abstract%20art%20is%20art%20through%20which%20the%20artist%20doesn't%20attempt%20a%20visual%20depiction%20of%20the%20world.%20%20The%20artist%20may%20have%20other%20intentions%20%3A%20conveying%20a%20pure%20emotion%2C%20or%20achieving%20what%20(s)he%20perceives%20as%20visual%20perfection%2C%20etc.%20%20There%20are%20many%20kinds%20of%20abstract%20art%20%3A%20lyrical%20abstraction%2C%20geometrical%20abstraction%2C%20action%20painting%E2%80%A6%20%20There%20is%20also%20an%20infinite%20spectrum%20between%20hyperrealism%20and%20pure%20abstraction%2C%20since%20one%20can%20argue%20that%20any%20brush%20stroke%20is%20by%20itself%20an%20abstraction%20of%20the%20reality%20%E2%80%94%20let%20alone%20flat%20color%20patches.

What influenced abstract art?

Abstract art was influenced by Postimpressionism.

Who was the father of abstract art?

Wassily Kandinsky is the father of abstract art .

What does abstract mean in art?

Abstract, in art, refers to art that rejects visual reality. Instead, abstract arts utilizes shapes, colors, forms and other gestural marks to convey a certain feeling and reality.

What are the six elements of abstract art?

The six elements of abstract art are color, form, line, shape, texture and value. Color refers to the various hues featured in a composition, while form refers to the subjects or elements of a piece. Lines and shapes are the components that make up the artwork. Textures include both physical differences in the surface of a work and effects that create the illusion of textural variations. Value, the final element, describes how light or dark the colors are. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of abstract art.

What makes good abstract art?

What makes good abstract art is largely subjective. People tend to think of abstract art as good when it evokes an emotional response in them. Critics may judge abstract art based on its originality and creativity, as well as on the skill and technique of the artist. Shop a diverse assortment of abstract art on 1stDibs.

Why do people like abstract art?

The reasons why people like abstract art vary. Some like the fact that they can interpret abstract pieces however they desire and enjoy using their imaginations to find meaning in various works. Others experience an emotional reaction when viewing abstract art and consider it to be moving as a result. In addition, people may appreciate the creativity and inventiveness that the creation of abstract art requires. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of abstract art.

What are three characteristics of abstract art?

Abstract art is meant to achieve an effect as opposed to representing an object, person, or a scene. Three characteristics of abstract art include: being non-representational art; valuation of shapes, colors, lines, and textures; and subjective art. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original abstract artwork from top artists.

Is Cubism a form of abstract art?

Yes, Cubism is a form of abstract art .

Why was Kandinsky called the Father of Abstract Art?

Kandinsky was called the Father of Abstract Art because he was part of a crucial moment in art history. He was influenced by styles ranging from Surrealism to Fauvism and was a leading figure in bringing together Der Blaue Reiter, a group of avant-garde artists in Munich who explored spiritual concepts through their art as a response to the materialism of the time. Wassily Kandinsky also led courses on analytical drawing and color at the Bauhaus after being appointed by founder and architect Walter Gropius to teach in Weimar in 1922. He taught at all three of the legendary school’s locations and remained with the institution until its forced closure by the Nazis in 1933. Through his work, Kandinsky pushed modern art closer to total abstraction and inspired artists like Willem de Kooning and Joan Mitchell. Explore a range of Wassily Kandinsky art on 1stDibs.

Which painter experimented with abstract art and Cubism?

There is no single painter who experimented with abstract art and Cubism. A number of artists worked in Cubism, a style of abstract art in which reality was fragmented into flat, geometric forms. Historians generally credit Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso as being the fathers of Cubism. Other Cubist painters include Fernand Léger, Alexander Archipenko, Marcel Duchamp, Juan Gris and Jean Metzinger. Shop a collection of Cubist art on 1stDibs.

Rare Abstract Art

Early American Oil Painting

Robert Indiana Signed

Rare 1970s

Agam Lenticular

Kinetic Light

Unknown Signed Abstract Paintings

Georges Pompidou

Yaacov Agam Agamograph

Very Rare Abstract Art Maison Charles Lamp / Signed

$6,553

Very Rare Abstract Art Maison Charles Lamp / Signed

By Maison Charles

Located in Munich, DE

Has got the most wonderful patina of many Maison Charles lamps i saw in my life. Even rarer with marble base.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Angela WakefieldManchester Abstract Expressionist Art by Contemporary Artist - a Rare Early Work, 2005

$33,812

Manchester Abstract Expressionist Art by Contemporary Artist - a Rare Early Work

By Angela Wakefield

Located in Preston, GB

Manchester Abstract Expressionist Art by Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield - a rare early work.

