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Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

EXPRESSIONIST STYLE

While “expressionist” is used to describe any art that avoids naturalism and instead employs a bold use of flattened forms and intense brushwork, Expressionist art formally describes early-20th-century work from Europe that drew on Symbolism and confronted issues such as urbanization and capitalism. Expressionist artists experimented in paintings and prints with skewed perspectives, abstraction and unconventional, bright colors to portray how isolating and anxious the world felt rather than how it appeared. 

Between 1905 and 1920, Austrian and German artists, in particular, were inspired by Postimpressionists such as Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh in their efforts to strive for a new authenticity in their work. In its geometric patterns and decorative details, Expressionist art was also marked by eclectic sources like German and Russian folk art as well as tribal art from Africa and Oceania, which the movement’s practitioners witnessed at museums and world’s fairs.

Groups of artists came together to share and promote the themes now associated with Expressionism, such as Die Brücke (The Bridge) in Dresden, which included Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff and investigated alienation and the dissolution of society in vivid color. In Munich, Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), a group led by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, instilled Expressionism with a search for spiritual truths. In his iconic painting The Scream, prolific Norwegian painter Edvard Munch conveyed emotional turmoil through his depiction of environmental elements, such as the threatening sky.

Expressionism shifted around the outbreak of World War I, with artists using more elements of the grotesque in reaction to the escalation of unrest and violence. Printmaking was especially popular, as it allowed artists to widely disseminate works that grappled with social and political issues amid this time of upheaval. Although the art movement ended with the rise of Nazi Germany, where Expressionist creators were labeled “degenerate,” the radical ideas of these artists would influence Neo-Expressionism that emerged in the late 1970s with painters like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Francesco Clemente.

​​Find a collection of authentic Expressionist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.

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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Expressionist
Watercolor Landscape View From Nordingrå, 1916
Located in Stockholm, SE
Helmer Osslund was a renowned Swedish artist known for his expressionist landscape paintings that captured the raw and natural beauty of Sweden. We are delighted to offer for sale a ...
Category

1910s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Willy
Located in London, GB
watercolour on paper hand signed one of a kind In search of the human essence As an artist, Anastasia Kurakina nurtures a great fondness for human beings. Fascinated by the c...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

The Thief. Original Drawing.Welsh Artist. Magpie.Late 20th Century.Black & White
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Julian Ruddock. British ( b.1965 ). The Thief. Pastel on Paper. Signed. Image size 29.1 inches x 21.3 inches ( 74cm x 54cm ). Frame size 38.4 inches x 29.9 inches ( 97.5cm x 76cm )....
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

The Parade Ring at the Races
Located in London, GB
'The Parade Ring at the Races', gouache and pastel on art paper, by Maurice Empi (circa 1970s). The Parade Ring, otherwise known as the paddock, is the pla...
Category

1970s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Gouache

snowman
Located in London, GB
artist: Anastasia Kurakina original painting on paper one of a kind hand signed Collective exhibitions: 2023 London biennale, Chelsea, Old Town Hall; 2023 YICCA Internation...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Tempera, Watercolor

Expressionist Clown Portrait After Bernard Buffett
Located in Cotignac, FR
Expressionist oil crayon on board portrait of a clown. The work is signed and dated top right. A wonderful strong and colourful portrait. The subject is looking out at us with his s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Crayon

Row of Plane Trees In Winter - Maussane-les-Alpilles
Located in London, GB
'Row of Plane Trees In Winter - Maussane-les-Alpilles', Provence, watercolour and pencil on art paper, by Yves Brayer (1946). A line of Plane trees greets visitors to almost every vi...
Category

1940s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

To School in Llanfihangel. First Day at School, Rural Wales. Ceredigion & Powys.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Julian Ruddock. British ( b.1965 ). To School in Llanfihangel. (First Day at School). Pastel on Paper. Signed. Image size 21.7 inches x 29.6 inches ( 55cm x 75cm ). Frame size 29 in...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Nude Woman in Bath
Located in Boxholm, SE
Nude Woman in Bath – Jolanta Johnsson, experienced Polish artist, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, PhD of fine arts, university teacher. S...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Watercolor

