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.
Hoopoe Bird Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist Style, Unframed
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Hoopoe: The Crowned Messenger" is a definitive masterpiece by Elena Lukina, capturing the regal and ancient essence of one of nature’s most enigmatic archetypes. Part of the artist’...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
“The Horse Race" #50 A Pierre Bosco (Italy/France, 1909-1993) circa 1950s
By Pierre Bosco
Located in SANTA FE, NM
“The Horse Race" #50 A Pierre Bosco, (1909-1993) Oil n canvas Signed lower right 12 x 15 inches “The savage art of Bosco bears its rudeness and its mystery. It is an art of pure ex...
Canvas, Oil
Horsewoman" is a free copy from K.Bryulov's painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Horsewoman" is a free copy from K.Bryulov's painting "landscape of the Volsky Lily. A beautiful and amazing painting is painted according to all the canons of painting. 8 layers of ...
Canvas, Oil
Life with Beagle Figurative Art Animal Painting 24" x 24" Women in Art
Located in Houston, TX
Jeanie Tomanek: I don’t intentionally set out to make a calming painting, no, but I do try to have a sense of hope in my stories. I’m an optimist who believes there’s always some way...
Oil, Cotton Canvas
$887Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Torero and Bull Oil Painting, Figurative Expressionism
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Torero and Bull Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (1919-1986) Technique: Oil on canvas mounted on board Dimensions: 18.9 x 15 inches Framing: Unframed Art Movement: Costumbrismo, Figurative Expressionism Theme: Bullfighting Date of Creation: Second half of the 20th century DESCRIPTION The painting Torero and Bull depicts a classic bullfighting scene, where a matador, elegantly dressed in a golden and violet traje de luces, performs a pass with the cape while the bull, wounded with banderillas, bows toward the ground. The composition conveys dynamism and tension, emphasizing the drama of the moment with loose and expressive brushstrokes. The background is rendered in warm, diffused tones, contrasting with the deep black of the bull and the vivid hues of the cape. The thick brushwork and vibrant oil application enhance the sense of movement and emotion in the scene, a distinctive feature of Tuser Vázquez’s bullfighting paintings. ARTIST'S BIOGRAPHY José María Tuser Vázquez (Barcelona, 1919 - 1986) was a Spanish painter specializing in bullfighting themes. He trained at the School of Arts and Crafts in Barcelona, where he developed a strong foundation in drawing and painting. From 1947 onwards, he dedicated his artistic production to tauromaquia, creating posters, illustrations, and paintings that captured the intensity of the bullfighting spectacle. He was a regular contributor to the magazine El Ruedo and designed a series of postcards featuring traditional Spanish costumes for Editorial Artigas in the 1940s. His work has been auctioned numerous times and is highly valued by collectors of bullfighting art...
Board, Oil, Canvas
Australian Bullfinch on a branch
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I sought to capture the delicate vibrancy of nature through the lens of expressionism and realism, portraying a small bird with a notably vivid plumage. The sof...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
The Genesis of Spring – Large Scale Abstract Masterpiece (100x100)
Located in Zofingen, AG
"The Genesis of Spring: A Visual Symphony of Vitality" Part of the "Koi Symphony" Collection (2020–2025) The Concept: Beyond the Surface In this monumental 100x100 cm canvas, Elena L...
Canvas, Oil
$1,065Sale Price|25% Off
Bullfighting Scene oil on canvas painting
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Bullfighting Scene Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (1919-1986) Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 16.1 x 13 inches (unframed) Date: c. 1950-1960 Condition: Good Provenance:...
Canvas, Oil
RICHARD
Located in Zofingen, AG
I crafted this painting using a vibrant mix of acrylic and oil, merging naive art with pop art energy, infusing the spirit of primitivism and a touch of impressionism. It's a visual ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$532Sale Price|55% Off
WILD NATURE, skater dog
By Angel Rivas
Located in CÓRDOBA, ES
Acrylic on canvas Shipped rolled in a tube I can do commissioned works
Acrylic, Permanent Marker
Mid Century Langostina Abstract Figurative by Harold Black New York 1960
By Harold Black
Located in Soquel, CA
Large scale and dramatic, ""Langostina, an abstract painting by Harold Black (American, 1913–1993). Signed lower right and on verso. Presented in giltwood frame. Image, 40”H x 22”W. ...
Canvas, Oil
JOY. Cats original painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this vibrant artwork, I channel the whimsy of expressionism with touches of impressionism and pop art to create a playful scene that bursts with joy and curiosity. Using acrylics ...
