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Modern Contemporary Art

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
"La Ligne" Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 30" x 30"
Located in New York, NY
Introducing "La Ligne" is a limited edition fine art print that captivates the viewer with its gorgeous abstract linework, demonstrating the beauty of simplicity and the power of for...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

"La Ligne" Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 40" x 40"
Located in New York, NY
"La Ligne" is a limited edition fine art print that captivates the viewer with its gorgeous abstract linework, demonstrating the beauty of simplicity and the power of form. The prin...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

"Les Glaçons" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 40"x40"
Located in New York, NY
"Les Glaçons" is a gorgeous scene of icebergs under the veil of night, masterfully captured in this limited edition fine art print that speaks volumes about the serenity and majesty ...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

"Les Terrains" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 30"x40"
Located in New York, NY
Our first limited edition fine art print “Les Terrains” is an emotive abstract landscape translated in gouache, charcoal and pastel. Created by artist Chri...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Walljewel by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Walljewel by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: 15 x H 42 cm Materials: Rose, green and white onyx. Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Inspired by t...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Onyx

Takeshi Hara Strokes 17 Artist Proof Lithograph, 1983
Located in Miami, FL
Original Takeshi Hara framed stokes lithograph on paper. Strokes Verion 17 Dated 1983 Artist Proof, Signed. Takeshi Hara is best known for his bro...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal

"Desenho" Silkscreen by Álvaro Siza Vieira
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Desenho (Man Painting) - The painting shows someone who begins a drawing, looking on the paper with a pen in the hand. Álvaro Siza describes the very special moment of taking the decision to make a painting, facing the white paper. A reproduction of his situation, doing this series of paintings: not knowing what to do until the decision to draw was being made. Then the idea of mythology came to his mind. “It is, in some way, an expression of my personal moment making drawings. But it is not a self-portrait, I am quite different than this man. It is not a specific person on purpose, because everyone makes drawings. Maybe not everyone does it, but everyone could do it.” Álvaro Siza started drawing at the age of six. With a great variety of drawings on his portfolio, many of them are inspired by mythology and historic scenes. “The drawings are what came to my mind in this very moment. I like mythology and expressing the stories in images. I have made a lot of mythological drawing...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Heart Shaped Emerald Green, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Heart, Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in wh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic

Heart Shaped Kintsugi White, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Heart, Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in which certain parts become containers. Here then are hearts made into porcelain powders...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic

Limited Edition Posrche 911 RS 1973 Pop Art Print in the Manner of Andy Warhol
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
The iconic Porsche 911 RS 1973, pop art print in the style of Andy Warhol. Vibrant wall art, a great addition to your art collection. Probably 1980s, these are signed limited editi...
Category

Late 20th Century British Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Papercord, Paper

Frieze, Antinous, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Henri Matisse Color Lithography, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Color lithograph after the work by Henri Matisse, Signed in the stone. Henri Matisse whether working as a draftsman, a sculptor, a printmaker or a painter Henri Matisse was a m...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Heart Shaped Green & Gold, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Heart, Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in wh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic

Limited Edition Serigraph by Maria Bertran
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the exquisite Limited Edition Serigraph by Maria Bertran - "Moorea" #54/200. This captivating artwork beautifully captures the serene essence of a boat resting on the bea...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Patrick Carrara Black Ink on Mylar Drawings, Appearance Series, 2014 - 2017
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Patrick Carrara's black ink on Mylar drawings were created in 2014-2017. This is his latest series Appearance, which he start...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Mylar

Patrick Carrara Black Ink on Mylar Drawing Triptych, Appearance Series, 2017
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Patrick Carrara's Black Ink on Mylar Drawing Triptych was created in 2017. This is his latest series Appearance, which he started ten years ago and also ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Mylar

1960s Wood Block Lithograph Still Life Abstract Wall Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a wall art in a rectangular shape. The art has an abstract cubism technique. It appears to be a wood block or lithograph. Dominant color is green and black to...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing, Painting of Nothing Series, 2012
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Paintings of Nothing is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Painting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Elena Lyakir Wind Photograph, Land and Sea Series, 2008
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Elena Lyakir's Wind was photographed in 2008 and is part of her Land and Sea Series. This is a meditation on the essence of seeing the world through our ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #29, 2012
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #29 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

1974 Captain Beefheart Magic Band Unconditionally Guaranteed Promo Poster
Located in Dayton, OH
"Original 1970’s promotional poster for Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band for Unconditionally Guaranteed, featuring his often used salutation: Love ...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

