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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Style: Expressionist
Item Ships From: Europe
Lonely dreamers. 1992, paper, etching, watercolor, 22x14 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Roman Lapp (1961. 24. VII Moscow) – painter
Artist learned drawing to M. Zuhovickis.
He graduated Art Academy of Latvia, department of monumental painting (1988) with diploma work ...
Category
1990s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Etching
Spurred on by the Crowd
By Garth Bayley
Located in Deddington, GB
Spurred on by the crowd- horse racing painting [2022]
original
Pen and Ink
Image size: H:32 cm x W:24 cm
Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:32 cm x W:24 cm x D:32cm
Sold Unframed
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Pen
Grey Day Grauer Tag - Landscape Cow Germany
By Erich Heckel
Located in London, GB
This watercolour is hand signed and dated in pencil by the artist "Heckel 22" [1922] in the lower left image.
It is also hand titled in pencil “Grauer Tag” [Grey Day] in the lower l...
Category
1920s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Watercolor
Girl with blue 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
The owner III - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel on paper
Created in Paris, France
Unique work
Signed by the artist
Category
2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Leaf #3, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Watercolor work on Arches archival quality paper. I like going to the market in the summer and choose among the great choice of fruits and vegetables to bring home and paint. :: Pai...
Category
2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Oil, Cardboard
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
“A Balinese woman with offerings” (1936)
By Theo Meier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Theo Meier (1908-1982)
“A Balinese woman with offerings”
Signed, dated '36 and annotated Mankok (the name of the sitter) lower left
Sanguine on paper, measures: 57 x 41.5 cm
In a handmade and hand painted frame with address: Max Kno¨ll, Herberggasse 4/1, Basel.
Provenance:
Private collection, Basel (acquired directly from the artist)
Private collection, London
Note:
Theo Meier was born in Basel, where he attended art school and became a successful portrait painter. However, after visiting an exhibition in Basel of Tahitian paintings by Paul Gaugin, he decided to follow in Gaugin’s footsteps and go to the South Pacific. To finance his voyage, he founded a club in which every member pledged a monthly sum in return of which they could choose one of Meier’s paintings upon his return.
In 1932, at the age of 24, he embarked on his voyage to the South Sea. In Tahiti, he certainly discovered the beauty of the colours of the tropical world but the simplicity of the inhabitants, he had seen in Gaugin’s paintings turned out to be more in the artist’s fantasy than in reality. He returned to Basel but in 1935 again was on his way to the South Sea. In 1936 he arrived in Bali, planning to stay there for two or three weeks, but thirty years later he was still there. In Bali “a delirium laid hold of me which even today has not subsided”, he was to write much later. The present drawing was made during his first “delirius” year in Bali. In Bali, he settled and found inspiration and friendship with other artists including Walter Spies...
Category
1930s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Crayon
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tulip Love, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
By Gesa Reuter
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
Sister, 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 with outstretched 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
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
Golden Houselake Himmelpfort, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By Marko Fenske
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted plein air in North Brandenburg. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Sig...
Category
2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Kiliney Beach - Ireland, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By Marko Fenske
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted plein air at the beach near the hous from the singer Bono from U2. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the...
Category
2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Bathing Women Badende Frauen - Landscape Bathers German
By Erich Heckel
Located in London, GB
This watercolour is hand signed with the artist’s monogram and dated in pencil "EH 29" [1929] in the lower right image.
It is also hand titled in pencil “Badende Frauen” [Bathing Wo...
Category
1920s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Chalk, Watercolor
Portrait of a woman, Drawing, Pastels 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
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel
Red Pepper #1 2022, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Watercolor work on archival quality paper. The painter likes to paint what whe will eat, in this case attracted by the colors and shape of a wonderful red pepper. :: Painting :: Expr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Marylin Joanna Flatau Contemporary art pastel on paper colour woman portrait
Located in Paris, FR
Oil pastel on paper
Unique work
Hand-signed by the artist
Series Imaginary portraits
Joanna Flatau was born in Varsaw, Poland.
She graduated from Varsaw History of Arts University ...
Category
1990s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil Pastel
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
Untitled - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian contemporary painter
Located in Paris, FR
Ink and pastel on canvas
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 P...
Category
2010s Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Pastel, Ink
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
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
The blue pose - Parmis Sayous 21st Century drawing, Iranian 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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, India Ink, Cardboard
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
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.