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.
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Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Three women wearing swimsuits depict a joyful summertime feeling. Their figures, painted in arbitrary colors, stand out against the neutral background. The laye...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Simplified shapes and colors form a fragmented image of a village and night sky. Accents of warm colors from the moon and houses balance the dominant blue and g...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
Artist Robert Hofherr presents a derelict structure forgotten in the woods in a bold expressionist style. A blue underpainting and high-energy palette bring the...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A path leads to Mt. Diablo in this Fauvist landscape. Artist James Hartman used thick layers of oil paint to create an expressive and textured outdoor scene. In...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A crepe-myrtle tree blooms with delicate flowers that resemble colorful confetti. Its leaves sway gently in the breeze, glowing softly in the summer sunlight. E...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A tulip poplar towers like a golden pagoda on a beautiful sunny day. The pastel light from the sky reflects its warm glow on the tree. The artwork evokes a jo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A river scene with watercraft comes alive through Fauvist techniques of vivid palette, simplified forms, and expressive paint handling. The boat and converging ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Fabric, Textile, Thread
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Tree trunks rise from the forest floor, some cloaked in moss and blending with the fertile surroundings, while others stand out with dark red bark. Shifting sha...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A Joshua tree stands among yellow desert bushes, its leaves appearing to glow under the bright sun. In the distance, a blue ridge and a mountain rise. Rugged fo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Two figures bask in the light of the cosmos, their curvaceous forms mirroring the flow of celestial bodies. The varying blue tones represent the sky before nigh...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
1910s Expressionist More Art
Etching, Aquatint
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Artist Comments
A serene and mysterious atmosphere envelops a snow-covered landscape. Traces of grass dot the foreground, while a shroud of fog softly blurs the distant tree ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper
1950s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
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A cluster of trees rises at the center of a field, their foliage showing the colors of autumn. Vertical strokes in the foreground suggest grass, while a thin wh...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
Artist Comments
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Mid-20th Century Expressionist More Art
Ceramic
1990s Expressionist More Art
Screen
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Fabric, Textile, Thread
Artist Comments
A beautiful depiction of an autumn evening, this painting by artist George Peebles captures an expansive panoramic view of the landscape. An endless blue horizo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Robert Hofherr captures a group of old barns in an expressive style. Executed quickly and energetically, the piece emphasizes instinct over overthinking....
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Fading sunlight casts warm orange hues across the mountain, while cool pastel tones settle in the shadows and desert brush below. In the foreground, a mix of pl...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Watercolor
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
Soft light hits two peaks, casting soft, blue shadows on the cliffs below. In the foreground, a meadow lights up with small, dancing trees. The composition and ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Red, orange, and golden leaves burst from the trees as clouds drift lazily above. Soft reflections of the sky shimmer on the ground below, capturing the quiet b...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The artwork depicts a vast, turbulent sky. Sculpted clouds gather in slow, thunderous procession above the silent desert. Shades of indigo, cobalt, and silver b...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Bold colors bring the towering Empire State Building to life. Minimal lines and dynamic hues convey constant motion, reflecting the unstoppable spirit of New Yo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
Artist Comments
From a high vantage point, rugged desert ridges and mountains unfold in vibrant spring colors. Loose washes of pink, green, yellow, and blue flow together, echo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Watercolor
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Ducks gracefully glide on a pond, echoing the harmonious rhythm of Central Park. The vibrant blue water reflects the bridge and surrounding fiery autumn foliage...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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In this abstract landscape, mountains rise from the sea beneath a restless sky. Colors shift between calm and chaos, echoing both serenity and storm. Bold brush...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
2010s Expressionist More Art
Fabric, Wool
Artist Comments
A rural road heads towards an autumnal woodland. Bent trees add a vertical element and a sense of direction to the scene. The Fauvist color palette and bold pai...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A fox caught in mid-leap burst to life in dashes of red, gold, and violet. Built with layered washes and spontaneous shapes, the painting suggests the animal's ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Watercolor
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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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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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A bearded sailor in a blue uniform and cap stands against a yellow background. Artist Robert Hofherr reimagined one of Vincent van Gogh's portraits through the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
Seen from above, this colorful view of a small village highlights the dynamic play of color. Bold primary hues, softened secondary shades, and muted tones overl...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Rural farm buildings serve as the focal point for this colorful Fauvist painting. The structures' forms connect with other compositional elements, each shaped a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A variety of flowers spring from a white vase, their shapes and orientations creating a lively sense of movement. The background accentuates the freshness of th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
A man wearing a white hat and blue uniform rests his hands on his chin. Loosely based on Vincent van Gogh's work, this painting adopts a looser and freer execut...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
