Explore all styles and all painting techniques: contemporary paintings, street art, abstract art, figurative art, landscapes, portraits, still lifes, nudes, watercolor, oil painting, acrylic painting… Artmajeur is for everyone artistic sensibilities and celebrates beauty by your side for 20 years with more than 2 million contemporary works of art to discover ... or acquire! The world benchmark for contemporary paintings. Discover works by contemporary artists from around the world to decorate your interior with class! Simple art lover or confirmed collector? Find the favorite canvas or painting that will truly enhance your decoration. Artmajeur offers you original works, limited editions and art prints by the best contemporary artists in the world. On Artmajeur, the paintings are selected by enthusiasts and experts in the art market. We select for you the original works of trendy, award-winning and recognized painters as well as new rising values in the field of contemporary art to guide you and help you in your process of buying paintings online.
Contemporary paintings are a form of original artwork that showcase the creative vision and style of modern-day artists. These paintings are created using a variety of supports, including canvas, paper, wood, and metal. The materials used can range from traditional oil paints and watercolors to more unconventional materials like spray paint and mixed media. What makes contemporary paintings unique is their ability to push the boundaries of traditional painting techniques and challenge the viewer’s perception of what constitutes art. By experimenting with new forms, colors, and textures, contemporary painters are able to create works that are not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant. Whether you’re drawn to abstract paintings that evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue or more realistic works that capture the beauty of the world around us, contemporary paintings offer a rich and diverse range of styles and subjects to explore.
Contemporary paintings have their roots in the early 20th century, when artists began to experiment with new styles and techniques. The period between the two world wars saw the rise of movements such as Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism, which challenged traditional notions of representation and emphasized the expressive potential of color, form, and texture. Important dates include the Armory Show of 1913, which introduced American audiences to European modernism, and the emergence of the New York School in the 1940s and 50s, which included artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. In the decades since, contemporary painting has continued to evolve and diversify, encompassing a range of styles and approaches, from figurative realism to conceptual abstraction. Important queries related to contemporary painting include questions about the role of technology, globalization, and identity politics in shaping artistic practice, as well as debates about the relationship between art and society.
Contemporary paintings have undergone a significant evolution in recent times. Artists have started to experiment with various mediums, techniques, and styles to showcase their creativity. The increasing use of technology has also played a significant role in shaping the contemporary art market. The use of social media and online platforms has made it easier for artists to reach a broader audience and display their work. The demand for contemporary paintings has also increased due to their uniqueness and ability to evoke emotions in the viewer. The importance of contemporary paintings in the art market is evident from the rising prices and sales records. The market for contemporary paintings is highly competitive, and artists are continually pushing the boundaries to create something new and exciting. The contemporary art market is evolving, and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the future.
Banksy - A pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director known for his satirical and subversive graffiti Artworks. Banksy’s works often comment on contemporary political and social issues, and his identity remains unknown.
Yayoi Kusama - A Japanese contemporary artist who works primarily in sculpture and installation art, but is also active in painting, performance, film, and fashion. Kusama’s work is characterized by her use of bright colors, repetition, and patterns, and often explores themes of infinity and the cosmos.
Takashi Murakami - A Japanese contemporary artist who works in fine art media, such as painting and sculpture, as well as commercial media, such as fashion and animation. Murakami’s work often references Japanese pop culture, and is characterized by his use of bright colors, cartoonish characters, and a "Superflat" aesthetic.
Jeff Koons - An American artist known for his large-scale sculptures that often reference pop culture and consumerism. Koons’ work is characterized by his use of shiny, reflective surfaces and his appropriation of everyday objects.
Gerhard Richter - A German contemporary artist who works in a variety of media, including painting, photography, and installation. Richter’s work often explores issues of memory, history, and representation, and his paintings often blur the boundaries between abstraction and representation.
Anish Kapoor - An Indian-born British sculptor known for his large-scale public installations that often play with the viewer’s perception of space and form. Kapoor’s work is characterized by his use of reflective surfaces and his interest in exploring the nature of light and color.
Ai Weiwei - A Chinese contemporary artist and activist known for his work in sculpture, installation, photography, and film. Ai’s work often comments on contemporary Chinese politics and culture, and his activism has led to his imprisonment and house arrest by the Chinese government.
Cindy Sherman - An American photographer and filmmaker known for her self-portraits that explore issues of identity, gender, and representation. Sherman often uses costumes and makeup to transform herself into a variety of characters, from Hollywood starlets to aging socialites.
Damien Hirst - An English artist known for his controversial works that often involve animals, human body parts, and pharmaceuticals. Hirst’s work is characterized by his interest in the themes of life, death, and the human condition.
Julie Mehretu - An Ethiopian-American artist known for her large-scale abstract paintings that explore issues of migration, globalization, and urbanism. Mehretu’s work often incorporates architectural and mapping elements, and is characterized by her use of layered, gestural marks.
"Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh (1889) - A swirling, dreamlike depiction of a village at night, with a bright yellow crescent moon and swirling stars filling the sky.
"Guernica" by Pablo Picasso (1937) - A powerful, politically charged piece depicting the horrors of war, featuring distorted human and animal figures in shades of black, white, and grey.
"Campbell’s Soup Cans" by Andy Warhol (1962) - A series of 32 paintings, each depicting a can of Campbell’s soup in bright, bold colors, calling attention to the role of mass-produced consumer goods in American culture.
"Untitled (Cowboy)" by Richard Prince (1989) - A photograph of a Marlboro cigarette ad featuring a rugged cowboy, with the text and branding removed, calling into question the power of advertising and the construction of masculinity.
"The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living" by Damien Hirst (1991) - A preserved tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde, with the title referencing the existential anxiety of mortality and the limits of human understanding.
"Untitled (I shop therefore I am)" by Barbara Kruger (1990) - A large-scale piece featuring a black-and-white photograph of a woman overlaid with red text reading "I shop therefore I am," critiquing consumer culture and the commodification of identity.
"Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)" by Felix Gonzalez-Torres (1991) - A minimalist installation featuring a pile of candy, with viewers encouraged to take a piece and eat it, symbolizing the fragility of life and the impact of the AIDS crisis.
"No Woman, No Cry" by Chris Ofili (1998) - A mixed-media piece featuring a portrait of a weeping woman with tears made of resin and elephant dung, referencing the artist’s Afro-Caribbean heritage and exploring themes of race, gender, and identity.
"Balloon Dog (Orange)" by Jeff Koons (1994-2000) - A massive, shiny, metallic sculpture of a balloon dog, calling attention to the role of kitsch and consumerism in contemporary art.
"Untitled (Portrait of Michael Jackson)" by Kehinde Wiley (2009) - A portrait of the late pop star in a classical pose, with a colorful, ornate background referencing baroque and rococo art traditions, questioning the boundaries of race, gender, and power in art history.
