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Expressionist Portrait 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
Contemporary Art, Expressionist, Portrait - WE IV
Located in Coquitlam, BC
Artist: Gao, Renjie The member of the Hudson Artists Society, New York Agent of BRUNO MASSA Gallery, France Six Worldwide well-known art sales website agent KOONESS/1STDIBS/ARTPRICE/...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Contemporary Art, Expressionist, Portrait - Walk
Located in Coquitlam, BC
Artist: Gao, Renjie The member of the Hudson Artists Society, New York Agent of BRUNO MASSA Gallery, France Six Worldwide well-known art sales website agent KOONESS/1STDIBS/ARTPRICE/...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Devotion
Located in Wien, 9
Deling with the work of Erich Waske today, one encounters first of all a number of reasons why this outstanding artist has fallen into such undeserved oblivion. In addition to the de...
Category

1960s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel, Wood Panel

Self Portrait in Rheinland-Pfalz
Located in Wien, 9
The painter was born in Austrian, but grew up in Munich and died in 2006 at the age of 77. He was an outstanding personality, atypical in the German art landscape. He started on the ...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Pharaoh Group" Oil Painting 13" x 17" inch (1955) by Shaaban Zaki
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pharaoh Group" Oil Painting 13" x 17" inch (1955) by Shaaban Zaki Shaaban Zaki came from a lower-middle-class family who was mostly government employees, but he was distinguished f...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

Patrick Boudon. Inner Family. Post-war Expressionism. 1970s.
Located in Firenze, IT
Patrick Boudon. Inner Family. Post-war Expressionism. 1970s. Patrick Boudon. Art Informel. Ecole de Paris. Technique: oil on cardboard. This painting by Patrick Boudon from the 197...
Category

1970s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Family Seated on a Bench at the Port
Located in London, GB
'Family Seated on a Bench at the Port', oil on board, by François Diana (circa 1970s). A painting with a very wholesome, homespun theme harks back to a more innocent time. A family i...
Category

1970s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

The Harlequin
By Richard Mandin
Located in London, GB
'The Harlequin', oil on board, by Richard Mandin (1952). Harlequin's traditional diamond patterned costume, bicorn hat, and the wooden sword that denoted his buffoonery have appealed...
Category

1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Fortitude
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. A di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

As Far As You Can See
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. 'As ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

In Love - original abstract figurative water painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Reading a Book" by Irina Yermolova is an enchanting depiction of freedom and serenity, embodied by a female figure gracefully floating in tranquil waters. Painted with warm orange-r...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Flower Intrigue-original impressionism figurative oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Flower Intrigue" by Iryna Yermolova is a mesmerizing abstract floral figurative painting that seamlessly merges the beauty of nature with the grace of the human form. Executed with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Reading - original abstract figurative female form painting - contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Reading a Book" by Irina Yermolova captures the essence of pondering and wonderment through the graceful depiction of a woman laid horizontally in a classic life drawing position, h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Peace and Tranquility 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Abou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Agbeke Spotted Again
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Abou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Expressionist Judaica French Israeli Modernist Art Oil Painting Rabbi, Musician
Located in Surfside, FL
This is a bright, colorful oil painting of a Hasidic Musician in the the holy city of Jerusalem, Israel 1972, Oil on canvas, 29 X 26 inches Hand signed and dated. George Cheme...
Category

1970s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Le Violoniste - Expressionist Oil, Portrait of a Violinist by Jean Albert Pougny
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed expressionist oil on canvas portrait circa 1942 by French painter Jean Albert Pougny. The work depicts a violinist in an interior. Signatur...
Category

1940s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Elegance
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ogu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