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Cardboard
Contemporary figurative dog's portrait acrylic painting on canvas "Stylish pup"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Stylish Pup” is a contemporary acrylic dog painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her expressive ongoing series devoted to canine personalities. With her distinctive p...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
"Reverie" (2024) By Jill Soukup, Original Oil Painting on Board
By Jill Soukup
Located in Denver, CO
Jill Soukup's "Reverie" (2024) is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a horse kicking up dirt while in motion on an abstracted background. About the artist: Jill Soukup...
Oil, Board
Expressionist Clown with Dog Oil Painting 1978, Surreal Figurative modern art
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Expressionist Clown with Dog Oil Painting 1978, Surreal Figurative Character Scene, Spanish Modern Art Artist: Antoni Mut Torroja (Barcelona, 1921–1990) Title: Inspiración Year: 1...
Oil
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
Lost is a Lovely Place to Find Yourself
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
I realized nobody is coming to save you unless you save yourself! Light at the end of the tunnel awaits only those who dare to try again each time they fail Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist IDORENYIN UMANA...
Canvas, Oil
Bird on a branch (Cyornis rubeculoides)
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, infused with expressionism and realism, I captured the vivid essence and delicate poise of a small bird perched on a branch. The soft, blended background in gre...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
$2,400
'Massacre of Tlatelolco', Plaza de las Tres Culturas, Mexican Olympics, Rio MAM
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower center with artist monogram, 'B.S.' for Benjamin Silva (Brazilian, born 1927) and dated with roman numerals, 1968; additionally signed, verso, dated and titled. A dram...
Canvas, Oil
Sea of Blues N10, Abstract Blue and White Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us and reminds us of its natural beauty and the importance of its preservation. Details: Title: Sea of Blue N10 Medium: Mixed Media on Paper Size: 63 x 90 cm (28.4 x 35.4 inches). Year: 2021 * Frame is for illustrative purposes only. Artwork shipped carefully rolled and packaged in a tube. * Certificate of Authenticity provided. Enric Servera (Ciutadella de Menorca, 1970) lives and works between Barcelona and Menorca, Spain. His works explores the colors and forms of the ocean, inspired by the fauna and flora of the Mediterranean Sea. His work has shown in galleries across Spain, and is part of several public and private collections. Words that may describe this series of artworks are: Mediterranean-inspired art, abstract sea...
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
Horses of Branges
Located in New York, NY
The condition is excellent and ready to hang. A photo certificate accompanies this painting and will be included in the forth coming catalogue raisonne. Signed lower right, and dated...
Oil
FRIENDS
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this painting, I've melded vibrant acrylic and oil hues to craft an imaginative dreamscape. Embracing naive charm and pop art vibrancy with a touch of impressionism, it captures t...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Contemporary figurative dog's portrait acrylic painting on canvas "Chic canine"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Chic Canine” is a contemporary acrylic dog painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her expressive ongoing series dedicated to dogs. With her distinctive painterly langu...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
$1,366
Large Mid Century French Expressionist Signed Oil Horse Racing Scene
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Horse Race French expressionist artist, mid 20th century signed oil on artist paper, unframed artist paper: 20 x 25.5 inches provenance: private collection, France condition: ov...
Oil
$1,380
Marina Diptych, Abstract Seascape Gestures in Blue, Acrylic Painting on Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us...
Paper, Acrylic
MId Century Animal Portrait: "Rooster" Pierre Bosco (1909-1993)
By Pierre Bosco
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"Rooster" Pierre Bosco, (1909-1993) Gouache on paper 10 x 9 (18 x 14 frame) inches Pierre Bosco showed an interest in art at an early age. His commitment and dedication to painting...
Paper, Gouache
Zebra portrait
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this zebra portrait, I delved deep into the expressive power of oil paints, utilizing a blend of expressionism and figurative styles to capture not just the zebra's strik...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Racehorses Galloping in Burnt Orange Field Beautiful French Expressionist Oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Chantilly French Expressionist artist, 20th century oil on board, framed framed: 17.5 x 21 inches board: 13 x 16 inches inscribed verso provenance: private collection, France condit...
Oil
Two in a Boat
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this piece, I've woven vivid expressionism with a hint of pop art's boldness, contrasting with the subtlety of impressionism. With acrylic and oil, I depict an enchanting voyage o...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Cardboard
Bradley Chance Hays "Dance of the Wild" Modern Watercolor Horse Equine Painting
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"Dance of the Wild" is a 29.5x21.5 (framed dimensions) 21 x 15 (unframed dimensions) original a mixed media ink and watercolor painting by Bradley Chance Hays. An expressive waterco...
Ink, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Watercolor
Revelry, Oil Painting
By Karen Barton
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Oil
Impressionist Oil on Canvas. Green landscape with shepherd. Ricard Arenys Galdón
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind oil on canvas landscape by the Catalan artist Ricard Arenys Galdón, a prominent painter and engraver, especially renowned for his portraits and landscapes, genres in w...
