Abstract Art, one artist at a time
Hilma Af Klint (1862–1944) is the most famous Abstract Art kunstner, whose singular vision gave us De tio största, n° 2 Barnaaldern og De Tio Största, n°10 Alderdomen. Next stand Johannes Itten, Constantin Brâncuși, Yoo Youngkuk og Douglas Abdell. These 17 kunstnere, from Hilma Af Klint (born 1862) to Charles Gibbons (born 1957), came from 13 countries.
Our selection. Artists whose works our catalogue attaches to Abstract Art, in the order of our fame ranking. Artists born after 1955 with no Wikidata identifier stay out until verified. The Wikipedia figure counts our 32 languages with an article on the artist.
In brief
One artist at a time
1of 17
Svensk Born in Solna Abstrakt kunst, Spiritualisme Wikipedia in 24/32 languages
Hilma af Klint, en svensk kunstner født i Solna i 1862, forblir en av de mest fengslende og historisk betydningsfulle skikkelsene som har vokst frem fra daggryet av abstrakt kunst. I dag hylles af Klint som en pioner, en utforsker av indre verdener, hvis levende og symbolske lerreter foregriper de mer kjente abstraksjonene til Kandinsky, Mondrian og Malevich.
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Sveitsisk Born in Wachseldorn Expressionisme og Bauhaus Wikipedia in 21/32 languages
Undeterred, Itten established the “ontos weaving workshops” near Zurich in 1924, collaborating with Bauhaus weaver Gunta Stölzl. He continued to refine his artistic practice, experimenting with various mediums and techniques—particularly textile art—drawing inspiration from both Eastern and Western traditions. His influence can also be seen in the expressionist works of Wassily Kandinsky, who shared Itten’s belief in the spiritual power of color.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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Rumensk Born in Hădărămaș Modernisme
Brâncuși ble født i 1876 i Hădărămaș i Romania, og la ut på en ekstraordinær reise fra beskjedne kår til å bli en av de fremste innovatørene innen abstrakt kunst. Brâncuśis karriere gjennomgikk en dyp transformasjon i løpet av tiden i Paris mellom 1906 og 1914.
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Korean Born in Uljin Geometric abstraksjon
Often referred to as “the painter of mountains,” Yoo didn’t depict these majestic peaks in a literal sense; rather, he abstracted their essence—their solidity, their grandeur, their spiritual resonance—into powerful compositions of color and form. Exploring Yoo Youngkuk's masterpieces – such as “Mountain” or “Work”– at platforms like AllPaintingsStore.com offers a glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer, an artist who dared to break with tradition and forge a new path for Korean art.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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American Born in Boston Contemporary sculpture
His focus on the Mediterranean region—a crossroads of civilizations and a site of ongoing conflict—provides a distinctive perspective within the broader context of contemporary art.
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Canadian Born in Montreal Abstract art, Painters Eleven
Birth and Background: Luke was born on May 14, 1901, in Montreal. Community Involvement: Beyond painting, Luke actively contributed to the arts community in Oshawa. Recognition and Collections: Luke’s contribution is recognized through her inclusion in major collections, including: MCMichael Canadian Art Collection: A leading institution dedicated to showcasing Canadian art.
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Romanian Born in Călinesti Abstract Modernist
In 1963, his studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti Pietro Vannucci in Perugia, Italy, further refined his understanding of classical construction and modern experimentation. Beyond the canvas, Șaru was a man of diverse creative pursuits; he designed public mosaics, illustrated children's books, and collaborated on intricate tapestry works with his wife, the artist Liana Saru. Gheorghe Șaru, known to many as George Saru, was a painter whose life and work served as a bridge between the rich traditions of Romanian folk art and the experimental frontiers of European modernism.
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British Geometric squares
Brighton’s artistic development wasn't entirely solitary; he drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources. He developed a distinctly personal vocabulary within this framework, prioritizing the interplay of color and the dynamic tension between positive and negative space. The influence of Josef Albers ' "Homage to the Square" is also evident – Albers ’ exploration of how colors interact when placed adjacent to each other served as a crucial guide for Brighton, demonstrating that the meaning of a color isn’t inherent but rather emerges from its relationship with others.