In Her Prime
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Ogu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Stylish 1960's Lady, Signed Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Stylish Lady French School, Mid 20th Century Oil painting on canvas, framed Signed by the artist on the lower right hand corner Frame size: 26.5 x 22 inches Stylish ex...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Peace and Tranquility 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Crossed Arms (Portrait of a Blond), Nude Portrait by Jan De Ruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jan De Ruth, Czech (1922 - 1991) Title: Crossed Arms (Portrait of a Blonde) Year: circa 1964 Medium: Oil on Canvas Size: 35 in. x 25 in. (88.9 cm x 63.5 cm) Frame Size: 44 x ...
Category

1960s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

African Boy II
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
African Boy is a series of paintings by talented artist Faith Gbadero. This series of Artworks captures the response and attitudes of African young adults to the struggles and roller...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Pink Lady
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Pink Lady Oil on canvas, c. 1968 Signed upper right (see photo). Housed in the original frame made by the artist Titled on the reverse on the stretcher bar Inspired by DeKooning Prov...
Category

1960s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Two Young Spanish Girls, Oil on paper
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Oil on paper by Edouard Goerg (1893-1969), France, 1937-1938. Two young Spanish girls. Measurements : with frame: 61.3x51.8 cm - 24.1x20.4 inches, view: 39x28.6 cm - 15.4x11.25 inche...
Category

1930s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

Inspiration Catcher
Located in Oslo, NO
In my work, emotions and energy flow with every brush stroke. The painting shows a young woman completely immersed in her inner world. She seeks inspiration for her creative flight. ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Acrylic

Thy Brother's Keeper
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Thy Brother's Keeper" describes a time in every man's life. When he is kept and entrusted with a refiner (a person that keeps them before they become their greatest self). I read th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Acrylic, Canvas

Ray of Hope 3
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Ray of Hope," a poignant creation by artist John Ali, encapsulates a moment of contemplation and the subtle interplay between vulnerability and resilience. The artwork features a yo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

State of the Nation
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
He made the decision to go closer after hearing a disturbing noise coming from the upper room. When he arrived, he carefully pulled back the green curtain at the enormous room's entr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Masculine Elegance (Beauty Within Us)
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The Beauty Within Us" is a compelling narrative series of paintings that celebrates the unique and diverse beauty of Black hair, serving as a powerful symbol of identity, heritage, a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Not a Race
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
You are not in any competition with anyone, life is not a race but a journey, be honest with yourself. Search for your purpose and do it as best as you can. Step by step, day by day,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Face Your Fears 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Face Your Fears" by Simon Obeka is a thought-provoking artwork that captures the essence of courage and self-discovery. At its core, the painting features a young woman adorned in a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

My Mind
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Black Melanin
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Being black is our heritage, what we have inherited from the past to value and enjoy in the present, and to preserve and pass on to future generations. Shipping Procedure Ships in a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

She Save Us
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"She Save Us" by Samson Toba is a captivating artwork that encapsulates the strength, resilience, and nurturing essence of womanhood. Through the depiction of a woman as the central ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Bold Gaze 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Bold Gaze" by Rotimi Godwin is a striking piece of art that commands attention and captivates with its powerful portrayal of a young woman. The title it...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

At the autumn garden. Oil on cardboard, 80 x 57 cm
Located in Riga, LV
At the autumn garden. Oil on cardboard, 80x57 cm Janis Rikmanis (1901.5.IV – 1968.25.III) graduated Figurative painting studio of Latvia Art academy (1931). He took part in exhibiti...
Category

1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Bold Gaze 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Bold Gaze" by Rotimi Godwin is a striking piece of art that commands attention and captivates with its powerful portrayal of a young woman. The title it...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Sculpted Heritage (Beauty Within Us)
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The Beauty Within Us" is a compelling narrative series of paintings that celebrates the unique and diverse beauty of Black hair, serving as a powerful symbol of identity, heritage, a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Ajoke
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Ajoke is an original painting by Theophilus Madaki. Theophilus created Ajoke Oil on a 28W by 33H inches primed canvas. "Ajoke" is a stunning artwork...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Untitled
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Untitled!" is a striking piece of artwork created by Okeowo Oluwaferanmi, a talented Nigerian artist. The artwork depicts a woman laughing, with her head thrown back and her mouth w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

