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Expressionist Art

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
Coral Forest, Large Triptych, Gem-like Patterns, Illustration Style, Coastal
Coral Forest, Large Triptych, Gem-like Patterns, Illustration Style, Coastal

Coral Forest, Large Triptych, Gem-like Patterns, Illustration Style, Coastal

Located in Barcelona, ES

This original painting by Romina Milano presents a coral-like landscape composed of clustered, gem-like forms that unfold as a vibrant constellation. Balancing abstraction and marine...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Watercolor, Handmade Paper

Aurora over a Northern Lake, 1916
Aurora over a Northern Lake, 1916

Aurora over a Northern Lake, 1916

Located in Stockholm, SE

Aurora over a Northern Lake, signed and dated “G Claeson 1916”, oil on canvas. This evocative landscape, executed in an expressionist manner, and on the same time almost modern, cap...

Category

1910s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Marc Chagall, Place de la Concorde, from Views of Paris, 1963
Marc Chagall, Place de la Concorde, from Views of Paris, 1963

Marc Chagall, Place de la Concorde, from Views of Paris, 1963

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Place de la Concorde (Place de la Concorde), from Regards Sur Paris (Views of Paris), originates from the January 22, 19...

Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Marc Chagall, The Ceiling of the Paris Opera, 1965 (after)
Marc Chagall, The Ceiling of the Paris Opera, 1965 (after)

Marc Chagall, The Ceiling of the Paris Opera, 1965 (after)

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Le Plafond de l’Opera de Paris (The Ceiling of the Paris Opera), from the album Le plafond de l’Opera de Paris par Ma...

Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Bumpy Road - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract Expressionism, Modern Interior

Bumpy Road - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract Expressionism, Modern Interior

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Don't Rush Life 2 - 21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Men
Don't Rush Life 2 - 21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Men

Don't Rush Life 2 - 21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Men

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Where am from Bandana was once a common style, we called it Big Boy Style, then it's seem to me like a style or fashion only, because our elder brothers only allowed to used it but n...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

European School 1955 Signed Oil painting Ox Cart Rural Landscape Framed Art
European School 1955 Signed Oil painting Ox Cart Rural Landscape Framed Art

European School 1955 Signed Oil painting Ox Cart Rural Landscape Framed Art

Located in Palm Coast, FL

This expressive 1955 oil painting on board depicts a rural countryside scene featuring a farmer guiding oxen pulling a cart along a rugged country path. The composition captures move...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

African Woman 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, People, Black
African Woman 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, People, Black

African Woman 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, People, Black

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bey...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Aduke and Her Pets - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Animal
Aduke and Her Pets - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Animal

Aduke and Her Pets - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Animal

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ola...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

African Woman 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, People, Black
African Woman 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, People, Black

African Woman 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, People, Black

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bey...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Your Life's Matter 2 - 21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Portrait, Africa

Your Life's Matter 2 - 21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Portrait, Africa

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Eli...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Marc Chagall, Inspiration, from Chagall Lithographer II, 1963
Marc Chagall, Inspiration, from Chagall Lithographer II, 1963

Marc Chagall, Inspiration, from Chagall Lithographer II, 1963

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled L'Inspire (Inspiration), from Chagall Lithographe II (Chagall Lithographer II), originates from the September 1963 issue...

Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

1940's French Signed Oil Expressionist Landscape Riverside Scene
1940's French Signed Oil Expressionist Landscape Riverside Scene

1940's French Signed Oil Expressionist Landscape Riverside Scene

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Riverside Scene By Alex Levrat, French 1941 signed & dated oil on board, framed Framed: 15 x 18 inches Board : 13 x 16 inches Provenance: private collection, France Condition: very g...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Aimasiko - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Women
Aimasiko - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Women

Aimasiko - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Women

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Yoruba proverb says, "Adániwáyè ò gbagbé enikan; àimàsikò lóndààmú edá", meaning "The Creator does not forget anyone; ignorance of divine timing troubles humans". Difficult times may...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Sun Through Flowers, Expressionist Oil Painting on Paper, 2010-
Sun Through Flowers, Expressionist Oil Painting on Paper, 2010-

Sun Through Flowers, Expressionist Oil Painting on Paper, 2010-

Located in Oslo, NO

This vibrant artwork captures the warmth of a sunlit interior where tulips dominate the scene. Rich hues of red and purple tulips burst from a textured glass vase, their petals softl...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Paper

Ray of Hope - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Floral, Women
Ray of Hope - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Floral, Women

Ray of Hope - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Floral, Women

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ola...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Echoes of the Mind 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Floral
Echoes of the Mind 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Floral

Echoes of the Mind 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Floral

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bey...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sailors in the Port of Nice
Sailors in the Port of Nice

Sailors in the Port of Nice

By Alfred Salvignol

Located in London, GB

'Sailors in the Port of Nice', mixed media - gouache, pastel and oil on paper, by Alfred Salvignol (circa 1950s). The Port of Nice is one of the key hubs of Nice and, in fact, of the entire French Riviera, standing out as one of the main harbours for the boats which sail across the Mediterranean Sea. It accommodates both the ships operated by ferry companies and the private yachts of visitors who come to Nice by sea. The artist here depicts a group of crusty sailors watching...