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Wood Panel, Wood, Gesso, Acrylic, Oil, Mixed Media, Varnish, Paint

Located in Buffalo, NY

An original acrylic on board by contemporary painter and sculptor Jason Barr. Originally from the UK Barr resides in Brooklyn, NY where he maintains a small studio. With a practice...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Board

Angelo Di BenedettoRare 1950s Mid-Century Abstract Shaped Mobile Painting by Angelo Di Benedetto, circa 1955

$6,250

$16,000

$280,000

Eight, Rare Enamel and Steel Sculpture, Pop Art, Edition 2/8, 2003

By Robert Indiana

Located in Aventura, FL

Enamel and steel sculpture. Measures 18 x 18 x 10 inches (with base). Stamped 'R. Indiana' with edition, date and foundry. Edition 2/8. Published by MILGO, Brooklyn Artwork is...

Category

Early 2000s Pop Art Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Robert Garret Thew American Sculptor Rare Art Deco Bronze Cigar Stand, Penguin, 1929

$2,200

Robert Garret Thew American Sculptor Rare Art Deco Bronze Cigar Stand, Penguin

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Fabulous deco penguin design- bronze cigar stand by Connecticut sculptor Robert Garret Thew, (1892-1964). Signed on the base "G.Thew" and dated 1929. In excellent condition with a be...

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Abstract Sculptures

$2,800

Rare Sidney Janis Gallery poster for American Graffiti show Abstract Prints

Located in New York, NY

Sidney Janis Gallery, Jean-Michel Basquiat, CRASH (John "Crash" Matos), A1One, Chris DAZE Ellis, Daze, Keith Haring, Rammellzee, TOXIC, Kenny Scharf, Lee Quiñones, Lady Pink, Futura ...

Category

1980s Street Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Screen

Angela WakefieldM6 Motorway in England - a rare early critically acclaimed expressive painting, 2005

$33,812

M6 Motorway in England - a rare early critically acclaimed expressive painting

By Angela Wakefield

Located in Preston, GB

M6 Motorway in England - an rare early critically acclaimed expressive painting by Contemporary Artist, Angela Wakefield Art measures 30 x 30 inches (box canvas, unframed) Angela...

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic

Antique Canadian Modernist Framed Lake Landscape Rare Original Oil Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique Canadian modernist landscape oil painting. Oil on board. Framed. Measuring 15 by 17 inches overall and 10 by 12 painting alone.

Category

1940s Modern Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Frank StellaExperiment and Change, rare NSU Art Museum poster (Hand signed by Frank Stella), 2017

$2,100Sale Price|25% Off

Experiment and Change, rare NSU Art Museum poster (Hand signed by Frank Stella)

By Frank Stella

Located in New York, NY

Frank Stella Experiment and Change (Hand Signed), 2017 Offset Lithograph Hand signed by the artist i ink on the lower right front 22 × 27 4/5 inches Unframed This offset lithograph ...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Keith HaringRare original Keith Haring Vinyl Record Art (Keith Haring Crack Is Wack), 1987

$3,000

$2,500

Galerie Mikro Berlin rare European Pop Art print, Hand Signed by Jim Dine, Frame

By Jim Dine

Located in New York, NY

Jim Dine Complete Graphics poster (hand signed by Jim Dine), 1970 Offset lithograph poster (hand signed by Jim Dine) 39 1/2 × 26 inches Frame included: held in the original vintage m...

Category

1970s Pop Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Ink, Lithograph, Offset

Jim DineFour Hearts, rare poster, The Baltimore Museum of Art (Hand Signed by Jim Dine), 1983

$2,800

Four Hearts, rare poster, The Baltimore Museum of Art (Hand Signed by Jim Dine)

By Jim Dine

Located in New York, NY

Jim Dine Hearts (Hand Signed), 1983 Offset lithograph 28 × 22 inches Boldly signed in black marker on the front Unframed This vintage hand signed 1983 poster depicting Jim Dine's pai...

Category

1980s Pop Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Unavailable

H 9 in W 12.5 in D 17 in

Erte Rare Papillon Original Bronze Sculpture Table Mirror Signed Art Deco Art

By Erté

Located in Bloomington, MN

Erte Authentic and Original Bronze Sculpture on a Table Mirror "Papillon", listed with the Submit Best Offer option Accepting OFFERS Now: For sale here we have the nearly impossibl...

