Modern abstract art paintings are one of the most popular trends in art. Such canvases delight with their depth, and originality, and also allow you to look at the world through the eyes of artists and feel its emotions. In addition, they emphasize the refined taste of the owner and decorate the interior, drawing attention to themselves.
Modern abstract art
Modern abstract art has its origins in the early years of the 20th century. Some artists of that time had the desire to create a new direction, unlimited by the objects that exist in reality. In their works, they tried to introduce unique elements and color combinations, as well as reflect the fundamental changes taking place in society, science, and philosophy.
If you are a connoisseur of such art, we offer you to see the most famous abstract paintings in the world, made by outstanding masters in the first half of the 20th century.
“Growing Up” by Hilma af Klint
Growing Up, 1907
A Swedish artist who, according to some experts, was a pioneering abstract artist. It was her innovative ideas that were picked up by many contemporary male artists. Hilma painted a whole series of paintings in an abstract style, in which she showed the stages of a person’s life in her own way: childhood, youth, maturity and old age. In her paintings, painted on paper and pasted on canvas, she used botanical elements and recognizable organic objects associated with the birth and development of a child. In the large abstract painting “Growing up” No. 7 (3 by 2 meters), one of the most famous, the central element is a yellow symbol resembling a flower. It is surrounded by spiral elements and biomorphic forms – symbols of growth and fertility.
“Table” by Pieta Mondriana
Table, 1921
An abstract oil painting on canvas, in which monochromatic blocks with primary colors are separated by a solid black line. Mondrian’s idea was to create a harmonious balance in the world of abstraction based on mathematical precision and recognizable geometric shapes.
He, a little later, in 1930, will draw a composition with red, blue, and yellow blocks and, in general, will become known as one of the creators of neoplasticism in painting.
“The Twitter Machine” by Paul Klee
The Twitter Machine, 1922
Like Kandinsky, Paul Klee was a member of the international community Der Blaue Reiter. They found a close connection between music and painting. Therefore, it is not surprising that his most famous abstract painting, “Twitter Machines,” is dedicated to music. The canvas depicts several birds that are set in motion with the help of a winding mechanism. Produced in oil, watercolor, and ink
“La mancha roja” by Joan Mir
La mancha roja, 1925
At first glance, this is a nondescript canvas, the name of which fully reflects the essence of the composition – “Red Spot”. However, “La mancha roja” was created by Joan Miro, as a cross between surrealism and abstraction. As a basis, the artist took inner feelings and emotions hidden deep in the subconscious. Therefore, the picture turned out to be so frank, a little frightening, but still, childish and playful.
“White Relief” by Ben Nicholson
White Relief, 1934-1936
The 1930s is a time when the world was gradually “healing” after the First World War and slowly “moving towards” the next global conflict. During this difficult period, abstract paintings are becoming even more popular, helping artists pour their thoughts and emotions onto the canvas. One of them was the outstanding British master Ben Nicholson. He was able to concisely combine constructivism and abstractionism in order to create with oil paints a multi-layered composition “White Relief” on a carved board.
“Full Fathom Five” by Jackson Pollock
Full Fathom Five, 1947
The state of his subconscious is shared by the famous American artist Jackson Pollock, one of the brightest representatives of the New York school of abstract art. When creating the painting “Full Fathom Five”, he used a special technique of splashing oil paints and picked up unusual combinations of shades that vividly illustrate the uncertainty of the post-war years. In addition, this work set a new bar in the quality of texturing.
“Lavender, Pink and Yellow” by Mark Rothko
Lavender,Ppink and Yellow, 1950
Mark Rothko is a master who is remembered by the world as the creator of large canvases with color blocks. In his works of art, the Russian-American artist tried to convey human emotions and experiences through various color combinations. One of his most famous abstract paintings with yellow, pink and lavender color blocks, evokes warm, pleasant sensations – feelings of peace, joy.
“Mountains and Sea” by Helen Frankenthaler
Mountains and Sea, 1952
The 1950s is a period when Western philosophy began to actively mix with Eastern. In search of inspiration, many artists turned their attention to Zen Buddhism, Taoism. One of them was Helen Frankenthaler. This can be seen in her paintings, sharpened by the abstract style of “color field painting” that appeared at that time.
One of the iconic works of the American artist is the painting “Mountains and the Sea”. In it, Helen Frankenthaler used an innovative method of soaking and pouring oil paint directly onto canvas. Thanks to this, it was possible to create a unique organic texture of the composition. Interestingly, the same technique was later adopted by Helen’s fellow male contemporaries (for example, Kenneth Noland and Morris Louis).