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.
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
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Artist Robert Hofherr captures a waterfront view of Castine, Maine, in a Fauvist style. He highlights essential details, emphasizing expressive brushwork and ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Gentle waves roll toward a distant shore, echoing the wispy clouds above. Blades of grass in the dark foreground create contrast against the bright sky and wate...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist James Hartman captures the meeting point of the Berkeley Marina and San Francisco Bay in this expressive California landscape. A favorite Bay Area spot t...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Artist Kip Decker displays a flourishing landscape with an expressionist approach. Colorful wildflowers abundantly grow by the ridge of a hill. He paints the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Slow-moving water winds through a vibrant landscape surrounded by colorful trees. Thick textures and layered brushstrokes create movement and depth across the s...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Billowing clouds swirl across the sky as a river meanders through the field below. Greens, purples, and blues dance throughout the landscape, while bold brush...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Rebecca Klementovich paints a sparkling lake surrounded by quiet mountains. She captures the sun's rays, twinkling on the water's stillness. A tranquil...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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In this expressionist landscape, a farmyard transforms into fragmented and deconstructed shapes. Inspired by English painter Keith Vaughan, the artwork radicall...
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 brus...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A cradled panel is laid with vintage sewing tissues as a mordant to adhere the beeswax. I did an underpainting in ink then used a prismatic palette to lead th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Encaustic
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Derived from artist Robert Hofferr's personal photo, this expressionist painting transforms a woodland scene into blocks of color. Warm tones emerge from the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Inspired by artist Robert Hofherr's personal photo, this piece simplifies detail to make a bold and striking composition. Solid, substantial shadows replace o...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This painting captures a tranquil scene where a body of water reflects the sky. The muted, distant horizon suggests an endless expanse, inviting contemplation...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Boats drift on a vast northeastern body of water in New England. The sun casts a warm glow across the scene. Simple style and expressionist brushwork reduce det...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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At night, a village comes alive with a moody color palette and a delightfully whimsical arrangement of houses. The composition emphasizes intriguing color and...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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The ethereal beauty of nature manifests as the warm glow of the sun kisses the water’s surface. Golden hour bathes the landscape in soft, radiant colors, ca...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A cluster of vibrant orange trees rises beneath an expansive sky brushed with delicate white clouds. In the foreground, a field of grass with reflective patch...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Red, orange, and yellow leaves burst from a dense grove of trees. Dramatic purple and blue clouds hover in the sky above while blades of grass sway gently in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Trees shine like incandescent light bulbs under the warm afternoon sun. A kaleidoscope of pink, green, and yellow leaves spread across the scene. Overlapping ...
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, th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Sharon Sieben presents an expressionist cityscape with spirited brushwork and vibrant hues. She pictures skyscrapers over the Big Apple in a dazzling a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A figure lounges by the poolside, one knee raised and arms draped casually over it. The person radiates a relaxed, contemplative mood. With loose brushstrings...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A row of slender trees lines a road in Provence, France. As artist Janet Dyer drove by, she was captivated by the configuration of the trunks against the pale...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Inspired by English painter Keith Vaughan, artist Robert Hofherr reimagines a forest scene with a sense of fantasy and playful abstraction. Stylized trees inter...
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 tranquilit...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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With low tide, the sand stretches out towards the receding waterline, revealing a shallow pool of water reflecting the sky. A solitary cloud watches over the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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In this lively and spirited painting, five figures revel in the music and each other's company. Tones of blue and orange embrace their forms as they hit the d...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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"Inspired by Paul Klee, I reimagined a quiet October evening with heavily textured colors and an emphasis on simplified linear elements," says artist Robert H...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Photographic Paper
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1950s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
The painting portrays a tree with colorful foliage in the middle of a vast field. The leaves are painted yellow and red, with a hint of purple. The wind gentl...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
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Bold colors and expressive strokes define a small stream surrounded by woods. Strategically placed linear elements create a nearly abstract composition. Artist ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A stylized wolf emerges from bold, angular brushstrokes. Its cool blue and icy white fur contrasts sharply against the glowing red backdrop. Layered paint and s...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Vases and pots support an array of textured wildflowers, standing out against a rich, dark background. A freeform stripe pattern on the tablecloth adds rhythm a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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The composition depicts an expressionist rendition of a winter forest. It transforms grays, tans, and browns into lavender, rust, and deep blue. Simplified de...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
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Vibrant colors blend to depict a serene setting. Red, orange, and green trees frame a reflective river. A mix of soft blues, greens, and whites paints the sky, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Inspired by a quiet forest in Massachusetts, artist Robert Hofherr reimagines the scene with childlike charm and bold, stylized paintwork. Bright, lightly textu...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Two figures gaze toward a light emerging from surrounding darkness, where directional strokes create a sense of flowing movement. A warm glow illuminates their ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Colorful trees provide refreshing shade to a cluster of farm buildings. Autumn foliage surrounds the scene, wrapping it in seasonal beauty. The bright palette a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Two figures stand close in an abstract forest, their forms blending with the trees. Directional brushstrokes capture the gentle sound of wind rustling through t...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Engraving
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The Empire State Building rises with bold and vibrant strokes. The minimalist lines and blurry contrasts capture the dynamic spirit of New York City. It reflect...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Moody tones and expressionist paint application transform a Massachusetts forest into an expressionist image. Although two boulders dominate the scene, the comp...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Bold and full of movement, this dynamic scene invites the viewer to wander along a riverbank lined with trees. Hints of pink and blue ripple through the scene...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A woman lies under a vibrant night sky, the stars and planets illuminating her form. Bold colors and energetic directional brushwork add a hypnotizing energy to the composition. This piece is artist Diana Elena Chelaru's personal interpretation of the vast space.
About the Artist
Artist Diana Elena Chelaru creates vibrant expressionist works that explore human emotion and the cosmos. “Art is a means of communication, a way to express my thoughts, hopes, and joys,†says Diana. She uses form, lines, and color to bring her imaginative compositions to life, with inspiration drawn from Byzantine mosaics and Gustav Klimt’s decorative patterns. Diana received her BFA in Painting from George Enescu Art University and an MA in Art History from Queens College. Diana’s creative process is fluid and intuitive, guided by her emotions in the moment, with music as a constant companion. Her studio, located in the basement of her home, is kept clean and organized. When she’s not creating, Diana enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Words that describe this painting: Universe, stars, sky, night, meditation, celestial, space, flow, movement, planets, reclining, expressionism, nature, people, acrylic painting, blue
Star Gazing...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A woman in a flowing white dress stands with a relaxed composure. Her dark hair frames her tranquil expression. Soft blues and gentle pinks surround her, blen...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A solitary cloud in a bright blue sky stretches over the sea. The water meets the shore with small waves rolling in. The grass adds texture in the foreground. H...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Paper
Artist Comments
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 mu...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Robert Hofherr presents a colorful expressionist rendering of an ordinary woodpile. The piece gets subjected to the complete Fauvist treatment. Bold co...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A vibrant forest opens to reveal a hidden pond, its still surface mirroring the brilliant colors of the trees. Bursts of orange, green, blue, and yellow dance...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Robert Hofherr draws inspiration from an abandoned ruin in the woods. Rather than depicting the scene literally, he constructs it with simplified shapes ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