Category

1980s Art Deco Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Unavailable

H 31 in W 42 in

"Flirt", Helen Frankenthaler, Lincoln Center RARE Signed & dated Abstract

By Helen Frankenthaler

Located in Cleveland, OH

Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928–2011) "Flirt", 2003 Lincoln Center Art Program with Brand X Editions Screenprint on Rives BFK paper Edition: 126 26 7/8" x 39 1/4" paper size Fr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Prints

Materials

Screen

Frank BowlingRare and Crunchy, 1993

Unavailable

H 24 in W 28 in

Rare and Crunchy

By Frank Bowling

Located in New York, NY

Materials

Ink

Large Daum France Pate De Verre Art Glass Vase, the Wave Signed and Rare

Unavailable

H 6 in W 8.5 in D 11.5 in

Large Daum France Pate De Verre Art Glass Vase, the Wave Signed and Rare

Located in Pasadena, CA

Daum France turquoise blue Pate-De-Verre art glass vase, The Wave. Signed Daum France to the underside. This vase was discontinued and only available for a limited time.

Category

1990s European Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Sold

H 15 in W 22 in D 8.5 in

Rare Large Abstract Expressionist Welded Assemblage Sculpture

Located in Surfside, FL

Large Abstract Expressionist Welded Assemblage Sculpture. it appears unsigned. it is on a found wood original base. it has a Brutalist quality to it. It commands a lot of presence

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Sold

H 9.25 in W 10.25 in

Rare Abstract Judaica Hebrew Calligraphy Modernist Painting

By William Proweller

Located in Surfside, FL

Abstracted colorful painting of the first verse of the Shema Prayer. (VeAhavta... and you shall love...) William Proweller is an associate professor of art history at S.U.N.Y., Fred...

Materials

Bronze

Large Scale Antique American Abstract Expressionist Signed Original Oil Painting, 1950

$1,996Sale Price|20% Off

H 42 in W 44 in D 2 in

Large Scale Antique American Abstract Expressionist Signed Original Oil Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique American modernist abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed.

Category

1950s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lamp by designer Philippe Barbier, dating from the 1970s

$1,016

$2,033

H 27.17 in Dm 19.69 in

An Important ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER, France 1970

By Philippe Barbier

Located in PARIS, FR

An important elegant table lamp, Post-Modernist, NeoClassical, Shabby-Chic, a black lacquered metal cubic base and a wide spherical body with a final cylindrical lampshade, by Philip...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Vintage American Modernist Signed Abstract Expressionist Framed Oil Painting, 1970

$1,275

H 33 in W 27 in D 2 in

Vintage American Modernist Signed Abstract Expressionist Framed Oil Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

This mid-century abstract composition employs a dynamic interplay of geometric planes and gestural brushwork, rendered in a vibrant yet balanced palette of pastel pinks, acid yellow...

Category

1970s Abstract Expressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Piry RameVintage Mid Century Modern Abstract Expressionist Ethereal Organic Oil Painting, 1960

$636Sale Price|20% Off

$4,463

H 24.81 in Dm 15.75 in

Michel Jaubert Signed Sculptural Bronze Table Lamp, circa 1975, France

By Michel Jaubert

Located in Brussels, BE

Beautiful Michel Jaubert organic form bronze table lamp, circa 1975, France. Polished bronze, ivory fabric shade, lacquered black wood base. The lamp is in good condition, rewired fo...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Abstract Expressionist Painting (Mid-century Modern action composition), 1957

$1,200

H 30 in W 18 in D 0.5 in

Abstract Expressionist Painting (Mid-century Modern action composition)

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Untitled Abstract Expressionist painting, 1957 Oil on canvas measuring 18 x 30 inches. Signed with monogram and dated lower right. Two repair patches on back on painting. Artist...

Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Vintage American School Modernist Framed Original Street Art Abstract Painting, 1990

$716Sale Price|20% Off

H 28 in W 22 in D 2 in

Vintage American School Modernist Framed Original Street Art Abstract Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique American modernist signed abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed.

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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Rare Abstract Art For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact piece of rare abstract art you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Find Pop Art versions now, or shop for Pop Art creations for a more modern example of these cherished works. Making the right choice when shopping for an item from our selection of rare abstract art may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 20th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century. When looking for the right choice in our collection of rare abstract art for your space, you can search on 1stDibs by color — popular works were created in bold and neutral palettes with elements of gray, beige, black and gold. Creating an object in our assortment of rare abstract art has been a part of the legacy of many artists, but those crafted by Dale Chihuly, Robert Indiana, Maurice Cockrill, Levi Yitzchak Freidin and Joan Miró are consistently popular. Frequently made by artists working in paint, lithograph and oil paint, these artworks are unique and have attracted attention over the years.

