The Abstract Art names to know

Famous Abstract Art Kunstnikud: Our Top 17

If you remember one Abstract Art kunstnik, make it Hilma Af Klint (1862–1944), the name behind De tio största, n° 2 Barnaaldern ja Altarpiece No. 1, Group X. After that come Johannes Itten, Constantin Brâncuși, Juu Jung-Kuk ja Douglas Abdell. Our 17 picks go from Hilma Af Klint (born 1862) to Charles Gibbons (born 1957), from 15 countries.

How we picked them. We list the artists our catalogue links to Abstract Art, from the most famous down. Artists born after 1955 that we cannot yet check on Wikidata are left out. The Wikipedia number shows in how many of our 32 languages Wikipedia writes about them.

  1. De tio största, n° 2 Barnaaldern teos, autor Hilma Af Klint1Hilma Af Klint
  2. Plumen teos, autor Johannes Itten2Johannes Itten
  3. The Kiss teos, autor Constantin Brâncuși3Constantin Brâncuși

Quick facts

Abstract Art in a nutshell

  • 17Kunstnikud
  • 1862–1957Sünniaastad
  • 15Sünnimaad
  • 2Naised
  • 3Elavad kunstnikud
  • 390Meie kataloogis olevad teosed
Linnad kõige rohkem sünnilaikadega
Solna (1), Wachseldorn (1), Hădărămaș (1), Uljin (1)
Muuseumid, kus on kõige rohkem olulisi teoseid
MAM Rio (1), MoMA - Museum of Modern Art (1), The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (1), Sheffield Central Library (1)

Meet them one by one

The 17 famous Abstract Art artistid, from most famous down

1of 17

Hilma Af Klint

Rootsi From Solna Abstraktne kunst, Spiritism On Wikipedia in 24 of 32 languages

Hilma Af Klint

Hilma af Klint, a Swedish artist born in Solna in 1862, remains one of the most compelling and historically significant figures to emerge from the dawn of abstract art.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works · Hilma Af Klint reproductions

2of 17

Johannes Itten

Švitsi From Wachseldorn Ekspressionism, Bauhaus On Wikipedia in 21 of 32 languages

Johannes Itten

Kuigi ta üritas lühiajal saavutada formaalset haridust Ženeva École des Beaux-Arts'is, leidis ta sealt meetodid kummastavaks ja kurnavaks, pöörates tagasi Berni, kus Ernst Schneideri juures tehtud õpingud osutusid otsustavaks. Johannes Itteni saabumine Walter Gropiuse Weimaris hiljuti asutatud Bauhaus-i kooli 1919. aastal märkis pöndetav pöördemomenti mitte ainult tema oma karjääris, vaid kogu kunstipõhise hariduse ajaloos.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

3of 17

Constantin Brâncuși

Rumina From Hădărămaș Modernism

Constantin Brâncuși

Constantin Brâncuși seisab modernse skulptuuri ajaloos monumentalse kujuna, olles globaalselt tunnustatud oma murdilavuliku vormikäsitluse ja vankumatult pühendumuse eest kunstilise väljenduse tuvastamisele selle puhtaimasse olemusse. Romania Hădărămašis sündinud Brâncuși alustas oma erakordset teekonda vaevast algusest, muutudes ühe abstraktselse kunsti esimeetia ja kujundades samal ajal kogu 20. sajandi esteetilist maastikku. Brâncuși karjääri traject läbis sügavast transformatsioonist oma Pariisis viitud ajal vahemikus 1906 kuni 1914.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

4of 17

Juu Jung-Kuk

Koreaan From Uljin Abstraktne maal

Juu Jung-Kuk

Yoo tee abstraktsuse poole algas ametlikust õppimisest Tokyos, Bunka Gakuin Ülikoolis, kust ta lõpetas õlipeetri osakonna aastal 1938. Just siin kohtus ta Lääne abstraktsete suundumistega ja suheldis uuenduslike Jaapani kunstnikega nagu Murai Masanari ja Hasegawa Saburo, kellet mõjutasid sügavalt tema varajasi eksperimente ning kinnistasid tema pühendumust esitusevaba kunsti vastu. Naasdes 1943. aastal Koreasse II maailmasõja turbulentsuse keskel, seisid Yoo ees suured väljakutsed oma kunstilise visiooni jälgi.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

5of 17

Douglas Abdell

American From Boston Contemporary sculpture

Douglas Abdell

Douglas Abdell, born in Boston in 1947, is a sculptor whose work resonates with the weight of history, the echoes of ancient languages, and the complex political currents of the Mediterranean world. His journey as an artist began with formal training at Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture in 1970.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

6of 17

Margaret Alexandra Luke

Canadian From Montreal Abstract art, Painters Eleven

Margaret Alexandra Luke

Birth and Background: Luke was born on May 14, 1901, in Montreal. Influences: Early influences included local artists Dorothy Van Luven and Dorothy Henderson, who encouraged her exploration of different styles and techniques.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

