Expressionist More Art
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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The painting captures a lively scene where a group of people dances joyfully, lost in the music with closed eyes. Their vibrant clothing and fluid movements inf...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A town square boasts structures with mixed architectural styles. Lively street performers and the crowd enjoy each other's company. It captures the vibrant esse...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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The artwork depicts an expressionist city landscape at night, emphasizing emotions and subjective experience over realism. A woman's figure lies among the stars...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Sunlight filters through the fence and trees, giving the scene a warm and inviting glow. Yellows, blues, and greens evoke a sense of relaxation and tranquility....
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Bold brushstrokes capture the lively yet restful energy of a marsh. The colors shift and blend, reflecting the ever-changing landscape. The scene portrays the v...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Ceramic
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The artwork offers a glimpse of a peaceful summer day at the beach. The tranquil sea stretches into the distance, while the sandy, pink shore gradually transi...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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The artwork presents an expressionist view of a Massachusetts woodland, featuring simplified details and muted colors. It exemplifies reduction, offering only t...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A cluster of trees stands in the middle of a vast field, their canopies merging to create a unified presence. Against the coolness of the blue sky, the orange l...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1920s Expressionist More Art
Faience
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A town exudes a whimsical charm with its expressionist portrayal. The simple and non-traditional images of the houses, lamp posts, and residents burst with mute...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Orchard trees stand in the distance, their foliage adorned in autumn's seasonal colors. Tall grass fills the foreground, blending seamlessly with the field. The...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Olive, almond, and cherry trees adorn an orchard in Provence, France. Their white crowns merge, filtering the sunlight and casting dappled shade below. Artist J...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A vibrant and lovely bouquet blooms on a calming blue background. Its overall effect is both soothing and captivating. Artist Ronda Waiksnis uses palette knives...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Simple forms define this English town, while bright and deep colors add to its visual appeal. Artist Robert Hofherr aims for the viewer to perceive a place wher...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Docked boats feature compelling textures and unique color combinations, enhancing their visual appeal. The main focus of the composition shifts towards a series...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A vibrant night sky stretches over the city. Ethereal blues mirror the celestial depths, while fiery oranges echo the birth of the stars. Geometric shapes and f...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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An expressionist depiction of a cabin displays its eclectic walls, with the surrounding woods emerging as vibrant shapes. The composition steers away from reali...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Deep magenta, blush, and lush greens cascade in this abstract floral painting. The vibrancy of the flowers stands out against the neutral background, creating a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A lone, wispy cloud floats above a tranquil sea. The vibrant grass, swaying softly in the breeze, adds a touch of otherworldliness to the sandy shore. The seren...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A small rural village transforms with washes of color and stylized rendering. A subtle hint of structures graces the piece, with selected hues to fulfill the pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Inspired by Ivon Hitchens' expressive landscapes, this artwork depicts a spring woodland scene with vibrant colors. A pink dogwood tree anchors the composition...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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In awe of the images from the James Webb Telescope, artist Diana Elena Chelaru creates a series inspired by the depths of the universe. The mystery and vibrant ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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The artwork portrays an abstract depiction of the moon emerging in the sky. It invites exploration of artistic interpretations of a cosmic landscape. Captivated...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A group of trees stands close together, their autumn-tinted canopies blending into one. Their hazy surroundings mirror the softness of the cloud above. In the f...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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An array of colorful sailboats populate the scene. Their triangular shape serves as a visual motif, repeated and modified throughout to move away from strict re...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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An expressively painted bouquet blooms against a soft, neutral background. Its spontaneous strokes and muted colors exude a lively yet soothing energy. Artist R...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Inspired by the vibrant style of Raoul Dufy, this portrayal of UK monastery ruins transitions from realism to bold colors and lively brushwork, merging modern...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Bold colors, energetic rendering, and expressive paint application transform ordinary workboats. Adopting a Fauvist approach, the artwork avoids realistic detai...