Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

3
459
122
89
to
146
408
225
670
647
651
836
670
219
169
161
138
98
87
47
45
43
25
21
19
19
18
14
9
1
3
455
211
24
119
243
4
4
10
10
17
48
39
49
43
Height
to
Width
to
311
279
265
242
109
300
270
234
102
73
15
12
8
8
6
Style: Modern
Color:  Brown
The Kremlin at Rostov by Nicolai Timkov
Located in Pasadena, CA
Painted in 1969 at the height of Timkov's ability, this painting depicts the Kremlin in Rostov, one of Timko's favorite, non-landscape subjects. Signed and dated onthe reverse and si...
Category

Late 20th Century Russian Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood

European Midcentury Cubist Painting 'Nude' by Koroly Glonczy, Hungary, 1957
By Koroly Glonczy
Located in New York, NY
Cubist Painting by Hungarian Painter, Koroly Glonczy. Oil on cardboard. References: Modern and contemporary art. European 20th century, Mid-Century Modern.
Category

1950s Hungarian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

Victor Olgyai Painting, “Winter Reflections”
By Victor Olgyai
Located in Houston, TX
Hungarian artist. Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. 1896 and 1906 Eszterhazy prize, 1921-1929 founding member of the watercolor and pastel artist...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Oil on Board by Shay Docking
By Shay Docking
Located in London, GB
Framed oil on board by the New Zealand artist Shay Docking (1928-2000) entitled 'The Burnt Paddock'. Signed and dated Shay Docking 61 lower right and titled 'The Burnt Paddock.' This vibrant abstract painting depicts the beauty of vibrant fields of corn or wheat and evokes the sights and smells...
Category

1960s Australian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

"Danse Macabre", Oil and Acrylic on Canvas by Kathi Robinson Frank
Located in New York, NY
"Danse Macabre," 2014 by artist Kathi Robinson Frank is from her latest series of large 72" x 56" canvases incorporating oil, acrylic, charcoa, l pastel ...
Category

2010s American Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

John Christopher Smith oil painting on board landscape
By John Christopher Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and peaceful cows in a landscape by the well know Ireland/USA artist John Christopher Smith, Very bright colors and very nice frame. Measures ar...
Category

1930s American Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

A Rare diptych of "Mountain Devil Lizard Dreaming" by Kathleen Petyarre
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning and rather rare diptych aboriginal painting by Kathleen Petyarre that depicts one of her most iconic subject. Each painting is 44" x 44". "Mountain Devil Lizard Arnkerrth...
Category

20th Century Australian Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Harvey Parks Signed Acrylic Painting Custom Framed Vintage
By Parks (Artist)
Located in North Miami, FL
This theatrical fantastic acrylic horizontal painting by the noted Harvey Parks is in a beautiful new custom frame. It could be a scene at an opera, could...
Category

20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

Bridge by Ursula Foulkes
By Ursula Foulkes
Located in New York, NY
Linocut by Ursula Foulkes (Great Britan) with dramatic color, form and mood. Dimensions: 8" x 10". References: Modern and Contemporary Art, Fauvism, Expressionism, Blue Rider ...
Category

1930s English Vintage Modern Paintings

Expressionist Crayon Drawing by Bauhaus Artist Hans Kessler
Located in New York, NY
Crayon drawing of a 1920s German theatrical scene by Bauhaus Artist, Hans Kessler. Hans Kessler was a student at the Bauhaus Dessau and studied under B...
Category

Early 20th Century German Modern Paintings

Materials

Crayon

"Torso XI" Painting by Michael Van Horn, 1989
Located in Hudson, NY
This very large mixed-media on paper drawing entitled "Torso XI" 1989 of a male back torso by Michael Van Horn is both dramatic and impressive. The artist a noted fashion illustrator...
Category

20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Drawing Still Life: Jug and Helmet by Beeldens, 1935
Located in New York, NY
Drawing, pencil on paper. Still Life by Beeldens, signed and dated, 1935. References: Modern and Contemporary Art, New Objectivity, Neue Sachlichkeit...
Category

1930s Belgian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Paper

Annie Morris, Untitled Peg Piece, 2010
By Annie Morris
Located in Hudson, NY
Using 1500 clothes pins to combine painting and sculpture to a dramatic affect is what artist Annie Morris is most famed for. Each peg is individually pai...
Category

2010s British Modern Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large Painting of a Woman by Lee Ames
Located in New York, NY
Large original painting of a woman carrying two martini glasses by Lee Ames (1921-2011). This painting is on a board. Great item for a collector.
Category

20th Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Paint

'Glowing Composition' Original Abstract Painting by Lars Hegelund
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sometimes less is more. This work is all about color, texture and a composition that stays alive. 'Composition Jaune sur Fond Bleu' by Lars Hegelund, American b. 1947. Acrylic and Oil on Canvas, signed. Measures: 24 x 24 in. w/o frame, 24.5 x 24.5 in. including frame. Housed in a minimalist aluminum edge frame. About Lars Hegelund: Lars Hegelund graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen 1972 teaching at the Academy afterwards on a grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. He was awarded a grant to stay at the San Cataldo Monastery in Italy (a secluded workplace for Danish artists). In 1985 The National Foundation for the Arts chose Lars Hegelund for their three year grant providing the basis for further studies of creativity in the Community. The new ideas were featured in his book ‘The Things Around Us’, a series of TV productions by the National Danish Television...
Category

2010s American Modern Paintings

Materials

Aluminum

Manfredo Borsi, Italian Artist, Watercolor and Gouache on Paper, Giraffe
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Manfredo Borsi (1900-1967), Italian artist. Watercolor and gouache on paper. Giraffe. Dated 1957. The paper measures: 64 x 49 cm. In excellent condition. Signed and dated.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Other

