Abstract Photography
ABSTRACT STYLE
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.
Find original abstract paintings, sculptures, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Abstract
Concorde Hangar, Aerospatiale Concorde
Located in New York City, NY
27 x 44 in
Edition of 9
EUR 3.500
35 x 57 in
Edition of 9
EUR 5.500
48 x 71 in
Edition of 9
EUR 7.100
Dye Sublimation on Aluminum
48 x 77 in
Edition of 9
EUR 9.100
Dye Sublimation...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Dye Transfer
#172, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#252, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Gaia 106 - Black and White Diptych Spanish Cork Trees in Nature Landscape
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 106 - Black and White Diptych Spanish Cork Trees in Nature Landscape by Jaume Llorens Bach
Gaia 106 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and White Phot...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
#192, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#176, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
#180, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Conception, The Alignment series. Nude. Limited Edition Photograph
By Ricky Cohete
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series “The Alignment” which is materialized from video footage shot with two ballet dancers underwater; he is carrying on the theme of water as a source of rebirth and flow...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment
#223, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Checkers, 2023
Located in Miami, FL
A rhythmic play of light and geometry, Checkers captures the subtle dialogue between reflection and structure. The alternating planes of glass and shadow evoke movement and depth, tr...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Rag Paper
Fish Swimming Below Water, Fresh Blue Tones Cyanotype Print, Pool Art on Paper
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted unique cyanotype that takes its inspiration from the mid-century modern shapes.
It's made by layering paper cutouts and different exposures using uv-...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Emulsion, Watercolor, Monotype, Paper
Large format vintage multiple exposure male nude, signed by Jack Mitchell
Located in Senoia, GA
16 x 20" vintage silver gelatin photograph, multiple exposure male nude. Titled, numbered, dated, and signed by Jack Mitchell on the recto. Comes directly from the Jack Mitchell Arch...
Category
1990s Abstract Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
#248, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Fish (Stay) - Contemporary, Expired, Polaroid, Photograph
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Fish (Stay) - 2006,
20x24cm, Edition 4/5.
Archival C-Print, hand-printed by the artist on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper, matte surface, based on the Polaroid.
Signature label and cer...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid
Barbara Hocker, Water Verse V, 2019, encaustic, photography, Naturalism
Located in Darien, CT
Barbara Hocker sees her life’s vocation as being an ambassador for the natural world through her art.
Nature is facing many challenges right now. Hock...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Mixed Media, Encaustic, Digital
Snowdance - Mountain Snowboarding Black
White Art Photography
Located in Zürich, CH
Hailing from the picturesque city of Zaragoza, nestled near the Pyrenees, Carlos Blanchard's journey into the realm of photography was influenced by the rich tapestry of his upbringi...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White
$1,283 Sale Price
20% Off
Miami Stripes. Black and White Architectural Landscape Photography
By Luca Artioli
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The 'Miami Skin Series' it’s not a traditional collection of photos about the architecture of Miami and Miami Beach. It’s rather a quick journey between its own skin from the Art Dec...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White, Archival Pigment
#102, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Changing Moods 2- Floral landscape orange color contemporary abstract photo
Located in New York, NY
Belgian photographer Isabelle Menin creates portraits of flowers that are not only gorgeous in form and color, but also uniquely expressive. Fresh blossoms and withering blooms melt ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Singularity 03 and It All Moves 02, Diptych. Abstract color photographs
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artists computer-generated paintings merge craftsmanship and technology, creating an eclectic and unique style. Through her art, she aims to illuminate the world.
Tcherassi's wo...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Ramunės - abstract analogue black and white floral photography, Ltd. 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Ramunės'
London, United Kingdom 2022
Limited edition of 20.
Photograph printed on heavyweight fine art paper.
Photograph is shipped fast and flat in secure thick cardboard packa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Film, Photographic Film, Giclée
#135, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Abstract. From the Trama series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The interlacing of what sustains In the series Trama, Eduardo Rezende turns his gaze to the hidden structures of the built environment — the elements usually concealed beneath the po...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Contemporary large figurative painting of women on paper "Invisible thread"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Invisible Thread” is a contemporary figurative–abstract painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her ongoing series dedicated to women, emotional connection, and the unse...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
#216, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
As Above, So Below 02. Abstract color photograph
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The artist's computer-generated paintings merge craftsmanship and technology, creating an eclectic and unique style. Through her art, she aims to illuminate the world.
