How to Look at Abstract Art as a Gallerist

Abstract art is a multi-faceted genre that comes in a diverse range of forms. The ambiguity and lack of objective representation inherent in abstruse art has fabricated it tricky for many to empathise.

Here, The Artling brings you the definitive guide to agreement abstract art, where we hash out the fundamental ideas and characteristics backside it, the rising of diverse abstract movements since the tardily 19^thursday century, and why information technology continues to exist such a pop art genre. Keep reading to acquire more about why to comprise abstract art into your art collection, and how to narrow downwardly your selection.

Zao Wou-Ki, 28.02.67, 1967.

Image Courtesy of Christie'due south

What Defines Abstract Art?

Abstract art is a broad and varied artistic arroyo that has influenced diverse movements over the course of history. Abstract art can be defined equally painting, sculpture, photography, blueprint, or whatever art form that does not objectively nor accurately represent visual reality. Brainchild directly opposes figurative fine art and anything that direct delineates a discipline or object. Artists renowned for conceiving new abstract techniques or using abstraction in dynamic ways over the last century include Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler, and Zao Wou-Ki.

Since the early 1900s, brainchild has formed an integral pillar in mod and contemporary art. Today, abstract art continues to be explored in multifarious ways, with many artists expanding and developing this ever-evolving genre.

What are the Ideas Backside Abstruse Art?

Rather than focusing on the truthful depiction or realistic imitation of an object, abstruse art looks at othernon-objective artistic elements of shape, form, color, and line. Abstract techniques accept been used past artists to explore ideas beyond the sheet and our physical reality. Abstraction is often seen to carry a moral dimension – a notion that was particularly prevalent in the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, where ideas of spiritualism, purity, and guild informed many artists and their work. Pulling away from literal and representational art, abstract fine art is an escape from reality and is vastly open up to interpretation.

Helen Frankenthaler, Nature Abhors a Vacuum, 1973.

Image Courtesy of Helen Frankenthaler/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York — via National Gallery of Art, Washington.

What are the Characteristics of Abstract Art?

A main and central aspect of abstruse fine art is that imagery is not-representational. However, it should be noted that 'non-representation' can be slight, partial, or complete. Abstract fine art is a spectrum, just take a await at the different forms it can exist presented in stylistically: from Surrealist dream-like works past Salvador Dali, the Neoplastic works of Piet Mondrian, to Jackson Pollock'southward energetic Abstract Expressionist paintings.

Abstraction has been explored and expressed by artists in a plethora of means, the large number of abstract movements that have developed over the last century just showcases how vast and open-ended the genre is. Hence, we tin only understand the specific characteristics of abstract art when looking at specific movements and styles. This will be further elaborated upon in the next department.

Salvador Dali, Bogeyman of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach, 1938.

Piet Mondrian, Limerick No. II with Blue and Yellow, 1930.

Image Courtesy of Christie'southward

Jackson Pollock, Number eighteen, 1950.

When was Abstract Art Most Popular?

Abstract art has existed even as early on as the Tang dynasty (618 - 907). However, the rising of abstruse art movements only actually came in the late 19th century when artists began to deviate from classical and traditional modes of painting equally a result of growing feelings of pessimism and disillusionment that followed WWI. Arguably, such tendencies towards brainchild began with the Impressionist motility, which reinforced the notion that art could be non-representational and less objective. The motility subsequently saw the evolution towards more abstract depictions, which was evident in Cubism and Fauvism.

By the turn of the 20th century, instead of replicating objects from the real world, artists began to paint abstract ideas derived from their own minds and imagination. Many placed precedence on the formal qualities of their piece of work over the bodily subject matter and visual accuracy of the painting itself. German Expressionist artist Wassily Kandinsky has been regarded every bit the pioneer of abstract art and one of the start to truly encompass completely abstract compositions. His bright, dynamic, and colorful pieces have been described to stand for the world through emotion and expression. Kandinsky as well incorporated his involvement in music into his vividly colored paintings and would frequently use musical terms to describe his works, such as "lyrical", "improvisations", and "compositions".