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Sveitsisk Born in Zürich Konstruktivisme
Han ble født i Zürich i 1914, og hans tidlige år var preget av personlig tragedie og ustabilitet; tapet av faren under den store krigen og morens komplekse psykiske helseutfordringer skapte et miljø som krevde en enorm motstandskraft. Det var her han beveget seg i banene til giganter som Oskar Kokoschka og Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.
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Ukrainian Born in Lviv Abstract art, Nonconformism
He continued his education at the Lviv Institute of Applied and Decorative Art, where he formed a crucial relationship with Roman Selskyi, who became a lifelong friend and mentor. However, Zvirynskyi’s studies were interrupted in 1949 when he was expelled for openly criticizing socialist realism —a testament to his early commitment to artistic freedom. Born in the small village of Lavriv nestled within the Carpathian Mountains, Zvirynskyi’s journey was one of quiet rebellion and profound spiritual exploration, ultimately establishing him as a key exponent of abstract expressionism and a significant contributor to the Soviet nonconformist art movement.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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Brazilian ['Neo-Figurative Art', 'Abstract Art']
The influence of Brazilian Neo- Figurative Art is palpable – a movement known for its psychological intensity and exploration of the human condition. This process often involves a captivating interplay of vibrant reds and browns, as seen in works like ‘ Color Study C-1 ’, where color itself becomes a vehicle for exploring internal tensions.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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Georgian Born in Kutaisi Avant-garde, Cubism Wikipedia in 9/32 languages
Following a brief period teaching and painting in Tbilisi, Kakabadze embarked on a transformative chapter of his life in Paris from 1919 to 1927. It was during this period that Kakabadze’s style underwent a dramatic evolution. While he continued to contribute to Georgian art through stage design, documentary filmmaking focused on preserving cultural heritage, and teaching at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts—a testament to his unwavering dedication to artistic principles—his modernist inclinations increasingly clashed with the prevailing ideological demands.
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Polska Born in Raków Abstrakt konst” Wikipedia in 5/32 languages
Andrzej Nowacki, born in 1953, a remarkable figure of Polish Abstract Art and Op Art, resides currently in Berlin. He received a prestigious scholarship from the New York Pollock-Krasner Foundation in 1994, affording him invaluable resources for furthering his artistic practice.
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Belgian Born in Diegem Abstract, Cubism, Constructivism, Surrealism Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
It was during this period that he encountered René Magritte, a relationship that proved profoundly influential. Prior to his studies at the Academy, Servranckx worked as a designer for the wallpaper factory Usines Peters-Lacroix (U.P.L.), an experience that likely informed his later interest in geometric patterns and industrial aesthetics. Notably, Servranckx favored simple, often neutral titles like “ Opus 1,” “Opus 2,” etc., for his paintings – a deliberate strategy designed to strip away any referential context and allow viewers to engage with the work purely on its formal qualities.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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Kanadisk Born in Zimbabwe Abstrakt ekspresjonisme Wikipedia in 2/32 languages
Charles Gibbons, en kanadisk kunstner født i 1957, har skapt bølger i kunstverdenen med sine fengslende abstrakte ekspresjonistiske verk. Hans stil, selv om den er abstrakt, virker dypt forankret i prinsippene til den abstrakte ekspresjonismen, en bevegelse som vokste frem på 1940-tallet.
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Britisk Born in Sheffield Abstrakt ekspresjonisme Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
Hans første separatutstilling ved Marlborough New London Gallery i 1964 ble etterfulgt av en betydelig museumsutstilling ved Whitechapel Art Gallery i 1967, kuratert av Bryan Robertson. I 1969 oppnådde han internasjonal anerkjennelse da han representerte Storbritannia sammen med Anthony Caro ved São Paulo-biennalen i Brasil. 1970-tallet var vitne til et skifte i hans teknikk; maleriene hans ble mer teksturerte etter hvert som han eksperimenterte med impasto og ulike materialer.
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Brasiliansk Born in São Paulo Abstrakt maleri, Grupo Santa Helena Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
aldo cláudio felipe bonadei, en anerkjent brasiliansk maler av italiensk herkomst, ble født i são paulo, Brasil den 17. juni 1906. Mellom 1923 og 1928 fordypet aldo seg i kunsten under den høyt respekterte brasilianske akademiske maleren pedro alexandrino, og han søkte ofte inspirasjon i atelierene til de italienske malerne antonio rocco og amadeo scavone.
