A Friendly Guide to Abstract Art by Anthony Bell
Welcome to the fascinating world of abstract art! The art world can be a little intimidating and at times elitist. My mission is to make the world of Abstract Art accessible to everyone. And with this in mind your gaining a little knowledge will give you greater confidence to walk into galleries and chat to artists at exhibitions. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just starting to explore with little or no knowledge of abstract art, this simple guide will introduce you to various forms of abstract art, their histories, and notable artists who have shaped and continue to influence this vibrant genre. And if you have any further questions, use the contact form. There are also useful links for further reading. Enjoy!
1. Cubism
Historical Overview: cubism emerged in the early 20th century, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. It revolutionised European painting and sculpture by breaking objects into geometric shapes and presenting multiple perspectives simultaneously.
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Past Artists:
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Pablo Picasso
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Georges Braque
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Juan Gris
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Fernand Léger
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Robert Delaunay
Present Artists:
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Frank Stella
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David Hockney (early works)
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Damien Hirst (in some series)
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Monique Frydman
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Thomas Scheibitz
For further reading on Cubism visit: https://www.history.com/topics/art-history/history-of-cubism
![Cubism.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_8c50ea622fc54f35a7fc13bafb1d2a1e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_160,h_214,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Cubism.jpg)
2. Abstract Expressionism
Historical Overview: Abstract Expressionism developed in the 1940s and 1950s in New York City, making it the first American art movement to achieve international influence. It emphasises spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation.
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Past Artists:
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Jackson Pollock
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Mark Rothko
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Willem de Kooning
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Franz Kline
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Barnett Newman
Present Artists:
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Anselm Kiefer
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Julie Mehretu
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Cecily Brown
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Mark Bradford
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Gerhard Rich
For further reading on Abstract Expressionism visit: https://www.sothebys.com/en/art-movements/abstract-expressionism
![Abstract Expressionism.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_ac449c332e5d40b19a3f37bed2a6d276~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_170,h_204,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Abstract%20Expressionism.jpg)
3. Geometric Abstraction
Historical Overview: Geometric abstraction focuses on using geometric forms as the primary subject. Originating in the early 20th century, it aligns with movements such as De Stijl and Russian Constructivism.
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Past Artists:
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Kazimir Malevich
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Piet Mondrian
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Theo van Doesburg
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Wassily Kandinsky (geometric period)
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Josef Albers
Present Artists:
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Sarah Morris
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Peter Halley
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Carmen Herrera
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Günther Förg
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Marina Apollonio
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For further reading on Geometric Abstraction visit: https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/abstract-expressionism
![Geometric Abstraction.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_48a0979181094fc18ad2cbde24d7c081~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_170,h_214,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Geometric%20Abstraction.jpg)
4. Lyrical Abstraction
Historical Overview: Emerging in the post-World War II era, Lyrical Abstraction is characterised by a more personal, emotional expression compared to the more formal qualities of geometric abstraction.
Past Artists:
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Hans Hartung
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Georges Mathieu
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Pierre Soulages
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Helen Frankenthaler
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Sam Francis
Present Artists:
Joan Snyder
Odili Donald Odita
Jacqueline Humphries
Pat Steir
Katharina Grosse
For further reading on Lyrical Abstraction visit: https://www.artinsight.com/lyrical_abstraction.html
![Lyrical Abstraction.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_a06a11a72dab4ee59175df1f29b68209~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_170,h_213,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Lyrical%20Abstraction.jpg)
5. Minimalism
Historical Overview: Minimalism arose in the 1960s, focusing on simplicity and purity of form. It sought to remove personal expression, emphasizing the material and the space around it.
Past Artists:
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Donald Judd
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Agnes Martin
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Dan Flavin
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Frank Stella
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Carl Andre
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Present Artists:
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Richard Serra
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Ellsworth Kelly
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Yayoi Kusama (minimalist period)
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Anish Kapoor
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Eva Rothschild
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For further reading on Minimalism visit: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/minimalism
![Minimalism.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_ef2cd135e2e64c228436584abf30c95e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_143,h_214,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Minimalism.jpg)
6. Colour Field Painting
Historical Overview: Developed in the 1950s and 1960s, Colour Field Painting is characterised by large fields of flat, solid color spread across or stained into the canvas, creating an unbroken surface and a flat picture plane.
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Past Artists:
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Mark Rothko
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Clyfford Still
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Barnett Newman
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Helen Frankenthaler
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Morris Louis
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Present Artists:
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Sean Scully
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Etel Adnan
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Odili Donald Odita
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Katharina Grosse
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Julie Mehretu
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For further reading on Colour Field Painting visit: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/colour-field-painting
![Colour Field Painting.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_404f748ad73a46feb908b911c28363ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_163,h_214,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Colour%20Field%20Painting.jpg)
7. Op Art
Historical Overview: Op Art, or Optical Art, emerged in the 1960s and is known for its use of optical illusions. It creates the impression of movement or warping, often through contrasting patterns and colours.
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Past Artists:
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Julian Stanczak
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Victor Vasarely
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Richard Anuszkiewicz
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Jesús Rafael Soto
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Carlos Cruz-Diez
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Present Artists:
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Julian Stanczak
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Carlos Cruz-Diez
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Regine Schumann
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Yaacov Agam
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Bridget Riley
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For further reading on Optical Art visit: https://www.sothebys.com/en/art-movements/op-art
![Op Art.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_e50dfe916b3c45b2b1cf798b73ee140c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_140,h_214,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Op%20Art.jpg)
8. Suprematism
Historical Overview: Suprematism, founded by Kazimir Malevich in Russia around 1913, focuses on basic geometric forms and the supremacy of pure artistic feeling rather than visual depiction of objects.
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Past Artists:
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Kazimir Malevich
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El Lissitzky
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Ivan Kliun
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Olga Rozanova
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Liubov Popova
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Present Artists:
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Malevich’s influence persists, though few modern artists adhere strictly to Suprematism; aspects are seen in contemporary geometric abstractionists.
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For further reading on Suprematism visit: https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/who-were-the-suprematists
![Suprematism.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9dc13f_fadae0e55caa4ce495edf6bce67df876~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_150,h_214,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Suprematism.jpg)