7of 17

Gheorghe Șaru

Romanian From Călinesti Abstract Modernist

Gheorghe Șaru

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. Born on February 29, 1920, in Checea, Romania, his journey began in a landscape shaped by post-war austerity, yet his artistic vision remained remarkably expansive.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

8of 17

Bob Brighton

British Geometric squares

Bob Brighton

Born in 1936 in Hastings, East Sussex, his early life was rooted in the practicalities of carpentry – a trade he learned from his father, a skilled craftsman. The reductive aesthetic of Piet Mondrian, with its emphasis on primary colors and orthogonal lines, undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his approach to composition.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

9of 17

Karl Schmid

Švits From Zürich Konstruktivistlik

Karl Schmid

Karl Schmidi elu oli sügav tõestus inimvaimu võimekusele leida ilu vaevade keskel. 1914. aastal Zürichis sündinud kunstniku varajased aastad olid varjatud isikliku tragedy ja ebastabiilsusega; isas surm Esimese maailmasõja ajal ning ema keerulised vaimsed mured lõid keskkonna, mis nõudis tohutut vastupidavust. Just siin liikus ta hiigtede, nagu Oskar Kokoschka ja, orbitaalides.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

11of 17

Thiago Boecan

Brazilian ['Neo-Figurative Art', 'Abstract Art']

Thiago Boecan

Thiago Morales Boemeke, known as Thiago Boecan, is a rising figure in the Brazilian contemporary art scene, captivating audiences with his exploration of emptiness and the human form. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1995, Boecan’s artistic journey began with a formal education at Fundação Armando Álvares Penteado, followed by a degree in Graphic Design from Centro Universitário Belas Artes de São Paulo.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

12of 17

David Kakabadze

Georgian From Kutaisi Avant-garde, Cubism On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages

David Kakabadze

David Kakabadze, kes sündis 1889. aastal Gruusia külas Kukhi, lähedal Khonile, astub ette twentiethi sajand Gruusia kunsti arengus võtmatuna asendava tegelasena. Pärast lühikest perioodi Tbilisis õpetamas ja maalidamaks, alustas Kakabadze 1919. kuni 1927. aastani oma elu transformatiivset peatüki Pariisis. Ta osales aktiivselt Société des Artistes Indépendantsi näitustel, luues sidemeid kaasaegsete georgia kunstnikega nagu Lado Gudiashvili ja Shalva Kikodze.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works · David Kakabadze reproductions

13of 17

Andrzej Nowacki

Polish From Rabka-Zdrój Op Art, Concrete Art On Wikipedia in 5 of 32 languages

Andrzej Nowacki

A restless spirit led him to pursue higher education abroad, initially studying Scandinavian languages at the University of Gothenburg before shifting his focus to Art History at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. He was awarded a private scholarship in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1994, providing him with the opportunity to further develop his artistic practice.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

14of 17

Victor Servranckx

Belgian From Diegem Abstract, Cubism, Constructivism, Surrealism On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

Victor Servranckx

Servranckx’s formal artistic education began at the Brussels Royal Academy of Fine Arts from 1913 to 1917. It was during this period that he encountered René Magritte, a relationship that proved profoundly influential.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

15of 17

Charles Gibbons

Kanadlane From Zimbabwe Abstraktne ekspressionism On Wikipedia in 2 of 32 languages

Charles Gibbons

Charles Gibbons, 1957. aastal sündinud kanada kunstnik, on teinud maailma kunstimaailmas suurt müra oma vangivate abstraktselist ekspressionistlike teostega. See mõju on nähtav tema teostes, mis sageli kannavad pealkirjatuid vorme, sarnaselt Heimo Zobernigi teosele Untitled (200 x 200 cm), demonstreerides kunstniku kalduvat non-representatsioonilistest vormidest. Kuigi detailid tema näituste kohta on harvad, on Gibbonsi töuid leidne mitmetest online platvormidest, sealhulgas AllPaintingsStore.com'i Charles Gibbonsi lehelt, mis esitleb valikut tema abstraktselist-ekspressionistlikest teostest.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

16of 17

John Hoyland

Briti From Sheffield Abstraktne ekspressionism On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

John Hoyland

Tema esimene sooloexpositsioon Marlborough New London Gallerys 1964. aastal jägi järgnud olulisele muuseuminäituselle Whitechapel Art Gallerys 1967. aastal, mida küratooris Teis Bryan Robertson.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

17of 17

Aldo Cláudio Felipe Bonadei

Brasiilia From São Paulo Abstraktne maal, Grupo Santa Helena On Wikipedia in 3 of 32 languages

Aldo Cláudio Felipe Bonadei

Aldo Cláudio Felipe Bonadei, Itaalia päritolu olnud Itaalia veres Brasiilia kuulsa maali kunstnik, sündis Brasiilias, São Paulos, 17. juunil 1906. Aastatel 1923 kuni 1928 õppis Aldo auetule kuulunud Brasiilia akadeemilise maalaja Pedro Alexandrino juures ning käib frequentseid külastusi itaalia maalijate Antonio Rocco ja Amadeo Scavone stuudioid. Seejärel õppis ta Itaalias, Floreнциi kunstiakadeemias, kus täheldas oma maalartistlik oskusi Felice Carena ja Ennio Pozzi juures.

