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
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
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Etching
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
Leafless trees stretch upward against a vibrant, lime-green sky. A purple path leads the eye into the distance. The limited palette makes the scene cohesive a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1920s Expressionist More Art
Lithograph
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Engraving
Artist Comments
This painting portrays a woman with an ambiguous expression, adding a mysterious mood to the piece. The blue streaks in her hair and the shadow on her face cr...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
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
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
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
1940s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
Artist Comments
A neighborhood with New England-style homes embraces a Fauvist treatment, resulting in a stylized landscape with textured underpainting and non-realistic colo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
"Swimming on a lake under a full moon is a truly magical experience," shares artist Rebecca Klementovich. She paints the enchanting venture through a moonlit ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
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 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
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
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
"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
Artist Comments
Artist Autumn Rose paints delicate pastel flowers and foliage in striking contrast to a dark background. The artwork emulates luscious plants kissed by soft m...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles displays an expressionist landscape bringing autumnal hues together in one area. The green leaves turn a fiery red as the season changes...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Oil
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
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
Artist Robert Hofherr shows an expressionist floral still life in a cool palette of blue and violet. He renders the flowers and leaves quickly and confidently...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
20th Century Expressionist More Art
Fabric, Textile, Thread
Artist Comments
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
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper
1910s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Mixed Media
Artist Comments
This painting captures the beauty of the French countryside. I was inspired by the peaceful and vivid colors found in this quaint French village. I depicted t...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist More Art
Acrylic
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Engraving
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1930s Expressionist More Art
Woodcut
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1950s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Offset
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper
1930s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Linocut
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Lithograph
1920s Expressionist More Art
Paper, Photogravure
1930s Expressionist More Art
Woodcut
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Tapestry, Wool
Artist Comments
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
Artist Comments
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
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
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
Early 2000s Expressionist More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
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
1830s Expressionist More Art
Paper
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
