Abstract art – an overview of the non-representational art movement

Have you ever stood before a work of art and been both impressed by its visual intensity and completely perplexed by its message? What is it actually supposed to represent? Is it art , or can it be thrown away? What is the artist trying to convey to me?

If you have ever had such thoughts while looking at a work of art and yet you couldn't let go, then it was most likely an abstract work of art.

What is Abstract Art? – Characteristics and Definition

Abstract art – also referred to as “non-representational art” or “non-objective art” – is, by definition, a collective term for art movements of the 20th century that emerged after 1900. It uses artistic means of expression that are partially or completely abstract from the object and thus has an overlap with Cubism.

Abstract artists create works completely detached from nature and real objects. They fundamentally reject any form of representation. Their consciousness and creative drive are based on aesthetics for its own sake.

Abstract art explained simply and succinctly:

Abstract art is art that does not attempt to create an accurate representation of a visual reality, but uses surfaces, lines, colors, shapes, textures, and gestural signs to achieve its effect

"Concrete Art" also frequently arises in this context, and a clear distinction from Abstract Art is only possible to a limited extent. The term was introduced by Theo van Doesburg Art Concret group in 1930 .

Strictly speaking, it represents a specific art form that ideally is based on mathematical and geometric principles.

Abstract art, alongside music, is arguably one of the purest forms of artistic expression . It gives artists complete freedom to communicate feelings and emotions unhindered by figurative elements within objective reality.

Abstract art also often carries a moral dimension, representing virtues such as order, purity, simplicity, and spirituality, and propagating these in pictorial form. It has constituted a central movement in modern art .

Abstract paintings can be created using many different media, with many artists using acrylic paints. Abstract oil paintings and watercolors are also very popular among contemporary artists. Their Canvas art is in high demand by collectors, dealers, and art lovers worldwide.

What idea lies behind this art movement?

As mentioned at the beginning, the key theme is aesthetics as such and the liberation of forms of expression from a representational constraint.

The conceptual roots likely extend back to ancient Greece. The philosophical framework for classifying and appreciating the formal qualities of a work of art thus derives from a statement by Plato :

Straight lines and circles are not just beautiful... but eternally and absolutely beautiful.”

Basically, Plato wanted to express that non-representational images (e.g., simple geometric shapes) possess an absolute, unchanging beauty.

Accordingly, a work can be appreciated and valued solely on the basis of its lines and colors – it is not obliged to depict a natural object or a representational scene.

The French painter, lithographer and art theorist Maurice Denis (1870-1943) was evidently very aware of this idea of ​​Plato's when he wrote:

Remember that a picture – before it becomes a warhorse or a naked woman… is essentially a flat surface covered with colors in a specific order.”

Some abstract artists describe their ambitions as creating the visual equivalent of a piece of music, one that can be viewed and appreciated on its own merits. They don't want viewers to have to ask, "What is this painting actually about? "

The history of abstract art – from its beginnings to the present day

Precursors in the Stone Age

If we go back a bit, abstract art already had significance around 70,000 years ago with prehistoric engravings. For example, two boulders engraved with abstract geometric patterns from this period were found in Blombos Cave in South Africa.

Then there were archaeological finds of abstract red-ochre dots and hand stencils used in the paintings of the El Castillo cave from the period 39,000–34,000 BC).

After that, abstract symbols apparently became the predominant form of Paleolithic cave art for a long time and were found about twice as often as figurative images.

Origins and beginnings in the 19th century

Abstract art forms, as we know them today, are much more recent. Their origin lies in the departure from classical academic painting in late 19th and early 20th century Europe.

Before that, paintings and sculptures traditional principles of classical realism, as taught at major European academies . These principles established the paramount duty of art as the depiction of a recognizable scene or a concrete object.

The era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by such a comprehensive abundance of artistic creation, produced a whole series of painters who investigated in detail the connections and inherent mechanisms of light and visual perception.

Many renowned artists before this time painted using the methods of classical realism , employing realistic perspectives, shading, and other techniques to create historical scenes and objects.

