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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Expressionist
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

Expressionist Clown Portrait After Bernard Buffett
Located in Cotignac, FR
Expressionist oil crayon on board portrait of a clown. The work is signed and dated top right. A wonderful strong and colourful portrait. The subject is looking out at us with his s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil Crayon

Contemplation in Blue and Green Nude Women Portrait Painting by Lada Kholosho
Located in Zofingen, AG
This original acrylic painting, rendered on a quality stretched canvas measuring 50 cm in width and 70 cm in height, compellingly explores the human form through a vibrant interplay ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Woman surrealism oil on canvas painting
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Canvas size 81x100 cm. Frame size 94x113 cm. Alvar Suñol Alvar Suñol Munoz-Ramos, commonly known as Alvar, was born in 1935 in Montgat, Spain, a Catalan fishing village on the Medit...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pop Surrealist Portrait on Wood. Hungarian. "The Worst Is Over". "Currency #213"
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This sculptural painting by Natasha Lelenco, created on a wooden circle with a thickness of two centimeters and a diameter of 26 centimeters, is one of the recent works from the Curr...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Metal

Reflection in Red Contemporary Women Portrait Original Painting by Lada Kholosho
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this artwork, the serenity of the figure is juxtaposed with the dynamic scarlet background, symbolizing comfort in passion and color. The painting portrays the female form in a m...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Indigo Solitude Nude Women Portrait Painting by Lada Kholosho
Located in Zofingen, AG
This original acrylic painting on canvas is an impressive work created by artist Lada Kholosho in 2024. It depicts a solitary figure wrapped in an embrace and rendered in a vivid pal...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Nude at the Window Overlooking Sacré-Coeur
Located in London, GB
'Nude at the Window Overlooking Sacré-Coeur', oil on paper mounted on canvas, by Louis Latapie (circa 1930s). Although later in Latapie's career he embraced cubism and abstraction, t...
Category

1930s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Paper, Canvas

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

Invisible
Located in London, GB
Anastasia Kurakina's works on paper are the Vatican Museums collection since 2017 artist: Anastasia Kurakina One of a kind Hand signed Oil painting on canvas Anastasia Kurakina ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pink panter painting
Located in London, GB
Anastasia Kurakina's works on paper are at the Vatican Museums collection since 2017 oil thick brush strokes mixed with acrylic, ink, watercolour on unique one of a kind lithogra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil, Watercolor, Lithograph

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

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

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

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

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

If Only I Could-original abstract figurative landscape painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"If Only I Could" by Iryna Yermolova is a captivating abstract figurative painting that invites viewers into a world of introspection and contemplation. Executed with expressive stro...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Little Ballerina-original abstract figurative oil painting-contemporary Art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Little Ballerina I" by Iryna Yermolova is a captivating abstract figurative painting that captures the grace and innocence of a young dancer in a mom...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Villa the Private Pool-original abstract figurative painting-contemporary art
Located in London, Chelsea
"Villa the Private Pool" by Iryna Yermolova is a captivating abstract figurative painting that transports viewers to a serene and idyllic retreat. Executed with expressive strokes us...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Woman expressionist portrait mixed media painting
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Frame size 81x66 cm.
Category

1980s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

Coffee time Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting colour human comedy
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint, ink and collage on paper Hand-signed and dated lower left by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic

Christmas wish 60X90
Located in Zofingen, AG
In the soft embrace of oil pastels, I've lovingly woven a tapestry of pure innocence and wonder. My brushstrokes carry the gentle weight of dreams, as this young muse, with fairy win...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Forbidden kisses Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting colour human comedy
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint and ink on paper Tondo (diameter 30 cm) Hand-signed and dated lower left by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Ink, Paper

Afterthoughts Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting colour human comedy
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint and ink on paper pasted on canvas Hand-signed by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Ink, Paper

I told you to see it Sergio Moscona Contemporary art tondo human comedy colour
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint and ink on paper Tondo (diameter 30 cm) Hand-signed and dated lower right
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Ink

