Abstract Art, one artist at a time
Hilma Af Klint (1862–1944) is the most famous Abstract Art umetnik, whose singular vision gave us De tio största, n° 2 Barnaaldern in De Tio Största, n°10 Alderdomen. Next stand Johannes Itten, Constantin Brâncuși, Yoo Youngkuk in Douglas Abdell. These 17 umetniki, from Hilma Af Klint (born 1862) to Charles Gibbons (born 1957), came from 15 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
Švedska Born in Solna Abstraktna slikarstvo, Spiritizem Wikipedia in 24/32 languages
Hilma af Klint, švedska umetnica, rojena v Solni leta 1862, ostaja ena najbolj očarljujočih in zgodovinsko pomembnih postaci, ki so izstopile ob svitanju abstrakte umetnosti. Danes je af Klint slavljena kot pionirka, raziskovalka notranjih svetov, katere vibrantna in simbolna platna predvarirajo bolj znane abstrakcije Kandinskega, Mondriana in Maleviča.
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Švicar Born in Wachseldorn Ekspresionizem, Bauhaus Wikipedia in 21/32 languages
This divergence of philosophies ultimately led to his resignation in 1923. Undeterred, Itten established the “ontos weaving workshops” near Zurich in 1924, collaborating with Bauhaus weaver Gunta Stölzl. Johannes Itten, born in 1888 in the tranquil Swiss village of Südern-Linden, was more than just a painter; he was a visionary educator who fundamentally reshaped the landscape of modern art instruction.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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Rumunski Born in Hădărămaș Modernizem
Constantin Brâncuși stoji kot monumentalna figura v zgodovini moderne kiparstva, po svetu prepoznan zaradi svojega revolucionarnega pristopa k obliki in neomajne predanosti izvlačenju umetniškega izražanja v njegovo najčistejše bistvo. Rodjen leta 1876 v Hădărămașu v Romuniji, se je Brâncuși odpravil na izjemno pot od skromnih začetkov do vstopa med najpomembnejše inovatorje abstrakcije. Pot Brâncušijeve kariere se je močno spremenila med njegovim časom v Parizu med letoma 1906 in 1914.
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Korejczyk Born in Uljin Abstraktna slikarstvo
Rodjen leta 1916 v obalnem mestu Uljin v Južni Koreji, je njegova umetniška pot predstavljala neustavljivo raziskovanje in neomajno predanost oblikovanju novega vizualnega jezika za narod, ki se je soočal z iskanjem identitete in modernizacijo. Yoo-jeva pot proti abstrakciji se je začela s formalno izobrazbo na univerzi Bunka Gakuin v Tokiu, kjer je leta 1938 diplomiral na oddelku za oljarstvo.
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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Švizer Born in Zürih Konstruktivizem
Rodjen v Zürichu leta 1914, so njegove zgodnje leta prežele sence osebne tragedije in nestabilnosti; izguba očeta med Veliko vojno in zapletene težave z duševnim zdravjem njegove matere so ustvarili okolje, ki je zahteval neizmerno odpornost. Prav tukaj se je gibal v orbitah gigantov, kot sta Oskar Kokoschka in 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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Gruzijec Born in Kutaisi Avantgarda, kubizem Wikipedia in 9/32 languages
David Kakabadze, rojen leta 1889 v gruzijski vasi Kukhi blizu Khonija, predstavlja ključno osebnost v razvoju gruzijske umetnosti dvokratnega stoletja. Njegovo zgodnje življenje, čeprav ukorenjeno v preprostosti kmetni družine, je zaznamovala intelektualna radovednost, ki jo je spodbudilo šponzorstvo, kar mu je omogočilo študij na Univerzi v Sankt Peterburgu, kjer je leta 1916 diplomiral iz naravoslovja.
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Polish Born in Rabka-Zdrój Op Art, Concrete Art Wikipedia in 5/32 languages
His reliefs are not just objects to be seen, but experiences to be felt.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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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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Kanadski Born in Zimbabve Abstraktni ekspresionizem Wikipedia in 2/32 languages
Charles Gibbons, kanadski umetnik rojen leta 1957, s svojimi čarobnimi abstrakcionističnimi deli ustvarja valove v umetniškem svetu. Čeprav je podatkov o njegovem zgodnjem življenju malo, je jasno, da se je njegova umetniška pot začela z nagibom k prirodni strasti do vizualnih umetnosti. Gibbonsovo del zaznamujejo drzni potezni sledi, živahna barvna paleta in eklektična mešanina tekstur.