Works to know · Their 100 best-known works

Pictures worth knowing

Famous Abstract Art works to recognise

  1. De tio största, n° 2 Barnaaldern teos, autor Hilma Af Klint

    De tio största, n° 2 Barnaaldern

    Hilma Af Klint

    1907

  2. Plumen teos, autor Johannes Itten

    Plumen

    Johannes Itten

    1957

  3. The Kiss teos, autor Constantin Brâncuși

    The Kiss

    Constantin Brâncuși

    1912

  4. Mountain teos, autor Juu Jung-Kuk

    Mountain

    Juu Jung-Kuk

    1968

  5. Diamond = Mirror x K teos, autor Douglas Abdell

    Diamond = Mirror x K

    Douglas Abdell

    1989

  6. From Beginningless Time teos, autor Margaret Alexandra Luke

    From Beginningless Time

    Margaret Alexandra Luke

    1961 · The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa

  7. Stackables teos, autor Gheorghe Șaru

    Stackables

    Gheorghe Șaru

    1999

  8. Four teos, autor Bob Brighton

    Four

    Bob Brighton

    1996

When it happened

Abstract Art, step by step

  1. 1907
  2. 1912
  3. 1921
  4. 1921
  5. 1955
  6. 1957
  7. 1961
  8. 1962
  9. 1968
  10. 1989
  11. 1989
  12. 1989
  13. 1996
  14. 1999

Fun figures

The numbers behind the list

Just the names

List of 17 famous Abstract Art artistid to know

  1. 1Hilma Af KlintHilma Af KlintRootsi · 1862–1944
  2. 2Johannes IttenJohannes IttenŠvitsi · 1888–1967
  3. 3Constantin BrâncușiConstantin BrâncușiRumina · 1876–1957
  4. 4Juu Jung-KukJuu Jung-KukKoreaan · 1916–2002
  5. 5Douglas AbdellDouglas AbdellAmerican · sündinud 1947
  6. 6Margaret Alexandra LukeMargaret Alexandra LukeCanadian · 1901–1967
  7. 7Gheorghe ȘaruGheorghe ȘaruRomanian · 1920–2003
  8. 8Bob BrightonBob BrightonBritish · 1936–2017
  9. 9Karl SchmidKarl SchmidŠvits · 1914–1998
  10. 10Karlo ZvirynskyiKarlo ZvirynskyiUkrainian · 1923–1997
  11. 11Thiago BoecanThiago BoecanBrazilian ·
  12. 12David KakabadzeDavid KakabadzeGeorgian · 1889–1952
  13. 13Andrzej NowackiAndrzej NowackiPolish · sündinud 1953
  14. 14Victor ServranckxVictor ServranckxBelgian · 1897–1965
  15. 15Charles GibbonsCharles GibbonsKanadlane · sündinud 1957
  16. 16John HoylandJohn HoylandBriti · 1934–2011
  17. 17Aldo Cláudio Felipe BonadeiAldo Cláudio Felipe BonadeiBrasiilia · 1906–1974

Good questions

What people ask about Abstract Art

  • Who is the most famous Abstract Art kunstnik?

    Hilma Af Klint (#1) is first in this ranking, followed by Johannes Itten (#2) and Constantin Brâncuși (#3).

  • Who are the 5 most famous Abstract Art artistid?

  • Who are the most famous living Abstract Art artistid?

    The highest-ranked living artistid in this list are Douglas Abdell (#5), Andrzej Nowacki (#13) ja Charles Gibbons (#15).

  • Where are the great works of Abstract Art today?

    The museums holding the most key works of this list are MAM Rio (1), MoMA - Museum of Modern Art (1) ja The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (1).

  • When were most Abstract Art artistid born?

    Most artistid in this list were born in the 1880s (2 of 17), between 1862 and 1957 overall.

  • What techniques did Abstract Art artistid use?

    “Ta teoreetiseeris seitsem eristavat värvikontrasti — tooni, väärtus, temperatuur, komplementaarne (neutraliseerimine), simulaarne kontrast, küllus ja ekstensione — ning koostas seeria harjutusi, mis olid loodud nende printsiipide intuitiivse mõistmise avamiseks.” — from our biography of Johannes Itten (#2).

  • Which country produced the most Abstract Art artistid?

    Rootsi: 1 of the 17 artistid in this list were born there, then Švitsi (1) ja Roosimaa (1).

  • Who was the first Abstract Art kunstnik?

    The earliest-born kunstnik in this list is Hilma Af Klint (#1), born in 1862.

  • Which women Abstract Art artistid are the most famous?

    2 women are in this ranking: Hilma Af Klint (#1) ja Margaret Alexandra Luke (#6).

  • Can I order a painting by a famous Abstract Art kunstnik?

    Our catalogue holds 390 works by these artistid.

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