Wassily Kandinsky, Composition 8, 1923.

What are the Unlike Types of Abstract Art?

Expressionism

Expressionism was one of the first abstract art movements to come up into prominence in the 20^th century. Marc Chagall, Paul Klee, and Wassily Kandinsky were notable expressionist artists who used gestural markings, an intense color palette, and non-naturalistic brushwork to create assuming and sometimes mystical abstract landscape pieces. Images produced placed emphasis on the artist's inner feelings over replicating reality.

Paul Klee, They're Biting, 1920.

Image Courtesy of Tate

Cubism & Fauvism

Cubism and Fauvism were ii 20^th century art movements that had a strong influence on another. These different artistic styles showcased the world in a distorted or fragmented fashion, which was during that time, was a revolutionary arroyo in representing reality. Cubism sought to represent the world through geometric and fragmented shapes rendered across a two-dimensional picture plane. Key cubist artists includePablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

Fauvist art on the other hand was characterized by stiff brushwork, separate applications of non-naturalistic colors, with forms delineated in a simplified and abstract manner. Fauvists were largely associated with the scientific color theories that were developed in the 19^thursday century, which explains why many works were executed with bright and bold complementary colors. Henri Matisse and André Derain were some of the most influential artists who promoted fauvism in their piece of work.

Henri Matisse, Still Life with Vegetables, 1905.

Image Courtesy of MET Museum

Neoplasticism

Neoplasticism, also known as De Stijl, is a Dutch art movement that was developed soon later on the outbreak of WWI. It is a way of abstract painting pioneered past Mondrian that sought to reproduce reality in its purest form. Going far beyond aesthetic considerations, Neoplasticism not only addressed the social and political anxieties brought virtually by the state of war, but it was as well imbued with the philosophical and religious ideas of theosophy. Information technology was a style that proposed that brainchild could explicitly illustrate the homo mind through purely geometric forms and primary colors.

Piet Mondrian,Composition C (No. III) with Red, Yellow and Blue,1935.

Abstract Expressionism

Abstruse Expressionism is an American fine art movement that developed following WWII. Works of this style are often characterized past strong, thick,and gestural brushstrokes and active mark-making. Abstruse expressionists tend to fall under 2 groupings, the first is action painters, and the second is referred to as color field painters.

Artists such as Jackson Pollock and Joan Mitchell became widely recognized for their 'activity paintings', in which spontaneity and improvisation played an important role of the fine art-making procedure. Often, the canvas would be taken off the easel, laid on the flooring and big quantities of paint would be splattered onto the canvas using powerful and emotive brushwork.

Other abstract expressionists took a different approach. Mark Rothko and Clyfford Still, known equally colour field painters, created simple compositions by filling an entire sail with blocks of singular colors. Artists like Rothko believed that his canvases attained spiritual and divine qualities, and were able to produce emotional responses from viewers. Color field painters focused on the artful, textural, and abstruse elements of the painting.

Joan Mitchell, Ladybug, 1957.

Image Courtesy of MoMA

Why is Abstract Fine art and so Popular?

Abstract art, design, and architecture tin can be found everywhere – it is all effectually us, and considering of the unlimited ways information technology can be explored, it is understandable why this pop genre has formed a major part of a lot of artistic practices today.

The employment of abstract techniques has enabled artists to explore and represent their personal thoughts and feelings without the need for direct representation. Abstraction paved the way for creative freedom, where anything from spirituality, materiality, to psychological and mental states, could be explored through the imaginative application of color, line, and form.

The popularity and allure of abstract art is largely due to the fact that it is an incredibly versatile genre that continues to evolve till this solar day. With the rise of technology, social media, digital applications, and tools, we are already seeing abstruse art developing and taking new shape.

