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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
"Les Femmes Un" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 42"x56"
Located in New York, NY
"Les Femmes Un" is a gorgeous limited edition fine art print that exemplifies the essence of modernist portraiture. Capturing the allure and sophistication of a seated woman, the art...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

"Clouds" Wall Sculpture by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset, France 06
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the "Clouds" Wall Sculpture by renowned designers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset, France 06. Clouds is an innovative, colorful decorative motif concept. Each ...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Fine Art
Located in Clermont, FL
CONTEMPORARY FINE ART Tittle ; Experiments in Color 5 of 10 in a series of one off paintings Executed in 2022. signed by artist 8 x 10 x 1in. Artist paints in a free flowing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Trinidadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Brass

Large Modern Art Chris Di Vincente
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Esoteric art. One-of-a-kind. Hand torn / sculpted canvas, black + white gesso with thin wood fame. Mr. Di Vincente lives and works in Los Angeles. He studied at the San Francisco Art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas

Contemporary Fine Art
Located in Clermont, FL
CONTEMPORARY FINE ART Tittle ; Experiments in Color 4 of 10 in a series of one off paintings Executed in 2022. signed by artist 8 x 10 x 1in. Artist paints in a free flowi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Trinidadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Brass

French Abstract Color Lithograph titled "Le Reve" or The Dream, Signed
Located in Miami, FL
A Dreamlike Journey: Abstract Color Lithograph "Le Rêve" This captivating abstract color lithograph, titled "Le Rêve" (The Dream) in French, invites the viewer on a journey of imagi...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper, Wood

"Green in the Corners" Mosaic by Toyoharu Kii
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. Clas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Limited Edition Robert Rauschenberg Guggenheim Museum Retrospective Plates
Located in East Quogue, NY
Complete Set of 6 Guggenheim Museum Retrospective Limited Edition Robert Rauschenberg porcelain plates dated 1997. Each plate features a different screen-printed image of Rauschenb...
Category

1990s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Porcelain

"Hidden Movements" Mosaic by Toyoharu Kii
Located in Chicago, IL
Monochromatic, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Ukrainian Contemporary Abstract Art Diptych Painting Anthropocene by Voznicki
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Andriy and Olesya Voznicki are well established Ukrainian artists. They have both graduated from Lviv Academy of Art in Ukraine, Olesya - from the Art Glass department and Andriy as a sculptor. Forced to recently flee their home in Ukraine and relocate to the Netherlands, Olesya and Andriy Voznicki have restarted their practice in vicinity to Amsterdam and been supported by Mia Karlova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal

Signed and Framed Ken Keeley, 3-D "2001-2011 Newsstand" Collage #28/350
Located in Morristown, NJ
Ken Keeley (American, 1934-2020), mixed media 3-dimensional collage of newspaper and magazine covers of the decade, signed "Ken Keeley" and "Grace Keeley" lower right and numbered "2...
Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

Espíritu – Luis Barragán and Mathias Goeritz inspired papier-maché sculpture
Located in Guadalajara, MX
"Espíritu" is part of a series of sculptures that explores the ideas that fueled Luis Barragán architecture. In 1976, during an interview with Elena Poniatowska, Barragán stated tha...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

"Spring" Mosaic by Toyoharu Kii, 2021
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. Clas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Karl Otto Götz color lithograph untitled 1967
Located in Münster, DE
Karl Otto Götz color lithograph 1.450,00 € incl. VAT Karl Otto Götz (1914 Aachen - 2017 Wolfenacker) Color lithograph "untitled", signed and dated, created 1967, framed behind glass ...
Category

1960s German Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Modern contemporary art Dutch design wall mirror "The Float collection" oak wood
Located in Vinkel, NL
Definition; "Move or float slowly and carefully in a liquid or the air; float" Do not judge too quickly. A look in this wall mirror says it all. Let your thoughts flow and remember...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Henry Matisse's 'Fleur à Quatre Pétales': Limited Edition Lithograph, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elevate your art collection with this exquisite framed lithograph, featuring Henry Matisse's iconic piece "Fleur à Quatre Pétales," meticulously printed by Michel Caza. Crafted as a ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Contemporary Luciano Ventrone Painting Authenticated Titled Dated and Signed
By Luciano Ventrone
Located in Roma, IT
Luciano Ventrone Painting Oil on canvas, signed lower right L. Ventrone '76 The work has been authenticated directly by the artist and cataloged in the Ventrone Archive under the num...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Glass

Leonard Bernstein Seriograph Signed by Jin G Kam and Framed
Located in Chicago, IL
Leonard Bernstein Seriagraph Signed by Jin G Kam and Framed 10/50 This signed and framed seriagraph depicts Leonard Bernstein on a jewel blue background with a light blue rectangle ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Henri Matisse Framed Color Lithography, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Color lithograph after the work by Henri Matisse, Framed on high quality frame in solid lacquered wood. Signed in the stone. Henri Matisse whether working as a draftsman, a sculpto...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

