Expressionist Mixed Media
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.
Early 2000s Expressionist Mixed Media
Tapestry, Wool
1960s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media, Paint
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1960s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic
1950s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Ceramic
20th Century Expressionist Mixed Media
Giclée, Handmade Paper
1960s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Charcoal, Gouache, Archival Paper
1960s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1950s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
1960s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Tapestry, Wool, Found Objects
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Coffee, Mixed Media
1970s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Coffee, Mixed Media
1970s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1930s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1970s Expressionist Mixed Media
Paper, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker
1970s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
Early 2000s Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
Artist Comments
A red-haired woman tilts her face toward the light, revealing a striking side profile. Bold washes of abstract color echo her presence, while an intricate dra...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media, Masonite
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
1970s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Mixed Media
Lithograph
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
A juniper stands against a vivid background, its branches stretching outward with lush foliage. The colorful shapes in the background evoke a sense of vitality. Artist Dafni Milan...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Bright colors and abstract forms frame a tree. The contrasting background of purples, pinks, and greens highlights the twisting branches and lush foliage. The circular shapes represent the cycle of life and death. Artist Dafni Milan...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
A gnarled trunk stands prominently against an abstract winter landscape. The rich purples, pinks, and yellows create an energetic and surreal atmosphere. The artwork evokes the resilience of trees; they remain strong and continue growing even in harsher seasons. Artist Dafni Milan...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Colorful leaves surround a tree with white rays peeking from behind. The detailed trunk contrasts with the leaves and the background's vibrant strokes. The artwork evokes the sun's warmth, inspiring an overwhelming feeling of love. Artist Dafni Milan created the piece using acrylic and oil paint, incorporating sketches from her studio collaged into the background.
About the Artist
Artist Dafni Milan creates mixed-media paintings that embody her passion for freedom and individuality. “My artwork has a lot of symbolism and personal meaning,†says Dafni. She believes in staying true to oneself, even if it means challenging societal norms, a belief that is deeply reflected in her work. Growing up in a family of artists and attending the art school her parents founded, Dafni developed her artistic talents from a young age. Now residing in Arizona with her husband, she paints in a well-lit bedroom she calls her sanctuary. Outside the studio, Dafni leads an active lifestyle, enjoying horse riding, spending time with her dogs, and exploring the outdoors.
Words that describe this painting: tree, sun, sunshine, mark making, collage, colorful, sunshine, expressionism, nature, mixed media artwork, green
Rays of Love...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Fabric, Linen, Thread
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Fabric, Linen, Thread
1990s Expressionist Mixed Media
Wood, Mixed Media, Wood Panel
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Fabric, Linen, Thread
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Fabric, Linen, Thread
Artist Comments
Artist Colette Wirz Nauke explores mixed media and freestyle designs in this portrait. The lady exudes a stoic grace, with patterns of heart embellishing her ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Expressionist Mixed Media
Mixed Media





