Abstract art—also known as non-representational or non-objective art—is defined as art that intentionally rejects literal depiction of visual reality. Instead of portraying recognizable people, objects, or landscapes, abstract artists communicate through an autonomous visual language composed of colors, shapes, lines, textures, and forms. The definition of the term ‘abstract’ means to separate or “withdraw from something”. The term stems from the Latin "abstrahere" (to draw away), reflecting its core ethos: extracting the essence of subjects by stripping away their physical appearances.
The subject of abstract art diverges fundamentally from traditional art. While figurative painting centers on external subjects (a bowl of fruit, a battlefield, a portrait), abstraction turns inward. Its "subject" might be:
• Pure emotional or spiritual states (e.g., Kandinsky's quest to "paint the soul")
• Formal relationships (balance, rhythm, contrast)
• Conceptual ideas (utopian harmony in De Stijl)
• Unconscious impulses (Automatist gesture)
• Materiality itself (paint as substance).
This reorientation makes abstract art open to interpretation. As critic Barbara Hess notes, it invites viewers to "complete the work" through personal experience—a stark departure from narrative-driven art.
Core Characteristics of Abstract Art
Abstract art is unified by several defining traits:
• Non-Representation: Total abandonment of identifiable imagery (e.g., Malevich’s Black Square) or radical distortion of reality (e.g., Cubism’s fragmented guitars).
• Formal Emphasis: Color, line, shape, and texture become the primary actors. Mondrian’s grids, for instance, reduce art to horizontals, verticals, and primary hues.
• Subjectivity: Prioritizes the artist’s inner world over external objectivity. Pollock’s drip paintings, for example, physically embed his movements and moods.
• Experimentation: Embraces chance (pourings), spontaneity (gestural marks), or systematic constraints (geometric rules).
• Ambiguity: Images resist singular meanings. As Kandinsky asserted, abstraction thrives on "intentional ambiguity," empowering viewers to find personal resonances.
Table: Abstract Art vs. Figurative Art
|
Aspect |
Abstract Art |
Figurative Art |
|
Representation |
No recognizable objects |
Depicts identifiable subjects |
|
Focus |
Form, color, emotion, concept |
Narrative, likeness, scene |
|
Interpretation |
Open-ended; viewer completes meaning |
Largely guided by depicted content |
|
Example |
Rothko’s color fields |
Rembrandt’s The Night Watch |
The Purpose of Abstract Art: Why Abstraction Matters？
Abstract art serves diverse aims, often overlapping:
• Emotional Resonance: Convey feelings directly through visual means. Rothko’s luminous rectangles evoke transcendence or melancholy without depicting a specific scene.
• Spiritual Exploration: Artists like Kandinsky saw abstraction as a path to express cosmic unity or "inner necessity," akin to musical compositions.
• Formal Innovation: Liberate art from mimicry to explore pure design. De Stijl’s grids proposed universal harmony through geometry.
• Philosophical Critique: Challenge perceptions of reality. Dadaists used absurd abstractions to protest post-WWI rationalism.
• Creative Freedom: Reject conventions to prioritize instinct. The Automatistes championed spontaneous creation as rebellion.
As British artist Henry Eveleigh noted in 1940s Montreal, abstraction offered a language for "human experience in the broadest sense"—including trauma, joy, and social reflection—when realism felt inadequate.
Major Types of Abstract Art: Styles and Movements
Abstract art crystallized into distinct movements, each with unique philosophies:
1.Geometric Abstraction
• Cubism (1907–1920s): Shatters forms into geometric facets. Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907) merges multiple viewpoints into a fractured, revolutionary composition.
• Suprematism (1915–1930s): Reduces art to elementary forms. Malevich’s Black Square (1915) epitomizes this "zero point of painting".
• De Stijl (1917–1930s): Pursues harmony via strict grids. Mondrian’s Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow (1930) restricts elements to horizontals, verticals, and primaries.
2.Gestural/Lyrical Abstraction
• Abstract Expressionism (1940s–50s): Divides into:
o Action Painting: Pollock’s drips (No. 5, 1948) record bodily motion.
o Color Field: Rothko’s floating hues (Orange, Red, Yellow, 1961) induce contemplation.
• Automatisme (1940s): Quebec-based movement privileging subconscious creation. Borduas’ Refus global manifesto linked abstraction to political and spiritual liberation.
