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Modern Paintings

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Gaston Planet, untitled, 1976, Vinyl on canvas
Located in PARIS, FR
Born in 1938 in Auzolle-Grande, Gaston Planet died in Nantes in 1981. After fine arts in Nantes and the Jullian Academy in Paris, Gaston Planet devoted himself to painting. From 1961...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Gaston Planet, untitled, 1975, Vinyl on canvas
Located in PARIS, FR
Born in 1938 in Auzolle-Grande, Gaston Planet died in Nantes in 1981. After fine arts in Nantes and the Jullian Academy in Paris, Gaston Planet devoted himself to painting. From 1961...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Max Ackermann Modernist Original Painting Germany 1935 Stuttgart
Located in London, GB
An original pastel painting by the German Modernist painter Max Ackermann,(1887 - 1975) He was both painter and graphic artist of abstract works. Signed and dated Born in 1887 in B...
Category

1930s German Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Hans Henrik Husemann Painting "Velvet Hills" acrylic on canvas
Located in Münster, DE
Hans-Henrik Husemann (*1943 Celle), "Velvet Hills", Terra series, acrylic on canvas, created 2022, signed and dated, titled and signed on verso, studio stamp 100 x 120 cm Born in...
Category

2010s German Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Hans Henrik Husemann Painting "from afar" acrylic on canvas
Located in Münster, DE
"from afar" from the series Terra Created in 2023, acrylic on canvas, signed and dated bottom right Format: 100×120 Born in 1943, grew up in Hamburg and Berlin, studied at the Hoc...
Category

2010s German Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Abstraction on Paper by Nell Blaine
Located in Long Island City, NY
Abstraction with India ink on paper by Nell Blaine.
Category

20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Inside Painted Crystal, "Young Girl of Elegance" Snuff Bottle by Li Yingtao 2016
Located in Tainan, TW
Li Yingtao, an owner of Yizhenzhai, was born in Hengshui City in 1963. He was praised as a Chinese master of splashing color in inside painting, a Master of Arts and crafts in Hebei Province, and the founder of splashing color techniques in inside painting. By now, he has been teaching and passing down this technique to his students. Mr, Li Yingtao is one of the most outstanding disciples of the master of Chinese arts and crafts...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Paintings

Materials

Rock Crystal

Painting by Sven Hansson, Sweden. 1979
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painting by Sven Hansson, Sweden. 1979. Painted wood relief on board. Dimensions: H: 42 cm/ 16 1/2" W: 51 cm/ 20'' Provenance: the estate of the artist. Working in a purely geome...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

21st Century Watercolor Giraffe
Located in Madrid, ES
This charming and sophisticated wall decoration has been entirely hand-painted on 100% natural cotton paper, using the sumi-e technique inspired by ancient Korean paintings. Particul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Paintings

Materials

Cotton, Acrylic, Paper

"Composition" by Etienne Beothy, 1919-1959
Located in Paris, FR
Gouache on paper Monogram and dated lower right Stamp of the artist's workshop, monogram and date on the back Certificate of authenticity n°41 from Béothy Committee.
Category

20th Century French Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Contemporary Modern Spanish Painting Darío Urzay, 2010
Located in Madrid, ES
”Phaistos”, 2010 Darío Urzay Pigment, resin and varnish on board. Dario Urzay (Bilbao, 1958) is a Spanish artist whose works show that art should operate in an open world, not lim...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Paintings

Materials

Resin

Romul Nutiu, Fereastra II, 1992, Oil on Canvas
Located in Vicenza, VI
Painting belonging to what is the current of Romanian abstract expressionism. A "window" is represented where the pictorial film is characterized by a geometric subdivision of the sp...
Category

1990s Romanian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Impressionistic Beach Scene by Niek Van Der Plas
Located in Lantau, HK
Niek van der Plas paints impressionist scenes of Holland's beaches and dunes, bulb fields, city scenes in Amsterdam and Maastricht, and other typically Dutch vistas such as the harbo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Niek van der Plas, Venise, Oil on Canvas
Located in Lantau, HK
Niek van der Plas paints impressionist scenes beaches, dunes, bulb fields, city scenes. Figures are often central in the work of this painter, who was born in 1954 and who is notable...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Have You Seen My Shirt Two Figured Represented in an Erotic Situation
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint, Acrylic

Vintage Abstract Floral Still Life Painting, "Love" by Garmed
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Abstract Floral Still Life Painting, "Love" by Garmed Offered for sale is an original acrylic on canvas titled “Love” by Venezuelan born Miami resident artist Garmed, Alfr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Purvis Young 'Herd of Freedom Horses'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
'Herd of Freedom Horses' by Purvis Young (1989–1999) USA, circa 1980s A progressive work, painted on a found metal tray, of five horses in landscape. signed 'Young' upper right corner. In untouched, well-cared-for vintage condition, ready to place.  The overall dimensions of the work are 13- inches wide, 17.5- inches high, and 1.5- inches deep.  About : Purvis Young (1943–2010) was an American artist from the Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida. Self-taught, Young's work was often a blend of painting and drawing with collaged elements, utilizing everyday discarded found objects. Inspired by documentaries, art books...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

