1950s Abstract Oil Paintings

There is a broad range of 1950s abstract oil paintings for sale on 1stDibs. Finding the ideal Abstract, Modern or Post-Impressionist examples of these works for your living room, whether you’re looking for small- or large-size pieces, is no easy task — start by shopping our selection today. 1950s abstract oil paintings available on 1stDibs span a range of colors that includes brown, gray, black, blue and more. There have been many well-done artworks of this subject over the years, but those made by Harriet Holden Nash, Irene Zevon, Stanley Bate, Sylvia Rutkoff and Charles Ragland Bunnell are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Frequently made by artists working in paint, oil paint and fabric, all of these available pieces are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Large 1950s abstract oil paintings can be an attractive addition to some spaces, while the smaller iterations available — each spanning 0.1 inches in width — may make for a better choice for a more modest living area.

The average selling price for 1950s abstract oil paintings we offer is $2,888, while they’re typically $325 on the low end and $330,000 for the highest priced.

Bring audacious experiments with color and textures to your living room, dining room or home office. Abstract paintings, large or small, will stand out in your space, encouraging conversation and introducing a museum-like atmosphere that’s welcoming and conducive to creating memorable gatherings.

Abstract art has origins in 19th-century Europe, but it came into its own as a significant movement during the 20th century. Early practitioners of abstraction included Wassily Kandinsky, although painters were exploring nonfigurative art prior to the influential Russian artist’s efforts, which were inspired by music and religion. Abstract painters endeavored to create works that didn’t focus on the outside world’s conventional subjects, and even when artists depicted realistic subjects, they worked in an abstract mode to do so.

In 1940s-era New York City, a group of painters working in the abstract mode created radical work that looked to European avant-garde artists as well as to the art of ancient cultures, prioritizing improvisation, immediacy and direct personal expression. While they were never formally affiliated with one another, we know them today as Abstract Expressionists.

The male contingent of the Abstract Expressionists, which includes Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Robert Motherwell, is frequently cited in discussing leading figures of this internationally influential postwar art movement. However, the women of Abstract Expressionism, such as Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell and others, were equally involved in the art world of the time. Sexism, family obligations and societal pressures contributed to a long history of their being overlooked, but the female Abstract Expressionists experimented vigorously, developed their own style and produced significant bodies of work.

Draw your guests into abstract oil paintings across different eras and countries of origin. On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive range of abstract paintings along with a guide on how to arrange your wonderful new wall art.

If you’re working with a small living space, a colorful, oversize work can create depth in a given room, but there isn’t any need to overwhelm your interior with a sprawling pièce de résistance. Colorful abstractions of any size can pop against a white wall in your living room, but if you’re working with a colored backdrop, you may wish to stick to colors that complement the decor that is already in the space. Alternatively, let your painting make a statement on its own, regardless of its surroundings, or group it, gallery-style, with other works.