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
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
1910s Expressionist More Art
Etching, Aquatint
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
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
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
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
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper
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
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
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
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
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Photographic Paper
1950s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
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
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
Artist Comments
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
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
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
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
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
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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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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
A Fauvist composition depicts a series of reimagined abandoned structures, stacked one on top of another. The layered mix of deep blue, green, and brown hues co...
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
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
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
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
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 lake house stands serenely as the sun dips below the horizon, its silhouette softly outlined against the glowing sky. Lily pads float gently on the water, t...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Fabric, Textile, Thread
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Paper
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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Orchard trees stand in the distance, their foliage adorned in autumn's seasonal colors. Tall grass fills the foreground, blending seamlessly with the field. T...
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
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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
Mountains rise from shifting seas in this abstract landscape, where color and form balance chaos and serenity. Layers of oil and mediums build a rich surface th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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
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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
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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
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
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
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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
Artist Comments
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
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
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
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Tapestry, Wool
Artist Comments
The artwork depicts a wooded valley in a Philadelphia suburb in Fauvist style. Flat shapes and colors create an almost abstract effect in the composition. Minim...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
