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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
The faithfuls - Joanna Flatau, Contemporary Expressionist painting
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on canvas Signed Unique work Joanna Flatau was born in Varsaw, Poland. She graduated from Varsaw History of Arts University and from the Fine Arts Varsaw Academy in ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Women Carrying Baskets with Children, Figurative Gouache on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Figurative gouache painting on paper of four barefoot women dressed in tribal patterned garments carrying baskets and children, by an unknown artist (...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Laid Paper

Sporadic fulmination-Julien Wolf 21st Century Contemporary Expressionist Drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and charcoal on paper 2020 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the St...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel

Girl with Ribbon in Hair, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Girl with Ribbon in Hair" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 35.75" oil on board portrait is painted in a vibrant color palette and l...
Category

1970s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

La Toilette No. 60.
Located in New York, NY
Lithograph printed on tan wove newsprint-type paper. Signed in pencil and in the stone. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4". Sheet Size: Image Size 8 1/4 x 6 3/4". Rudolf Bauer (1889-1953) executed hi...
Category

1920s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Lithograph

PAUL MAAS Les Vacances 1958 Family at the Beach Large Expressionist Oil Painting
By Paul Maas
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Provenance: Collection of the Artist Collection of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Warner, Washington, Connecticut Collection of the Washington Art Association, Inc. Private Collection, California...
Category

1950s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Woman with horses. 1974. Cardboard, tempera. 37.8x42cm
Located in Riga, LV
Vladimir Glushenkov (1948-2009) (May 21, 1948, Riga - December 26, 2009, Riga) - painter, graphic artist, poet, translator. Vladimir Glushkenkov was born in family with Russian-Poli...
Category

1970s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Tempera, Cardboard

"Portrait Boy" Oil Painting 14.5" x 20" inch (1930) by Shaaban Zaki
Located in Culver City, CA
"Portrait Boy" Oil Painting 14.5" x 20" inch (1930) by Shaaban Zaki signed & dated Shaaban Zaki came from a lower-middle-class family who was mostly government employees, but he wa...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Farmer" Portrait Oil Painting 16" x 12" inch by Shaaban Zaki
Located in Culver City, CA
"Farmer" Portrait Oil Painting 16" x 12" inch by Shaaban Zaki circa 1930 Signed. Shaaban Zaki came from a lower-middle-class family who was mostly government employees, but he was...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Watercolor Portrait of a Soldier in a Large Black Frame
Located in Pasadena, CA
In this watercolor portrait, framed in a large black frame, the viewer is captivated by the three-quarter head depiction of a middle-aged soldier. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Modern Man, Expressionist Portrait in Red, White, and Blue
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Modern Man" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 36" oil on canvas portrait features a young African American man posing casually and s...
Category

1970s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Zucchini Blossom
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

Landscape, Acrylic on Canvas by Modern Artist Anita Roy Chowdhury "In Stock"
Located in Kolkata, West Bengal
Anita Roy Chowdhury - Landscape - 18 x 24 inches ( unframed size) Acrylic on Canvas , 2006 Inclusive of shipped in roll form. Style : Her works manifest human figures, nude or drape...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Cosmical Language
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

Gloutorama - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Contemporary Expressionist Drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and charcoal on paper 2020 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the St...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel

The Lobsters
Located in Miami, FL
Her 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. Her work create...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"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...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Faces, Expression, Depicting Calmness Serenity, Mixed Media, Sekhar Kar"In Stock"
Located in Kolkata, West Bengal
Re. the works : These are a set of 9 works of size 14 x 11 inches ( unframed work size ) . To get the best out of them we recommend placing them together in interesting ways . Few ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Coffee Peloton Series XVII, Eliza Southwood, Coffee Artwork, Original Painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Coffee Peloton Series XVII by Eliza Southwood [2021] original Coffee on paper Image size: H:42 cm x W:59.5 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:42 cm x W:59.5 cm x D:0.1cm Sold U...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Coffee