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Born in Sheffield Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
Njegova prva samostojna razstava v Marlborough New London Gallery leta 1964 je bila dopolnjena s pomembno muzejsko izstavo v Whitechapel Art Gallery leta 1967, ki jo je kuriral Bryan Robertson.
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Brazilski Born in São Paulo Abstraktna slikarstvo, Grupo Santa Helena Wikipedia in 3/32 languages
Aldo Cláudio Felipe Bonadei, znameniti brazilski slikar italanskega porekla, se je rodil v São Paulu v Braziliji 17. junija 1906. Med letoma 1923 in 1928 je Aldo pridobival znanje pod okriljem spoštovanega brazilskega akademskega slikarja Pedra Alexandrina, hkrati pa je pogosto obiskoval ateljeje italijanskih slikarjev, kot sta Antonio Rocco in Amadeo Scavone.
Signature works
A timeline
Figures
| Švedska | 1 |
|---|---|
| Švica | 1 |
| Romunija | 1 |
| Južna Koreja | 1 |
| United States of America | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Romania | 1 |
| Švija | 1 |
| 1860s | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1870s | 1 |
| 1880s | 2 |
| 1890s | 1 |
| 1900s | 2 |
| 1910s | 2 |
| 1920s | 2 |
| 1930s | 2 |
| 1940s | 1 |
| 1950s | 2 |
| Maritime Museum | 1 |
|---|---|
| MAM Rio | 1 |
| National Gallery of Art | 1 |
| Narodna galerija Kanade | 1 |
| The Robert McLaughlin Gallery | 1 |
| Sheffield Central Library | 1 |
| USI Università della Svizzera italiana | 1 |
| Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History | 1 |
Every name
Hilma Af KlintŠvedska · 1862–1944Johannes IttenŠvicar · 1888–1967Constantin BrâncușiRumunski · 1876–1957Yoo YoungkukKorejczyk · 1916–2002Douglas AbdellAmerican · rojen 1947Margaret Alexandra LukeCanadian · 1901–1967Gheorghe ȘaruRomanian · 1920–2003Bob BrightonBritish · 1936–2017Karl SchmidŠvizer · 1914–1998Karlo ZvirynskyiUkrainian · 1923–1997Thiago BoecanBrazilian · David KakabadzeGruzijec · 1889–1952Andrzej NowackiPolish · rojen 1953Victor ServranckxBelgian · 1897–1965Charles GibbonsKanadski · rojen 1957John Hoyland1934–2011Aldo BonadeiBrazilski · 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) in Douglas Abdell (#5).
The earliest-born umetnik 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).
Švedska: 1 of the 17 umetniki in this list were born there, then Švica (1) in Romunija (1).
This list includes 2 women: Hilma Af Klint (#1) in Margaret Alexandra Luke (#6).
The museums holding the most key works of this list are Maritime Museum (1), MAM Rio (1) in National Gallery of Art (1).
Most umetniki in this list were born in the 1880s (2 of 17), between 1862 and 1957 overall.
The highest-ranked living umetniki in this list are Douglas Abdell (#5), Andrzej Nowacki (#13) in Charles Gibbons (#15).
Our catalogue holds 390 works by these umetniki.
Read
Other movements
Slavni umetniki BaroqueNočna straža · Rembrandt
Slavni umetniki Contemporary RealistSpletniki · Jean-François Millet
Slavni umetniki ImpressionistZvezdna noč (New York, MoMA) · Vincent Van Gogh
Slavni umetniki RomanticistSaturn Devouring His Son · Francisco de Goya y Lucientes
Slavni umetniki NeoclassicistThe Death of Marat · Jacques-Louis David
Slavni umetniki RealistIzvir sveta · Gustave Courbet
Slavni umetniki RenaissanceMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo Da Vinci
Slavni umetniki Dutch Golden AgeDeklica z biserom · Jan Vermeer van Delft
Slavni umetniki ExpressionistKompozicija VII · Vasilij Vasiljevič Kandinski
Slavni umetniki RococoKljubljenje za Kitero · Antoine WatteauOther periods
Slavni umetniki Early MedievalSnowy River · Wang Wei
Slavni umetniki High MedievalMadonna in Maest (Ognissanti Madonna) · Giotto Di Bondone
Slavni umetniki Late MedievalRazkritje in dva svetniki · Simone Martini
Slavni umetniki RenaissanceUstvarjenje Adama · Michelangelo
Slavni umetniki Early ModernPoklicanje svetega Mateja · Caravaggio
Slavni umetniki 19th CenturyVodenice (ali Nympheas) · Claude Monet
Slavni umetniki ModernGuernica · Pablo Picasso
Slavni umetniki ContemporaryWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareDiscover more