"Blue Tree, " Mosaic by Toyoharu Kii, 2023
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. Clas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

Henry Matisse's 'Poisson Chinois': Color Lithograph from the Cut Out Series
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Embark on a visual journey with this stunning large framed color lithograph by Henry Matisse, extracted from his iconic series of cut outs, specifically the artwork "Poisson Chinois"...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Keith Haring Rare Signed NYC Pop Shop Safe Sex Condom Carrying Clip On Case 1987
Located in Studio City, CA
A rare Keith Haring/ New York City Pop Shop original "Safe Sex" clip-on condom carrying holder/case (The metal clip allowed you to hook it onto your belt). Haring, the renowned Amer...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal

1980s Large modernist portrait Of Woman In blue Oil Signed 24”x32”
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Signed, bottom right and dated 1980. Mystery artist ? Gray slate/steel blue, cooling and calm effect in a muted modernist palette. Unframed but hangs easily as is. 24” x 32” in m...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas

Ukrainian Contemporary Abstract Art Diptych Painting Rebirth by Voznicki
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Andriy and Olesya Voznicki are well established Ukrainian artists. They have both graduated from Lviv Academy of Art in Ukraine, Olesya - from the Art Glass department and Andriy as a sculptor. Forced to recently flee their home in Ukraine and relocate to the Netherlands, Olesya and Andriy Voznicki have restarted their practice in vicinity to Amsterdam and been supported by Mia Karlova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal

Maria Astadjov Modern Abstract Painting "The Island of Souls", 2019
Located in Montreal, QC
Modern abstract, mixed-media on White Aluminum painting; titled “The Island of Souls” by Maria Astadjov, a conceptual fine artist. Signed on front botto...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum

A Very Special Christmas Original 1987 first pressing Vinyl Record
Located in EINDHOVEN, NL
A Very Special Christmas Various artists 1987 first pressing vinyl record A&M Records - SP-3911 Cover art by Keith Haring This 1987 original pressing vinyl record showcases the dis...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, "Untitled", By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Black Slate by artist Jordan Tabachnik, mix media on board, sculptural art
Located in Toronto, CA
' Slate Black Noon ' by artist Jordan Tabachnik Mix media, paper, on artist board. Mounted with a frame in the same colour as the artwork. The serie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Contemporary Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

José González Veites "viaje imapinario ror bajio"
Located in Wallkill, NY
José González Veites "viaje imapinario ror bajio" acrilico / tela "imaginary journey for acrylic" bass / fabric (Mexican, born Mexico City 1957) Works found in the Met. Born in Mexi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas

Contemporary Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, Untitled, By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Contemporary Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Contemporary Collage Art, Photo Collage, Contemporary Art, By Donovan G Davis
Located in Toronto, ON
Donovan Davis’s is a Canadian based artist currently residing in Toronto. He has over two decades dedicated to deconstructing and reconstructing photo based images. His photo collag...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Alfredo Troisi, Evolution of the Square, 1975, Mixed Media on Cardboard
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Pair of paintings of the evolution of the square by Alfredo Troisi (Foggia 1938). Mixed technique on schoeller cardboard. Size: 47x47 cm one, 42x42.5 cm the second.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Pomegranate Tree" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "POMEGRANATE TREE" motif finely painted. Quantity: 10 tiles Tile mural size: 11.8"W X 29.5"H (30cm X 75cm) Tile size: 5.9"W X 5...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Abstract Mixed media on Canvass signed 2015
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
ABSTRACT MIXED MEDIA ON CANVASS A great size mixed media abstract painting of a face in acrylic and other media, on a stretched canvas signature to bottom right and dated 2015 Age:...
Category

2010s French Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Rooster" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "ROOSTER" motif finely painted. Quantity: 8 tiles Tile mural size: 23.6"H X 11.8"W (60cm X 30cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portug...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Lemon Tree" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "LEMON TREE" motif finely painted. Quantity: 10 tiles Tile mural size: 11.8"W X 29.5"H (30cm X 75cm) Tile size: 5.9"W X 5.9"H (...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Locked Away mixed media on Canvass by Terry Thomas
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
LOCKED AWAY - TERRY THOMAS This is an extraordinary work of art 'Locked Away' by Terry Thomas, a renowned artist who has carefully painted this piece in his studio nestled within the...
Category

2010s European Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

KAWS Brian Donnelly Rare Signed Natural Canvas Uniqlo X Tote Shopping Bag Gone
By KAWS
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite rare signed tote shopping bag by world-renowned contemporary artist and New York-based sensation KAWS (Brian Donnelly). Art critics have universally and consistently compared...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Textile, Canvas

