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.
Artist Comments
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
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
Artist Comments
Beneath the blue sky, a thicket of trees displays their autumn-tinted foliage. Thin clouds in the distance and wispy grasses in the foreground add depth to th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A cluster of trees stands in the middle of a vast field, their canopies merging to create a unified presence. Against the coolness of the blue sky, the orange...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"Color is the most dynamic element of a flower's charm," says artist Sharon Sieben. The vivid red petals reflect the poppy's happy and intense beauty. The cor...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist More Art
Wood, Maple, Screen
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Ceramic
Artist Comments
A vibrant autumn scene unfolds as towering trees with golden leaves stretch toward the azure sky. The quiet neighborhood below hosts quaint houses nestling am...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
This painting shows a happy moment between friends dancing with each other. They close their eyes and lift their hands, fully immersing themselves in the expe...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A two-story mansion undergoes a fauvist transformation with its bright palette, stylized rendering, and expressive paint handling. The alteration of multi-tie...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A layer of snow wraps a serene forest. Painted with a limited color palette of Payne's Grey and Phthalo Green, accented with Titanium White, the scene exudes ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting features a woman as the central subject, depicted with bold textures and spontaneous brushstrokes. Her white dress against the deep blue backgro...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Naoko Tadotsu demonstrates a colorful tree on a sunny summer afternoon. Reflections of bright sunlight from a nearby river pierce through the leaves of the lush foliage. A compelling display of blue and green marks intensifies in the warm background. "The lights and leaves together create an illusion of a large stained glass," says Naoko.
About the Artist
Brilliant prismatic trees radiate in artist Naoko Tadotsu’s expressionist compositions. “I am always in awe of nature, color, and light,†says Naoko. These three facets establish her vibrant works in fluid strokes of vivid hues. Roots of her influence trace back to growing up in Osaka, where these elements were abundant. Naoko migrated to New York where she was immersed and fell in love with the world of art. What was once unexpressed inspiration inevitably translated onto the canvas. Her work often crosses into abstraction, capturing her feelings towards nature and painting...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A tranquil landscape welcomes the beginning of autumn. A cloudy sky stretches over the vast field and the ocean, adorned with scattered trees and a puddle. Th...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles presents an expressionist landscape shifting as autumn approaches. The green leaves turn a fiery red as the season changes. George paint...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
September flourishes at its peak, with trees painted in vibrant autumn hues. A field of grass wraps around the foreground, with a small patch illuminated by s...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This painting captures an abandoned house nearly concealed by overgrown bushes. The sunlit road extends endlessly into the hori...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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Artist Robert Hofherr shares an expressionist view of rocky outcrops in the forest. Bold color, energetic paint application, and a simplified drawing style he...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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A lone tree stands in the middle of a vast meadow, with a single cloud hovering over it. Its leaves, painted in shades of yellow and red, subtly hint at the c...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"I confess that I almost always choose red when painting flowers," says artist Sharon Sieben. She presents vibrant blossoms within an earth-tone vase, creatin...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Sharon Sieben creates a stern portrait of a man who, despite his attempt to appear disinterested, finds himself unable to resist the allure of curiosit...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles shares autumn in full circle in an expressionist landscape. The green leaves turn a fiery red as the season changes. Breathtaking combin...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
Artist Comments
Artist Diana Elena Chelaru exhibits an expressionist portrait of a lady with her dog. She caresses the pup as it sleeps by her side. Geometric shapes adorn he...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1910s Expressionist More Art
Woodcut
Artist Comments
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
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Woodcut
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Tapestry, Wool
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper
Early 1900s Expressionist More Art
Lithograph
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
2010s Expressionist More Art
Photographic Paper
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper
Artist Comments
An expansive blue sky meets the ocean in a quiet, seamless horizon, with a single cloud drifting gently above. Below, the shoreline is alive with wispy grasse...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
1980s Expressionist More Art
Tapestry
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
Artist Comments
This watercolor painting captures the charm and vitality of Portland’s historic Old Port district. City life hums with a balance of energy and ease—building...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Watercolor
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Etching
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Mixed Media
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Engraving
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Linocut
1930s Expressionist More Art
Woodcut
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
Artist Comments
A vibrant blend of colors captures the energy of a bustling morning scene. Figures in motion stride across the composition, their forms loosely defined yet full...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
1930s Expressionist More Art
Woodcut
2010s Expressionist More Art
Photographic Paper
Artist Comments
A woman gazes downward, her expression subtly weighted with introspection. Textured brushstrokes and earthy tones accentuate the emotional depth of her inner ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
As the sun rises, golden yellows and oranges radiate against the blue sky. Colorful dots spread across the scene, conveying the movement and warmth of sunligh...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A colorful tree stands alone in an open field under a clear blue sky. The orange, yellow, and red leaves create a focal point against the soft, expansive back...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Rich colors depict the vibrant reflection of trees and sky in a tranquil creek. Textured strokes capture the light and shadow on the water's surface. This liv...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Dynamic shapes and colors carry a profound symbolism. A woman's silhouette lies among the stars, representing humanity's connection to the cosmos. The artwork...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A town square boasts structures with mixed architectural styles. Lively street performers and the crowd enjoy each other's company. It captures the vibrant es...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The artwork portrays an abstract depiction of the moon emerging in the sky. It invites exploration of artistic interpretations of a cosmic landscape. Captivat...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
In awe of the images from the James Webb Telescope, artist Diana Elena Chelaru creates a series inspired by the depths of the universe. The mystery and vibran...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