Peace at home Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting human comedy drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint on canvas Hand-signed by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Still scared Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting colour human comedy red
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint, ink and collage on paper Hand-signed and dated lower right by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Ink

To the bottom Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting colour human comedy tondo
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint and ink on paper Tondo (diameter 30 cm) Hand-signed, entitled and dated lower right by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic

Woman expressionist portrait mixed media painting
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Frame size 79x64 cm.
Category

1980s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

Sunshine and peace Sergio Moscona Contemporary art painting human comedy drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint, ink and collage on paper Hand-signed and dated lower right by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic

Words in the mouth Sergio Moscona Contemporary art tondo human comedy colour
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint and ink on paper Tondo (diameter 30 cm) Hand-signed and dated lower right by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic

Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.5 x 40.6 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.5 x 40.6 cm Provenance Bonhams
Category

1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 40.6 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Woman portrait. 1955, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 40.6 cm Provenance Bonhams
Category

1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The gold diggers Sergio Moscona Contemporary painting art human comedy drawing
Located in Paris, FR
Acrylic paint, ink and collage on paper Hand-signed by the artist
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Ink, Paper

Expressionist Female Nude Portrait, 'The Green Curtain' Oil on Canvas.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Expressionist female nude portrait by noted Scottish artist Douglas Thomson. The painting is signed bottom left and signed and titled to the back of the canvas. There is an original exhibition title and price label to the frame. Presented in original plain wood frame. A colourful and striking portrait of a female nude. Her rich red hair falling over her shoulders, her pose calm as she stares out from the canvas in a wistful way, her mouth set. Thomson has created flesh tones, wonderful contrast of colours between the sitter and the background curtain and wall and a texture to the canvas to create added interest. A really interesting and engaging portrait. Douglas Thomson was born in Greenock in 1955 and after studying at the Glasgow School of Art 1974...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Large Expressionist Portrait, Follower of Max Beckmann, Glasgow School
Located in Cotignac, FR
A large Glasgow School Max Beckmann influenced oil on canvas portrait by Scottish artist Stuart Mackenzie. The painting is signed and dated to the rea...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Coco the Clown in Top Hat and Bow Tie. Milan School, Italian Oil on Canvas.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Expressionist oil on canvas portrait of a clown by Italian artist Luciano Morterra. Signed bottom right and dated 1976 to the bottom left and presented in a period frame under glass....
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Contemporary Portrait of a Blue-Skinned Queen Adorned in Intricat Gold Jewelry
Located in ALCOY/ALCOI, ES
Title: «Nefertiti» Description: Acrylic on canvas, figurative, Portrait, modern "She was and will continue to be the most beautiful woman of all times and peoples, without a doubt. Her popularity among the people did not fade with the exit from the historical stage of the reformer pharaoh." The work is talking about a woman who is considered to be the most beautiful of all time and people, and her popularity has not diminished even after the exit of a reformer pharaoh from the historical stage. It suggests that her beauty is timeless and everlasting, and she is revered by people even in contemporary times. The description could be referring to a historical figure, possibly a queen or a renowned beauty. Victoria Tsemka...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Portrait oil on canvas painting Gines Parra Spain
By Ginés Parra
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Oil measures 41x33 cm. Frame measures 53x45 cm. Thanks to Mr. José Manuel Marín for confirming and dating the work (1930s). Ginés Parra (Zurgena, Almería, January 24, 1896 - Paris, April 19, 1960), whose real name was José Antonio Ramón Parra Menchón, was a Spanish painter. His family emigrated to Tlemcen, in Algeria, in 1901. There he spent his childhood and puberty and worked with his father as a miner. After several trips through Argentina and other South American countries, made between 1910 and 1916, he moved to the United States. He worked in some copper mines in Arizona to later settle in Los Angeles and soon moved to New York, where he began to receive classes at the Art Students League of New York. Later he began his art studies at the National Academy School of Fine Arts in the Big Apple, although he was forced to continue working on the subway and as a waiter to survive. Around 1920 he settled in Paris, in a studio in the Montparnasse neighborhood, to continue his training at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. In the early days he continued, as always, working outside of art, this time as a car wash and store boy. However, soon after, during the golden years of art in the city, he was already dealing with other painters such as Pablo Picasso, Julio González or Manuel Ángeles Ortiz...
Category

