Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
NEO-EXPRESSIONIST STYLE
A resurgence of interest in Expressionism, Pop art, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and other movements gained steam among artists of the 1970s and ’80s, in part as a reaction to the austerity of the prevailing minimalism and Conceptual art of the era. A decadent, bold and brash art style called Neo-Expressionism saw painters returning to figural representation, creating highly textured works that were imbued with intensely personal narratives.
Neo-Expressionist paintings are sensuous in nature and highly subjective in meaning. Expressive brushwork, highly pigmented colors and layered forms and materials lent sculptural attributes to the work and were used to depict symbolic narratives from history, mythology and the artist’s personal experience.
Prominent figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat led the Neo-Expressionist movement in the United States with paintings and prints that were raw, emotional and often violent in nature. In Germany, Die Neuen Wilden (the “New Fauves”) was the name given to a group of postwar artists that included the likes of sculptor Georg Baselitz and Gerhard Richter, a painter and photographer who explored the possibilities of both abstraction and realism, sometimes in a single piece. The work of the New Fauves — labeled as such for its return to Fauvism’s textured brushwork and use of vibrant colors — shares commonalities with Neo-Expressionism, and Baselitz was a pioneer of the movement in Europe. In addition, Willem de Kooning’s pulsating action paintings and Julian Schnabel’s experimentation with the materiality of paintings also took shape during this period.
“I was trying to make paintings different from the paintings that I saw a lot of at the time, which were mostly minimal, and they were highbrow and alienating, and I wanted to make very direct paintings that most people would feel the emotion behind when they saw them,” said Basquiat.
Neo-Expressionism generated some polarizing opinions, with some celebrating the revival of personal subjectivity in art while others criticizing the movement for being too commercially driven and nostalgic. But most experts agree that Neo-Expressionism was a huge commercial success and culturally impactful, paving the way for the postmodern work of artists like Richter and Sigmar Polke.
Find original Neo-Expressionist paintings, prints, mixed-media works and other art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Neo-Expressionist
"Guardian Bro": Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Acrylic On Canvas
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
EL REGALO DE LA GATA
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Gouche on hand made paper
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper, Glaze
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Red Figures, Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
21st Century Wild Man. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
With his Sharp Edge 21st Century Neo-Expressionist New York City Style series Berlin gifts us the fruits of complete abandonment in paint. He offers these works that map the evolutio...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"In un mare di pittura" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 -Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "In a sea of painting".
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Diptych, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Diptych.
Acrylic paint on emulsified canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Catch me !
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil Pastel
Think
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Man with a Hat on a Yellow & Blue background with a Red Flag floating
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Born in the South of France in 1926 and raised by very strict parents, Jean Sanglar was prohibited from playing with same age mates.
Truly talented, as a young boy he drew frequentl...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Oil
Guardian Sista. Acrylic Neo Expressionist Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
New York City has immersed Berlin in the whole vibe of the street culture that existed in the city at that time. Guardian Sista pays tribute to the women who were an integral part of...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
"The Down Crown Crew". Contemporary Neo Expressionist Figurative Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
A small format work on paper from Berlin. This piece is bright and immediate, beautifully reflecting the vibrancy of downtown culture.
Acrylic and gold leaf on paper
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Gold Leaf
"Testa" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic on Canvas Board, Neo Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Head".
Acrylic paint on canvas board, which is applied on fabric and wood.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Board
Lady Day
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Homage to Billie Holliday. Created in his idiosyncratic New York City style Berlin, himself a keen jazz musician, pays tribute to one of the greatest jazz singers of all time, the legendary Billie Holliday. Nicknamed Lady Day...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Nudes on a red sofa
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Untitled
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Untitled
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Faces which Ring with Refuge 8
Located in Dallas, TX
“Everybody has that feeling when they look at a work of art and it’s right, that sudden familiarity, a sort of...recognition, as though they were creating it themselves, as though it...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Untitled
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Oil Pastel
The Proposal
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
"Cuori in trappola" by Enzio Wenk 2018-Acrylic on Canvas Board, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Trapped hearts".