Category

1950s Expressionist Art

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Oil, Gouache

"Raskolnikow" original linocut

"Raskolnikow" original linocut

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original linoleum cut. Printed in 1920 for Das Kunstblatt, and published in Berlin by Verlag Gustav Kiepenheuer. Image size: 6 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches (160 x 105mm). Sheet size: 1...

Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Linocut

Marc Chagall, Paradise I, from Drawings for the Bible, 1960
Marc Chagall, Paradise I, from Drawings for the Bible, 1960

Marc Chagall, Paradise I, from Drawings for the Bible, 1960

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Paradise I (Paradise I), from Marc Chagall, Dessins Pour La Bible (Drawings for the Bible), Verve: Revue Artistique et L...

Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Trying to Leave Myself 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, People

Trying to Leave Myself 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, People

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity About Artist Emma...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Hoopoe Bird Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist Style, Unframed
Hoopoe Bird Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist Style, Unframed

Hoopoe Bird Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist Style, Unframed

Located in Zofingen, AG

"Hoopoe: The Crowned Messenger" is a definitive masterpiece by Elena Lukina, capturing the regal and ancient essence of one of nature’s most enigmatic archetypes. Part of the artist’...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Be Bold
Be Bold

Adewuyi TheophilusBe Bold, 2023

$1,600Sale Price|20% Off

Be Bold

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

"Be Bold" is a striking piece that demands attention from the moment one sets eyes on it. The central figure, a woman with flowing blue hair, exudes an air of confidence and resilience. The blue hue not only serves as an aesthetic choice but also carries deeper significance, representing the freedom to break societal norms and embrace personal identity without fear. The composition is masterfully crafted, with bold brushstrokes and intricate details that draw the viewer into the artwork. The woman's piercing gaze locks with the observer, inviting them to explore their own journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Each stroke of Theophilus's brush seems to radiate energy and passion, capturing the spirit of the subject and infusing the artwork with a powerful presence. "Be Bold" serves as a powerful symbol of embracing individuality and embracing one's true self. The woman with blue hair stands as a representation of those who dare to be different, challenging societal expectations and norms. The vibrant blue color symbolizes freedom, confidence, and the courage to break free from conformity. In a world that often pressures individuals to fit into predefined molds, Theophilus's artwork is a reminder of the beauty and strength found in embracing one's unique qualities. "Be Bold" calls on viewers to celebrate their differences, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and express their true selves without hesitation or fear of judgment. The power of "Be Bold" lies in its ability to evoke a strong emotional response in those who experience it. The artwork serves as a catalyst for introspection, urging viewers to reflect on their own lives and choices. The confident and defiant gaze of the woman with blue hair prompts individuals to question their own limitations and seek the courage to break free from them. By inspiring viewers to be bold, Theophilus encourages self-empowerment and personal growth. Through his art, he instills a sense of pride and confidence, reminding us that our uniqueness is a strength to be celebrated, not hidden away. The artwork's impact extends beyond the confines of the gallery walls, inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves and pursue their passions with unwavering determination. "Be Bold" by Adewuyi Theophilus...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Abstract Figurative Expressionist painting
Abstract Figurative Expressionist painting

Abstract Figurative Expressionist painting

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Amazing Figurative Expressionism painting with exceptional color and movement. Oil on canvas, ca. 1960s. Measures 40 x 52 inches. Unsigned and unattributed. Excellent condition.

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

"Stars" original lithograph

"Stars" original lithograph

By Wassily Kandinsky

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1938 and published in Paris by Teriade for the art revue Verve (volume 1, number 2). Kandinsky was invited to contribute an original compositi...

Category

1930s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

View of the Lake, Oil on Cardboard, Landscape Painting, 26x36.5 cm
View of the Lake, Oil on Cardboard, Landscape Painting, 26x36.5 cm

View of the Lake, Oil on Cardboard, Landscape Painting, 26x36.5 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Janis Rikmanis (1901.5.IV – 1968.25.III) graduated Figurative painting studio of Latvia Art academy (1931). He took part in exhibitions since 1929. Self-exhibitions were made in Riga...

Category

1950s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Finding Solace - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Floral
Finding Solace - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Floral

Finding Solace - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Floral

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ola...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Young Woman Fetching Water, Oil on Canvas, Signed, Circa 2000, Spain
Young Woman Fetching Water, Oil on Canvas, Signed, Circa 2000, Spain

Young Woman Fetching Water, Oil on Canvas, Signed, Circa 2000, Spain

Located in Sitges, Barcelona

Title: Young Woman Fetching Water Artist: Jesús Villar (1930–2015) Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 39.4 x 20.1 in Estimated date: c. 2000 Signature: Signed lower left: "Villar...

Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Parade Ring at the Races
The Parade Ring at the Races

The Parade Ring at the Races

By Maurice EMPI

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 Art

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Gouache

Kathe Kollwitz, Mother with Child, from Ten Lithographs, 1941 (after)
Kathe Kollwitz, Mother with Child, from Ten Lithographs, 1941 (after)

Kathe Kollwitz, Mother with Child, from Ten Lithographs, 1941 (after)

By Käthe Kollwitz

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Kathe Kollwitz (1867–1945), titled Mutter mit Kind (Mother with Child), from the folio Kathe Kollwitz, Ten Lithographs, originates from the 1941 edition published by Henry C. Kleemann, New York, and Curt Valentin, New York; printed by Duenewald Printing Corporation, New York. The composition reflects Kollwitz’s profound engagement with themes of maternal protection, tenderness, and human vulnerability, rendered with stark emotional intensity and a powerful graphic economy that underscores her enduring social message. Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, this work measures 19 x 16 inches (48.26 x 40.64 cm), overall; 13 x 10.5 inches (33.02 x 26.67 cm), image. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. Artwork Details: Artist: After Kathe Kollwitz (1867–1945) Title: Mutter mit Kind (Mother with Child), from Kathe Kollwitz, Ten Lithographs Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 19 x 16 inches (48.26 x 40.64 cm), overall; 13 x 10.5 inches (33.02 x 26.67 cm), image Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1941 Publisher: Henry C. Kleemann, New York, and Curt Valentin, New York Printer: Duenewald Printing Corporation, New York Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the folio Kathe Kollwitz, Ten Lithographs, 1941 About the Publication: Kathe Kollwitz, Ten Lithographs, published in New York in 1941 by Henry C. Kleemann in collaboration with Curt Valentin, represents an important early American presentation of Kollwitz’s graphic work at a time when her reputation was expanding internationally. Issued during the turbulence of the Second World War and following the suppression of her work in Germany under the Nazi regime, the folio played a crucial role in introducing her imagery to a broader audience outside Europe. The publication gathers a selection of her most powerful lithographic compositions, emphasizing her mastery of tonal contrast, expressive line, and psychological depth. Produced with careful attention to print quality by Duenewald Printing Corporation, the edition reflects the continued transmission of European modernist printmaking traditions into the American context, serving both as a document of artistic excellence and as a vehicle for the preservation and dissemination of Kollwitz’s humanistic vision. About the Artist: Kathe Kollwitz (1867–1945) was a German draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor whose profoundly moving imagery, exceptional technical mastery, and unwavering social conscience established her as one of the most important and influential artists of the twentieth century, widely recognized as a master of modern printmaking and one of the most powerful visual chroniclers of human suffering, war, and social injustice. Born in Konigsberg, East Prussia, into a progressive and intellectually engaged family, Kollwitz was encouraged from an early age to pursue art and developed a deep awareness of social inequality that would shape her entire career, studying in Berlin and Munich at a time when women were largely excluded from formal academies while mastering drawing and graphic techniques with extraordinary discipline. Her breakthrough came with the monumental graphic cycle A Weavers’ Revolt (1893–1897), followed by The Peasants’ War (1901–1908), works that combined complex narrative structure with extraordinary technical command in etching, aquatint, and lithography, establishing her reputation as one of Europe’s leading graphic artists. Throughout her career, Kollwitz remained committed to portraying the lives of workers, mothers, and victims of poverty and conflict with unflinching honesty, creating compositions defined by bold, sculptural line, dense shadow, and unparalleled psychological depth that conveyed grief, resilience, and dignity. Working during a period transformed by the radical innovations of Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, Kollwitz maintained a resolutely figurative and human-centered approach, aligning more closely with German Expressionism and artists such as Ernst Barlach, Max Liebermann, and Edvard Munch, whose emotional intensity and symbolic treatment of the human figure profoundly shaped her artistic language. Her later work, particularly the woodcut cycle War (1922–1923), stands among the most powerful anti-war statements in the history of art, reflecting both personal tragedy, including the death of her son in World War I, and a universal condemnation of violence and loss. In addition to her prints, Kollwitz created deeply moving sculptures that extended her exploration of grief and maternal protection into three dimensions, reinforcing her status as a multidisciplinary artist of exceptional range. She achieved significant recognition during her lifetime, becoming the first woman elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts, though her work was later condemned by the Nazi regime as degenerate, leading to her forced resignation and the removal of her works from public collections, yet her reputation expanded internationally after World War II and she is now regarded as a central figure in modern art. Her influence has been profound and far-reaching, shaping later artists including Francis Bacon, Anselm Kiefer, Leon Golub, Kiki Smith, and numerous contemporary figurative and socially engaged artists who continue to explore themes of trauma, memory, and human vulnerability. Today her works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Kathe Kollwitz Museum in Berlin, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the British Museum in London, and the Art Institute of Chicago, and remain highly sought after by collectors for their emotional intensity and historical significance. The highest auction record for a work by Kathe Kollwitz is held by her sculpture Mutter mit totem Sohn (Mother with Dead Son), which achieved approximately 1.2 million EUR at auction, confirming her enduring importance. Kathe Kollwitz Mutter mit Kind 1941 lithograph German Expressionism social realism print.

Category

1940s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Expressionist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist art 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 art 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, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Iryna Kastsova, George Grosz, Stephen Basso, and Marc Chagall. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil 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 art, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available.