1930s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Swedish Abstract Figurative Oil Painting 2013 - Friday Evening
Located in Bristol, GB
FRIDAY EVENING Size: 33 x 24 cm Oil on canvas A striking figurative abstract composition, titled ‘Friday Evening’ and dated 2013 on reverse. Bold outlines and rich colours intertwi...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Woman
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

20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Portrait with Pearl Necklace
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

20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Oil Framed Painting - Portrait in Sepia
Located in Bristol, GB
PORTRAIT IN SEPIA Size: 72 x 56 cm (including frame) Oil on Board A large and striking mid century modernist portrait in oil, painted onto board. With a very distinctive dark sepia...
Category

1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

La Contrebasse - Expressionist Musician Portrait Oil by Gen Paul
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Signed expressionist oil on canvas portrait by French painter and engraver Gen Paul. This charming work depicts a seated musician wearing a green suit with a black bow tie playing the double bass. This beautiful example of Gen Paul's work dates to the 1950's when he painted numerous studies of musicians playing various instruments in jazz such as the saxophone, violin and the double bass. His interest in this was likely based upon his father's career as a cafe musician. Signature: Signed upper right Dimensiosn: Framed: 30"x21" Unframed: 22"x13" Provenance: Private French collection Gen-Paul was born in the Rue Lepic, at the heart of Montmartre. His mother was an embroiderer, and his father was a café musician. Gen-Paul began painting from a young age. An apprentice interior decorative artist, he looked about him in the wealthy apartments where his work took him and observed the pieces collected by art lovers, and he learned anatomy by getting to know surgeons and going with them into operating theatres. He also attended the École des Beaux-Arts. He painted on discarded cigar boxes using...
Category

1950s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Half-length portrait of an elderly bearded man - Melancholy of a prophet -
Located in Berlin, DE
Friedrich August Seitz (1902 Staffort - 1944 Belgrade). Half-length portrait of an elderly man with a beard. Oil on canvas, 42 x 34 cm (visible seize), 58 x 50 cm (frame), signed and...
Category

1920s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Verwoerd (from the collection 'Once were Leaders')
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning artwork by South African artist Ryan Hewett. It is part of a series of works titled "Once Were Leaders" that the artist created in 2016,...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Italian Florentine Figurative Expressionism Female Nude acrylic on canvas 21st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 03. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Italian Tuscany Figurative Expressionism Female Nude watercolour ink paper 20st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 92. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Ink, Paper, Watercolor

Italian Tuscany Figurative Expressionism Female Nude ink on paper 20st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 91. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Ink, Paper

Italian Florentine Figurative Expressionism Male Portrait acrylic on canvas 21st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 010. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Italian Tuscany Figurative Expressionism Female Nude ink on paper 20st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 91. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Ink, Paper

Italian Tuscany Figurative Expressionism Male Nude ink on paper 20st
Located in Florence, IT
The painting is signed and dated: L. NOCENTINI 91. The style of Ladislao Nocentini can be defined as a sort of Figurative Expressionism: his i...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Ink, Paper

Bingo rattle Julien Wolf Contemporary art painting expressionnist outsider
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on canvas Hand-signed by the artist on the back “At first glance, we are invited to a colorful carnival. Everything is movement here! As if Julien Wolf had tried to captur...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The mermaid buoy Julien Wolf Contemporary art painting expressionnist red yellow
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on canvas Hand signed on the back by the artist “At first glance, we are invited to a colorful carnival. Everything is movement here! As if Julien Wolf had tried to captur...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Wacky felucca Julien Wolf Contemporary art painting expressionnist outsider
Located in Paris, FR
Oil paint on canvas Hand-signed on the back by the artist “At first glance, we are invited to a colorful carnival. Everything is movement here! As if Julien Wolf had tried to captur...
Category

2010s Expressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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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