Canvas
$2,459Sale Price|20% Off
Still Life Painting with Chicken by Fauvist British Artist
By Steve Capper
Located in Preston, GB
Still Life Painting with Chicken by Fauvist British Artist, Steve Capper Art measures 20 x 24 inches Frame measures 25.5 x 30 inches (approx.) ...
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board
$642Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary figurative dog's portrait acrylic painting canvas "Dog sparkle"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Dog Sparkle” is a contemporary acrylic dog painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her expressive ongoing series dedicated to dogs. Executed in Mougenot’s unique blend o...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
$7,750
"Horse and Woman" by M. Petersen - Expressionist Figurative in Light and Shadow
Located in Carmel, CA
Maura Petersen (American, born 1956) "Horse and Woman" 2024 Acrylic Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. In "Horse and Woman", Maura Petersen ca...
Acrylic, Canvas, Stretcher Bars
Chevaux, 1928 - huile sur toile, 54x73 cm.
By Peter Pálffy
Located in Nice, FR
Huile sur panneau par Peter Pàlffy, représentant des chevaux. Dimensions avec le cadre: 77x99 cm Peter Pallfy est un peintre autrichien du XX siècle que a...
Oil
"Azure Pond Study" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of "Japanese Spring Paradise," a painting where the fleeting charm of cherry blossoms meets the timeless grandeur of Mount Fuji. This original o...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
$946
"A Koi Paradise: The Rhythm of Life" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by E.Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"A Koi Paradise" (2025) is an exquisite, intimate masterpiece from Elena Lukina’s internationally recognized series, "Vitality in Motion: The Koi Symphony" (2020–2025). This 21x30 cm...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
$1,230Sale Price|20% Off
"Memory" figuratif portrait acrylique on linen canvas 60x30cm
Located in Saint Pol de Léon, Bretagne
"Memory" figuratif portrait acrylique on linen canvas 60x30cm each of these faces has a dreamy look as if they had the memory of an inner history a little questionable whatever th...
Acrylic
$828Sale Price|53% Off
Cape Maneuver bullfighter oil painting
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Cape Maneuver Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (Barcelona, 1919 – 1986) Technique: Oil on canvas mounted on board Dimensions: 19.7 x 23.6 in (50 x 60 cm) Date: Circa 1980s Signature: Signed "Tuser" in the lower left corner Condition: Excellent; thick, vibrant brushwork and vivid colors well preserved. 📝 Description This painting captures a dramatic moment in the bullfight — the classic verónica — as the matador gracefully halts the bull’s charge with a sweeping motion of the cape. The vivid contrast of magentas, blues, and golds intensifies the theatrical tension between man and beast. The composition is dynamic yet controlled, emphasizing the poise of the torero against the raw force of the bull. The expressive brushstrokes and thick impasto enhance the sense of movement, while the abstracted background ensures focus remains on the central figures. The piece is a striking blend of figuration and emotional energy, characteristic of Tuser’s taurine works. 👤 About the Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez José María Tuser Vázquez was a Spanish painter born in Barcelona in 1919. He studied at the Barcelona School of Arts and Crafts and began exhibiting in the 1940s. By 1947, he had fully devoted his career to bullfighting scenes, developing a distinctive figurative expressionist style with impressionist influences. He collaborated with the magazine El Ruedo, creating numerous illustrations and covers, and designed collectible postcards for Editorial Artigas. His work became well-known in Spanish artistic circles and is now part of both private and institutional collections, including the Club Taurino of London. His paintings have been auctioned internationally, reaching up to $3,000 depending on size and subject. His legacy is that of a painter who masterfully captured the emotion, tradition, and drama of the Spanish corrida. 🎨 Similar Artists José María Tuser Vázquez’s work shares thematic and stylistic elements with: Roberto Domingo – A pioneer of bullfighting art...
Canvas, Oil, Board
$3,500
“Blue Macaw, 1975” by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese Tropical Bird Gouache Signed
Located in Yardley, PA
This striking gouache captures Williams’s lifelong fascination with the natural world, filtered through his expressive modernist sensibility. The bird emerges from a hazy gray field,...
Paper, Gouache
Wild Horses, Oil Painting on Canvas by Jalal Gharbi
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large oil painting of stampeding Wild Horses by Tunisian-born artist, Jalal Gharbi (1920 - 2005). The painting measures 48 x 60 inches and the frame 56.5 x 68.5 inches.
Canvas, Oil
Happy New Year 2 !
Located in Zofingen, AG
Embracing the vibrancy of pop art and the simplicity of primitivism, my creation merges joyful naiveté with hints of impressionistic texture. In this painting, crafted with acrylic a...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this piece, I've melded the warmth of acrylics with the depth of oils to capture a whimsical holiday moment. It's a playful embrace of pop art and naïveté, with a hint of primitiv...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Hydro-Genesis: The Transcendental Dive – Large Scale Statement Masterpiece
Located in Zofingen, AG
Hydro-Genesis: The Transcendental Dive In this 100x70 cm masterpiece from the Hydro-Genesis collection, the artist explores the physical and metaphysical boundary where the human bod...