Lost Hedgerows. Earth Science, Ecology and Agronomy. Original Pastel. Welsh.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Julian Ruddock. British ( b.1965 ). Lost Hedgerows. Pastel on Paper. Signed. Image size 21.9 inches x 25 inches ( 55.5cm x 63.5cm ). Frame size 29 inches x 32.1 inches ( 73.5cm x 81...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Rustende wieders
Located in BLARICUM, NL
QUIRIJN VAN TIEL Rotterdam 1900-1967 Rhoon RESTING WIEDERS 1945 Watercolor on paper 58 x 39 cm. Signed and dated: lower right "Quirijn van Tiel 45"....
Category

1940s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Portrait of a painter
Located in BLARICUM, NL
QUIRIJN VAN TIEL Rotterdam 1900-1967 Rhoon PORTRAIT OF THE PAINTER 1943 Watercolor on paper 68 x 53 cm. Signed and dated: lower right ‘Quirijn van T...
Category

1940s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

View of the Fjord Blick auf die Förde - Landscape Fjord Germany
Located in London, GB
This watercolour is hand signed and dated in pencil by the artist "Heckel 42" [1942] in the lower right image. It is also hand titled in pencil “Blick auf die Förde” in the lower ri...
Category

1940s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

Risque – 24-03-22, Drawing, Pastels on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Once in a While a Pastel The first pastel drawing in the Risque series and was long overdue. At the beginning of February I started this one just to fill the time waiting for my s...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

DELMOTTE Marcel. Seated nude. Washed ink drawing.
Located in Paris, FR
Seated nude. Washed ink and pencil. Signed and dated 1931.
Category

1930s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Ink

Man geht und geht, bis man geht
Located in London, GB
Signed and lower right Framed (matte black wooden frame, black raised float mount on foam core) Frame size 38.6 x 30 cm Felix Dolah (b.1988) is a self-taught artist who lives and w...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

Boy, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Girlfriends, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
I paint what gets my attention. My pictures are rooted in the real world, but they are by no means images or portraits in the conventional sense, but rather symbolic images. A starti...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Sitting woman VI, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
I use my photos as a starting point. I change them up significantly to get a final composition that best conveys my sense of a work. :: Drawing :: Expressionism :: This piece comes w...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Girlfriend I, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Saint Joan, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Mother with child, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Woman #17, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

woman on the armchair, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
I use my photos as a starting point. I change them up significantly to get a final composition that best conveys my sense of a work. :: Drawing :: Expressionism :: This piece comes w...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Girlfriend II, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Kaum Koch
Located in London, GB
Signed and dated lower left Framed (matte black wooden frame, black raised float mount on foam core, art glass) Frame size 50.4 x 38 x 3 cm Felix Dolah (b.1988) is a self-taught ar...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

Red Pepper #2, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Watercolor work on an archival quality paper , Arches 300g/m. Belongs to an ongoing series about the food the painter eats. She likes the deep rich red and shinny texture of this red pepper...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Black Ink on white paper, Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Painting
Located in Carballo, ES
Black And White Minimal Painting is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2020. We can frame it in natural wood on request. The title of this works is "From the Apollonian picto...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Handmade Paper

Body in the Field #3 - Red, Pencils, Landscape
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #3, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

Body in the Field #8 - Green, Landscape, Drawing, Pencils
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #8, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

Body in the Field #2 - Red, Blue, Drawing, Coloured Pencils, Landscape
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #2, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

'Venice, Lagoon in morning Haze', mixed media on paper. Circa 2007.
Located in Frome, Somerset
View of the Guideca looking at the Ducal Palace and Saint Marks in morning haze light.. A Capriccio mooded piece to capture the essence of experience of Venice. Gradwell's raison d'e...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Expressionist Mid-Century Still Life of Flowers in a Vase.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid-century still life pastel on paper of a vase with flowers by French artist Andrée Ruy Petroff. Signed bottom right. An enchanting and energetic rendering in pastel of poppies a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Pastel, Carbon Pencil