How Much is a Rare Abstract Art?

The average selling price for a piece of rare abstract art we offer is $2,495, while they’re typically $0 on the low end and $1,250,000 for the highest priced.

Questions About Rare Abstract Art

How did abstract art come about?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Abstract art grew out of the desire by artists in the early 20th century, like Wassily Kandinsky, to create “pure art,” grounded not in visual reality but in the artist’s imagination.
How do you describe abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024
To describe abstract art, focus on its elements. Take notice of the types of lines and shapes the work features. Discuss its color and value, the term for the interplay between light and dark in a piece. You can also consider its texture, the materials used to produce it and how it fits into the space that surrounds it. Find a wide range of abstract art on 1stDibs.
Can abstract art be representational?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
No, abstract art, by definition, is not representational. Although the shapes in an abstract composition may be based on real world objects, these objects are not recognizable in the finished work.
What is an abstract piece of art?
1 Answer
La ChrysomeleFebruary 23, 2021
A definition of abstract art is art through which the artist doesn't attempt a visual depiction of the world. The artist may have other intentions : conveying a pure emotion, or achieving what (s)he perceives as visual perfection, etc. There are many kinds of abstract art : lyrical abstraction, geometrical abstraction, action painting… There is also an infinite spectrum between hyperrealism and pure abstraction, since one can argue that any brush stroke is by itself an abstraction of the reality — let alone flat color patches.
What influenced abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Abstract art was influenced by Postimpressionism.
Who was the father of abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Wassily Kandinsky is the father of abstract art.
What does abstract mean in art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Abstract, in art, refers to art that rejects visual reality. Instead, abstract arts utilizes shapes, colors, forms and other gestural marks to convey a certain feeling and reality.
What are the six elements of abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
The six elements of abstract art are color, form, line, shape, texture and value. Color refers to the various hues featured in a composition, while form refers to the subjects or elements of a piece. Lines and shapes are the components that make up the artwork. Textures include both physical differences in the surface of a work and effects that create the illusion of textural variations. Value, the final element, describes how light or dark the colors are. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of abstract art.
What makes good abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024
What makes good abstract art is largely subjective. People tend to think of abstract art as good when it evokes an emotional response in them. Critics may judge abstract art based on its originality and creativity, as well as on the skill and technique of the artist. Shop a diverse assortment of abstract art on 1stDibs.
Why do people like abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024
The reasons why people like abstract art vary. Some like the fact that they can interpret abstract pieces however they desire and enjoy using their imaginations to find meaning in various works. Others experience an emotional reaction when viewing abstract art and consider it to be moving as a result. In addition, people may appreciate the creativity and inventiveness that the creation of abstract art requires. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of abstract art.
What are three characteristics of abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Abstract art is meant to achieve an effect as opposed to representing an object, person, or a scene. Three characteristics of abstract art include: being non-representational art; valuation of shapes, colors, lines, and textures; and subjective art. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original abstract artwork from top artists.
Is Cubism a form of abstract art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Yes, Cubism is a form of abstract art.
Why was Kandinsky called the Father of Abstract Art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
Kandinsky was called the Father of Abstract Art because he was part of a crucial moment in art history. He was influenced by styles ranging from Surrealism to Fauvism and was a leading figure in bringing together Der Blaue Reiter, a group of avant-garde artists in Munich who explored spiritual concepts through their art as a response to the materialism of the time. Wassily Kandinsky also led courses on analytical drawing and color at the Bauhaus after being appointed by founder and architect Walter Gropius to teach in Weimar in 1922. He taught at all three of the legendary school’s locations and remained with the institution until its forced closure by the Nazis in 1933. Through his work, Kandinsky pushed modern art closer to total abstraction and inspired artists like Willem de Kooning and Joan Mitchell. Explore a range of Wassily Kandinsky art on 1stDibs.
Which painter experimented with abstract art and Cubism?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
There is no single painter who experimented with abstract art and Cubism. A number of artists worked in Cubism, a style of abstract art in which reality was fragmented into flat, geometric forms. Historians generally credit Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso as being the fathers of Cubism. Other Cubist painters include Fernand Léger, Alexander Archipenko, Marcel Duchamp, Juan Gris and Jean Metzinger. Shop a collection of Cubist art on 1stDibs.