Acrylic on framed canvas board.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Board
Equality
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
"Sharp Edge" Neo Expressionism from the studio of Sax Berlin. Reflecting on his time living and painting on the streets of New York City in the 1980's and a contemporary of Basquiat and Haring...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Teschio Rosso" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Red skull".
Acrylic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
The Dance
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
"Teschio Tropicale" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Tropical skull".
Acrylic on canvas.
It features a lacquered wooden frame with brass studs.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Brass
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Cache Cache
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
"Verso il cielo" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 -Enamel on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Up to the sky"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Three nudes
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
John Copeland "Every Morning Look in the Mirror", oil on canvas
By John Copeland
Located in Glenview, IL
"Every Morning Look in the Mirror" is a neo-expressionist painting created by contemporary American artist John Copeland. The large artwork is an oil on ...
Category
Early 2000s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"EVOCAZIONE" mixed media painting by Emanuele Tozzoli
Located in Culver City, CA
Emanuele Tozzoli "EVOCAZIONE"
Mixed media on board
45" x 27" inch
114 x 69 cm
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Italy in 1989, Emanuele discovered paint...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Board
Jazz
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
EL CARNICERO CONTRA EL GATO ARAÑA
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Gouche on hand made paper
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper, Glaze
Ulysses I - Figurative Painting, Warrior, Arrow, Blue, Red, Small Size
Located in Berlin, DE
Ulysses I, 2011
Acrylic on canvas (Signed on reverse)
7 9/10 H × 7 9/10 W in.
20 H × 20 W cm
The artwork "Ulysses I" was part of the solo show “Epic”. This exhibition, as the artist...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Victoria (portrait abstract figurative oil painting contemporary realism art
By Lucas Bononi
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Lucas Bononi was educated at Academy of Art University, San Francisco (2012 - 16) and Grand Central Atelier, New York (2017 - 2018). His work explores the mystery of ontology through...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Pink Summer KMH 010, " Acrylic & Mixed Media signed by Katherine Hartley
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Pink Summer KMH 010" is an original acrylic and mixed media painting by Katherine Hartley. The artist signed the piece lower right. This piece depicts a line of girls in dresses amo...
Category
Early 2000s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Scontro tra due personaggi" by Enzio Wenk, 2010 - Acrylic, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Fight between two characters"
Acrylic on wood panel.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Wood Panel, Acrylic
Mise en Perspective
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
The Thief
By Sandro Chia
Located in Long Island City, NY
A hand colored etching by Sandro Chia from the 1980's.
Artist: Sandro Chia, Italian (1946 - )
Title: The Thief from Ten Masterprints
Medium: Carborundu...
Category
1980s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Etching, Paper
Untitled
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Hipster Games
By Soren Grau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With cultural icons and world events acting as inspiration, artist Soren Grau strives to communicate meaning through figures and colors. He paints in a street art-inspired Neo-expres...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Yoda was In Love
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
New revelation and blow of heart for the gallery: Rose-Agathe Steiner. We like its themes (comics, superheroes, series and sagas), its technique (linen cloth, glossy varnish ...) an...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Ink, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
"Composizione con personaggio" by Enzio Wenk, 2008 - Acrylic , Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
"Translated title": "Composition with character".
Acrylic on board.
Category
Early 2000s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Board, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Game Face: Original Street Art Painting Large Colorful Neo-Expressionism Artwork
By Soren Grau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drawing inspiration from cultural icons and global events, Soren Grau's street art-infused Neo-expressionism invites art enthusiasts to be a part of a narrative larger than life. In ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
The Invitation
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Wise Up We All From Africa
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Painted in Sax Berlin's iconic Sharp Edge style, Wise Up displays motif's from Africa, see the display of flags at the bottom of the canvas for example, and instantly recognisable sy...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
Beach Time
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Emportés par la foule
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Untitled
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
The frame was painted by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
Industrielle
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Neo-expressionist figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Neo-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, orange, pink, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Sax Berlin, Enzio Wenk, Jean Sanglar, and Ahmed Gaafary. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Acrylic 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 Neo-Expressionist figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $39 and tops out at $200,000, while the average work sells for $2,000.
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