The Romantic era was characterized by an attitude towards art that rejected the imitation and idealization of Classicism. Instead, the role of imagination and the unconscious was emphasized as essential creative factors .

Gradually, many painters of this period came to appreciate the newly gained creative freedom and the new demands that accompanied the convergence of these attitudes. Impressionism as Art Movement (c. 1870–1880) already revealed the first signs of a departure from strictly figurative painting .

In particular, the variants Neo-Impressionist Pointillism and Post-Impressionism drew attention to the special effect of color as a stylistic device.

German Expressionism ultimately established the free use of forms and colors as a cornerstone of painting. The subsequent Art Nouveau movement (c. 1890-1914) also influenced the development of abstract art.

Maurice Denis's quote from 1890 (see above) perfectly encapsulates this shift. It skillfully summarizes the prevailing sentiment among the Symbolist and Post-Impressionist artists of his time.

Early 20th century

All the major movements of the first two decades of the 20th century, including Fauvism, Expressionism , Cubism and Futurism, emphasized in some way the gap between art and the natural appearance of its subjects.

However, there is a significant difference between simply abstracting the actual appearance of a subject and creating works of art from shapes, lines, and structures that have no equivalent in our natural environment.

In the years before the First World War, artists such as Robert Delaunay, Wassily Kandinsky, Kasimir Malevich and Vladimir Tatlin to fundamentally abstract art.

"On the Spiritual in Art," published in 1911, became a founding manifesto.

However, it is now believed that the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint created the first abstract painting in Stockholm five years before Kandinsky. Her futuristic works, featuring biomorphic and geometric forms against a striking background, were revolutionary for their time.

While Vassily Kandinsky established a reputation as a successful painter, Klint's works remained largely unnoticed for a long time due to their quiet nature. She kept most of her work to herself and rarely exhibited it.

She asked her family to postpone the publication of her works until twenty years after her death, believing the world was not yet ready for her vision. Her artwork remained hidden until 1986, when it attracted widespread interest.

This new style of painting was considered "pure art" because the motifs originated solely in the artists' minds and were not copied or referenced in the real world. The formal qualities of a work of art were emphasized over its representational subject matter.

This complete abandonment of any form of representation was viewed rather critically by the majority of even progressive artists of that time. During the First World War, the emergence of the De Stijl group in the Netherlands and the Dada group in Zurich further broadened the spectrum of abstract art.

Paul Klee is often omitted from the list of names regularly mentioned in discussions about abstraction in early 20th-century art – and this is indeed unjustified. His extensive body of work, encompassing both early and late periods, offers a wealth of impressive examples of the development of abstract visual worlds and effective processes of painterly abstraction.

While his contemporary artists often dealt with the subject matter radically, practically shocking the public with their non-representational compositions, Paul Klee strove for connections and continuities in his abstract paintings. He integrated representational elements into many of his works and, through carefully chosen titles, opened up new possibilities for interpretation. This may even have been a decisive reason for the remarkable success of this artist.

Abstraction. The cool romanticism of this style, devoid of pathos, is unprecedented.”

Klee noted this in 1915. Another observation about the degree of abstraction in art from the same year seems more relevant today than ever and can be universally applied to modern existence:

The more terrifying this world, the more abstract the art, while a happy world produces an earthly art

These insights not only demonstrate Klee's profound engagement with art, but also invite us to rediscover his work and reflect on its relevance in our present time.

Klee's abstract work "Fire at Full Moon" is a shining example of the use of abstract forms to depict a multifaceted idea. Fire and moon are symbolized by repeating geometric shapes surrounded by darker areas that emphasize the dancing flames and the moon's gravitational pull. The intense colors further enhance the sense of pulsating movement, while the dark and gray areas provide a calming contrast.

Paul Klee's abstract works are deeply rooted in the themes of nature, architecture, music, and writing. These elements enabled him to distill the essence of painting. His art displays a rich use of line and color, revealing a diversity of possibilities. For example, the colorful abstraction of his watercolor garden views of Hammamet (1914) varies considerably from the explosive compositions he created during the First World War.

