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Expressionist Figurative Paintings

EXPRESSIONIST STYLE

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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Style: Expressionist
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Color:  Orange
Oranges. Montilla Oil on canvas. Orange, Yelow, Fuchsia Expressionist Still-Life
Located in Segovia, ES
"Oranges" oil on canvas. Expressionist colorful still life. Measurements: (H) 61 x (W) 46 x (D) 2 cm. Framed: (H) 81 x (W) 66 x (D) 4 cm Expressionist still life with ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Window to the Light
Located in Miami, FL
Evelyne Ballestra's work with signs, symbols and esoteric spirituality reflects her passion for the ancient past and represents a symbolic return to the ground from which we emerged....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Contemporary Splatters of Vibrant Red Background w. Bull & Woman Form Painting
Located in ALCOY/ALCOI, ES
Title: «La Bruja» Collection: Muses Description: Acrylic on canvas, figurative, Vibrant, modern "Who is the witch of the big city today? How does she stand out from everyone else? She wants to break the rules and obeys her inner voice, she is not afraid to be herself, she chooses her own path, she lets magic enter her life every day, because living her life and loving herself is true magic." The artwork in question may celebrate the power and freedom of self-expression. The focus is on a woman who defies convention and chooses to live life on her own terms. She is described as a "witch," which suggests that she is seen as someone who is in touch with the mystical and the spiritual. The artwork may depict this woman as a bold and confident figure, with an unapologetic attitude and a strong sense of personal style. The imagery may be colorful and fantastical, with elements of nature and magic woven into the composition. The artwork may also convey a sense of joy and empowerment, with the message that being true to oneself is the ultimate form of magic. Overall, the artwork celebrates individuality, creativity, and the courage to pursue one's own path in life. Victoria Tsemka...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Woman" Contemporary Figurative in Neon Orange Aromas Artist Frank Thomas Romero
Located in Soquel, CA
Vibrant contemporary nude figure in neon orange on a purple abstract background by Aromas, California, Monterey Bay Area abstract expressionist artist Frank Romero (American, b-1985)...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Dream Fountain, Neo-Expressionist Nude
Located in Austin, TX
This surreal neo-expressionist nude portrait is by Spanish artist Pep Suari and features a woman pouring water from a pitcher into the "Dream Fount...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Trees 02
Located in Roma, RM
Title of Work: Trees 02 Description: Oil on canvas Medium: Oil color Dimensions: 160x100 cm Original/Reproduction: Original  Date of creation: 2016 Count...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Iron Puddlers. South Wales Valleys. Steel Workers. Metalworkers. Heavy Industry.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Elin Siân Blake. Welsh ( b.1981). Iron Puddlers. Oil on box canvas. Signed lower right. Image size 19.7 inches x 15.6 inches ( 50cm x 39.5cm ). Frame size 20.9 inches x 16.9 inches ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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'Chariot', San Francisco Bay Area Abstraction, Mid-Century, Maxwell Gallery
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Peruvian Expressionist Oil Painting Miguel Aybar Modernist Latin American Art
Located in Surfside, FL
Dimensions: (Frame) H 28.5" x W 35.5" (Painting) H 22" x W 30" Miguel Ángel Aybar Llauca, an artist specializing in expressionist painting, was born in Huancavelica and lives in the city of Ica where he began drawing from a very young age, drawing from its beautiful valleys and customs. In 1970 he began his studies in Drawing, Painting and Sculpture at the Regional School of Ica. He is a graduate of the National Superior Autonomous School of Fine Arts of Peru (1971-1976) with honorable mention, forming the promotion "Juan Manuel Ugarte Eléspuru". "Iqueño Expressionism" is the title of the exhibition that will be available to the public from May 25 to June 13 in the "Paracas" Room of the "Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins" Regional Museum of Ica. Av. Ayabaca block 8°. Miguel Angel Aybar is a painter who characterizes expressionism in Ica without a doubt. His songs speak of longing, and secret friendships with the hurango, the palm tree of Huacachina or the silent and still sand of Ica. His work is primarily characterized by color. The contrasts between the intense dark contrasted with the radiance of reds, oranges, yellows or greens, achieve a positive effect on the observer. Its warm tones reach high levels like an Ica sun at noon. However, among those quasi Servulian colors , Andean prints maintain their presence. Hats, ponchos or skirts hidden from a root bound by blood or memories. The perfect textures of his works give him the seal, the personality that characterizes a curdled and experienced Aybar who no longer needs to dialogue with the brush; they just flow, hand and brush. When entering the exhibition hall, you do not need to read the signature, he is an Aybar. There is no room for confusion. Although there are not a few artists from Ica who use these boiling tones, and I translate it as a tribute to that Sérvulo that touches you in the depths of your being, if you are an artist and you live in Ica, you want to be possessed by the ghost of the disturbing Sérvulo Gutiérrez turned legend. Servulus still catches the spectator being absorbed, as if observing a volcano, fearing that it might erupt, but with an inexplicable delight that he stops you next to him and captures you. However, Aybar no longer needs Servulo's shadow, he has gained an important space in the artistic world of Ica. He is an artist and a close friend of poets and musicians. Painter recognized by the Ica society and deserving of all the medals and recognitions by the different institutions. He not only paints with mastery, as Alberto Dávila predicted, when he said that his maturity would give him the position that corresponds to him. He now sings in public to the delight of his closest friends. Ica recognizes him as a son and has given him the place that corresponds to this remarkable painter whom I congratulate. DATA ABOUT THE ARTIST Miguel Angel Aybar Yauca, was born in 1952 in Huancavelica. He has lived in Ica since he was very young; he began his art studies at the Ica Regional School of Fine Arts. He later moved to Lima to study at the National Autonomous School of Fine Arts of Peru from where he graduated in 1976. His teacher Alberto Dávila described him as: a restless, imaginative young man with a sober and dramatic color. His forms acquire poise and great eloquence . Aybar also had the painter Carlos Aitor Castillo...
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SET of 2. My main enemy & I Have The Horse. Am I a knight by Dasha Pogodina
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Potted Flowers
Located in London, GB
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"Peaceful Afternoon" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
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'Bouquet of Flowers' Still Life Oil Painting
Located in London, GB
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The oysters
Located in Miami, FL
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Previously Available Items
Iron Puddlers. South Wales Valleys. Steel Workers. Metalworkers. Heavy Industry.
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Elin Siân Blake. Welsh ( b.1981). Iron Puddlers. Oil on box canvas. Signed lower right. Image size 19.7 inches x 15.6 inches ( 50cm x 39.5cm ). Frame size 20.9 inches x 16.9 inches ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

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Canvas, Oil

Atoke's Resolute
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
At the heart of "Atoke's Resolute" is a striking painting of a woman exuding an aura of determination and resilience. Alagbe's meticulous attention to detail, combined with his skill...
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21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

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Black Essence
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This is an artwork showcasing the beauty of a black woman, it speaks about the hidden glory and attractiveness about black and the uniqueness of black skin. Painting Acrylic on canv...
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"Actress" - Horizontal expressionist painting.
Located in Miami, FL
An actress enjoys the sound of jazz on stage.
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Expressionist figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add figurative paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Evelyne Ballestra, Julien Wolf, Stephen Basso, and Bernard Harmon. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Expressionist figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available.

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