Abstract More Art
Beginning in the early 20th century, abstract art became a leading style of modernism. Rather than portray the world in a way that represented reality, as had been the dominating style of Western art in the previous centuries, abstract paintings, prints and sculptures are marked by a shift to geometric forms, gestural shapes and experimentation with color to express ideas, subject matter and scenes.
Although abstract art flourished in the early 1900s, propelled by movements like Fauvism and Cubism, it was rooted in the 19th century. In the 1840s, J.M.W. Turner emphasized light and motion for atmospheric paintings in which concrete details were blurred, and Paul Cézanne challenged traditional expectations of perspective in the 1890s.
Some of the earliest abstract artists — Wassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint — expanded on these breakthroughs while using vivid colors and forms to channel spiritual concepts. Painter Piet Mondrian, a Dutch pioneer of the art movement, explored geometric abstraction partly owing to his belief in Theosophy, which is grounded in a search for higher spiritual truths and embraces philosophers of the Renaissance period and medieval mystics. Black Square, a daringly simple 1913 work by Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, was a watershed statement on creating art that was free “from the dead weight of the real world,” as he later wrote.
Surrealism in the 1920s, led by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Meret Oppenheim and others, saw painters creating abstract pieces in order to connect to the subconscious. When Abstract Expressionism emerged in New York during the mid-20th century, it similarly centered on the process of creation, in which Helen Frankenthaler’s expressive “soak-stain” technique, Jackson Pollock’s drips of paint, and Mark Rothko’s planes of color were a radical new type of abstraction.
Conceptual art, Pop art, Hard-Edge painting and many other movements offered fresh approaches to abstraction that continued into the 21st century, with major contemporary artists now exploring it, including Anish Kapoor, Mark Bradford, El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu.
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Artist Comments
"It's all about the subject and the light," says artist Faye Vander Veer, when asked about her inspiration for this painting. "I saw this young girl talking on the phone while I was doing some sketching at a local coffeeshop. The light was the first thing that caught my eye, then I did a few sketches to design the composition. I kept wondering about her. I never saw her face, but it is so interesting to me how our lives can change in an instant all because of one phone call...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Sally Adams shares a dreamlike view of a trail going through an autumnal forest. She draws inspiration from a reference phot...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
Artist Comments
Artist Suren Nersisyan shows an inviting view of a vineyard that draws the eyes further towards a scenic mountain range lining the distance. Rows of grapevine...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero paints a tender mother and daughter moment in a river. Created as a figurative study for a larger painting of the same setting. The subj...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Metal, Steel
Artist Comments
"This painting was inspired by the coastal palette of the Mendocino region in California," shares artist Lisa Elley. The soothing cool hues present the scene ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"The road may go on for what seems like forever, but someday you will arrive at the destination of your choice or one chosen for you," affirms artist Sally Adams...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
1980s Abstract More Art
Offset
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic, Glitter, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract More Art
Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Ink, Gouache, Rag Paper, Monotype
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Thread, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Color Pencil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic, Board
2010s Abstract More Art
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Ceramic, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Abstract More Art
Sandstone
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Every spring, artist Melissa Gannon looks for the first blooming roses. She paints a joyful response to the wonders of the sprin...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
1960s Abstract More Art
Oil
20th Century Abstract More Art
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Artist Joanie Ford depicts a few beachgoers enjoying a relaxing day out by the shore. Clouds provide a cool shadow from the sun's summer heat as a gentle bree...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Mixed Media, Cotton Canvas, Spray Paint
2010s Abstract More Art
Paper, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
With an undertone of cool colors, artist Janet Dyer presents a serene composition of summer in Provence, France. Lush greene...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Acrylic, Cardboard
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Apples on a branch glow in warm light, accentuated by the cool abstract backdrop. Sherri applied paint primarily with a palette knife. She says that because o...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
1950s Abstract More Art
Oil
1990s Abstract More Art
Metal, Enamel
Artist Comments
"The artwork is from my cityscapes of Paris," shares artist Suren Nersisyan. "I love the bridges of this city connecting the banks of the Seine river. The sof...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Artist Comments
A fall landscape at sunset, with golden clouds rushing across the expansive sky. "Northern New Mexico is known for mythical light, sculptural land forms and d...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Paper, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Abstract More Art
Wax, Encaustic, Oil, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Gold Leaf
Artist Comments
"This is a calf from a herd I met in Pagosa Springs, Colorado," shares artist Heather Foster. "I wanted the bold underpainting to show through and give a dist...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
In the style of impressionism, artist Lisa Elley displays a classic vineyard with an alluring thick impasto texture. "In all things of nature there is somethi...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
1980s Abstract More Art
Paper, Acrylic
1940s Abstract More Art
Paper, Mixed Media
Artist Comments
A joyous bouquet of various flowers set against a dramatic dark background by artist Autumn Rose. Inspired by her never-ending love of botanicals, Autumn comb...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Brian McCarty depicts a quiet rural home behind a red barn. Surrounded by a field of grass and autumnal trees, a car sits on the winding dirt path. "Everyday life is caught in a moment," says Brian. "Arriving home, or getting ready to leave home. A lazy afternoon." Just the type of subject Brian loves to paint.
About the Artist
Artist Brian McCarty paints idyllic landscapes and bucolic architecture. “Growing up in rural New Jersey, I’ve always found old houses, barns, and the countryside interesting subjects,†says Brian. Influenced by his mom who was a self-taught artist and art teacher, she encouraged Brian to pursue anything artistic. After graduating from Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art and earning his BA in Art from Thomas Edison State College, he worked professionally as a graphic designer in New York for the largest publishing houses in the country. A career that spanned thirty-six years. Brian has done comedy and sketch writing with the Groundling Theater, and worked in a few major feature films as an actor. To begin his process, Brian takes photos of his references with an iPad, crops the images to his liking, and paints directly on his canvas with a quick oil wash. Recently returning to painting full time, he converted a room in his house into a working studio. “I get lots of natural light, and listen to music and podcasts while I paint.â€
Words that describe this painting: country, house, home, barn, farmhouse, farm life, country living, road, architecture, impressionism, autumn, oilpaint, architecture, impressionism, oil painting, green, brown
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
1990s Abstract More Art
Copper
Mid-20th Century Abstract More Art
Sandstone
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
"The winter season highlights the houses and farms by accenting everything with snow," says artist Brian McCarty. Amongst the crisp winter landscape, a three-story barn stands prominently. A trail makes its way towards the edge of the structure's door and continues to carve its path to an unseen destination. "The reds on country barns become that much more colorful when surrounded by snow."
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: country, country life, farm, farmhouse, rural, barn, building, architecture, windows, door, winter, snow, trees...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mackey created this expressive semi-abstract garden view while thinking about the new flowers springing up from the ground and the daylight-saving...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
20th Century Abstract More Art
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
"This painting was inspired by a feeling—a rekindling of the soul," says artist Pamela Blaies. "Using color temperature, I wanted to create the impression o...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
As late autumn approaches, the trees cast an array of colorful shadows over the sunny landscape. Pale blue skies peek through the branches and offset the yell...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
