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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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 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
Artist Comments
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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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
Artist Comments
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
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
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
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Artist Comments
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
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
Artist Comments
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
1950s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
Artist Comments
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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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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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
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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
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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
Photographic Paper
Artist Comments
Artist Srinivas Kathoju captures the beauty of vast open fields, mountains, and distant horizons in this painting. Sweeping clouds fill the sky, reflecting th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Fabric, Textile, Thread
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
Artist Comments
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 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
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
This still life depicts a domestic scene, featuring three bottles, a vase, an orange, and an animal skull arranged on a patterned green table. A plant on the ot...
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
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
Artist Comments
A small green bush stands out as a symbol of life against an eroded desert. The bright sun reveals the ruggedness of the badlands. A darker mesa rises in the di...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
A stand of trees rises in the distance, its leaves presenting the colors of autumn. The thin clouds in the sky and wispy grass in the foreground create a sense ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Green, yellow, and brown organic shapes depict a forest scene where the morning light shines through the trees. Bold colors applied with flat brushes create vis...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Artist Comments
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
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
A whimsical village emerges among trees. The carefully arranged houses and foliage form an engaging scene. The bright color palette reinforces the non-represent...
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
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Engraving
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Ceramic
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Paper