Seated woman in red dress, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
I register it and then part of it automatically goes to work. I'm not trying to paint literally, but I'm trying to bring the emotions being exerted on me closer to the viewer. A feel...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Sitting unknown, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
I register it and then part of it automatically goes to work. I'm not trying to paint literally, but I'm trying to bring the emotions being exerted on me closer to the viewer. A feel...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Une Danse, Original Work on Paper, Ink, Acrylic
Located in AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FR
Acrylic, Ink, Pastel and collage on paper - Original Work on Paper. The work is in very good condition and is signed lower Right "Patricia R.". Unfortunately we have no further info...
Category

1990s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Archival Ink, Acrylic

Pelican 1974 - Expressionist animal art watercolour/gouache bird painting
Located in London, GB
This beautiful large vibrant animal painting is by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. It is a watercolour/gouache painting of a magnificent Pelican and painted in 1974. Williams has r...
Category

1970s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Body in the Field #1 - Red, Landscape, Coloured pencil, Drawing
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #1, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

House Crows 1976 - Expressionist animal art watercolour bird painting
Located in London, GB
This beautiful animal painting is by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. It is a watercolour painting of House Crows and painted in 1976. Williams has recently been reassessed by the T...
Category

1970s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Intertwined hands, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Laughing man, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Ural Owl 1975 - Expressionist art animal watercolour gouache bird painting
Located in London, GB
This stunning vibrant animal painting is by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. It is a watercolour/gouache painting of an Ural Owl and painted in 1975. Williams has recently been reas...
Category

1970s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Standing female semi-nude, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
I register it and then part of it automatically goes to work. I'm not trying to paint literally, but I'm trying to bring the emotions being exerted on me closer to the viewer. A feel...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Body in the Field #9 - Landscape, Orange, Red, Coloured pencil
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #9, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

Alone in the bedroom, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my paintings I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge that, beyond direct expression, makes material and immaterial forces and plas...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Portrait with red hair, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

A Hint of Tulips, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This colorful and expressive tulips watercolor catches what flowers mean to me! Whenever winter leaves, spring takes over and tulips are my absolute favourite flowers as they are bea...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Woman with cigarette, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Vase of Flowers - Russian Jewish
Located in London, GB
This watercolour is hand signed by the artist "I. Ryback" in the lower left corner. Provenance: Acquired by the parents of the previous owner in the 1960's or 1970's in Paris. Co...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Lying woman, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Tulip Love, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This colorful and expressive tulips watercolor catches what flowers mean to me! Whenever winter leaves, spring takes over and tulips are my absolute f...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Seated old woman, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Study of a cat by tapestry weaver artist Lynne Curran 'Dark voices'
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A charming drawing of a cat by the contemporary female tapestry weaver Lynne Curran. Lynne Curran trained in tapestry at the Edinburgh College of Art ...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Body in the Field #12 - Landscape, 21st Century, Wax pencil
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #12, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

Girl with long hair, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
My paintings are very personal, they capture my everyday life, my reaction to things I experienced, either yesterday, in my childhood or even events I imagine. My portraits pick up o...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Body in the Field #6 - Green, Canvas, Landscape, 21st Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Body in the Field #6, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

"Modella" Matita cm. 50 x 70 1962
Located in Torino, IT
Disegno espressionista Figura femminile Artista Italiano che ha dedicato la vita all'arte Edgardo CORBELLI (Torino, 1918 – 1989) MUSEI Orléans, Francia, Musée Collégiale Saint Pierre le Puellier Salon de...
Category

1960s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Graphite

Blue woman, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Expressionist drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add drawings and watercolor paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, yellow and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Anastasia Kurakina, Parmis Sayous, Zsolt Berszán, and Carl Hofer. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Paper and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Expressionist drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 4.45 inches across are also available. Prices for drawings and watercolor paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $85 and tops out at $210,814, while the average work sells for $1,233.

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