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Expressionist 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
Crepe-Myrtle, Oil Painting
Crepe-Myrtle, Oil Painting

Crepe-Myrtle, Oil Painting

By Naoko Tadotsu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Vivid brushstrokes portray crepe myrtle trees swaying in the wind. As colorful as sugar candies, their flowers and leaves burst like Portuguese confetti under...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cherries
Cherries

Cherries

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In creating this piece, I sought to evoke a simple yet profound beauty through the bold, vivid strokes of these cherries set against a muted, textured backdrop. The rich, deep reds o...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Pansies etude
Pansies etude

Pansies etude

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this oil painting, I unleashed my passion for nature's vibrant dance, capturing the vivid hues and dynamic textures of blooming flowers in a lively composition. My brushstrokes br...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Casa al Mare: Early 20th Century Expressionist Oil on Cardboard
Casa al Mare: Early 20th Century Expressionist Oil on Cardboard

Casa al Mare: Early 20th Century Expressionist Oil on Cardboard

Located in Genève, GE

This oil on cardboard, signed by J. Seyler and titled Casa del Mare, depicts a lively harbor scene, rendered with a vibrant palette and an expressive, confident brushwork. The compo...

Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Beautiful coast
Beautiful coast

Elena LukinaBeautiful coast, 2022

$1,298Sale Price|20% Off

Beautiful coast

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

I've poured my soul into this canvas, blending the visceral textures of oil with the fluid beauty of nature. My brushstrokes convey a dance between realism and impressionism, where l...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

Lady with a Bird on Bank of a Lake
Lady with a Bird on Bank of a Lake

Lady with a Bird on Bank of a Lake

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

The work is inspired by the tenderness and purity of the girl on the shore, in whose hands is a white dove. Another moment and the dove will fly in the sky. In this oil painting, I ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

Winter roses 40X30
Winter roses 40X30

Winter roses 40X30

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

Crafted with love, my artwork breathes life into the delicate dance of roses against a tranquil backdrop. It's an expressionist journey capturing the subtle interplay of light and sh...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large Modern Dutch Expressionist Oil Painting Vibrant Cafe Scene Jan Rylaarsdam
Large Modern Dutch Expressionist Oil Painting Vibrant Cafe Scene Jan Rylaarsdam

Large Modern Dutch Expressionist Oil Painting Vibrant Cafe Scene Jan Rylaarsdam

Located in Surfside, FL

Jan Rijlaarsdam, Dutch 1911 - 2007 Hand signed lower right Sight size: 23.5"h x 31.5"w Overall: 33"h x 40.25"w Jan Reylaarsdam was a Dutch Postwar & Contemporary painter who was born in Holland in 1911. He is known for Architectural Townscape, factory, industrial site and figure painting. A student of Albertus Gerhard Hulshoff Pol (1883-1957), a well-known painter and art teacher. The painter and draftsman was born in Nieuwkoop, but moved with his parents to Hilversum in 1924, where they opened a dairy. Jan delivered orders by bicycle and, during his travels, stumbled upon Dekker, a frame shop, where he met local painters and their work. There, he learned the framer's trade and, in his spare time, drew buildings and industrial complexes in Amsterdam. A painter of towns, figures, factories and industrial sites at the border of the cities and Parisian cafe scenes. Rijlaarsdam received a Royal allowance. He painted in a figurative expressionist style. Influenced by George Hendrik Breitner, a leading figure of Amsterdam Impressionism, as well as Willem Witsen, Eduard Karsen and Willem de Zwart. He was among the group of painters who depicted daily life in Amsterdam. In 1928, he cycled to Bruges and Antwerp, Belgium to further develop his drawing skills. He returned there regularly. He gradually gained recognition, and in 1932, he received a Royal Grant, which allowed him to pay for lessons. He joined various painting associations in Hilversum, Amsterdam (Sint Lucas), and the Gooi region. His work has a distinctive style. It wasn't until the 1950s that he finally visited Paris, France. An informal member of the "École de Paris" School of Paris. This became his favorite destination; the vibrant Parisian city life drew him in. Later, Rijlaarsdam also spent a lot of time in Spain, especially Barcelona where he was exposed to the works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Jan Rijlaarsdam left behind an impressive and highly versatile oeuvre, encompassing styles, materials, and techniques. Ranging from realistic to impressionist and expressionism, with even forays into abstraction and abstract expressionism. Rijlaarsdam consistently managed to surprise. Jan Rijlaarsdam's favorite subjects were gathering homeless people and prostitutes in cafés. In the tradition of Isaac Israëls and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, he was a true interpreter of city life. He was a member of St. Lucas, an art society in Amsterdam, The Gooise Art Society and the Society of Figurative Art in Hilversum (Vereniging van Beeldende Kunst). Works by Rijlaarsdam are in possession of the Singer Museum in Laren. The artist died February 16, 2007 in Baarn, Netherlands. He showed and has been exhibited with Jan Knikker, Jean Lucebert, Henk Bos, Aris Knikker, Gustavo Novoa, Juan Bayon Salado, Marie Henrie MacKenzie, David Schulman, Michel Henry, Dirk Herman Willem Filarski, Karel Appel, Willem Van Den Berg, Jan Wittenberg, Freek Van Den Berg, Cornelis Noltee, Arnout Colnot, Matthieu Wiegman, Harm Henrick Kamerlingh Onnes, Jan Sierhuis...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Field Daisies
Field Daisies

