Abstract art originated more than a hundred years ago in Europe in 1910s. It was an actual revolution started by the first abstract artists. Artworks of expressionists and cubists were the forerunner of this cultural upheaval. Abstract artists abandoned traditional forms of images that were associated with actually recognizable objects and pictures, and this is what the definition of abstract art is all about. The new approach allows to concentrate on pure color, shape, lines and dynamics. Abstract art gives only hints of reality, letting on imagination to fill in the gaps. Therefore, every abstract painting is aesthetically unique and very expressive.
Wassily Kandinsky, known as one of the most famous abstract artists, was at the forefront of the abstractionism movement. His work, “First Abstract Watercolor”, 1910, was a starting point of a new movement in art. Nowadays, this abstract painting is stored at the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris.
So far, abstract art is a matter of the dispute although even critics and admirers of traditional art accept the works of famous abstract artists as masterpieces. We present 10 paintings by both modern abstract artists and masters of the past that could help to better understand and appreciate this art style.
1. Kandinsky created dozens of compositions he called «improvisations». He adopted this name from music, indicating the spontaneity of the creative process. In this oil abstract painting, blue strokes and dark straight lines vaguely remind of the sails of a ship.
“Improvisation 31" (Sea Battle), 1913 by Wassily Kandinsky
2. Jackson Pollock was a famous American abstract painter known for his technique of spraying paint. His painting “No. 5” became the most expensive artwork ever as it was sold for $140 million in 2006.
“No. 5”, 1948 by Jackson Pollock
3. This is one of the first abstract paintings of a cityscape. A hint of the outlines of the Eiffel Tower hovers among the multicolored fragments of space. The Eiffel Tower was an important theme of Delaunay’s artwork.
“Windows Open Simultaneously" (First Part, Third Motif), 1912 by Robert Delaunay
4. Suprematism is an art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich. That is what he called abstract compositions, focused on basic geometric forms, such as circles, squares, lines, and rectangles, painted in a limited range of colors. The term itself means a certain superiority and domination. This geometric abstraction is well known all over the world. In 2008 it was sold for $85 million. Thanks to “Black Square” and his other works, Malevich became one of the most famous abstract painters of the 20th century.
“Suprematist Composition”, 1916 by Kazimir Malevich
5. The painting is an example of abstract color painting. The artist himself recommended looking at the canvas from a distance of 45 cm to reach the meditation effect and dissolve in color.
“Orange and Yellow”, 1961 by Mark Rothko
6. This painting attributes to abstractionism and the movement of pop art. Expressive colors are combined with the names of the colors written on the canvas. "False Start" was valued at $80 million at the last auction.
“False Start”, 1959 by Jasper Johns
7. This is an important painting for all contemporary art. For 10 years Gerhard Richter continued to work on a series which includes this famous artwork. The technique of layering paints that Richter used is popular among many contemporary artists.
“Abstrakte Bild”, 1986 by Gerhard Richter
8. Robert Hardgrave's paintings are an example of acrylic abstract art that resonate with futurism and surrealism. In his art, this American artist was inspired by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky.
“Dream Catcher”, 2010 by Robert Hardgrave
9. Key features of the painting are bright colors and laconic composition. This is typical for the author's style. The artworks of the famous abstract painter Osamu Kobayashi are highly regarded in the USA and Europe.
“Slit”, 2020 by Osamu Kobayashi
10. This painting helps to understand the work of Sarah Spitler. Brush strokes, drops, leaks on a light background give the sense of something floral. However, the painter herself believes that this is an artistic expression of chaos on canvas.
“No name” by Sarah Spitler
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