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.
Au Pied Levé Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist, 20th Century
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...
Mixed Media
Beach Volleyball Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist Style
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...
Mixed Media
"Alma Negra". Contemporary, Figurative, expresionism, impresionism, nude
Located in MADRID, ES
"Alma Negra". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, human figure, nude
Canvas, Oil
$1,070
"Ophelia". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, nude
Located in MADRID, ES
"Ophelia". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, nude
Canvas, Oil
Queen of Hearts female nude large red heart big valentine love erotic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
oil on canvas on heavy stretcher framing recommended but not necessary
Oil, Canvas
Duality, mysterious androgynous figure earth tone, yellow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on Canvas
Canvas, Oil
$535
"Alba di un nuovo giorno" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2022 - Acrylic Paint and Marker
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Dawn of a new day" Acrylic paint and marker on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with n...
Paper, Acrylic, Permanent Marker
Snake Charmer warm sunny greens colorful mythic music theme female nude
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An early work by the artist one of his early female themes. It is signed and dated bottom left and is on heavy duty stretcher bars that do not need framing
Canvas, Oil
"Hacia la inmensidad". Contemporary, figurative, expresionism, impresionism
Located in MADRID, ES
"Dancer". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, human figure, nude
Canvas, Oil
$4,104
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 3.94 in
Watch me! -21st Century Oil Painting of a Nude Boy watching you in his Mirror
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
This painting is made by Dutch artist/painter David van der Linden. Painted with oilpaint on canvas. David van der Linden studied at the Academ...
Canvas, Oil
$3,800Sale Price|37% Off
H 40.125 in W 36.125 in D 1.75 in
Robert Kenneth White “Back to Nature” Signed Figurative Nude Oil Painting
Located in Miami, FL
ROBERT KENNETH WHITE – "BACK TO NATURE" ⚜ Oil on Canvas ⚜ Hand Signed Lower Right ⚜ Frameless Display A MASTERWORK OF LIGHT, FORM, AND HUMAN CONNECTION TO NATURE In "Back to Nature"...
Canvas, Oil
$2,000
H 28.75 in W 24.02 in
"Man with a yellow rose", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) Man with a yellow rose, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm With frame: 30 3/4 x 26 inches l 78 x 66 cm John Devoluy was born in 1903 and ...
Canvas, Oil
$8,208
H 34.65 in W 29.14 in D 2.76 in
Oil On Canvas, Art Nouveau Portrait By Leon Tirode (1873-1956)
Located in Gavere, BE
"Oil On Canvas, Art Nouveau Portrait By Leon Tirode (1873-1956)" Old oil on canvas, Art Nouveau style, portrait "Autumn" painted and signed by Leon Tirode (1873-1956), French school...
Gold Leaf
$7,732
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 1.97 in
Birchina- 21st Century painting of a nude woman laying.
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Daniela Astone Birchina 50 x 60 cm Oil on canvas The painting is framed ( frame included in price ) Daniela Astone works and lives in Florence. For years she was a teacher on the f...
Canvas, Oil
$15,345
H 24.81 in W 38.19 in D 2.37 in
Spanish Oil painting on Canvas, a reclining Nude 19Th Attr. to Luis R Falero
Located in Gavere, BE
Spanish Oil painting on Canvas, a reclining Nude 19Th attr. to Luis Ricardo Falero (23 May 1851 – 7 December 1896) Additional Info painting : Title: reclining nude Medium: original...
Canvas, Oil
$4,104
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 3.94 in
Don't let the sun blast your shadow- 21st Century Painting of a Nude Boy
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
David van der Linden 'Don't let the sun blast your shadow'' 100 x 100 cm Oil on canvas framed in a black wooden frame (included in price) 115x115 cm David van der Linden is a Dutch...
Canvas, Oil
$800
H 21.5 in W 14.5 in
Red Mono Figure: Contemporary Mixed Media Figurative painting by John Emanuel
By John Emanuel
Located in Brecon, Powys
Very pretty Emanuel pose. "it is the figure , not the nude I am interested in..." J Emanuel Image 20.5" x 14" Matted 25.5" x 19" Signed Originally from Bury, in the North of Engl...
Mixed Media
$1,800
H 28.75 in W 24.02 in
"Characters", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) Characters, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm With frame: 30 3/4 x 26 inches l 78 x 66 cm John Devoluy was born in 1903 and became a cen...
Canvas, Oil
$17,248
H 37.41 in W 45.28 in D 3.15 in
Oil On Canvas Reclining Nude at the beach By Marcel René Herrfeldt
By Marcel Rene Herrfeldt
Located in Gavere, BE
"Oil On Canvas Reclining Nude By Marcel René Herrfeldt" Beautiful and large oil on canvas The painting is large in size and is in good condition ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,800
H 28.75 in W 24.02 in
"The Hand", Surrealist John Devoluy (1903-1982) Oil on canvas
Located in New York, NY
John Devoluy (1903-1982) The Hand, 1950 c. Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 24 inches l 73 x 61 cm John Devoluy was born in 1903 and became a central figure in the Parisian art world of the m...
Canvas, Oil
$35,092
H 45.28 in W 72.84 in D 1.19 in
Large Oil On Canvas 'a nude Bacchante' circle of William Bouguereau (1825-1905)
Located in Gavere, BE
A fine copy after "Une Bacchante" by William Bouguereau (1825-1905), oil on canvas, 115 x 185 cm. The original of "Bacchante playing with a goat", dating from 1862, is now part of th...
Canvas, Oil
Things That Don't Belong To Me
Located in Bozeman, MT
"I am an artist and painter exploring female-centric visions and stories of violence, resistance, and tribulation inspired by women’s complicated history in the American West. Growin...
Canvas, Acrylic
There is a Life I Would Rather Be Living
Located in Bozeman, MT
"I am an artist and painter exploring female-centric visions and stories of violence, resistance, and tribulation inspired by women’s complicated history in the American West. Growin...
Canvas, Acrylic
Never Leave a Bucksaw Tightened
Located in Bozeman, MT
"I am an artist and painter exploring female-centric visions and stories of violence, resistance, and tribulation inspired by women’s complicated history in the American West. Growin...
Canvas, Acrylic
Noah
Located in Yerevan, AM
Noah, 2021, 100x100 cm
Canvas, Acrylic
Men
Located in Yerevan, AM
Men, 2021, 100x100 cm
Canvas, Acrylic
Noah
Located in Yerevan, AM
Noah, 2021, 100x100 cm
Canvas, Acrylic