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
"Alma Negra". Contemporary, Figurative, expresionism, impresionism, nude
By Lucas Brox
Located in MADRID, ES
"Alma Negra". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, human figure, nude
Canvas, Oil
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
Duality, mysterious androgynous figure earth tone, yellow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on Canvas
Canvas, Oil
$1,047
"Ophelia". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, nude
By Lucas Brox
Located in MADRID, ES
"Ophelia". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, nude
Canvas, Oil
$523
"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
By Lucas Brox
Located in MADRID, ES
"Dancer". Contemporary, Realism, figurative, expresionism, impresionism, human figure, nude
Canvas, Oil
$746Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in D 0.04 in
"Free woman" Contemporary figurative nude woman acrylic painting on paper
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Free woman" is a contemporary figurative nude painting by French artist Natalya, created in acrylic paints and acrylic pens on heavyweight acid-free paper, depicting a seated female...
Paper, Acrylic
Sold|$850
H 5.52 in W 4.73 in D 0.4 in
A Vibrant, Abstract Modern Studio Interior Scene, Seated Female Nude with Cat
Located in Chicago, IL
A Striking Modernist Abstract Studio Scene by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting a female nude model seated on a blanket beside a black cat in a colorf...
Board, Canvas, Oil
Orientale
Located in New York, NY
Signed, lower right: Fantin Provenance: Gustave Tempelaere (1840–1904), Paris; possibly by descent to his son: Julien Tempelaere (1876–1961) and with F. & J. Tempelaere, Paris, prob...
Canvas, Paper, Oil
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
H 55 in W 40 in D 1 in
Nude in Venice: Large Oil/Canvas Contemporary Art 55x40in Unstretched inFlorida
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Nude in Venice" - original large art by Paula Craioveanu - Contemporary Expressionism Original, large, unique painting, oil on canvas, 55x40in / 140x102cm. Shipped rolled in a tube...
Canvas, Oil
$1,750Sale Price|40% Off
H 21.26 in W 25.2 in
French academic painter - 18th-19th century neoclassical reclining nude
Located in Varmo, IT
French painter (18th–19th century) - Reclining Female Figure. 44 x 54 cm (without frame) - 54 x 64 cm (with frame). Oil on canvas laid on panel, in a carved and gilded wooden frame...
Canvas, Oil
$3,500
H 28.94 in W 36.82 in D 2.17 in
Jacques Hubert BONNEFOY "Woman on a Red Armchair" Oil on canvas, 1942
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Jacques Hubert Bonnefoy (Jakuber), Large 1942 Oil on Canvas, “Woman in a Red Armchair,” France. Vintage 1940s French Expressionist Oil Paintings Materials: Oil on Canvas, Wood Frame...
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
$450
H 10.63 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
"The Way" (Black & White, Texture, Depth, Antique Linen, Neutral Beige, Nude)
Located in Paris, IDF
The canvas comes to life with a captivating yet understated painting, heavy on texture, using antique linen, crafted with a unique blend of dye, pigment, and acrylic. The artist's su...
Canvas, India Ink, Acrylic
$2,672
H 35 in W 29 in D 2 in
Contemporary Figurative Painting of Female Figure by British Artist
Located in Preston, GB
Contemporary Figurative Painting of Female Figure by British Artist Simon Bradley Art measures 24 x 30 inches Frame measures 29 x 35 inches
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$5,251
H 18.51 in W 13 in D 0.79 in
Painting Oil On Canvas, Nude before a mirror by French artist Auguste Leroux
By Auguste Leroux
Located in Gavere, BE
Nude before a mirror by French artist Auguste Leroux Beautiful oil on canvas, French school from the 1920' . The painting is not framed Title: " Nude before a mirror " Medium: or...
Gold Leaf
$4,016
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
$9,000
H 36 in W 48 in D 0.75 in
"Two Young Women on Couch" - Intimate Nude Women on Earth Tone Couch
By Shana Wilson
Located in Carmel, CA
Shana Wilson (Canadian, born 1966) "Two Young Women on Couch" 2012 Oil Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. "Two Young Women on Couch" by renown...
Oil, Canvas, Stretcher Bars
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