Neo-Expressionist Portrait 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
IMAGINATION
Located in CÓRDOBA, ES
Mixed media on paper
by artist Daria Kusto.
Shipped well protected, unframed
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Permanent Marker
WILD HEAD
By Angel Rivas
Located in CÓRDOBA, ES
The expressionist style is evident in the energetic and torn strokes, which convey the emotional intensity of the scene. The colors are bold and contrasting, creating a vibrant and c...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Permanent Marker
GREEN
Located in CÓRDOBA, ES
Original artwork by DARIA KUSTO.
the magic flow reality.
markers on paper.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Permanent Marker
Friendship
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This painting is about friendship, life, and relaxation with a sense of freedom, qualities that make life easier and more interesting.
Shipping Procedure
Ships in a well-protected ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
"Human Welfare", acrylic painting, portrait, politics, Paris, humanity, resist
Located in Toronto, Ontario
"Human Welfare" is an acrylic painting on paper measuring 36" high by 24" wide. It is one of 50 portraits that comprise Profiles in Democracy. Savage in their execution, they are nevertheless heartfelt expressions from the artist – politically, socially, culturally – in some cases featuring text and language in the portrait. In this case, the reference to Paris October 1979, Boulevard de Sebastopol, marks the afternoon Dale Williams was in Paris and sketched the woman in the portrait.
From Dale Williams: "Profiles in Democracy is a group of 50 portraits completed in 2019. They are an expression of sorrow at the fracturing ideals that our country now teeters upon. The portraits are mostly – not exclusively – imaginary: a populace viewed from the inside out, people that someone like our current president might call losers. They perhaps “live in gaudy poverty, powerful destitution,” to quote Osip Mandelstam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
My Culture and My Beauty 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
In the evocative artwork "My Culture and My Beauty," Loje Oluwaseun masterfully encapsulates the essence of beauty within the rich tapestry of tradition...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
My Culture and My Beauty 1
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
In the evocative artwork "My Culture and My Beauty," Loje Oluwaseun masterfully encapsulates the essence of beauty within the rich tapestry of tradition...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Self Appreciation
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Loje Oluwaseun's "Self Appreciation" is a striking artwork that delicately captures the essence of self-love and inner beauty. The focal point of the pi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Life Enjoyment 2
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
In the captivating artwork "Life Enjoyment" by the talented artist Loje Oluwaseun, a delightful celebration of life unfolds before our eyes. The focal p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Figurative Expressionist Bold Pop Art Oil Painting Self Portrait Carlo Pittore
By Carlo Pittore
Located in Surfside, FL
Carlo Pittore
Oil on canvas, 1984,
Self Portrait, initialed and dated lower left,
slat framed, 21"sqr (frame) 20 X 20 canvas.
Provenance: The Private Collection of Wolf Kahn & Emily Mason
Carlo Pittore (1943 – 2005) born Charles J. Stanley was an American painter, educator, art activist, and publisher, whose primary study, teaching and body of work was figurative art and portrait painting. He was a pioneer in the Mail Art movement, he corresponded with such mail art luminaries as Buster Cleveland and Ray Johnson. Pittore is noted for opening the first independent art gallery in the East Village, Manhattan. In 1987, Pittore founded "The Academy of Carlo Pittore" in Bowdoinham, Maine.
Pittore (née Charles Stanley) was born to Stanford and Estelle Stanley in Queens, New York. He grew up on Long Island, in Port Washington, New York with his sister Marion and brother Elliott. Pittore graduated from Port Washington High School (1961), where he was active in the political and debating scenes. He then went on to graduate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts (1966), and post graduate from the Brooklyn Museum Art School (1978).
Pittore changed his name in the 1970s while studying abroad in Rome, Italy. The children nicknamed him "Carlo Pittore", (”Charles the Painter"). From there he went on to study at the Chelsea College of Arts in London.
In 1978, Pittore received the Max Beckmann Scholarship in Advanced Painting. It allowed him to begin studying with American feminist painter Joan Semmel at the Brooklyn Museum Art School. He also studied with visual portrait artist Alice Neel. After which, he taught art at the New York Cultural Foundation.
In the 1970s, Pittore and his close friend Bern Porter...
Category
1980s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Saint Minecraft VII (Block Building, Pixel Art, Gaming Creativity)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Golfam Jozdani
Saint Minecraft VII
2024
Mixed Media on Cardboard; Acrylic, Pencil, Colored Pencil
Size: 9.44 x 14.17 inches (24 x 36 cm)
Signed and date...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Cardboard, Pencil, Color Pencil
Hunt Slonem "Purple Haze" Diamond Dust Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Purple Haze" Diamond Dust Bunny
A single rabbit gestured in white and purple on a matching Diamond Dust background in a vintage frame
Unframed: 10 x 8 inches
Framed: 21...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Glass, Resin, Oil, Panel
Figurehead
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
In the days when every seaport had its figurehead to show, this same day calls for free, I must go save these countrymen, my honorable crew if they still breathe.
I must sail deep down north again, with strong men and skillful hands.
All I ask this day is dread naught and a star to steer her as the people blare for salvaging;
And all I ask again is a windy day and a friendly storm at night,
And a sweet dream with my shipment when the long cruise is over.
(Written by the Artist)
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
Osoba Omoayo George...