Isa, Génie, Catou, Patoche and Didine - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Painting
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on canvas 2018 Signed on the back Unique work
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nude with Fruit Basket, Oil Painting by A. Raymond Katz c1949
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alexander Raymond Katz, Hungarian / American (1895 - 1974) Title: Nude with Fruit Basket Year: circa 1949 Medium: Oil on Canvas Size: 48 x 33 in. (121.92 x 83.82 cm)
Category

1940s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Is the sun burning your retina ?Julien Wolf, Contemporary Expressionist painting
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on canvas 2018 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the Strasbourg Decora...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Telekinesis lesson Julien Wolf Contemporary art painting expressionist red raw
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on canvas Hand-signed on the back by the artist “At first glance, we are invited to a colorful carnival. Everything is movement here! As if Julien Wolf had tried to captur...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A monkey in green Julien Wolf Contemporary art painting expressionnist animal
Located in Paris, FR
OIl paint on canvas Hand-signed on the back by the artist “At first glance, we are invited to a colorful carnival. Everything is movement here! As if Julien Wolf had tried to captur...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Wacky felucca Julien Wolf Contemporary art painting expressionnist outsider
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on canvas Hand-signed on the back by the artist “At first glance, we are invited to a colorful carnival. Everything is movement here! As if Julien Wolf had tried to captur...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sing it Cindy or High C
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original oil painting by American female artist Jackie Felix titled Sing it Cindy, or High C.
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Italian Tuscany Figurative Expressionism Female Nude ink on paper 20st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 91. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Thunder . 2012, oil on canvas, 60x80 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Thunder in Bauska. 2012, oil on canvas, 60x80 cm Landscape with man with a cigarette and wooden cottage in thunder by the river Igor Leontiev (1957) - one of the leading independent...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sister. 1991, canvas, oil, 100x70 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Sister. 1991, canvas, oil, 100x70 cm Biruta Delle (born 1944.17.I) studied in Latvia Art academy (1964 – 67) and one of her most important pedagogue’s wa...
Category

1990s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gaukler Familie mit Instrumenten (Family of Jesters with Instruments)
Located in Mc Lean, VA
German Modernist
Category

1960s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Italian Tuscany Figurative Expressionism Male Nude ink on paper 20st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 91. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

"Duck Lake" California Expressionist Oil Landscape by John Mitchell Martin
Located in Pasadena, CA
This oil painting features a calm lake where eleven black ducks swim. The artist painted a water pipe on the lake's left bank while a palm tree stands alone at the center. John Mit...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lynx speak Nicolas Kennett 21st Century Bristish painting portrait expressionist
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on wood panel Signed on the back "Incanto" or the enchantment of shifting "Nicolas Kennett revisits the organic world through painted and sc...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Patrick's cave - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Contemporary Expressionist Drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Oil pastel, India ink and charcoal on paper 2020 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art se...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, India Ink

Baby Dragon (Red)
Located in Kuala Lumpur, MY
Zhou Bin is good at using his solid traditional classical oil painting techniques to express images that are contemporary, trendy, academically profound, and meet the needs of modern...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Oil

Beasts on a red background Joanna Flatau Contemporary Expressionist painting
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on canvas Signed lower right Unique work Joanna Flatau was born in Varsaw, Poland. She graduated from Varsaw History of Arts University and from the Fine Arts Varsaw ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

He brought the dawn in its wake Timothy Archer 21st Century Contemporary paint
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint and pastel on paper Signed and dated lower right
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil Pastel, Oil

Recovery - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Contemporary Expressionist Painting
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on canvas 2019 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter who was born in Strasbourg in 1981, France. He graduated in 2007 at the DNSEP Art and Decorative Art section...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Eternity
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. Her work creates a commentary about “beginnings” and the transmission of signs and emotions through visual elements evoking a spiritual essence to our scientific notion of etymology. After studying under Rolf Dürig, Ballestra began her flower...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Truro Beach, colorful abstract female sun bather
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil painting on board of expressionist figure in repose. Expressive, energetic brush strokes, colorful palette.
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Insomnia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Expressionist figurative nude oil painting on fine printmaking paper. Colorful, active movement, broad brushstrokes, expressionist feel.
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