During the Bauhaus period, Klee's color field paintings, which depicted blossoming trees, transformed into minimalist forms of architectural associations. His late works are particularly striking, featuring dark shapes reminiscent of plants or written characters. An enthusiastic musician, Klee also found rhythmic structures in his abstract compositions, from which musical tones and melodies can be clearly discerned.

World Wars and Post-War Period

The advance of this art movement was halted by the World Wars. In light of totalitarian politics and art movements that increasingly focused on Surrealist and socially critical Realist , abstract works received little attention during this period.

Only after the end of the Second World War did an energetic American school of abstract painting emerge – this was called “Abstract Expressionism” and was to have a great, lasting influence on the art world.

Since the 1950s, abstract art has been a recognized and widespread approach in European and American painting and sculpture. This art movement has undoubtedly confused many people and probably still elicits head-shaking from some viewers.

For those art lovers who accept and appreciate its non-referential language, however, there is no doubt about its value and the achievements of its artists.

7 Forms of Non-Representational Art in Detail

In order to make a logical classification within this collective term, the following six basic types can, in principle, be distinguished from one another stylistically based on certain characteristics:

01 Curvilinear Art

This type of curvilinear abstraction is closely related to Celtic art, which employed a variety of abstract motifs and patterns. These included knots, braided patterns, and spirals (including the triskele).

Surprisingly, the Celts were not the originators. Older cultures had already used these Celtic designs centuries before. However, it cannot be denied that the Celts breathed new life into this art form, further developed its level of detail and finesse, and significantly contributed to its dissemination.

Later, curvilinear motifs returned during the Celtic Revival Movement of the 19th century and the influential Art Nouveau movement of the 20th century, particularly in book covers, textiles, wallpapers and chintz designs by William Morris (1834-96) and Arthur Mackmurdo (1851-1942).

William Morris

William Morris was born in 1834 near London, more precisely in Walthamstow. His family belonged to the wealthier class of society, as his father worked on the stock exchange and thus left him a considerable inheritance.

Morris' interests and abilities were diverse, ranging from painting and poetry to decorative arts and architecture.

Morris was a passionate nature lover, a fact reflected in his elaborate decorations adorned with delicate flowers and birds. His colorful works masked his occasionally fiery temper.

Under his leadership, the company expanded considerably and now also produced carpets, wall hangings and wallpapers.

Although Morris remained busy working on his business until his death, he still found time to indulge his passion for carpet weaving and writing poems and legends.

Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo

Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo was a visionary architect and designer from England whose ideas significantly influenced the Arts and Crafts movement . In particular, through the founding of the Century Guild of Artists in 1882 in collaboration with Herbert Horne, he provided important impetus for the development of abstract art.

As a pioneer of the Modern Style , he is considered a driving force of the worldwide Art Nouveau movement.

Curvilinear abstraction also influenced Islamic art .

02 Art with a strong reference to color and light

Exemplary of this type are works by William Turner (1775-1851) and Claude Monet (1840-1926). They employ color or light so skillfully that they detach the artwork from representational reality, while the object dissolves in a swirl of pigments.

William Turner

William Turner , one of the most important English artists, was admitted to the Royal Academy in 1789. Alongside his studies, he also apprenticed with the watercolorist Thomas Malton. He first exhibited his watercolors at a Royal Academy exhibition in 1790 and submitted his first oil painting there six years later.

After a period of travel that took him to Scotland, Switzerland, and France, Turner opened his own gallery in 1804. In 1807, he was appointed professor at the Royal Academy and began "Liber Studiorum ," a catalogue in which he categorized painting according to specific criteria.

A trip to Italy in 1819/20, during which he spent an extended period in Rome, led to a change in Turner's style. His paintings increasingly distanced themselves from realism, which drew sharp criticism. Some of his later works were no longer exhibited at the Royal Academy due to the dissolution of representational elements.

Turner later traveled repeatedly to southern Europe, particularly to Venice, which fascinated him with its transfigured colors and inspired several paintings. With his bright and pure colors, he is considered one of the most remarkable landscape painters of the Romantic era .