Tcherassi's w...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
#24, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket of realism to...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
New Rome #7- Floral landscape soft pastel color contemporary photograph framed
Located in New York, NY
This abstract floral landscape photography has dominant pastel blue, pink and white colors.
Belgian photographer Isabelle Menin creates portraits of flowers that are not only gorgeo...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Hole 2 - Abstract, limited, signed, fine art print
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography/ fine art print, limited 1/5, signed by the author.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color
$218 Sale Price
89% Off
Wolfgang Tillmans, Texte zur Kunst Edition 2018: Photography, Signed Print
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wolfgang Tillmans (German, born 1968)
Texte zur Kunst Edition 2018, 2018
Medium: Inkjet print on paper
Dimensions: 29.5 × 21 cm (11 3/5 × 8 3/10 in)
Edition of 100: Hand-signed and n...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Inkjet
Stream of Men. The Alignment series. Nudes. Limited Edition Color Photograph
By Ricky Cohete
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series “The Alignment” which is materialized from video footage shot with two ballet dancers underwater; he is carrying on the theme of water as a source of rebirth and flow...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment
Gaia 103 - Black and White Diptych Clouds and Skyscapes above Flowers and Nature
Located in Brighton, GB
Gaia 103 - Black and White Diptych Clouds and Skyscapes above Flowers and Nature by Jaume Llorens Bach
Gaia 103 is a 18cm x 24cm Black and Whi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Black and White, Digital, Photographic Paper
Moon Over (After Ansel Adams), Abstract Black
White Photo by Bill Clark
By Bill Clark
Located in Soquel, CA
"Moon Over", an abstract black & white photograph after Ansel Adams by Bill Clark (American, 20th Century). Signed "Bill Clark" and dated "1996" lower right. Titled "Moon Over" lower...
Category
1990s Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Rosa Sweet Haze - Pink Rose Royal Horticultural Society Wisley
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Rosa Sweet Haze by Giles Revell
This is an Archival Pigment Print available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 25 prints.
In Cartographic Colour, Giles Revell red...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
Green and Green.../ Print / Photography / Limited /Signed
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Green and Green is a photography-print, limited 1/5 and signed. Inspiration was a very warm and sunny day, hopefully evoking calm and positive mood. When framed in a black frame with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color
$313 Sale Price
20% Off
Between
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
The photo was done during a lovely walk in the park during the pandemic.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
$247 Sale Price
75% Off
Ignited, Nudes. The Alignment series. Limited Edition Color Photograph
By Ricky Cohete
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series “The Alignment” which is materialized from video footage shot with two ballet dancers underwater; he is carrying on the theme of water as a source of rebirth and flow...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment
#136, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Rhododendron Denny Hybrid - Lavender Flowers Royal Horticultural Society Wisley
By Giles Revell
Located in Brighton, GB
Rhododendron Denny Hybrid by Giles Revell
This is an Archival Pigment Print available in this size of 50cm x 50cm in a limited edition of 25 prints.
In Cartographic Colour, Giles ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Pigment
Rilievo, Unique work + 1 AP, Unique size
Located in Miami, FL
From Eduardo Rezende’s new series Rilievo, this photograph treats the skin of architecture as a sculptural field. Curved partitions fold into one another, casting measured shadows th...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Canvas
$12,720 Sale Price
55% Off
Exquisite Ghost - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 24x35"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Exquisite Ghost” is a part of Alex Sher’s popular series Reflections - underwater photographs that could be almost mistaken for abstract paintings as they bring up recollections of ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
White Mood
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Photography / fine art print, limited 1/5, signed by the author.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Digital
$285 Sale Price
86% Off
Dark Cloudy Shapes, Mid-Century Modern Kidney Forms, Blue and White Transparency
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Dark Cloudy Shapes" is a blue tones stunning handmade monotype that features an intricate interplay of mid-century modern shapes, all rendered in shades of blue. These shapes are ex...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Emulsion, Watercolor, Monotype, Rag Paper
Ultramarine hills - abstract blue desert dunes, Limited edition 10 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Ultramarine hills' Ultramarine hills was photographed in Iran, 2016 with a combination of the special ultramarine colour filter. The idea of colour combination together with Iranian...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
Stream of Men, Ignited and Conception. Male Nude Dancers Color Photographs
By Ricky Cohete
Located in Miami Beach, FL
From the series “The Alignment” which is materialized from video footage shot with two ballet dancers underwater; he is carrying on the theme of wat...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Color, Archival Pigment
Medusas 11, 12 y 13. Cyanotype photograhs mounted in high resistance glass dish
By Paola Davila
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Water is constant in the artist's visual investigation, for her water is no longer the stage in which the body's memory bursts, but rather the environment and protagonist, constant o...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Glass, Archival Pigment
Revere Beach, MA
Located in Pacific Grove, CA
This large silver gelatin photograph with untrimmed margins is signed and titled in pencil in the margin under the image. Likely printed in the 1990s.