William P. Montgomery Abstract Mixed Media Painting "Rocket Science #4" on Wood
By William P. Montgomery
Located in Miami, FL
William P. Montgomery Abstract Mixed Media Painting "Rocket Science #4" on Wood Offered for sale is "Rocket Science #4" painted with acrylic paint, charcoal and markers by artist Wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

3D Modern Hand Painted Cubes Dimensional Art by Brazilian Artist Silva
By Cicero Silva
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We are in love with this artists work. Based and working in his studio in Brazil., Cícero Silva created this limited edition piece with wood cubes painted...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

Marc Chagall '1887 1985' Plate Signed Modernist Figural Lithographic Print
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) Plate signed modernist figural lithographic print Galerie Maeght Paris France 1952, published in 1959, lithography by Fernand Mourlot France. Chagall was born in 1887 into a Jewish...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Glass, Paper

Max Marra Italian Tempera on Paper
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Conte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Fall Colors, 1977, Oil on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Max Marra Italian Tempera on Paper
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Contemporary Italian tempera on paper signed Max Marra 2004(multimedia experimenter), tempera on a gold background. Max Marra was born in Paola, Calabria, in 1950. He moved to Lisson...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Original Bold Abstract Oil on Canvas by Andrzej Kowalczyk (Poland)
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Colorful signed abstract original painting by Andrzej Kowalczyk (Poland). Mr. Kowalczyk was born in Cracow, and became a renaissance man, as an accomplished actor, theatre director,...
Category

Late 20th Century Polish Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Canvas

Untitled, Large Abstract by Mandy Wilkinson, British B. 1970
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Untitled, Large Abstract by Mandy Wilkinson, British B. 1970 Mandy Wilkinson British 1970 Oil on Canvas 49-inches wide x 36-inches high Giltwood Frame 53-inches wide x 41-inches h...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Original Modern Abstract Painting by Shannon Weir
Located in Houston, TX
An original black and white modern abstract painting in an elegant vintage gold frame created by Houston artist, Shannon Weir
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paint

Original Modern Abstract painting by Shannon Weir
Located in Houston, TX
An original pink and white modern abstract painting in an elegant vintage gold frame created by Houston artist, Shannon Weir
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paper

Original Modern Painting by Shannon Weir
Located in Houston, TX
An original pink and white modern abstract painting in an elegant vintage gold frame created by Houston artist, Shannon Weir.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paint

Portrait of a Woman by Cathryn Arcomano (1923-2012), oil on canvas, signed 1972
Located in Chicago, IL
Portrait of a Woman by Cathryn Arcomano, oil on canvas board, signed 1972. Numbered #5. This is an original portrait oil painting on canvas board by artist Cathryn Buckley Arcomano...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Thelma Åkerman, Swedish artist. Oil on masonite board. Abstract composition.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Thelma Åkerman, Swedish artist. Oil on masonite board. Abstract composition with a colorful palette. Approximately from the 1960s. Signed. The painting is in excellent condition. ...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Other

Scandinavian artist. Oil on canvas. Abstract composition, 1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Scandinavian artist. Oil on canvas. Abstract composition with a colorful palette. Approximately from the 1970s. In perfect condition. Canvas dimensions: 50.0 cm x 61.0 cm. Total dim...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Modernist country landscape.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Modernist country landscape. Indistinctly signed and dated '57. Perfect condition. Canvas dimensions: 65.0 cm x 54.0 cm. Total dimensions: 76.0 cm x 64...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Pär Lindblad. Oil on canvas. Modernist composition. Studio interior.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pär Lindblad (1907-1981). Oil on canvas. Modernist composition. Studio interior. Mid-20th century. Exhibition label on the back. Signed. In perfect condition. Canvas dimensions: 73....
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Sture Wickström, Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Modernist landscape
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sture Wickström (1921-1993) , Swedish artist. Oil on canvas. Modernist landscape. Title: "Spring". From the 1960s. Signed on the front and back. In perfect condition. Canvas dimensi...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Julian Friers RUA Irish Painting Fitzwilliam Square Dublin Ireland Foxes
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A really magical piece of work which depicts the newest and most talked about residents of Fitzwilliam Square in The Georgian Core of Dublin 2 in Ireland. City Foxes are now common b...
Category

Late 20th Century Irish Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Oil Painting of Paris Signed by Romanian Artist Mariana Elas Dated 1990
Located in COLMAR, FR
A bright and airy oil painting of Paris on stretched canvas made by Romanian painter Mariana Elas. The artwork is signed and dated 1990 in the lower left corner (see photo). Mariana ...
Category

