Lyrical Abstraction

Abstract art as we know it today has its roots in the 19th century, when artists began to privilege imagination and the unconscious over purely representational art. Art, during this period, became less about idealizing its subjects, instead placing emphasis on their emotive and sensory qualities. Artists in the early 20th century took abstraction a step further – instead of looking to represent tangible reality in an abstract way, they began to create works that were completely untethered from the visible world. The first known “true" abstract artist is Swedish painter Hilma af Klint, who produced a number of monumental works rooted in spiritualism. Other influential abstract artists of the 20th century include Piet Mondrian, Vassily Kandinsky, and Mark Rothko. 

Today, contemporary artists of all kinds are continuing the legacy of these creators, using color, line and form to produce abstract works. At Artsper, we have curated a selection of artists exploring the boundaries of abstraction in experimental and unique ways, from Sophie Mangelsen to Anna Masiul-Gozdecka. Join us to discover the world of contemporary abstraction today!