'Smile Through The Chaos', Outsider Artist Drew, 2021
Located in Hastings, GB
This piece is titled Smile Through The Chaos, painted in 2021 during lockdown and using an abandoned car park sign as the medium. Measuring 183cm wide x 93cm Height Drew is an 'Outsider' artist based on the Romney Marsh in Kent.Painting from his self built studio in the rural village of Lydd, Drew's creativity sees the use of found and salvaged materials and media throughout his work. This sustainable creativity sees the recycling of abandoned paints, varnishes and substitute base materials such as metal and wooden panelling...
Category

2010s British Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #25, 2011
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #25 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

John Baldwin Nude Couple in Bed Unique Hand Carved Sculptural Wooden Plaque
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare, unique and very unusual sculptural hand carved wooden plaque depicting a nude couple in bed signed John Baldwin (b. London, 1937) and dated 1985. ...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

20th Century Erotic Nude Blonde Woman Oil Painting Fantasy Heels Lingerie
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century erotic woman oil painting. Features a blonde woman with long flowing hair, dressed in lingerie and high heels. Framed in gold. Unsigned. M...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Looming Relic, Christopher Windle, 2016
Located in Brunswick, ME
Powerful, contemporary urban realism by local Philadelphia artist, Christopher Windle. Oil on canvas, 2016. Measures: 35" x 48".
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing, Painting of Nothing Series, 2012
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Paintings of Nothing is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Painting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Square Frame Mix Roses Set Arrangement, Flowers, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
Life is a perpetual cycle with no beginning and no end: everything is, becomes and evolves according to its own nature. The universe does not admit of “nonexistence”: everything, eve...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Large Diptych Abstract Painting on Two Square Canvases
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A mesmerizing abstract diptych painting having two side by side 30" square canvases that are a magical continuation of oneanother. Artist is Fay Sciarra, a painter and mixed media a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas

Hand Signed Lithography 'The museum' by Vastian
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hand signed lithography by Vastian, Spanish contemporary artist. 'The museum', 2010. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful pati...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Original Paul Rusconi Painting of Famous Pop-Culture Skateboarder, Paul Cardiel
Located in Tustin, CA
Very large, original digital screenprint on Plexiglas with nail polish on C-print, mounted to Sintra board painting of the famous hall of fame skateboard icon, John Joseph Cardiel (b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Plexiglass

Large Gliclee of a Reclining Nude Female
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite "Large Giclée of a Reclining Nude Female" - a captivating piece of art that exudes grace, beauty, and sophistication. This stunning black and white pictur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Chicago Skyline Artist Joseph Catanzaro Winner of the Chicago Artist of the Year
Located in Chicago, IL
Abstract Chicago skyline painting, acrylic on canvas, by local Chicago artist, Joesph Catanzaro. Winner of the Chicago “Artists of the Year” f...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Hand Tufted Purple and Orange Yin Yang Dot Rug
Located in Oaklyn, NJ
The Yin Yang Dot rug is a modern take on yin yangs & polka dots. The mix is so fun! I design & hand tuft all of my pieces, it is truly art for your floor. I...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Stavit Allweis "Bunnies" Surrealist Dreamscape Painting on Paper, 1996
Located in Dayton, OH
Stavit Allweis is an Israeli postwar and contemporary artist. "Bunnies" 1996, surrealist painting on paper.      Sans Frame - 12.25” x 16.5”
Category

1990s Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint, Paper

Patrick Carrara Divided Lines Triptych, Graphite on Paper, 2010
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Patrick Carrara's Divided Lines Drawings Triptych was made in 2010. The D.L. Series (2010 -2011) was created after Gardens of Silence (2009 - 2010). No m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Summation by William Havlicek
Located in Denton, TX
Beautiful soft paint palate of lines and columns on canvas by William Havlicek. Dr. William J. Havlicek has over 40 years of experience in fine art/studio production and exhibition,...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #5B, 2010
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #10 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Mixed-Media Artwork by Harold Edward Larsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish 1980s mixed-media artwork by the American artist Harold Edward Larsen (b.1935) was acquired from a Palm Beach estate. Note: Signed...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #5, 2010
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #5 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Painti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Oil Painting on Canvas by Yang Qian
Located in Atlanta, GA
Title: Hiding in The Jungle Artist: Yang Qian (Chinese; B. 1959) Medium: Oil on canvas Years: purchased circa 1990 A Palm Beach, FL collection An early work by Yang Qian during his sojourn in Florida, USA. The series delved into art history with reinterpretation and overlaying symbolism. The painting is set in a moody tropical jungle at night and is a clear reinterpretation and a dialogue between Henri Rousseau's The Dream and Paul Gauguin's La Femme du Roi. Although the two French artists were contemporaries, they may have not intersected in their personal lives. Pioneering and ground-breaking for their time, their work were celebrated posthumously and served as inspiration for later artists. For a similar painting Odalisque Now (c.1990) see lot 135 of Sotheby's Contemporary Art Asia sale...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Gilbert Swimberghe Oil on Canvas 'Grey'
By Gilbert Swimberghe
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Large oil on canvas by Belgian modernist painter Gilbert Swimberghe (1927-2015). Swimberghe was part of a Avant Garde movement in the 1950s called De Raaklijn. This group of painters...
Category