Strongman and Fire eater circus, coney island influences colorful carnival
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on board mounted on a wooden frame suitable for immediate hanging. The board has been primed with an acrylic pumice gel giving the surface a rough texture visible from the photo...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Textured Figurative Painting - Water Series No.3
Located in Beijing, CN
textured Figurative painting- Water Series No.3 by He Wenjue Dimension : 30 x 20cm Material :oil on canvas Date: 2009 About Water Series He Wenjue grew...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Boxing Ring. Boxed Knocked to Floor with 10 Count, Red and Black, Esquire Mag
Located in Miami, FL
Illustration legend Bob Peak depicts a boxer that has fallen to the matt and is being given the 10-count by the referee. Peak captures that peak moment of drama and then exaggerates...
Category

1960s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

The Fruit Eyes
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

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. Her work creates a commentary about “beginnings” and the transmission of signs and emotions through visual elements evoking a spiritual essence to our scientific notion of etymology. After studying under Rolf Dürig, Ballestra began her flower...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Contemporary Textured Figurative Painting - Water Series No.4
Located in Beijing, CN
textured Figurative painting- Water Series No.4 by He Wenjue Dimension : 30 x 20cm Material :oil on canvas Date: 2009 About Water Series He Wenjue grew...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Wine Over Love
Located in Toronto, ON
18" x 10" Unframed Limited Edition Giclée with Hand Embellishment of 135 Hand Signed by Todd White “An experienced woman’s piece. She’s dealt with life. Handled it just fine. Now de...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Giclée

Madonna
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

From here 2 hours and a half' wait! Julien Wolf Contemporary Expressionist Paint
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on canvas 2018 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the Strasbourg Decora...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Two Yellow Parakeets and the Surviving Plant" Oil Painting by Pat Berger
Located in Pasadena, CA
Something is mesmerizing about the paintings of Pat Berger - a captivating force that immediately draws us in. Her work is characterized by a unique composi...
Category

1950s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Textured Figurative Painting - Water Series No.1
Located in Beijing, CN
textured Figurative painting- Water Series No.1 by He Wenjue Dimension : 30 x 20cm Material :oil on canvas Date: 2009 About Water Series He Wenjue grew...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Terrace Theater - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Contemporary Expressionist Drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Oilbar and charcoal on paper 2020 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the St...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel

Vide Médian
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

Dusk in the Garden - Greenwich Village - Moody Monochromatic - Whitney Museum
Located in Miami, FL
The setting reminds us of a Rear Window by Alfred Hickcock but Evergood did it 8 years before. It's most likely Greenwich Village since Evergood lived there. This is a very big and heavy to lift painting Signed lower left Framed 56 x 51 in a period very heavy rustic wood frame. Exhibited Center Gallery, Bucknell University, PA, among others venus. gallery label remnants on verso - The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis The Whitney Museum of American Art Annual 1949 - Label Provenance: Naomi and Walter Rosenblum Best Viewed with a top gallery light...
Category

1940s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ivre d'Embruns
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. Her work creates a commentary about “beginnings” and the transmission of signs and emotions through visual elements evoking a spiritual essence to our scientific notion of etymology. After studying under Rolf Dürig, Ballestra began her flower...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

What should I do with the ball ? Julien Wolf Contemporary Expressionist Painting
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on canvas 2018 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the Strasbourg Decora...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

COLD SNAP seated female figure on subway cool blue winter tones
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil painting on plywood signed on reverse. There is a rough texture to the surface of the painting a technique used by the artist on many of his wood paintings.
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Plywood, Oil

Geez ! - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Contemporary Expressionist Painting
Located in Paris, FR
Oil on canvas 2019 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter who was born in Strasbourg in 1981, France. He graduated in 2007 at the DNSEP Art and Decorative Art section...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Holder of Light, Wild Woman Series, bright color blue yellow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This painting is in a series called the Wild Woman which is also printed in a pocket sized book. Watercolor, mixed media, using resists. Janet Morgan’s...
Category

2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper

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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