Why Collect Abstruse Art?

Abstract art makes wonderful additions to any collection for their timelessness and infinite entreatment. Abstract works are great alternatives to figurative and more than representational pieces that may straight insinuate to a specific narrative. What makes abstruse art so versatile is that it is open to interpretation, and at the aforementioned time tin exist extremely meaningful and emotive.

What are the Qualities of Expert Abstract Fine art?

When in search for the perfect abstract work, there are a few essential factors that you need to take into consideration to ensure that yous are selecting a work of impeccable quality. Not just is it important to collect work that is visually appealing to you, but in that location are other more technical elements to look out for before making that decisive buy.

Art is very subjective, only there is such a thing as 'good' and 'bad' art. When browsing through abstract artworks, quite often the 'representational' elements and bailiwick matter of the piece rest in the awarding of materials and the formal qualities of the work. Hence, it is vital to take into consideration the Colors used by the artists. The utilize of free colors that raise each other is extremely important, it showcases the mastery and technical ability of the creative person.

Sumit Mehndiratta, Electra // Available on The Artling

Skill and technique are integral when examining a good abstract work. These tend to be highlighted in the textures, both visually and physically in the slice. Dimensionality, layering, thick impastos, skilled brushwork quite often create hit and visually alluring works. Paying attention to the splatters, the markings, the composition, and the motion and flow all add to the uniqueness of the work.

Perhaps the near important quality in expert abstract art is the culmination of all visual elements that evokes a certain emotion from the viewer. Think about how the piece of work makes y'all feel, does the work have some class of meaning behind it? A work is worth investing in when y'all tin encounter the artist's personality in the piece and makes you feel something – information technology does not matter if information technology is positive or negative. Good abstract fine art should have affective furnishings upon the viewer.

View of Jorge Pérez'due south living room in Florida, featuring a vibrant and large abstract painting

Image Courtesy of Architectural Digest

Abstract Art for Home Décor

Decorating your dwelling with abstruse fine art can help to enhance and build the desired temper inside your living infinite. Depending on the color of the work and type of abstruse piece you select, it tin can really elicit an emotional response and connectedness when people come up into the space. Abstract works are great means to introduce color to the living expanse, you tin can likewise utilize these pieces to enhance other materials and textural elements in the room.

View of Frank Stella's, The Pequod Meets the Please, at LinkedIn's San Francisco Office

Image Courtesy of Business Insider

Abstract Art for the Workspace

Many offices and corporate workplaces choose to decorate their spaces with abstract art. This is because abstract art can create a profound impression on a viewer – fifty-fifty if it is non explicitly pointing to something specific. Abstract works permit people the freedom to assign their own meaning to the work, whilst having a dramatic bear upon on that individual. Such pieces can form a sense of dynamism and energy within the part infinite that is cogitating of the company'southward fashion and core values. Abstract paintings or murals are also great ways to fill up vast and empty wall spaces. They tin certainly breathe life into the room.

Abstract Fine art on The Artling

Observe a varied selection of abstract artworks by some of the finest and established artists from all over the earth, correct here on The Artling!

A Fine Line - Tay Bak Chiang (Available on The Artling)

Green Quill - Tay Bak Chiang (Available on The Artling)

Particle 170531 - Yongsun Jang (Available on The Artling)

Particle SN120429 - Yongsun Jang (Available on The Artling)

Shape Shifter - Leelee Chan (Available on The Artling)

Belatedly Night - Leelee Chan (Available on The Artling)

Dinner Fourth dimension - Kazuhiro Higashi (Available on The Artling)

Phantom - Kazuhiro Higashi (Bachelor on The Artling)

Birds I - Farnaz Jahanbin (Available on The Artling)

Curve Line seven - Farnaz Jahanbin (Available on The Artling

Whatsoever views or opinions in the post are solely those of the authors and practice not necessarily represent the views of the company or contributors.