3.Minimalism (1960s)
Rejects emotionalism with industrial precision. Agnes Martin’s penciled grids focus on subtle variation in line and tone.
Table: Evolution of Abstract Art Movements
|
Movement |
Time Period |
Key Features |
Leading Artists |
|
Cubism |
1907–1920s |
Fragmented forms, multiple perspectives |
Picasso, Braque |
|
Suprematism |
1915–1930s |
Basic geometric forms, limited palette |
Malevich |
|
De Stijl |
1917–1930s |
Grids, primary colors |
Mondrian |
|
Abstract Expressionism |
1940s–1950s |
Gestural brushwork, emotional intensity |
Pollock, de Kooning, Rothko |
|
Minimalism |
1960s |
Simplified forms, industrial materials |
Agnes Martin, Frank Stella |
Pioneers and Key Figures: Architects of Abstraction
Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944)
Often hailed as the "father of abstraction," Kandinsky transitioned from Fauvist landscapes to total non-objectivity by 1911. His Blue Rider (1903) uses splotches of color to dissolve figuration, foreshadowing his breakthrough. For Kandinsky, art paralleled music—colors "sounded," and forms evoked spiritual vibrations. He co-founded the Blauer Reiter group, cementing abstraction within German Expressionism.
Piet Mondrian (1872–1944)
Mondrian’s journey from Dutch landscapes to stark grids epitomizes abstraction’s philosophical rigor. His Composition series (1920s–40s) employed black lines and primary colors to express "universal harmony." This vision influenced design, architecture, and the De Stijl movement.
Jackson Pollock (1912–1956)
Pollock revolutionized abstraction by placing the act of painting center-stage. His drip technique—flinging, pouring, and dragging paint across canvases laid on the floor—captured raw energy. Works like No. 5, 1948 redefined art as an event, earning him a lead role in the Abstract Expressionist canon.
Forgotten Innovators: The Montreal Group (1940s)
While New York dominated postwar narratives, Montreal incubated radical abstract experiments:
• Marian Dale Scott: Merged scientific concepts with biomorphic forms.
• Fritz Brandtner: Introduced German Expressionist abstraction to Canada.
• Gordon Webber: Explored geometric abstraction influenced by Bauhaus.
Their contributions were overshadowed by the Automatistes but reveal abstraction’s global resonance.
Abstract Art Today: Evolution and Enduring Impact
Contemporary abstract art continues to innovate:
• Material Explorations: Acrylic paints enable layering, scraping, and pouring—techniques pushing texture to the forefront.
• Digital & Hybrid Forms: Artists like Aine blend traditional brushwork with digital abstraction, creating "hypnotic" eyes and faces.
• Neo-Expressionism: Gestural abstraction resurges in artists like Anselm Kiefer.
Despite evolving styles, abstraction’s core mission persists: to express the ineffable through form and color. As Rothko proclaimed, it seeks not decor but "ultimate truths".
Artphiloso's Abstract Art Today
Hi, I’m Philo. I dedicate myself to exploring the depths of abstract art. My passion lies in creating pieces that invite you to buy abstract painting that speaks to the soul. Through my work in abstract landscape art and abstract oil painting, I strive to capture emotions and stories beyond the visible. With a focus on modern abstract art, each creation reflects my personal journey and contemporary influences. I hope my art inspires you to see the world through new perspectives and find beauty in abstraction.
Conclusion: The Unending Conversation
Abstract art remains a vital, evolving language precisely because it defies fixed definitions. From Kandinsky’s spiritual geometries to Pollock’s kinetic trails, it continually renegotiates the relationship between feeling and form. Its power lies in this mutability—inviting each viewer to find meaning where there is "nothing" to recognize. As a timeless trend, abstraction proves that art’s deepest subjects often reside beyond the visible world.
Thank you for visiting Artphiloso. If you're inspired by what you see, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me for commissions, collaborations, or to purchase original abstract paintings that speak to your space and soul.
FAQ
What is abstractionism in art?
Abstractionism is the creation of art that does not depict recognizable subjects, focusing instead on form, color, and emotion.
What is an abstract in art?
An abstract artwork uses shapes, lines, and colors to convey meaning without representing real-world objects.
What is abstract expressionism?
A 1940s–50s movement known for emotional, spontaneous works like Pollock’s drips and Rothko’s color fields.
Who created abstract art?
Wassily Kandinsky is widely considered the pioneer of abstract art, beginning around 1911.