Fauvism

Similarly, several Fauvist works by Henri Matisse (1869-1954) can be classified as belonging to this type. The same applies to a number of Kandinsky's Expressionist paintings and to works by his colleague Franz Marc (1880-1916).

Furthermore, the Czech painter Frank Kupka (1871-1957) created some of the first color-intensive abstract paintings, which later Robert Delaunay (1885-1941). Delaunay, in his Orphist , which was also inspired by Cubism, likewise relied on color.

Color field painting & lyrical abstraction

In the late 1940s and 1950s, color-related abstraction reappeared in the form of color field painting Mark Rothko (1903-70) and Barnett Newman (1905-70)

Color field painting, which utilizes large areas of bright and intense colors, was also championed by Clyfford Still . Color field painting is characterized by its focus on the interplay of colors rather than specific ideas or forms. Large-format canvases were used to give the works a striking expressiveness.

By abandoning conventional pictorial arrangements and figurative representations, the immediate impact of pure color fields was given free rein. Mark Rothko is one of the most important representatives of this movement. Abstract compositions with numerous rectangular fields in different shades of the same or similar character define his oeuvre. Although strong primary colors are also used, warm earth tones predominate.

Similarly, Clyfford experimented with even greater abstraction in his works. In doing so, he created large-format paintings with powerful, contrasting colors. In this way, the artist evoked a strong emotional response.

Color field painting, through its revolutionary approach, created new spaces for personal feelings and provoked emotions in the viewer by avoiding conventional representational methods. Lyrical abstraction , as a competing form of this style, first appeared in France in the 1950s.

03 Geometric Abstraction

This form of more intellectual art, employing geometric forms, emerged towards the end of the first decade of the 20th century. An early, still underdeveloped form was Cubism, specifically Analytical Cubism.

He completely rejected linear perspective and the illusion of spatial depth in painting, breaking with many previously prevalent standards in the art world. This radical reorientation led artists to focus entirely on the two-dimensional aspects of a picture.

Geometric abstraction is also known as concrete art and non-objective art – with a strong focus on non-naturalistic images, using simple geometric forms such as circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, etc.

The complete lack of any reference to, or indeed any connection with, the natural world makes it virtually the purest form of abstraction.

Examples of Concrete Art include:

• Black Circle (1913) by Kasimir Malevich (1878-1935) – exhibited at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg
• Broadway Boogie-Woogie (1942) by Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) – exhibited at MoMA in New York
• Composition VIII (The Cow) (1918) by Theo van Doesburg (1883-1931) – also exhibited at MoMA in New York
• A tribute to the square by Josef Albers (1888-1976)

04 Op Art

Optical art , sometimes also known as Op Art , first emerged in the 1960s. The Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely (1906–1997), who intensively studied optical phenomena, significantly shaped this movement.

To create visual illusions, Op Art artists – including renowned artists such as Julio Le Parc , François Morellet , and Yaacov Agam – played with colors, shapes, and light. It was like a reversal of the Abstract Expressionist movement of the previous decades.

While Op Art focused on deceiving the viewer's gaze and inducing a state of visual obsession, Abstract Expressionist artists communicated their feelings and emotions through dynamic brushstrokes. Geometric patterns and illusionary effects characterized this art movement.

The resulting images, created through a skillful interplay of color and form contrasts, made it impossible for the viewer to distinguish foreground from background or realistic representation from pure design. The creators of Op Art were not only concerned with an aesthetic experience, but also with the active involvement of the audience.

They practically invited the viewer to see through the visual illusions and solve the mystery behind the artwork by testing their senses. Because of this interactive component, Op Art was a remarkable artistic trend.

Optical art also had an enormous influence on other fields such as design and architecture. Its principles were applied to the design of everyday objects, building facades, and even fashion.

05 Emotional or intuitive abstract art

This is a type of art . It is fundamentally characterized by a mix of styles. A common theme can be identified, which is marked by a naturalistic tendency.

This inclination towards naturalism is revealed in the manner of using forms and colors. In contrast to geometric abstraction, which manages almost entirely without references to representational nature, this art form takes a somewhat different direction.

Intuitive abstraction seeks to bring nature to life in its works, but in a less representational way.

Two important sources for this type of art are organic abstraction (also biomorphic abstraction ) and Surrealism .

Perhaps the most famous representative of this form of painting was the Russian-born Mark Rothko .

Exemplary works of intuitive abstraction include, besides Mark Rothko's paintings:

• Composition No. 4 (1911) and Composition VII (1913) by Wassily Kandinsky – exhibited in the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen and Tretjakow Gallery
• The typical plate, fork and navel (1923) by Jean Arp (1887-1966) – in a private collection
• Woman (1934) by Joàn Miró (1893-1983) – also in a private collection
• Inscape: Psychological Morphology no. 104 (1939) by Matta (1911-2002) – also in a private collection
• Infinite Divisibility (1942) by Yves Tanguy (1900-55) – exhibited at the Allbright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo (USA)

Examples in sculpture and carving:

• The Kiss (1907) by Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957) – Kunsthalle, Hamburg
• Mother and Child (1934) by Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975) – exhibited at the Tate Gallery
• Giant Pip (1937) by Jean Arp – exhibited at the National Art Museum, Centre Georges Pompidou, France
• Three Standing Figures (1953) by Henry Moore (1898-1986) – Guggenheim Museum, Venice

06 Gestural Abstraction

Gestural abstraction is a variation or sub-form of abstract expressionism. In this style, more importance is attached to the process of creating the painting than was usually the case before.

For example, paint can be applied in unusual ways here. Brushwork is also usually very loose, spontaneous, and quick.

Famous American representatives of gestural painting include Jackson Pollock (1912-56), the inventor of Action Painting and the dripping technique , and his wife Lee Krasner (1908-84), who inspired him with her own form of drip painting.

Jackson Pollock described abstract art as a “revealed energy and movement” to create art without self-censorship and intuitively, “from the gut.”

Other important figures include Willem de Kooning (1904-97), famous for his series "Woman", and Robert Motherwell (1912-56), who achieved worldwide fame for his series "Elegy to the Spanish Republic" .

illustrated by Tachism as well as by the CoBrA group – especially Karel Appel

07 Minimalism

As a counter-movement to the gestural painting of Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism as an avant-garde art movement in the USA. A kind of postmodernism , so to speak.

It was also freed from all external references and associations. It is reduced to what you actually see – nothing else.

Minimalism often takes on a geometric form or is structured according to geometric principles. This art movement is dominated by sculptors and has been particularly prevalent in architecture and modern design since the 1980s.

the Museum Barberini in Potsdam presented an impressive exhibition of over ninety artworks by the painter Gerhard Richter . The focus was on abstract art. This show placed Richter's works from more than fifty years into a broader context. The Berlin-av had the opportunity to meet Gerhard Richter at the exhibition's opening. In the video, he discusses various aspects of his artistic work during a press conference.

Gerhard Richter, often called the “Picasso of the 21st century ,” is celebrated for his diverse body of work. An exhibition at the Haus der Kunst in 2009 presented, for the first time, a comprehensive selection of his abstract paintings created since the 1970s. These large-format works, mostly created in series, reflect Richter's intensive exploration of the principles and limits of painting.

His creative process is characterized by a “planned spontaneity ,” in which he works without a preconceived motif and incorporates chance. Using brushes, squeegees, and spatulas, he creates layer upon layer of changing color elements, often resulting in spatial structures, yet never in clearly recognizable objects. Many of these paintings go through more than thirty stages, with the remnants of the process remaining captivatingly present.

The more than fifty works in the exhibition were characterized by their breathtaking color intensity and are a visual experience of “cascades of intoxicatingly psychedelic colors” .

Why does abstract art fascinate us so much?

Perhaps you too have experienced this: you found yourself lingering on a particular abstract work of art, gazing at it for a long time and feeling a certain pull – without being able to fully grasp why.

It's not easy to explain, but it can't be denied. Non-representational art can evoke a unique fascination that captivates our minds. It can trigger diverse associations and thought processes in viewers, sending our imagination on a journey.

Understanding abstract art is not particularly difficult in itself – all you basically need is an open mind and a good dose of imagination.

The first step is to let go of familiar ideas and entrenched beliefs. Understanding abstract art is primarily about looking beyond how we know and perceive things. Only then does the true power of these works unfold.

The Armenian-born draftsman and painter Arshile Gorky sums it up as follows:

Abstraction allows humans to see with their minds what they cannot physically perceive with their eyes. Abstract art allows the artist to perceive the infinite beyond the tangible and to bring it out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration of unknown territories

(rough translation from English)

Abstraction is rooted in the "intuition" and in "freedom" (for both the artist and the viewer). It is the artist's ability to use their imagination to see beyond the physically visible and to translate immaterial emotions onto the canvas.

It is also the audience's ability to connect with the artist's intention in abstract art and to free their own mind from visual limitations.

The most important thing to understand about this art form is that it does not have to have a specific meaning, history, or even a clear explanation.

Its main purpose is rather to foster imagination and an intuitive approach. This art form is primarily about offering viewers an intangible and emotional experience – and this experience is usually completely different for each person, depending on their individual personality and state of mind at the time of viewing.

All of this makes abstract art so incredibly exciting and enriching.

Understanding Abstract Art – A Short Guide

We have learned that it is not about recognizing and finding familiar figures or patterns in abstract works.

If the explanations in the last section are too general for you and you are still unsure how to proceed, then perhaps the following tips will help:

• When trying to understand abstraction, it is important to recognize that there different ways to approach and classify art.
• To appreciate modern art, the focus should not be on how realistically the artist has painted something or someone and how many sophisticated details are present, but rather on how successful a work is in evoking emotions and creating a deep connection with the artist.
• Abstract paintings can also be appreciated in terms of their individual elements : color, form, line, texture, space, intensity, etc. The skill of an abstract artist lies in their ability to utilize colors and textures as effectively as possible and to create a complete (harmonious) composition from these elements.
• Don't look at the clock! There's no need to stand in front of an abstract work for hours. But do take as much time as you are intuitively moved by it. Time shouldn't play a role. Under no circumstances should you set a time limit beforehand.
• We all know that art is subjective , and sometimes there are works we simply can't connect with, especially when it comes to abstract art. Accept this fact or try again another time.
• Don't belittle the artist's imagination or its value! If you don't like a work or can't connect with it, simply reflect on what specifically makes you feel that way. Perhaps this will open you up to a new perspective. And that, after all, is the secret of this kind of art.
• Ignore the title! In most cases, abstract paintings have extremely vague titles (e.g., "Number 4" or "Black and Red"). Don't let this mislead you. Most abstract artists deliberately avoid using meaningful or even promotional titles. They emphasize that you interact with their art and ultimately find your own personal meaning in it. Only in some cases can a title be helpful in guiding your imagination in a certain direction.
• Read the wall text or the explanations in accompanying art guides or brochures. This content can provide you with important information about the artist's background or artistic intention. Tip: Try viewing the artwork without any context first – this will allow for a more intense and unconstrained experience.
• Let the painting speak to you! Clear your mind of all other thoughts. Give the artwork some time and allow its emotions to resonate with you. Observe the colors and textures. What do you feel? What thoughts race through your mind? Jackson Pollock once said, "Let the painting ask the questions, rather than the other way around."
• Don't put pressure on yourself! Don't worry if you don't immediately feel something with every picture. An abstract painting doesn't need to evoke a contextual connection; that is, you don't have to be able to feel every emotion it might convey. If it doesn't do anything for you, that's perfectly acceptable. Negative emotions are also possible and should be acknowledged.
• Don't forget that abstraction doesn't have to have meaning! While understanding a work of art can evoke a momentary feeling of victory, immersing oneself in its mystery brings lasting pleasure.

What is abstract photography?

In the world of abstract photography, photographers draw on the aesthetics and techniques of abstract art and reproduce them in photography. This is done through a combination of ordinary objects, scenes, and photographic techniques to create images that correspond to other forms of abstract art.

Barbara Crane was a photographer who used extreme close-ups, exaggerated shadows and overexposure to create experimental optics that distorted traditional cityscapes.

In her Loop series, she transformed skyscrapers and apartment blocks into high-contrast, geometrically abstract images. The artist described her approach as follows:

Even though I use past experiences as a foundation, I try to let go of old habits of seeing and thinking. I am constantly searching for something that is visually new to me. At the same time, I hope that form and content will merge.”

Kimberly Poppe also uses her camera to explore new perspectives. Her landscape photographs are more influenced by Rothko's paintings than by the ocean panoramas he photographs. The American abstract expressionist is one of her most important influences.

Sven Pfrommer, a contemporary photographer and visual artist living in Berlin, also dedicates himself impressively to abstract photography and works with great success worldwide.

In which museums and exhibitions can I find significant abstract artworks?

While non-representational art can be seen in most of the world's major art museums, there are a number of remarkable collections in prestigious museums that house important and special works of this art form.

A visit to the following important museums is particularly worthwhile:

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York
• Samuel R Guggenheim Museum, New York
• Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY
• Tate Modern Gallery, London
• Georges Pompidou Centre, Paris
• Guggenheim Bilbao
• Guggenheim Venice
• Art Museum, Basel
• Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
• Musée National d'Art Moderne, Paris
• MOMAT, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney

Buying abstract art – what you should pay attention to

Through exchanges and discussions with other galleries, and also in the Art Trade Reports of recent years, we have observed a trend towards a new generation of young art collectors who can be classified as digital natives and who buy art almost exclusively online.

Besides urban art and street art , abstract art is particularly popular for online purchases. An upper price limit of around €25,000 has emerged, representing a significant increase in the value of works traded online over the past few years.

According to The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2024, confidence in global online sales increased again in 2023, reaching an estimated 11.8 billion US dollars globally, representing a 7% increase over the previous year (2022) and accounting for 18% of the market's total sales.

Abstract art in our online gallery

In our virtual art gallery, of course, you also have the opportunity to acquire unique and colorful abstract works of art - directly from the artist or gallery partner.

Each of these paintings was created with the passion and exceptional skill of a talented artist. Explore the diversity of the most artistic forms in their most abstract expression and be inspired by images that tell your personal story.

Immerse yourself in a world full of creative inspiration with our extensive range of exquisite abstract masterpieces.

The works in this collection are available for purchase, either directly from the artist or through their gallery. Simply click on the pieces of your choice to learn more.

Abstract paintings at our partner galleries

Our partner galleries Singulart  and Artfinder  offer a diverse collection of modern artworks. These online galleries are known for their carefully curated collections, showcasing both established and emerging international artists.

You will find works of exceptional expressiveness and creative diversity at ars mundi .

These partner galleries offer a wide selection of abstract artworks to suit every conceivable interior design style, whether you prefer vibrant colors, energetic shapes, or soft textures.

Further tips and guides

For more information, tips and recommendations on buying abstract artworks, please see our related articles:

• How do I buy abstract art online?
• Buying artwork online – 10 essential tips for your online art purchase

Contemporary art of German and Austrian expressive abstraction

Anyone looking for contemporary artists with a clear tendency towards non-representational forms of expression will find what they're looking for in the heart of the art and culture city of Dresden .

Here, Thomas Stephan Inspire Art, a hub for artists focusing on expressive abstraction, which has since grown steadily and flourished thanks in no small part to a talented, authentic and dedicated team of artists, becoming a center for art enthusiasts, artists and art dealers.

The established core group of Inspire Art includes Etienne Donnay, Florian Maiorescu, Marcin Marz, Mila Plaickner and Elena Drobychevskaja.

informal painting can be confusing, bizarre, and overwhelming. The Inspire Art team aims to counteract this with its approach of presenting modern artworks in a way that is primarily understandable and authentic. Engaging and creative discussions are expressly encouraged in the light-filled rooms of the Dresden art gallery.

You can stay up-to-date on new releases from German and international artists at www.inspire-art.de .

On the gallery's website you will also find an overview of its extensive portfolio of modern art as well as its fascinating and diverse collection of contemporary art positions from different art movements – with a strong focus on abstract art.