Mixed Media Painting on Board
Located in Denton, TX
Silver leaf on board covered in natural fibers and textured acrylic paint in a floral design. Beautiful Teal, silver, yellow, light green enhance the flow of this artist interpretati...
Category

20th Century European Modern Paintings

Materials

Silver Leaf

Unknown Artist, Oil on Board, Abstract Portrait, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unknown artist. Oil on board. Abstract portrait. 1960s. The board measures: 29 x 13 cm. The frame measures: 5 mm. In excellent condition. Unclearly signed.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Other

"Primare 3, " 2021 White and Gray Abstract Acrylic on Masonite by James Kennedy
Located in New York, NY
"Primare 3," 2021 by artist James Kennedy, is masterful abstract acrylic polymer painting on an incised masonite panel floating in a white shadowbox in a white wood frame signed on the verso. James layers acrylic washes on masonite panels to which he adds emulsion, glazes and scraping to build up individual planes of color. The artist incorporates a sophisticated palette of primarily neutral shades of white, gray and beige. Touches of cobalt blue, yellow, brick, charcoal gray and black black energize the surface resulting in a rich and striking bejeweled composition of intersecting planes of color. In James's own words his paintings "address a fascination with essential structures and arrangements whilst exploring the linguistics of music, mathematics, dance and architecture. Pattern recognition and manipulation are common themes, and involve the resolution of space within my own abstract vocabulary, in essence solving spatial equations through paint." The results are meticulously crafted architectural landscapes of tertiary colors exquisitely ordered and balanced while simultaneously possessing rhythmic and lyrical surfaces. James Kennedy, was born in Northern Ireland and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy and Rhodec Academy of Design in London where he respectively received BA degrees in Arts and Interior and Architectural Design. He is the recipient of prestigious awards including the Golden Foundation for the Arts Residency, James Bridie Gold Medal awarded by RSA, Brooklyn Artist Gym for best in show Abstract Landscape and the Kiton Art Rising winner in 2010. Selected exhibitions include Dolby Chadwick, San Francisco, Callan Contemporary, New Orleans, John Hartell Gallery, Cornell University, Mindy Solomon, Miami, MMFA, Palm Springs, Ann Loucks Gallery, Chicago, Brooklyn Artists Gym, NY, Surface Library Gallery, East Hampton, Galerie Werner, Pittsburgh, Amy Zook...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Masonite

"Astrometry, " 2016 Large 10ft Gray and White Abstract Painting by James Kennedy
Located in New York, NY
"Astrometry" 2016, by artist James Kennedy, is a large, ten foot plus abstract acrylic painting on an incised eucalyptus masonite panel floating in a white shadow box signed on verso...
Category

2010s American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Masonite

Large Whimisical Painting on Canvas with Daisies and Slippers by Lorraine Peltz
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking and fun large oil on canvas titled Fantasy Island by contemporary artist Lorraine Peltz (American, b. 1959) signed and dated 2001 on back. The...
Category

Early 2000s North American Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

"Salon Composition" 2021 Abstract Acrylic on Panel by James Kennedy
Located in New York, NY
"Salon Composition" 2021 by artist James Kennedy, is masterful abstract acrylic polymer painting on an incised masonite panel floating in a white shadowb...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Masonite

Unsigned Knock Out Boxing Fight Glicee print , Framed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Unsigned boxing Glicee print featuring a prizefighter in the moment of knocking out his opponent. The painting is framed in a gold-tone frame.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Landscape in Blue Frame #2, Acrylic on Paper, Free Delivery
Located in Roma, IT
Abstract views of landscape are interpreted and painted by the artist. During travels around the world designs and notes are made, which are later abstractly interpreted into paintin...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Vintage Mixed-Media Painting
Located in Denton, TX
1990s modern mixed-media artwork with a combination of paint and paper on canvas. Signed Kyle Bjorklund.
Category

20th Century North American Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint, Paper

Abstract Figures, Black, Beige, Orange, Brown, Turquoise & Dark Blue, circa 1977
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

Acrylic, Wood, Paint

1980s Organic Art Form Modern Abstract Oil on Board Painting
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Abstract Oil on Board Painting Organic Art form Dimensions: 20W x 15.88 H Original Unrestored preowned vintage condition. Please see images.    
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Other

Abstract Modern Paintings on Brass Huge Pair of Late 19th Century Gilded Frames
Located in Berlin, DE
Those Modern Abstract Paintings are done on brass. It was painted with grease so the brass will change over the time. The huge pair of late 19th century frames have beautiful details...
Category

2010s German Modern Paintings

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Oversized Contemporary Abstract Painting on Canvas
Located in Denton, TX
Very busy artistry paint on canvas, artist unknown.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

"Meeting" Oil on Canvas with Backlighting by Artist Ricardo Casado
Located in Miami, FL
"Meeting" Oil on Canvas with Backlighting by Artist Ricardo Casado Offered for sale is a large oil on canvas titled "Meeting" by Cuban American artist Ricardo Casado signed twice an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Karel Appel, NL, 1921-2006, Biomorphics, W/C
Located in NYC, NY
Karel Appel, Dutch, 1921-2006, biomorphic figures, watercolor and graphite, circa 1971. Provenance: painted for and personally given to the superintendent of Appel's apartment buildi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Paintings

Materials

Paper

Contemporary Oil on Canvas by Cuban American Artist Juan Navarrette
Located in Miami, FL
Contemporary Oil on Canvas by Cuban American Artist Juan Navarrette Oil on canvas titled "Traveling Eggs" by Cuban-American artist Juan A.Juan. Navarrette was born in Havana, Cuba, ...
Category

Early 2000s American 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.

Recently Viewed

View All