Category
1950s Abstract Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Close to the Sea. From The Lavori in Corso series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Eduardo Rezende’s 2024 series Lavori in Corso revisits one of the artist’s most enduring themes: the urban and architectural landscape — this time focused on construction sites, scaf...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Canvas, Archival Pigment
Rhythm, 2023
Located in Miami, FL
A study in light, geometry, and repetition — Rhythm transforms an architectural façade into an abstract composition of texture and shadow. The warm glow of the setting sun softens th...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Cotton Canvas
$2,792 Sale Price
37% Off
Lilly in Charcoal
abstract expressionism photography edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lilly in Charcoal' 2023
Abstract expressionism black and white photography of Charcoal abstract drawing and Lilly.
Photograph shot using mid-century large format film camera Linhof...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$413 Sale Price
20% Off
Lily in Charcoal no.3
abstract expressionism photography edition 5 of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal no.3' 2023
From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal No.3' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
10000 blue days
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'10000 blue days'
Mesr Desert, Iran 2016.
Limited edition of 20.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Giclée
$381 Sale Price
20% Off
#223, Abstract, Photography, Painting, Expressionism
Located in München, BY
Unique piece in this size
More sizes and an Essay from Lyle Rexer about this series on request.
Joachim Schmeisser’s work rescues photography from the centuries-old straightjacket ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Pigment
Dahlia on Ink - floral film photography on cotton canvas, Limited edition of 5
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Dahlia on Ink' 2024
Cotton canvas print from limited edition of 5.
(Does not come with streatch bars, only canvas print)
Black and white floral film photography combination with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Cotton Canvas,...
$1,110 Sale Price
45% Off
Ramunes - floral film photography on cotton canvas, Limited edition of 5
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Ramunes' 2024
Cotton canvas print from limited edition of 5.
(Does not come with streatch bars, only canvas print)
Black and white floral film photography. Made using a large fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Photographic Film, Cotton Canvas, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper,...
$1,110 Sale Price
45% Off
Exquisite Ghost - photograph of an underwater reflection - archival print 16x23"
By Alex Sher
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Exquisite Ghost” is a part of Alex Sher’s popular series Reflections - underwater photographs that could be almost mistaken for abstract paintings as they bring up recollections of ...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Lily in Charcoal
abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 2023
From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper
$674 Sale Price
20% Off
Great Dune
By Paul Dempsey
Located in East Hampton, NY
Snow Fence on Dunes in the Hamptons
Black & White Photography
Printed to order
edition of 10
Title: Great Dune
Year: 2018
Medium: Photography (printed on metal)
Size: 20" x 30" (lar...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Metal
Sunrise Mountains I (18 x 23" abstract cyanotype)
Located in Oakland, CA
Though it resembles a giant abstract watercolor painting owing to its soft gradations and luminous quality, this is a form of photography called a cyano...
Category
2010s Abstract Photography
Materials
Paper, Archival Paper, Rag Paper, Monotype, Photogram
$240 Sale Price
20% Off
Sandstill No.3 - abstract mixed media photography, Limited edition of 20
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
Sandstill No.3
London, United Kingdom 2021
From limited edition of 20.
The photograph is signed front bottom right corner and comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed dat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Photography
Materials
Giclée
Abstract photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract photography available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add photography created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, red, orange and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Mitchell Funk, Paul Snell, Michael Banks, and Seb Janiak. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Pigment Print and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Abstract photography, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available. Prices for photography made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $36,000, while the average work sells for $3,359.