African Boy III
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
African Boy is a series of paintings by talented artist Faith Gbadero. This series of Artworks captures the response and attitudes of African young adult...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Medusa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The artwork titled "Medusa" features a woman with a sophisticated hairstyle and body parts made of fabrics. This piece of art is a powerful representation of female strength and resilience, with the artist unapologetically portraying the woman's body as a work of art. The name "Medusa" is a nod to the Greek mythological creature, Medusa, who was known for her beautiful but dangerous appearance. In this artwork, the artist has taken the concept of Medusa and turned it on its head, creating a powerful and captivating image of a woman who is unafraid to show her strength and beauty. The sophisticated hairstyle of the woman in the artwork is a testament to Fatunmbi Anjolaoluwa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Fabric, Canvas, Acrylic

Ewa (Beauty)
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Ewa (Beauty)" portrays a lady who exudes a captivating aura, drawing viewers into her world of enigmatic charm. The artist skillfully crafts the lady's features, conveying a sense o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Franclisa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The artwork titled "Franclisa" by Gbemileke Blessing Adegboro is a stunning piece that features a lady standing gracefully with two white birds, one on each side of her head. The pai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Independent
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
At first glance, "Independent" captures the viewer's attention with its striking imagery of a woman wearing a vibrant yellow coat. The choice of yellow as the dominant color is symbo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Culture 5
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
People believe money is power in my society - because the leaders steal money to oppress and suffer the poor. But I realize the opposite of this is the purpose of living. We are all ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Cowboy
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This painting is depicting the enthusiasm, strength, and passion in getting things done with the readiness to achieve the dream of their talent and charisma Shipping Procedure Ship...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Acrylic

Dada 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The artwork "Dada" features a striking image of a man with dreadlocks. The piece captures the unique and distinctive style of the subject, and it conveys a sense of individuality and...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Fairy Tale
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Fairy Tale is a Mixed Media painting by Damilola Olusegun. Damilola created "Fairy Tale on a prime canvas of 60W by 72H inches. Damilola Olusegun de...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Enchantress
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Enchantress" is a captivating artwork created by Fatunmbi Anjolaoluwa Grace that showcases the beauty and power of femininity. The piece is a mix...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Fabric, Canvas, Acrylic

Arise!!!
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Nigerians arise, brothers and sisters that believe in the union called Nigeria, ARISE!!! The green-white-green t-shirt has turned to rag on us, let us let go of any excuses to keep ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Unbeatable Me
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This painting is a self-proclamation painting by Ayomabidele John. The proclamation goes thus: I choose to be full of love and compassion. I refuse for any part of my heart to be ove...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Listen, I am Here
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
'Listen, I am here' is an art Gbenga Eniafe created from the realities of his people. The everyday creative is overlooked even as he presses on. The purple represents his distinctive...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Omodaratan Oni Afro
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
In the realm of art, creativity knows no bounds, and artists continue to amaze us with their ability to capture the essence of beauty in various forms. One such captivating artwork t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

African Boy I
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
African Boy is a series of paintings by talented artist Faith Gbadero. This series of Artworks captures the response and attitudes of African young adult...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

My Sister and Friend 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
My Sister and Friend 1 is an Original painting by Esther Obiwuru. Esther created My Sister and Friend with Acrylic on a 36W by 48H primed canvas. My Sister and Friend depict the ins...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

No More
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
You are the only person holding yourself back, stop the excuses, wishes, and procrastinating and you can't. The pain you feel today is the strength of tomorrow in achieving your drea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Expressionist portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist portrait 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 portrait paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of orange, red, purple, blue and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Bernard Harmon, Julien Wolf, Shana Wilson, and Masri Hayssam. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Fabric 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 portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 3.5 inches across are also available. Prices for portrait 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 $1 and tops out at $190,000, while the average work sells for $3,000.

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