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A New England seaport transforms into a stylized seascape through unusual colors, expressive strokes, and minimal details. One sailboat navigates the water whil...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Four key elements define the composition. The expansive sky, the horizon with hazy tree silhouettes, the colorful orchard, and the chilly pond form a captivatin...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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With sunlight streaming in from the left, the trees engage in a playful banter about who gets the spotlight. Overlooking a small pond alongside the shrubs, they...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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The sky glows orange, its vibrant colors reflected upon the lake. Pine trees grace the horizon with their distinct silhouettes. While the far shore emits a fain...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Drawing inspiration from a charming New England town art gallery, this fauvist reinterpretation simplifies intricate details, allowing the vibrant shapes of exp...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Fauvist color and energetic paint handling invigorate a Massachusetts harbor. Displaying an expressive and loose painting technique, the underpainting actively ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Catching the final light of a February day in Massachusetts, the treetops burst into vibrant hues. Drawing inspiration from van Gogh's bold landscapes, the unde...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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In a tranquil garden, wildflowers daydream and create their own sunshine. Blue and gold blooms dominate the cluster, with red ones adding vibrant accents. Infus...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A London flat takes a fauvist approach, emphasizing bold colors over detailed representation. The simple depiction of furniture and dynamic visual texture of th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A neighborhood with New England-style homes embraces a Fauvist treatment, resulting in a stylized landscape with textured underpainting and non-realistic colors...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Inspired by a Scottish folktale during her trip to Scotland, artist Sumner Crenshaw depicts two figures under the moon. In the tale, a selkie transforms into a ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Beneath the blue sky, a thicket of trees displays their autumn-tinted foliage. Thin clouds in the distance and wispy grasses in the foreground add depth to the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A two-story mansion undergoes a fauvist transformation with its bright palette, stylized rendering, and expressive paint handling. The alteration of multi-tiere...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A vibrant autumn scene unfolds as towering trees with golden leaves stretch toward the azure sky. The quiet neighborhood below hosts quaint houses nestling amon...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Drawing inspiration from Raoul Dufy's energetic landscapes, this depiction of St. Paul's Cathedral employs a wildly exuberant linear style to outline the struct...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A layer of snow wraps a serene forest. Painted with a limited color palette of Payne's Grey and Phthalo Green, accented with Titanium White, the scene exudes a ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Poppies sway with the wind, creating a motion blur that adds a dynamic touch to the scene. Vibrant red tones sharply contrast with rich greens, highlighting the...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Low buildings hide among nature in an abandoned day camp. The sunlight filters through the trees, painting the grass with a soft radiance. The expressive brushs...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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An ordinary image of an urban house transforms into a stylized representation using expressive colors and paint handling. Linear elements replace many structura...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A nude woman strikes a seductive pose, her hair hanging gracefully in sweeping curves. Created with oil paint and graphite, the piece started as an experiment f...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Food and tableware take center stage in this Fauvist still life. Instead of realistically arranging the objects on a tabletop, the piece evolved organically dur...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This painting features a woman as the central subject, depicted with bold textures and spontaneous brushstrokes. Her white dress against the deep blue backgroun...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A tranquil landscape welcomes the beginning of autumn. A cloudy sky stretches over the vast field and the ocean, adorned with scattered trees and a puddle. The ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A serene and mysterious atmosphere envelops a snow-covered landscape. Traces of grass dot the foreground, while a shroud of fog softly blurs the distant tree li...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Ceramic
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In the fall and winter, the woods along the river reveal the remnants of summer flowers, tangled stems, and leaves. Starting with oils and cold wax, artist Meli...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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This Fauvist painting captures a house surrounded by trees, their leaves shifting into muted brown, red, and yellow hues to indicate the changing season. The te...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This painting captures an abandoned house nearly concealed by overgrown bushes. The sunlit road extends endlessly into the horizo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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September flourishes at its peak, with trees painted in vibrant autumn hues. A field of grass wraps around the foreground, with a small patch illuminated by sun...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