20th Century Belgian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint

Jerusalem Art Framed by Obolski Israel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Jerusalem art framed by Obolski Israel.   
Category

Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Elena Lyakir Diptych, Destiny and Fate Photographs, Land and Sea Series, 2013
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Elena Lyakir's Diptych, Destiny and Fate, were photographed in 2013 and are part of her Land and Sea Series. This is a meditation on the essence of seein...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Large Tile Portrait of Marlena Dietrich
Located in Pasadena, TX
Large Tile Portrait of Marlena Dietrich Large scale tile piece in blue to black hues of the iconic movie star.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic

Patrick Carrara Black Ink on Mylar Drawings, Appearance Series, 2017
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Patrick Carrara's Black Ink on Mylar Drawings were created in 2017. This is his latest series Appearance, which he started te...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Mylar

Monumental Large Striking Mixed Media Abstract in Custom Frame
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very impressive large scale powerful abstract on paper having acrylic & pastel composition with orange, turquoise, black and tan. Beautiful custom framing with grey painted backgroun...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Kai Kein Respekt 'Kai no Respect' by Kai Althoff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The book titled "Kai Kein Respect" accompanies the first major survey exhibition of Kai Althoff, one of the most compelling and original voices in Contempo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Elena Lyakir Triptych, Feels Like Home. Bridgehampton, NY Photograph, 2016
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Elena Lyakir's Triptych, Feels Like Home. Bridgehampton NY, was photographed in 2016 and is part of her City Parks Romance Series. Elena composed in-came...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

Elena Lyakir Diptych, When We Were Three and The Inevitable Photographs, 2019
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Elena Lyakir's Diptych, When We Were Three and The Inevitable, was photographed in 2019 and are part of her Aves Series. It's an ongoing exploration of h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

The Peaceable Kingdom Donna Moylan Signed Oil on Canvas Painting 1992-1993
Located in Dayton, OH
The Peaceable Kingdom Donna Moylan Signed oil on canvas painting 1992-1993 Donna Moylan (b.1953) is active/lives in New York. Donna Moylan is known for mod genre, non objective. ...
Category

1990s Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Patrick Carrara Garden of Silence Triptych, Graphite on Paper, 2009
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary New York artist Patrick Carrara's Garden of Silence Drawings was created in 2009. G.O.S. (2009-2010) was the first series using a mechanical pencil with a hard 5H graphi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #15, 2011
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #15 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Framed Black and White Photograph Arthur Tress
Located in Atlanta, GA
A framed vintage gelatin silver photograph print by American surrealist photographer Arthur Tress (1940-). Entitled "Making Leaves, Cold Spring, New York", the work was created in 19...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #10, 2011
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #10 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Richard Hirsch Encaustic Painting of Nothing #19, 2011
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Richard Hirsch's encaustic Painting of Nothing #19 is made of ceramic raw materials, dry pigment and wax. This piece is part of his ongoing Paint...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Clay, Organic Material

Cool 3D Wall Sculpture Art 'Formism 2' by Jonathan Tucker, U.S. 2001
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cool 3D Wall Sculpture Art 'Formism 2' by Jonathan Tucker, U.S. 2001 Jonathan Tucker Formism 2 cast stones wall sculpture 2001. Exquisite form, detail and color composed of modeling ...
Category

Early 2000s Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint

Modern contemporary art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern contemporary art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage contemporary art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern contemporary art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original contemporary art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Louise Heighes, Las Animas, and Sabrina Landini. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for contemporary art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $110 and tops out at $191,803 while the average work can sell for $3,868.

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