Signature works
A timeline
Figures
| Sveits | 2 |
|---|---|
| Romania | 2 |
| Sverige | 1 |
| Korea | 1 |
| United States of America | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Ukraine | 1 |
| Georgia | 1 |
| 1860s | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1870s | 1 |
| 1880s | 2 |
| 1890s | 1 |
| 1900s | 2 |
| 1910s | 2 |
| 1920s | 2 |
| 1930s | 2 |
| 1940s | 1 |
| 1950s | 2 |
Every name
Hilma Af KlintSvensk · 1862–1944Johannes IttenSveitsisk · 1888–1967Constantin BrâncușiRumensk · 1876–1957Yoo YoungkukKorean · 1916–2002Douglas AbdellAmerican · født 1947Margaret Alexandra LukeCanadian · 1901–1967Gheorghe ȘaruRomanian · 1920–2003Bob BrightonBritish · 1936–2017Karl SchmidSveitsisk · 1914–1998Karlo ZvirynskyiUkrainian · 1923–1997Thiago BoecanBrazilian · David KakabadzeGeorgian · 1889–1952Andrzej NowackiPolska · født 1953Victor ServranckxBelgian · 1897–1965Charles GibbonsKanadisk · født 1957John HoylandBritisk · 1934–2011Aldo BonadeiBrasiliansk · 1906–1974Questions
First place goes to Hilma Af Klint (#1); Johannes Itten (#2) and Constantin Brâncuși (#3) complete the podium.
Hilma Af Klint (#1), Johannes Itten (#2), Constantin Brâncuși (#3), Yoo Youngkuk (#4) og Douglas Abdell (#5).
The earliest-born kunstner in this list is Hilma Af Klint (#1), born in 1862.
“He theorized seven distinct types of color contrast – hue, value, temperature, complements (neutralization), simultaneous contrast, saturation, and extension—and devised a series of exercises designed to unlock an intuitive understanding of these principles.” — from our biography of Johannes Itten (#2).
Sveits: 2 of the 17 kunstnere in this list were born there, then Romania (2) og Sverige (1).
This list includes 2 women: Hilma Af Klint (#1) og Margaret Alexandra Luke (#6).
The museums holding the most key works of this list are Maritime Museum (1), MAM Rio (1) og MoMA - Museum of Modern Art (1).
Most kunstnere in this list were born in the 1880s (2 of 17), between 1862 and 1957 overall.
The highest-ranked living kunstnere in this list are Douglas Abdell (#5), Andrzej Nowacki (#13) og Charles Gibbons (#15).
Our catalogue holds 390 works by these kunstnere.
Read
Other movements
Berømte Baroque-kunstnereRembrandt van Rijn · Rembrandt
Berømte Contemporary Realist-kunstnereInnhøsterne · Jean-François Millet
Berømte Impressionist-kunstnereStjernenatt (New York, MoMA) · Vincent Van Gogh
Berømte Romanticist-kunstnereSaturn som fortærer sin sønn · Francisco Goya
Berømte Neoclassicist-kunstnereDøden til Marat · Jacques-Louis David
Berømte Realist-kunstnereOpprinnelsen til verden · Gustave Courbet
Berømte Renaissance-kunstnereMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo Da Vinci
Berømte Dutch Golden Age-kunstnereJohannes Vermeer · Johannes Vermeer
Berømte Expressionist-kunstnereKomposisjon VII · Vasilij Kandinskij
Berømte Rococo-kunstnereAnkomst til Kythera · Antoine WatteauOther periods
Berømte Early Medieval-kunstnereSnowy River · Wang Wei
Berømte High Medieval-kunstnereMadonna i Majestet (Ognissanti Madonna) · Giotto
Berømte Late Medieval-kunstnereKunngjøringen og To Helgener · Simone Martini
Berømte Renaissance-kunstnereAdams skapelse · Michelangelo
Berømte Early Modern-kunstnereKallingen av Matteus · Caravaggio
Berømte 19th Century-kunstnereWater Lilies (eller Nympheas) · Claude Monet
Berømte Modern-kunstnereGuernica · Pablo Picasso
Berømte Contemporary-kunstnereWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareDiscover more