Field Daisies

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In creating this piece, I poured my emotions into each brushstroke, capturing the delicate interplay of light and color. The daisies, set against a soft, serene sky, represent the ep...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Field of wild tulips
Field of wild tulips

Field of wild tulips

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

As the artist, I poured my passion into this canvas, capturing the vivid dance of colors and light across a wild tulip field. The robust oils carry the vibrancy of nature's palette, ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

Return from the hunt for the blue vase
Return from the hunt for the blue vase

Return from the hunt for the blue vase

Located in Genève, GE

Dimension with frame :92.3 x 60.5 x 2.5 cm This captivating work presents a striking still life in which game hangs upside down, evoking a scene after the hunt. The detailed plumage,...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Yellow tulips
Yellow tulips

Yellow tulips

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this passionate creation, I've blended the vibrant energy of expressionism with the delicate subtlety of impressionism. The yellow tulips, vivid yet tender, symbolize bursts of ho...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lavender coast
Lavender coast

Lavender coast

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

Have you ever found yourself early in the morning or at sunset on the shore of a paradise landscape with blooming lavender? If not, then let's go together to the cool scent of laven...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A Village river
A Village river

Elena LukinaA Village river, 2021

$445Sale Price|20% Off

A Village river

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this piece, I've merged the vibrant fluidity of impressionism with the vivid reality of fine art. I wanted the tranquility of the village river to envelop the viewer, the expressi...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Everlasting Summer, Oil Painting
Everlasting Summer, Oil Painting

Everlasting Summer, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Red, orange, and yellow leaves burst from a dense grove of trees. Dramatic purple and blue clouds hover in the sky above while blades of grass sway gently in ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Eternal Payment in Fertile Land 2 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Apple
Eternal Payment in Fertile Land 2 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Apple

Eternal Payment in Fertile Land 2 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Apple

By Penuel Heber Madeira

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Penuel Heber Ma...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Pencil

Dreamscape, Oil Painting
Dreamscape, Oil Painting

Dreamscape, Oil Painting

By Gary Leonard

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This painting features a woman as the central subject, depicted with bold textures and spontaneous brushstrokes. Her white dress against the deep blue backgro...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

'The Couple in Red' by Helen Steele - Modern Abstract Figurative Painting
'The Couple in Red' by Helen Steele - Modern Abstract Figurative Painting

'The Couple in Red' by Helen Steele - Modern Abstract Figurative Painting

By Helen Steele

Located in Carmel, CA

Helen Steele (German, 1961-2022) 'The Couple in Red' 2011 Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. "The Couple in Red" is a stirring 30" x 24"...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Stretcher Bars

Japanese meadow daisies 40X30
Japanese meadow daisies 40X30

Japanese meadow daisies 40X30

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this oil painting, I've melded expressionism with touches of impressionism to capture the vibrant spirit of a meadow in full bloom. Each brushstroke is a testament to the serene ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'Still Life of Flowers', Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts, Budapest
'Still Life of Flowers', Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts, Budapest

'Still Life of Flowers', Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts, Budapest

By Bordas Ferenc

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Oil still-life of a bouquet of ocher, rose, cobalt, lavender, and ivory wildflowers, informally arranged in a goblet against a background of rust and periwinkle. Signed lower right...

Category

1950s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Between Faith and Promise, Oil Painting
Between Faith and Promise, Oil Painting

Between Faith and Promise, Oil Painting

By Art Clark

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A lone figure stands at the threshold of a rugged mountain pass. Bold, impasto brushwork creates a tactile landscape of weathered earth and skeletal trees fra...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Pastel Still Art
Pastel Still Art

Elena LukinaPastel Still Art, 2018

$10,824Sale Price|20% Off

Pastel Still Art

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In creating this piece, I poured my heart into capturing the sublime dance between light and shadow, using oil to meld expressionism with a touch of impressionistic flair. The soft ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blooming arch by the sea
Blooming arch by the sea

Blooming arch by the sea

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

As I wielded my brush, oils blending on canvas, I sought to capture the vibrant dance between nature and light. My strokes, infused with the fervor of expressionism and the delicacy ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'Fishermen's Shacks, Old Monterey', California Expressionist, Stanford, Carmel
'Fishermen's Shacks, Old Monterey', California Expressionist, Stanford, Carmel

'Fishermen's Shacks, Old Monterey', California Expressionist, Stanford, Carmel

By Robert Canete

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed lower right, 'Canete' for Robert Canete (American, born 1948) and painted circa 2000. This noted Carmel artist studied with Vincent Rascon in the 1960's and later with Dwight...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil Pastel, Oil

Bradley Chance Hays, "Preparation" 48x48 Colorful Modern Horse Western Painting
Bradley Chance Hays, "Preparation" 48x48 Colorful Modern Horse Western Painting

Bradley Chance Hays, "Preparation" 48x48 Colorful Modern Horse Western Painting

By Bradley Chance Hays

Located in Saratoga Springs, NY

"Preparation" is a 48x48 original acrylic painting by Bradley Chance Hays. This is a bold contemporary horse portrait bursting with expressive brushstrokes and rich blues, purples, ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Landscape with meadow
Landscape with meadow

Landscape with meadow

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In creating this painting, I infused my passion for nature's raw beauty and the tranquility of open meadows. The expressive strokes of oil paint capture the warmth of sunlight cares...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'Waves off the Coast', Monterey, California, Large Modernist Seascape
'Waves off the Coast', Monterey, California, Large Modernist Seascape

'Waves off the Coast', Monterey, California, Large Modernist Seascape

By Alberto Conti

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed lower right "A. Conti" for Alberto Conti (Italian, 1895-1982) and painted circa 1960. A dramatic Expressionist style coastal scene showing a view of a breaking wave off the c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Daycamp, Original Painting
Daycamp, Original Painting

Daycamp, Original Painting

By Janet Dyer

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Low buildings hide among nature in an abandoned day camp. The sunlight filters through the trees, painting the grass with a soft radiance. The expressive brus...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Field grass cover
Field grass cover

Elena LukinaField grass cover, 2022

$1,205Sale Price|20% Off

Field grass cover

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this oil painting, I've captured the vibrant essence of a meadow brought to life through harmonious colors and dynamic brushstrokes. It's the embodiment of nature's serenity and ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Roses
Roses

Elena LukinaRoses, 2018

$1,196Sale Price|20% Off

Roses

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this oil painting, I sought to capture the soft elegance of roses – symbols of love and grace. Blending expressionism with touches of realism, the piece exudes a gentle strength. The brushwork weaves a dance of light and shadow, inviting contemplation. It's a tender expression, meant to bring a serene, yet emotive energy into any space it graces. Italian canvas...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"..and CAT"
"..and CAT"

"..and CAT"

By Tetiana Tarasenko

Located in Edinburgh, GB

My ginger cat is very jealous, he is jealous of literally everyone and everything!)) But for some reason we love him very much!))

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Family Tree, Oil Painting
Family Tree, Oil Painting

Family Tree, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A colorful tree stands alone in an open field under a clear blue sky. The orange, yellow, and red leaves create a focal point against the soft, expansive back...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Sentimental Whimp
Sentimental Whimp

Sentimental Whimp

By Gang

Located in Surfside, FL

In this artwork the artist takes a child-like approach at depicting the subject using vibrant colors and painterly brushstrokes. Signed and titled on verso, GANG 2/1990.

Category

1990s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Riverside
Riverside

Riverside

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this piece, I channeled the serene yet vibrant essence of nature's transitions. Wisps of oil paint blend to capture the fleeting moments when light kisses the landscape, creating ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

I have no time, Painting, Oil on Canvas
I have no time, Painting, Oil on Canvas

I have no time, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By MARIUSZ MAKULA

Located in Yardley, PA

Original oil on canvas on wooden stretchers, signed on the front. Certificate of authenticity included. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Nocturnal, Original Painting
Nocturnal, Original Painting

Nocturnal, Original Painting

By Autumn Rose

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist Autumn Rose paints delicate pastel flowers and foliage in striking contrast to a dark background. The artwork emulates luscious plants kissed by soft m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Mind Emancipation 3 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern Men
Mind Emancipation 3 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern Men

Mind Emancipation 3 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern Men

By Olaniyi Timothy

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

The concept of colour, race, and inequality is the concept of the mind caused by the general norms of a society, nation, or world at large . The general norms of the world that place...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Lake House at Dusk, Original Painting
Lake House at Dusk, Original Painting

Lake House at Dusk, Original Painting

By Laura (Yi Zhen) Chen

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A lake house stands serenely as the sun dips below the horizon, its silhouette softly outlined against the glowing sky. Lily pads float gently on the water, t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Raventos MOULIN ROUGE. PARIS original expressionist acrylic canvas
Raventos MOULIN ROUGE. PARIS original expressionist acrylic canvas

Raventos MOULIN ROUGE. PARIS original expressionist acrylic canvas

By Maria Asuncion Raventos

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

"MOULIN ROUGE. PARIS"- original expressionist acrylic canvas painting - 1997 RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Paisaje
Paisaje

Paisaje

By Francisco Benavente Solís

Located in Sant Celoni, ES

Francisco Benavente Solís (Merida,1940). "Paisaje". Firmado a mano, en ángulo inferior derecho. Óleo sobre tabla. Medidas: 30 x 30 cm; 52.5 x 52.5 cm (marco). Pintor afincado en Esp...

Category

1980s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Expressionist paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist 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 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, orange, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Iryna Kastsova, Maria Asuncion Raventos, Masri Hayssam, and Evelyne Ballestra. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available.