Category
Early 2000s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Polymer
Blue Scarf That Binds
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This expansive blue sky we all share is a global symbol of togetherness. It was set in motion by a group of women in Afghanistan ready to be heard.
In 2008, a small group of brave women from a group called RAWA” gathered in war-torn Khandahar wearing a blue scarf to publicly pray for peace and justice in Afghanistan. A surprising 1500 more brave women joined to begin the Blue Scarf movement. In 2009, thousands more women joined the movement with organizing help from Unifem.
With this peaceful hike, a global movement was born, blue scarves...
Category
Early 2000s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Polymer
"Testa" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2022 - Acrylic Paint on Paper, Abstract Portrait
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Head"
Acrylic paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy.
This is part of an album.
It's been drawn in one go, with no erasure.
The price re...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
the greco roman question, figure with classical statues, greens, earth tones
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on canvas, humorous depiction of a woman with classical artwork
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Acrylic Modern Textured Portrait On a Blue Background
Located in Pasadena, CA
This portrait features a stylized face, designed in an aesthetic that combines the simplicity of forms with the richness of textures. The color palette, dominated by warm tones such ...
Category
Late 20th Century Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
"Senza Narrazione - 1 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 1"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
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 Portrait 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 Portrait Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Acrylic
"Dance Company" by Anna Pennati - acrylic on canvas, 110x110cm
Located in Milano, MI
Dance and Passion is my “fil rouge”, the continuum in my artwork.
Dance is my passion and in my paintings movement and anatomy are always respected and represented with knowledge.
...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
The Student
Located in Natchez, MS
"The Student", handsome and self possessed. Another beautiful example of Bailey's portraiture.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Solidarity", acrylic painting, portrait, politics, humanity, Americans, resist
Located in Toronto, Ontario
"Solidarity" is an acrylic painting and collage on paper measuring 36" high by 24" wide. It is one of 50 portraits that comprise Profiles in Democracy. Savage in their execution, they are nevertheless heartfelt expressions from the artist – politically, socially, culturally – in some cases featuring text and language in the portrait. In this case, the reference to resistance reads: "Solidarity – (phobia/philia)", and "most Americans not happy customers". The phobia/philia suggests a tension between fear/knowledge or fear/wisdom...
From Dale Williams: "Profiles in Democracy is a group of 50 portraits completed in 2019. They are an expression of sorrow at the fracturing ideals that our country now teeters upon. The portraits are mostly – not exclusively – imaginary: a populace viewed from the inside out, people that someone like our current president might call losers. They perhaps “live in gaudy poverty, powerful destitution,” to quote Osip Mandelstam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
Andy
Located in Natchez, MS
Here Bailey depicts "Andy", from his series of diminutive portraits created in 2020. Andy is a dandy, beautiful and well dressed. Though Bailey paints him in his loose blocked in st...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Mickey mouse painting Street Art Basquiat Style
Located in OIA, ES
"A Little Bit of Magic" is an expressionist portrait of Mickey Mouse, the beloved Disney character. When you gaze upon the painting, you can't help but be amazed by the immense numbe...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Cameo Profile
Located in Natchez, MS
"Cameo Profile" is exactly that a cameo with the subject in profile. From the series of diminutive portraits Bailey created during 2020.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Volto" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021 - Marker on Paper, Portrait, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Face".
Marker on paper.
This is part of an album.
The price refers to the single drawing.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Permanent Marker
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 Portrait 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 Portrait 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 Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Bowie Trip
By Kokian
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Kokian makes a series "pop art is dead" in tribute to Andy Warhol. Each painting is an original work worked by the artist.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Spray Paint, Acrylic
Marilyn Trip
By Kokian
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Original work
Painting
Technique Mixte
Signature overleaf
Kokian's "pop art is dead" collection is a tribute to Andy Warhol, master of pop art. Kokian chose to take over some icons a...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Spray Paint, Acrylic
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 Portrait 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 Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Senza Narrazione - 6 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 6"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 5 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 5"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 4 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 4"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 3 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 3"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 2 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 2"
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Enamel
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 Portrait 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 Portrait 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 Portrait 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 Portrait Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Estelle
Located in Natchez, MS
"Estelle" is an example of the diminutive portraits Bailey created in 2020. Whereas most of his subjects seem tightly pulled together in their dress, "Estelle" is free, a bohemian pe...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Madame Lee
Located in Natchez, MS
"Madame Lee" is the portrait of a beautiful woman from a bygone era. From his series of diminutive portraits created in 2020. Bailey is gifted in that he is able to portray his subj...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Wooster
Located in Natchez, MS
"Wooster" is another from Bailey's series of diminutive portraits created in 2020.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Giancarlo
Located in Natchez, MS
Buttoned up and serious, "Giancarlo" peers directly into the viewers eyes unflinching. An excellent and instantly recognizable example of Bailey's work.
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Starman : Elon Musk and the Spiders from Mars. Contemporary Neo Expressionist
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Life is never without a dull moment when you work with an artist whose creativity constantly develops, one awaits the next piece with eager anticipation. Sax Berlin certainly has a deep seated seam of creativity. This painting combines his passion for the cosmos, with a timely reference to Elon Musk...
Category
2010s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Acrylic
Neo-expressionist portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Neo-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 blue, pink, green, purple and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Hunt Slonem, Enzio Wenk, Angel Rivas, and Sax Berlin. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Canvas 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 portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 8 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 $77 and tops out at $27,000, while the average work sells for $1,600.