Canvas, Oil
Bison 3
Located in Bozeman, MT
Lisa Bostwick has had pieces exhibited at the Legion of Honor, Napa Valley Museum, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and the de Young Museum. Her North Am...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Contemporary figurative dog's portrait acrylic painting canvas "Blue gentleman"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Blue Gentleman” is a contemporary acrylic dog painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her expressive ongoing series dedicated to dogs. Executed in Mougenot’s unique mix ...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
"Happy Fish: The Golden Kiss" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"The Golden Kiss" (2025) is a masterpiece of emotional depth and technical brilliance within Elena Lukina’s internationally acclaimed series, "Vitality in Motion: The Koi Symphony" (...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
$40,316
Molyvos, Ile de Lesbos - Expressionist Animal Oil Painting by André Brasilier
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed oil on canvas animals in landscape by French expressionist painter Andre Brasilier. The piece depicts goats and birds in front of green trees with a blue sea beyond. This earl...
Canvas, Oil
Sharron Evans Gold Leaf Horse Painting, Contemporary Expressionist Art
Located in Denver, CO
This mesmerizing contemporary expressionist painting by Utah-based artist Sharron Evans is executed in oil and genuine gold leaf on birch panel and presented in a custom gold leaf fr...
Gold Leaf
Bison 1
Located in Bozeman, MT
Lisa Bostwick has had pieces exhibited at the Legion of Honor, Napa Valley Museum, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and the de Young Museum. Her North Am...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Contemporary Expressionist Horse in Blue and Yellow
Located in Austin, TX
Artist: Daniela Nikolova Medium: Oil on Canvas Size: 39.3" x 31.5"
Canvas, Oil
Contemporary expressionist dog's portrait animal painting canvas "Charming Blue"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Charming Blue” is a playful yet soulful portrait from French artist Natalya Mougenot’s ongoing series dedicated to dogs, celebrating the profound bond we share with these true frien...
Acrylic, Canvas
$13,000
"Waterfall 4" Sparkly White Waterfall, Bright Blue Water & Koi Swimming Below
By Linda Holt
Located in Wellesley, MA
"Waterfall 4" is a complex work of koi fish swimming underwater filled with light and brilliant color painted in a lush and fluid style bordering on abstraction. Fish are in shade...
Canvas, Oil
Valentine Cat (double Hearted Cat) bright sunny color cat romantic greens
Located in Brooklyn, NY
oil on masonite with a natural birch frame glossy finish
Masonite, Oil
$5,800
Cat Face
Located in Austin, TX
By Pep Suari 39" x 39" Acrylic on Canvas
Canvas, Acrylic
The Venetian Guest: Resonance in Minor Keys
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this seminal work, Elena Lukina explores the boundaries between civilization and the untamed. "The Venetian Guest" is a profound manifestation of the "Minor Key" — where beauty em...
Canvas, Oil
$1,380
Sea of Blues Diptych, Abstract Blue & White Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us and reminds us of its natural beauty and the importance of its preservation. Details: Title: Sea of Blue N28 & 29 Medium: Mixed Media on Paper Size: 63 x 180 cm (each panel measures 63x90 cm); 24.8 x 70.8 inches (24.8 x 36 inches). Year: 2024 * Frame is for illustrative purposes only. Artwork shipped carefully rolled and packaged in a tube. * Certificate of Authenticity provided. Enric Servera (Ciutadella de Menorca, 1970) lives and works between Barcelona and Menorca, Spain. His works explores the colors and forms of the ocean, inspired by the fauna and flora of the Mediterranean Sea. His work has shown in galleries across Spain, and is part of several public and private collections. Words that may describe this series of artworks are: Mediterranean-inspired art, abstract sea paintings...
Watercolor
1930's French Expressionist Horse Racing Scene Jockeys at Full Pace Signed Oil
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Horse Racing Scene by Alain Chazalviel (first half 20th Century) signed lower right oil on canvas, framed framed: 19.5 x 27 inches canvas: 18 x 28 inches Provenance: private collecti...
Oil
"Red Carp Reflection" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Red Carp Reflection" (2025) is a definitive and high-energy masterpiece from Elena Lukina’s internationally recognized series, "Vitality in Motion: The Koi Symphony" (2020–2025). Th...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
"Koi Study No. 1" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Koi Study No. 1" (2025) is a masterful articulation of raw, kinetic energy within Elena Lukina’s internationally recognized series, "Vitality in Motion: The Koi Symphony" (2020–2025...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard