Expressionist Paintings
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.
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Oil, Acrylic
Artist Comments
With a bold palette and expressive brushstrokes, artist Robert Hofherr paints a teapot adorned with flowers on an iron chair. "The use of an abstract and colorf...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1970s Expressionist Paintings
Board, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 2000s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Color Pencil
1960s Expressionist Paintings
Oil
Late 20th Century Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 20th Century Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Expressionist Paintings
Oil, Cardboard
1990s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Kip Decker presents a vibrant portrait of five Native Americans on horseback. They collectively look out and watch for the unforeseen, surrounded by colo...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
Early 2000s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 1900s Expressionist Paintings
Oil, Canvas
1950s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Diana Elena Chelaru presents a woman engrossed in a book while sitting on a chair. A wise owl perches on the lady's long, blonde hair, symbolizing wisdom...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Gesso, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings
Board
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Oil
1970s Expressionist Paintings
Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Graphite
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Giclée
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
"Color is the most dynamic element of a flower's charm," says artist Sharon Sieben. The vivid red petals reflect the poppy's happy and intense beauty. The core ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist George Peebles presents his interpretation of fall at its finest. The tree, adorned with red, orange, and yellow leaves, stands towering amid an expansiv...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Diana Elena Chelaru presents a charismatic composition of a woman accompanied by a pink wading bird. "Flamingos are symbols of beauty, balance, and roman...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Kip Decker presents a profound scene of Native Americans on horseback. They convene to discuss important matters and plans of action. "It is an ancient a...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Vivid corals and pinks harmonize with cool blues and warm greens. Artist Alix Palo captures the charm of blooming flowers in this still life. She skillfully ren...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1960s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
1910s Expressionist Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Expressionist Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic