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Abstract Sculptures

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
Artist: John Van Alstine
John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle LVIX, Sculpture 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
10" x 16" x 4" Small Riverstone, Pigmented, and Sealed Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate, and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Acciaccato VI, Sculpture 2016
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate

"Sisyphean Circle (twirl IV)", Industrial, Abstract Sculpture in Metal & Stone
Located in New York, NY
"Sisyphean Circle (twirl IV)" by John Van Alstine Granite, galvanized and powder-coated steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of st...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Granite, Metal, Steel

John Van Alstine - Pointe, Sculpture 2004
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Fleche VIII, Sculpture 2017
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze, Steel

John Van Alstine - East River Landscape, Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sacandaga River Landscape II, Sculpture 2012
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pigmented and Sealed Steel Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the m...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sagitta III, Sculpture 2002
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Sling, Sculpture 2012
Located in Greenwich, CT
11.5" x 19" x 4" Small Riverstone, Pigmented and Sealed Steel Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Steel

John Van Alstine - Pique A Terre IV, Sculpture 1991
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sidewinder
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Cudgel II, Sculpture 1991
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate

John Van Alstine - River Angler, Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Lunge V, Sculpture 2006
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle XLIV, Sculpture 2010
Located in Greenwich, CT
10" x 28" x 11" Small Slate, Pigmented, and Sealed Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate, and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these mat...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Holiday XX (Long Bar), Sculpture 2007
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Implement 39, Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Quill II (Slate Rocker), Sculpture 2003
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Stormwarning V (Red Rain 3.14), Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Lunge IV (Red Tail), Sculpture 2006
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sidewinder '07, Sculpture 2007
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Lunge XI, Sculpture 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Icarus (Frail Wings of Vanity), Sculpture 2010
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Stone in the Heart, Sculpture 2007
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - BEAM VII, Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Gvranite, pigmented and sealed steel. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major foc...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Granite, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Column XII (Strange Fruit), Sculpture 1999
Located in Greenwich, CT
Column XII (Strange Fruit), John Van Alstine. This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

John Van Alstine - Column 7-16, Sculpture 2016
Located in Greenwich, CT
Column 7-16, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Steel

John Van Alstine - Saxum Velum / Fully Freighted, Photography 1996
Located in Greenwich, CT
Saxum Velum / Fully Freighted, John Van Alstine Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

John Van Alstine - DORYPHORUS, Sculpture 2000
Located in Greenwich, CT
bronze and granite Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most bas...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

John Van Alstine - Column XIV (Pointer), Photography 2002
Located in Greenwich, CT
Column XIV (Pointer), John Van Alstine. This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Steel, Iron

John Van Alstine - Pique A Terre VIII, Photography 1999
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pique A Terre VIII, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focu...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

John Van Alstine - ARCOS, Sculpture 2002
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rose Granite / Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most b...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Granite, Steel, Cut Steel

John Van Alstine - Charon's Steel Styx Passage, Sculpture 1996
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charon's Steel Styx Passage, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a ...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze, Steel

John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape, Sculpture 2001
Located in Greenwich, CT
Round Mountain Landscape, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a majo...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Holiday 35 (Speckled Stone), Sculpture 2017
Located in Greenwich, CT
Riverstone/ Pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major fo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Metal, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle 8-14-17, Photography 2017
Located in Greenwich, CT
Sisyphean Circle 8-14-17, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a maj...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle (Diagonally Down), Sculpture 2013
Located in Greenwich, CT
Sisyphean Circle (Diagonally Down), John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these material...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle XXV, Sculpture 2007
Located in Greenwich, CT
Sisyphean Circle XXV, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major f...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle LXIV, Photography 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Sisyphean Circle LXIV by John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a majo...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate

John Van Alstine - Hula V, Sculpture 2017
Located in Greenwich, CT
Hula V, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the mo...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Cornucopia With Columns, Sculpture 1998
Located in Greenwich, CT
Cornucopia With Columns, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a majo...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Steel, Iron

John Van Alstine - Crossover, Sculpture 1990
Located in Greenwich, CT
Crossover, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the...
Category

1990s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite, Bronze

John Van Alstine - Catapulta XVII, Sculpture 2010
Located in Greenwich, CT
riverstone, pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major fo...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Cambre V (Slate), Sculpture 2012
Located in Greenwich, CT
slate, pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Slate, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Diagonal Tendencies, Sculpture 2013
Located in Greenwich, CT
Slate, pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - ACCIACCATO III, Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
slate/pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. O...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - CUDGEL 2012, Sculpture 2012
Located in Greenwich, CT
River Stone and Bronze Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Metal, Bronze

John Van Alstine - CAMBRE IV, Sculpture 2004
Located in Greenwich, CT
oil enamel on steel stone Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Enamel, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Fleche VI, Sculpture 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
Riverstone, pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major fo...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - FAULT LINE, Sculpture 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
Riverstone, pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major fo...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle, Sculpture 2013
Located in Greenwich, CT
slate/ powder coated steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Slate, Steel, Cut Steel

John Van Alstine - FLECHE, Sculpture 2005
Located in Greenwich, CT
Slate, Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic lev...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Slate, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

John Van Alstine - Stormwarning IV, Sculpture 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
Medium: Slate, Pigmented and Sealed Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel, Cut Steel

John Van Alstine - Nosedive IV, Sculpture 2012
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Steel

John Van Alstine - Kyklos, Sculpture 2014
Located in Greenwich, CT
slate that has been pigmented and sealed steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a ...
Category

2010s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

John Van Alstine - Red Hips Hula III, Sculpture 2013
Located in Greenwich, CT
Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Steel

John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape III, Sculpture 2002
Located in Greenwich, CT
Granite/ Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic l...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Granite, Metal, Steel

John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape III, Sculpture 2015
Located in Greenwich, CT
Granite/ Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Granite, Metal, Steel

Abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract sculptures 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 sculptures created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, red, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Scott Troxel, John Van Alstine, Marty Mackenzie, and Stephen Walling. Frequently made by artists working with Wood, and Paint 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 sculptures, so small editions measuring 0.38 inches across are also available. Prices for sculptures 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 $11 and tops out at $1,400,000, while the average work sells for $4,500.

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