Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
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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Style: Expressionist
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on paper
Created in 2019 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and worked in Paris and ded...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Oil
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Ink and pastel on paper
Created in 2020 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and worked in Pa...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Oil
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and India ink on cardboard
Created in 2018 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and wo...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Cardboard, India Ink
Egg Dancers. Male and Female nude figures black background red tones dark humor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mixed media on red toned archival paper signed and dated bottom left.
Part of the artist series of egg walkers/ dancers.
Playful twist on psychological theme
ABOUT Stephen Basso
St...
Category
Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Gouache, Archival Paper
The owner II - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel on paper
Created in 2018 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pastel
The Moonslayer - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and India ink on cardboard
Created in 2019 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and wo...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and India ink on cardboard
Created in 2019 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and wo...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
Carousel humorous dreamlike narrative story expressive human condition greys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soft pastel and charcoal on toned archival toned paper signed and dated bottom left . On view at the table Rasa Gallery in Brooklyn NY.
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Archival Paper
Expressionist Figurative water color painting- Series Bath NO.5
Located in Beijing, CN
Artist Biography
Zhang Chunyang was born in 1975 in Changchun, Jilin. She earned her B.F.A at Jilin University of Arts in 1999, and studied at Central Acadamy of Fine Arts, Beijing ...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Expressionist Figurative water color painting- Series Bath NO.1
Located in Beijing, CN
Artist Biography
Zhang Chunyang was born in 1975 in Changchun, Jilin. She earned her B.F.A at Jilin University of Arts in 1999, and studied at Central Acadamy of Fine Arts, Beijing ...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache, Handmade Paper
Street Life New York - Haunting Faces Windows Expressionism Mid-Century
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century artist Lawrence Kupferman paints a madly eerie New York street scene. An exaggerated upward view of two 19th-century walk-ups is split by a forced perspective of a downwa...
Category
1940s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Pen
Cocoon - Parmis Sayous, 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and oil paint on cardboard
Created in 2018 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed and dated by the artist on the back
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Cardboard, Oil
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and India ink on cardboard
Created in 2019 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and wo...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and India ink on cardboard
Created in 2019 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and wo...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
Disegno espressionista belga del XX secolo firmato inchiostro su carta
Located in Florence, IT
il disegno è firmato JR in basso a destra e lo riporta alla mano del poliedrico artista belga Jean Raine. Egli iniziò come amico di André Breton e quindi nella corrente del surrealis...
Category
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painting
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel on paper
Created in 2019 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Holder of Light, Wild Woman Series, bright color blue yellow
By Janet Morgan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This painting is in a series called the Wild Woman which is also printed in a pocket sized book.
Watercolor, mixed media, using resists.
Janet Morgan’s...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper
Twilight narrative pastel painting bright color beach scene couples
Located in Brooklyn, NY
soft pastel on toned paper .
This work is mounted on archival foam board with clear plastic to protect surface. Framing under glass is recommended
*ABOUT Stephen Basso
Stephen Basso...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Archival Paper
Aggressive Reflection, dreamlike still life female form expressive
Located in Brooklyn, NY
*ABOUT Stephen Basso
Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagina...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Platinum
Beautiful Blond Girl with Elves - Arts and Crafts - Glasgow Girls
Located in Miami, FL
A fantasy scene with Elves and a beautiful girl lost in thought at the base of a tree. Elizabeth Mary Watt, G.S.W.A. In 1919, she was elected as ...
Category
1920s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Pigment
Homage to Picasso
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vyacheslav Shraga
Russian, 1953-
Homage to Picasso
Ink on paper
12 by 17 in. W/frame 22 by 27 in.
Painter, graphic artist, sculptor Vyacheslav Sh...
Category
1980s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
"Lingering Note, " Original Acrylic on Canvas Board Portrait by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Lingering Note" is an original acrylic painting on canvas board by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece in the lower right. This painting depicts a man with a string instrum...
Category
Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Board
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 Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Tinnitus #3 - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and oil paint on paper
Created in 2018 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Parmis Sayous was born in 1982 in Teheran, Iran.
Since 2015, She has lived and worked...
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Oil, Cardboard
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painting
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel on paper
Created in 2018 in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Category
2010s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Portrait of a Young Girl
By Béla Czóbel
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful example of Czobel’s most expressive drawing.
Signed, lower right
Category
1930s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Chalk
Price Upon Request
For the Bergers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kiki Kogelnik, Austrian (1935 - 1997)
Title: For the Bergers
Year: 1966
Medium: Watercolor, signed, titled and dated verso
Size: 29 in. x 23 in. (73.66 cm x 58.42 cm)
Frame S...
Category
1960s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Price Upon Request
Planting the Stake
Located in West Hollywood, CA
We are proud to present a just arrived series of original pen and ink and ink wash drawings by Austrian/American artist Gustav Rehberger. These works were acquired directly from the ...
Category
1970s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Price Upon Request
The Scream
Located in West Hollywood, CA
We are proud to present a just arrived series of original pen and ink and ink wash drawings by Austrian/American artist Gustav Rehberger. These works were acquired directly from the personal collection of the artist and family.
"The Scream...
Category
1940s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Price Upon Request
Shadows
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an original mixed media watercolor by Hungarian artist Bela Kadar.
Bela Kadar was a historically important artist, is work was included as part of the degenerate art movement of Nazi Germany. His works appeared illustrated in the famous German arts magazine Der Sturm...
Category
1920s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Gouache
Price Upon Request
The Accordionist
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An exceptional original watercolor by American artist Byron Randall.
"The Accordionist", is an original watercolor on heavy paper, signed, c.1945, ...
Category
1940s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Price Upon Request
The Scream #1
Located in West Hollywood, CA
We are proud to present a just arrived series of original pen and ink and ink wash drawings by Austrian/American artist Gustav Rehberger. These works were acquired directly from the personal collection of the artist and family.
"The Scream...
Category
1940s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Price Upon Request
Man and the Mountain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
We are proud to present a just arrived series of original pen and ink and ink wash drawings by Austrian/American artist Gustav Rehberger. These works were acquired directly from the ...
Category
1970s Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
Price Upon Request
Expressionist figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist figurative drawings and watercolors 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 figurative drawings and watercolors created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of orange, blue, yellow and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Parmis Sayous, Zsolt Berszán, Anastasia Kurakina, and Stephen Basso. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Paint 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 figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 1.2 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative drawings and watercolors 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 $88 and tops out at $70,500, while the average work sells for $1,600.