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.
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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
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Tapestry, Wool
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Artist James Hartman began this painting by creating texture with homemade tools. He envisioned standing at the edge of the woods, looking through to an indistinct light. The oil colors were allowed to drip and settle into the textured surface, enhancing depth and movement, while his tools helped define the landscape in a way that captures shifting light.
About the Artist
When James Hartman was in art school, he became fascinated with the Society of Six, a group of artists who painted en plein air (outdoors) and exhibited together in the San Francisco Bay Area during the early 20th Century. James's paintings of the Northern California landscape pay tribute to some of the great Bay Area artists of the past. His expressive scenes feel alive through his vibrant use of color and his painterly brushwork. James’s paintings have an immediate visual impact from a distance, yet up close, dissolve into a series of confident marks and strokes. There is a simultaneous complexity and steadiness in his flattened, color-blocked planes. Knowledge and observation are essential elements of James’s working practice. To this end, he spends a large proportion of his time painting on location. His body of work captures the fresh and sunlit essence of the coastal California hills.
Words that describe this painting: trees, texture, bright, woods, sunlight, panoramic, forest...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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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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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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This dramatic coastal scene depicts the mood of summer rains. Wispy grasses stretch across the foreground, while warm tones soften patches of the shore. Above, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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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
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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
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A gray sky looms over the distant ocean, while wisps of grass emerge from the foreground. The rugged sand contrasts with the gentle waves. Earthy browns and g...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
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The painting captures a lively scene where a group of people dances joyfully, lost in the music with closed eyes. Their vibrant clothing and fluid movements i...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A group of trees stands close together, their autumn-tinted canopies blending into one. Their hazy surroundings mirror the softness of the cloud above. In the...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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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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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
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Flowers in different colors, shapes, and sizes unfurl from a brown vase. Artist Robert Hofherr draws inspiration from the works of Fauvist master Raoul Dufy. Th...
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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Verdant blades of grass blend into warm tones of yellow and orange, gradually leading to a sandy shore. On the horizon, a quiet beach meets the clear blue sky...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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A soft mist drapes over the narrow streets of a traditional Vietnamese town, muting the colors of weathered buildings with faded shutters and moss-covered tiles...
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
1920s Expressionist More Art
Lithograph
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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
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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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Tall beach grass stretches across the foreground, with a small pool of water reflecting the sky. In the distance, layers of sand and sea stack into soft, hori...
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
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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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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
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Deep blue tones envelop a blurred San Francisco cityscape, evoking a dreamlike memory of a fleeting moment. The triangular panel enhances the composition’s un...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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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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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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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
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
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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
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Vibrant blues and greens create a dreamy forest scene. A winding trail cuts through the tall, dark trees, leading to a clearing bathed in light. Pops of warm ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A woman sits with her hands wrapped around bent knees, exuding a sense of introspection and vulnerability. She contemplates the wonders of the universe, from ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Encaustic
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Vivid brushstrokes portray crepe myrtle trees swaying in the wind. As colorful as sugar candies, their flowers and leaves burst like Portuguese confetti under...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Shadows of tall, slender trees rise from the darkness. A subtle ray of moonlight illuminates the landscape, casting a delicate glow that contrasts against the...
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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On a lazy midsummer afternoon, a young bear wanders into a meadow nestled high in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Abstract fields of color melt into the essence ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A jewel-toned hummingbird hovers mid-flight, its wings blurred by motion as it flies through the colorful sky. The scene takes inspiration from the birds that...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Waves gently roll towards the shore, reflecting shades of blue and green under a bright sky. Tall grasses in the foreground sway lightly, adding texture to th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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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
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A vast, colorful sky stretches over an abstracted city. Artist Diana Elena Chelaru has intentionally minimized the buildings, letting the sky feel limitless. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Tall pine trees rise over the dunes of Asilomar Beach on the Monterey Peninsula. Patches of pink, orange, and white ice plants dominate the foreground. The vi...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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This painting depicts a sky adorned with colorful clouds, creating a mesmerizing scene over the desert below. A meandering trail cuts through the resilient de...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Whispy grasses sway in the foreground, leading the viewer's eye to a calm ocean horizon. Soft pastel hues with earthy tones paint...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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Vibrant, swirling sun rays fill the sky, creating a celestial panorama above a city. The windows of the stylized buildings below reflect the galaxy of geometr...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Tall, wispy grasses sway in the foreground, leading to the blue-green water that extends towards the horizon. Gentle waves ripple across the surface, meeting ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Engraving
Artist Comments
Bold brushstrokes capture the lively yet restful energy of a marsh. The colors shift and blend, reflecting the ever-changing landscape. The scene portrays the...
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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The artwork depicts an expressionist city landscape at night, emphasizing emotions and subjective experience over realism. A woman's figure lies among the sta...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1970s Expressionist More Art
Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
![Book: Francis Bacon von [with] John Russell (hand signed and inscribed twice)](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/francis-bacon-prints-works-on-paper-book-francis-bacon-von-with-john-russell-hand-signed-and-inscribed-twice-for-sale/a_17452/a_130412521694307115175/axScsafc_master.jpg?width=240 "bacon brief twice")
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A vibrant night sky stretches over the city. Ethereal blues mirror the celestial depths, while fiery oranges echo the birth of the stars. Geometric shapes and...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Inspired by the vibrant style of Raoul Dufy, this portrayal of UK monastery ruins transitions from realism to bold colors and lively brushwork, merging modern...
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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Artist George Peebles captures a solitary tree standing in the middle of a vast field. "This is a perspective of autumn in its splendor," says George. The viv...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Four key elements define the composition. The expansive sky, the horizon with hazy tree silhouettes, the colorful orchard, and the chilly pond form a captivat...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The artwork offers a glimpse of a peaceful summer day at the beach. The tranquil sea stretches into the distance, while the sandy, pink shore gradually transi...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
