Abandoning the late 19th century European idea that art should imitate nature Abstract art does not strive to create accurate representations of any forms or objects. Artists employing the style take an object and either simplify or exaggerate it by altering its color shape and form. Abstract art developed before the twentieth century abstract patterns have roots in ancient history showing up in early decorations for textiles and pottery.

Abstraction reached its pinnacle as an accepted form of fine art in the twentieth century. Wassily Kandinsky was the original abstract artist producing the first completely abstract work of art in 1910. Two years later he wrote a theory on abstract art called On the Spiritual in Art. In this publication he emphasized the general theory among Abstract artists that art should portray the spiritual realm and not just the visual world. Abstract Art encompasses many different styles including Cubism, Neoplasticism, Expressionism, Futurism, Fauvism and Abstract Expressionism.

Artists: (biography & artworks) Related Paintings Reproductions

Baumeister, Willi - 1889 - 1955
Caro, Sir Anthony - 1924 -
Davis, Stuart - 1894 - 1964
Diller, Burgoyne - 1906 - 1965
Dove, Arthur - 1880 - 1946
Fontana, Lucio - 1899 - 1968
Freundlich, Otto - 1878 - 1943
Gonzalez, Julio - 1876 - 1942
Hepworth, Dame Barbara - 1903 - 1975
Heron, Patrick - 1920 - 1999
Hilton, Roger - 1911 - 1975
Kapoor, Anish - 1954 -
Kupka, Frantisek - 1871 - 1957
Macdonald-Wright, Stanton - 1890 - 1973
Moore, Henry - 1898 - 1986
Nadelman, Elie - 1882 - 1946
Nicholson, Ben - 1894 - 1982
Poliakoff, Serge - 1900 - 1969
Rego, Paula - 1935 -
Richter, Gerhard - 1932 -
Tucker, William - 1935 -
Twombly, Cy - 1929 -
Wols, - 1913 - 1951