1990s Romanian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Gino Hollander 1974 Vintage Abstract Female Portrait Painting
Located in Miami, FL
Gino Hollander 1974 Vintage Abstract Female Portrait Painting Offered for sale is a vintage expressionist abstract female portrait painting on canvas by the well-listed New York ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Painting by Wentja Napaltjarri
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning abstract painting by Australian Aboriginal artist Wentja Napaltjarri (c1945 - 2021) entitled Rockhole West of Kintore, the work depicts the artist's ancestral land in Drea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Daniel Van Der Putten Oil Painting Irish Castle Snow Scene Mallow Cork Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb traditional oil painting by living Artist Daniel Van der Putten, depicting an Irish rural snow scene near Mallow in County Cork, a view of a ruin building known as Castle Monp...
Category

Late 20th Century Irish Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Capobianco Pop Art Rainbow Acrylic on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
Domenick Capobianco (American, b. 1928), Pop Art Rainbow, Acrylic on Canvas, depicting polychrome concentric circles, apparently unsigned, "Studio Domenick Capobianco" stamp to verso...
Category

20th Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Composition by Mikael Pasternak
By Mikael Pasternak
Located in Berlin, BE
Composition by Mikael Pasternak, 1920. Gouache on Paper, 62 x 51 cm. Mikael Pasternak (born 1905 in Riga, died 1967 in Virum) came around 1920 at a very young age to the Academy of ...
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Amber Noon by Murray Duncan, mix media on board, abstract, geometric, modern
Located in Toronto, CA
Amber Noon by Murray Duncan, 2024 Mix media on artist board Size is 21" w x 25" tall x 1" in depth Framed/wood Signed on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Untitled #108 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, framed, abstract, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #108 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper Framed/wood/glass Size 33.25" wide x 41.25" tall x 1.25" depth Signed on back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visiona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Untitled #135 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, framed, abstract, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #135 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper Framed/wood/glass Size is 33.25 wide x 41.25 tall x 1.25 depth Signed on back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visiona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Untitled #132 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, framed, abstract, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #132 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper Framed/wood/glass Size is 33.25" w x 41.25" tall x 1.25" depth Signed on back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative vision...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Untitled #131 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, framed, abstract, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #131 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper Framed/wood/glass Size is 33.25" x 41.25" x 1.25" Signed on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Up And Down by Murray Duncan, mix media on board, vintage frame
Located in Toronto, CA
Up and Down by Murray Duncan, 2024 Mix media on board Vintage frame Size is 22" x 26" x 2 Signed on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-sc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Untitled # 152 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, abstract, geometric, modern
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #152 by Murray Duncan, 2023. Mix media on paper Size is 32" x 40 SIgned on the back Unframed Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-scale, ex...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Separated By A Line by Murray Duncan, mix media on board, abstract, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Separated By A Line, by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on artist board Size is 48" w x 60" tall x 1.5" in depth Signed on the back Not framed Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Amber Day by Murray Duncan, mix media on board, framed, abstract, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Amber Day by Murray Duncan, 2024 Mix media on board Framed/wood Size is 21" x 25" x 1" Signed on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-scale...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Vintage A. Gasteiger Still Life Floral Painting
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Anna Gasteiger (1877-1954) Yellow Dahlias in a blue vase. Hand signed in the lower left.
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Italian Modern Abstract Mixed Media Painting on Paper and Metal Frame, 1972
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Abstract mixed media painting on paper and metal frame, 1972 Abstract style mixed media painting on paper. The gestural painting is characterized by rounded lines and...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

Last Thoughts by Murray Duncan, triptych, mix media on canvas, abstract, modern
Located in Toronto, CA
Last Thoughts by Murray Duncan, 2024 Mix media on canvas Triptych, each panel is 30" x 40" x 1.5" in depth Signed on the back Unframed Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative vision...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Light Hearted by Murray Duncan, mix media on canvas, abstract, geometric, modern
Located in Toronto, CA
Light Hearted by Murray Duncan, 2024 Mix media on canvas. Size is 50" x 77" Unframed Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-scale, expressive contempo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Abalone, Canvas, Paint

Untitled #123 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, abstract, geometric, modern
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #123 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper, unframed Size is 32" x 40", signed on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-scale, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Untitled #126 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, abstract, modern, geometric
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #126 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper Unframed, size is 32" x 40" SIgned on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-scale, e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Untitled #127 by Murray Duncan, mix media on paper, abstract, geometric, modern
Located in Toronto, CA
Untitled #127 by Murray Duncan, 2023 Mix media on paper, unframed The size is 32" x 40" Signed on the back Murray Duncan is a self-taught creative visionary. Know for his large-scal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Roberto Plevano Painting ‘Il Naviglio Grande, Corsico’, Italy, 1977
Located in Antwerpen, BE
This oil on canvas painting by Roberto Plevano is a sight on one of Milan’s big canals in the suburb of Corsico, painted in 1977. Plevano started out as a 23 year old with depicting ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Modern paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern paintings 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 paintings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, canvas and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern paintings made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings, popular names associated with this style include Richard A. Hirsch, Harry Hilson, Cecilia Setterdahl, and Peter Keil. 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 paintings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $166,872 while the average work can sell for $2,187.

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