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
"Il lago nel cielo" Painting 30" x 24" inch by Emanuele Tozzoli
Located in Culver City, CA
"Il lago nel cielo" Painting 30" x 24" inch by Emanuele Tozzoli
Mixed media on board
30" x 24" inch
75 x 60 cm
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Italy in 1989, Emanuele discovered painting in the very first years of his life together with his father, Dario, who is also an artist and has been painting and creating sculptures with all types of material for over 40 years.
At the age of 7, Tozzoli created his first small sculpture by assembling objects, and painted his first informal abstracts, discovering a side of creative and fascinating art.
Deeply attracted by the most intimate nature of artistic research, in the following years, he extended his studies to the field of music, forming adolescence as a sound engineer.
From 2007 he began composing electronic music, carrying out his research in the field of sound.
In the following years, he studied musical composition and played his productions in clubs in Italy and Europe, also published on various underground record labels.
He learned the restoration of antique...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Board
"Jugando en la cosecha" acrylic, figurative, orange, Mexican
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Acrylic, figurative, orange, Mexican
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Acrylic
Lincoln
Located in Natchez, MS
Bailey works with the iconic figure of a seated, contemplative Lincoln. Working in broad strokes, Clifford Bailey manages to capture the stoic nature o...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Morgan
Located in Natchez, MS
We are huge fans of this work at the gallery. "Morgan", while very much a wonderful and recognizable example of Bailey's work, incorporates almost a Cubist structure to his often so...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Owen
Located in Natchez, MS
This gorgeous loose portrait of the bon vivant "Owen" is very much in line with Bailey's instantly recognizable style.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Homage to Dali
Located in Miami, FL
Born 1949, Fréjus, France
French artist Evelyne Ballestra studied painting in the South of France before moving to Switzerland where she met her mentor, Rolf Dürig, a master of the ...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Astro Boy - Street Art
Located in OIA, ES
🔸 _Title: Astro Boy
🔸 _Artist: Diego Tirigall
🔸 _Year of Creation: 2023
🔸 _Dimensions: 1 meter by 1 meter
🔸 _Medium: Acrylic, enamel, spray paint, oil pastel
🔸 _Support: Canvas stretched on wooden frame
🔸 _Condition: New work sold directly by the artist
🔸 _Provenance: Directly from the artist's studio
🔸 _Location: Spain
🔸 _Signature: On the front and back
🔸 _Detailed Description: Diego Tirigall's "Astro Boy" is a nostalgic tribute to the iconic animation character, presented through the distinct lens of urban art. This work invites deep reflection on our digital age, depicting Astro Boy as a white specter, suggesting the loss of an authentic childhood now supplanted by the flickering lights of screens. This message of resistance against the omnipresence of digital technology is reinforced through Astro Boy's stance, akin to Michelangelo's David, an iconic symbol of resistance and humanity. This piece is part of Tirigall's "Cracking the Kids Code" series, reflecting his concerns about the growing role of technology in child-rearing. "Astro Boy" invites the viewer to contemplate the space screens...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Enamel
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
Young Foote
Located in Natchez, MS
"Young Foote" is a portrait of one of the artist's professors as a young man. Clearly Bailey has warm feelings for the teacher; the painting is soft and kind to the viewer's eye. As...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Helen
Located in Natchez, MS
"Helen" is from an interesting group of diminutive portraits created by Bailey in and around 2020. She appears as a Victorian portrait of an ancestor.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
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
"Maschera" by E. Wenk, 2023 - Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Mask ".
Acrilic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Il cantore del bosco" by E. Wenk, 2023 - Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Singer of the woods ".
Acrilic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Diet Street Art Basquiat Style
Located in OIA, ES
"Diet" is a thought-provoking piece that delves into the complexities of life and the human condition. The use of surreal imagery and symbolism in the painting invites the viewer to ...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Enamel
"Diablito con canasto de maíz" contemporary, Mexican, oil, figurative
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Contemporary, Mexican, oil, figurative
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Enamel
"Volto" by Enzio Wenk, 2022 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Figurative NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Face".
Mixed media on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Femme au Cigare
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
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2022- Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
The black frame is included.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
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
Mixed Media, Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Pastel, Oil, Acrylic
Cupid Under Construction valentine hearts cupid mythology humorous overtones
Located in Brooklyn, NY
ABOUT Stephen Basso
Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imaginat...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Las Ratas
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Gouche on hand made paper
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper, Glaze
"Autoritratto di Qualcun Altro " by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Someone else's self-portrait".
Acrylic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Senza titolo (Cane)" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translate title: "Untitled (dog)"
Acrylic on canvas.
The artist painted the frame.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Due figure" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Two figures".
Acrylic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"La casa e il teschio" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "The house and the skull".
Acrylic on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Poder Bravo" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Mixed media on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media
"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
"Animali" by Enzio Wenk, 2018 - Acrylic Paint on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Animals"
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Canvas
"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
"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
"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
"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
"Automa" by Enzio Wenk, 2018 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Robot"
Mixed media on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Cinema
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
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
The Flying Carpet
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
Run
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 Shell
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
"Transmutation" Painting 30" x 24" inch by Emanuele Tozzoli
Located in Culver City, CA
"Transmutation" Painting 30" x 24" inch by Emanuele Tozzoli
Mixed media on board
30" x 24" inch
75 x 60 cm
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Italy in 1989, Emanuele discovered painting in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Board
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
"Frozen In Ice, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag Portrait signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Frozen In Ice" is an oil pastel on grocery bag signed by Reginald K. Gee. The figure is quickly sketched in blue, with yellow around the throat and green along the leg. The backgrou...
Category
1990s Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel, Other Medium
"Summer Day" Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas 104" x 53" inch by Erik White
Located in Culver City, CA
"Summer Day" Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas 104" x 53" inch by Erik White
Loose canvas. Ships rolled.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
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.