Robert Indiana Greenpeace Love 32/170
Located in Winter Park, FL
Robert Indiana (1928-2018) Greenpeace Love Screenprint in green and white inks on Rives BFK paper with full margins Signed and numbered in pencil 32/170 This particular incarnation o...
Category

20th Century American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Chinese Contemporary Ink Art by Wang Tiande
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Wang Tiande (Chinese b.1960) Title: "Digital Series No.4 C07", 2004 Medium: Chinese ink on paper and cigarette burns Signed and dated lower left Wang Tiande 2004. Original gallery label on verso Frame (wood shadow box under acylic): 52 3/4" x 25 3/4" Provenance: Purchased from Michael Goedhuis, October 23, 2006 An important figure in the Chinese contemporary art scene, in the field of modern calligraphic art particularly, Wang Tiande was born in Shanghai in 1960. After graduating from the Chinese Painting Department at the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in 1988, Wang received a doctoral degree in the calligraphy department of the same school. Currently, Wang is a professor at Shanghai Fudan University. His work is held in the permanent collection of many important museums across the globe, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the British Museum. Known for his revival and reinterpretation of Chinese calligraphy and painting...
Category

Early 2000s Chinese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paper

Kinetic mobile
Located in London, GB
Large kinetic mobile hand made by the artist Alistair Berg. Alistair Berg is a sculptor based in Somerset. He uses a variety of materials to create lightweight kinetic mobiles design...
Category

2010s British Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal, Brass

Abstract Painting by Venezuelan Artist Alejandro Rios
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An abstract painting by Venezuelan artist Alejandro Rios. Rios is known for creating largely abstract landscapes that disappear through the texture a...
Category

Late 20th Century Venezuelan Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

"Reconstructed Landscape, " Mixed Media Mosaic, 2022
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. Clas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

'Untitled' Saltwork
By FOS
Located in Copenhagen, DK
In this wall piece by FOS a chemical reaction containing oxygen, water and salt is created and when the water evaporates the salt is crystallised and a landscape of salt takes shape....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Other

Anne Boysen Large Modern Abstract Painting Celebration II Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful large-scale abstract painting on canvas by noted Philadelphia artist, Anne Boysen (1939-2011). This art work, titled Celebration II, is an explosion of joyous color. Unfram...
Category

1990s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Emma Kohlmann, Untitled, Water and Sumi Ink on Paper (Framed), 2018
Located in New York City, NY
Emma Kohlmann, Untitled, Water and Sumi Ink on Paper (Framed), 2018
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage Boho Abstract Painting on Board
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Boho oil painting on board. A chic tonal composition in shades of green. Signed on the back by the artist. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Late 20th Century North American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Jo Patch Oil on Board Painting
Located in Miami, FL
A very decorative work of art by listed artist, Jo Patch. Jo Patch born in Opprebais on January 13, 1937. He was active in Belgium primarily although many of his works were exhibit...
Category

20th Century Belgian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Masonite, Paint

silkscreen '71, "phallic geometries"
Located in Felino, IT
silkscreen '71, "phallic geometries" serigraphy year 1971, numbered 20/99. subject "phallic geometry" , printed on black cardboard. glued to picoglass type substrate, no glass. signa...
Category

1970s European Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Jo Patch Oil on Board Painting
Located in Miami, FL
A very decorative work of art by listed artist, Jo Patch. Jo Patch born in Opprebais on January 13, 1937. He was active in Belgium primarily although many of his works were exhibit...
Category

20th Century Belgian Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint, Masonite

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Swans" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "SWANS" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 41.3"H X 47.2"W (105cm X 120cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production met...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Color Lithograph by Irving Amen, Titled "Violin"
Located in Miami, FL
Fine color lithograph titled "Violin" by Irving Amen. Pencil signed by the artist, numbered 83/90. This fine quality contemporary and decorative artwork by Irving Amen would enhanc...
Category

20th Century American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Ernst Fuchs (1930 - 2015) "Head of a cherub", created in 1982 Color silkscreen
Located in Münster, DE
Ernst Fuchs (1930 - 2015) "Head of a cherub", created in 1982 Color silkscreen, ed. 200 pieces, signed and numbered Dimensions 67.7 cm x 45 cm Ernst Fuchs was born on February 13...
Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Ernst Fuchs (1930 - 2015) "Head of a cherub", created in 1982 Color silkscreen
Located in Münster, DE
Ernst Fuchs (1930 - 2015) "Head of a cherub", created in 1982 Color silkscreen, ed. 200 pieces, signed and numbered Dimensions 67.7 cm x 45 cm Ernst Fuchs was born on February 13...
Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Miklos Nemeth "Nude" watercolor on paper, 1950s
Located in Münster, DE
Miklos Nemeth (1934-2012), "Nude", watercolor, signed, framed behind glass 57 x 67 cm Nemeth began his studies in 1950 at Ödön Marffy's School of Fine ...
Category

1950s Hungarian Vintage Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paint, Paper

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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