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.
$1,567Sale Price|45% Off
Hillside in Galilee
Located in North Clarendon, VT
Fantastic estate find, Hillside in Galilee by Arieh Allweil. A beautiful expressionist painting by an exceptional artist. Oil on board, signed lower right, 15" x 11" painting, 20" x ...
Oil
Resilience -21st Century Contemporary Figurative Portrait, Woman against Nature
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
Expressionist African American Woman Portrait German Brazilian Harry Elsas
Located in Surfside, FL
Framed 20.5 x 18 image 14.5 x 12 Heinz Hugo Erich Elsas, (German-Brazilian 1925-1994) later known as Harry Elsas. Muralist, writer, designer best known as a painter. Born in 1925 in Stuttgart, Germany, 1n 1936 At the age of 14 he moved with his family to Sao Paulo, Brazil fleeing from World War II and of the persecution of the Jews. A self taught artist he was influenced by the Flemish artists, his work reveals remarkable influence of Brueghel and Hieronymus Bosch. He worked in the workshop of Portinari, participating in the Tiradentes mural. His work went through a post-Expressionist phase, culminating in the adoption of cubism and is characterized by the habit of creating a three-dimensional structure before painting a picture. In 1945, he was working with Lasar Segall...
Oil, Board
5 Waiting for the Tide Venice Biennale 2026 Project
Located in Zofingen, AG
THE PROJECT: INDEPENDENT PAVILION VENICE 2026 This work is a cornerstone of the "In Minor Keys: The Turquoise Silence" series — a large-scale artistic manifesto created specifically ...
Canvas, Oil, Linen
"Azure Pond Study" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of "Japanese Spring Paradise," a painting where the fleeting charm of cherry blossoms meets the timeless grandeur of Mount Fuji. This original o...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Oil painting on board "Rough sea with steamer on the horizon" by S.A.Vinogradoff
Located in Gavere, BE
Sergey VINOGRADOV ( 1869 - 1938 ) Rough sea with steamer on the horizon Sergei Arsenievich Vinogradov ( Russian: 1869–1938 ) was a Russian-Soviet Impressionist painter; known for l...
Gold Leaf
$3,350
Don't Look Back, Your Life Isn't There Anymore -21st Century, Contemporary Women
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 Eli...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Woman in a Red Dress
By Béla Czóbel
Located in Chicago, IL
In an article published in Le Figaro (Paris, March 19, 1964), Raymond Cogniat comments on Czóbel’s unique artistic style. He writes: “...Czóbel, who arrived Paris in the first years...
Canvas, Oil
Horsewoman" is a free copy from K.Bryulov's painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Horsewoman" is a free copy from K.Bryulov's painting "landscape of the Volsky Lily. A beautiful and amazing painting is painted according to all the canons of painting. 8 layers of ...
Canvas, Oil
"Arc de Fleurs" (2023) by Leigh Ann Van Fossan, Original Acrylic &Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Leigh Ann Van Fossan's "Arc de Fleurs" (2023) is an original, handmade oil and acrylic abstract painting with bright colors. This piece is a diptych comprised of two 18 x 18" canvass...
Oil, Acrylic, Canvas
C'est le Passe que Nous Attendons
Located in Long Island City, NY
An oil painting by Theo Tobiasse from 1967. An expressionist-style textural painting of intensely dark and vivid color palette. Inspired from the artist's personal experiences of the...
Canvas, Oil
Gravity of Light: Marine Chronicles
Located in Zofingen, AG
A cornerstone of the 'Gravity of Light: Marine Chronicles' collection, this 2012 masterpiece marks the origins of Elena Lukina’s signature philosophy: "The Turquoise Silence." Painte...
Canvas, Oil
Self Portrait -21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Africa, People
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 Emma...
Canvas, Coffee, Mixed Media
$4,000
Don't Rush Life 3 - 21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Portrait, Africa, Men
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Where am from Bandana was once a common style, we called it Big Boy Style, then it's seem to me like a style or fashion only, because our elder brothers only allowed to used it but n...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,306Sale Price|40% Off
La Montera
Located in London, GB
'La Montera', gouache, watercolour and ink on art paper, by Pierre Ambrogiani (circa 1960s). The artist created many artworks with bullfighting as theme. In this case, a single torer...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
Tarrasso square. House in the countryside. Original acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Les Guilleries. Original acrylic canvas painting signed work Casimiro Martínez Tarrassó, a painter known simply as Tarrassó. He was trained at the La Llotja School in Barcelona. He c...
Canvas, Acrylic
Triptych "Ocean of possibilities"oil abstraction of Volskya Lilya.
Located in Zofingen, AG
Triptych "Ocean of possibilities"oil abstraction of Volskya Lilya. Do all artists have equal opportunities? Is talent an illusion or a gift from God? Whose paintings will remain in t...
Canvas, Oil
$1,496Sale Price|20% Off
Lake view by A. Muller - Oil on canvas 60x73 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on canvas with a frame; total size 80x93 cm
Oil
Be Bold
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Be Bold" is a striking piece that demands attention from the moment one sets eyes on it. The central figure, a woman with flowing blue hair, exudes an air of confidence and resilience. The blue hue not only serves as an aesthetic choice but also carries deeper significance, representing the freedom to break societal norms and embrace personal identity without fear. The composition is masterfully crafted, with bold brushstrokes and intricate details that draw the viewer into the artwork. The woman's piercing gaze locks with the observer, inviting them to explore their own journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Each stroke of Theophilus's brush seems to radiate energy and passion, capturing the spirit of the subject and infusing the artwork with a powerful presence. "Be Bold" serves as a powerful symbol of embracing individuality and embracing one's true self. The woman with blue hair stands as a representation of those who dare to be different, challenging societal expectations and norms. The vibrant blue color symbolizes freedom, confidence, and the courage to break free from conformity. In a world that often pressures individuals to fit into predefined molds, Theophilus's artwork is a reminder of the beauty and strength found in embracing one's unique qualities. "Be Bold" calls on viewers to celebrate their differences, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and express their true selves without hesitation or fear of judgment. The power of "Be Bold" lies in its ability to evoke a strong emotional response in those who experience it. The artwork serves as a catalyst for introspection, urging viewers to reflect on their own lives and choices. The confident and defiant gaze of the woman with blue hair prompts individuals to question their own limitations and seek the courage to break free from them. By inspiring viewers to be bold, Theophilus encourages self-empowerment and personal growth. Through his art, he instills a sense of pride and confidence, reminding us that our uniqueness is a strength to be celebrated, not hidden away. The artwork's impact extends beyond the confines of the gallery walls, inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves and pursue their passions with unwavering determination. "Be Bold" by Adewuyi Theophilus...
Canvas, Oil
$3,800
French Modernist Large Paris Street Oil Painting Expressionist Henry D'anty
By Henri d'Anty
Located in Surfside, FL
Large oil on canvas Paris, France street scene with house and tree. Hand signed Framed Dimensions 41 x 48.5 Canvas is 40 X 32 inches Henri Maurice D'Anty, listed French artist, Henry d'Anty 1910-1998 Born 1910 in Belleville France. Died in December 4 1998. Educated at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the Académie Julian Paris. Painter of the school of Paris. ((painter of de l'Ecole de Paris et Peintre Témoin de son Temps) He participated in numerous exhibitions and was rewarded number of prizes for his work in France and abroad D'Anty was born in Belleville, and it was here that he came to know the picturesque architectural quality of small sloping streets, sometimes broken by flights of steps, like those of Montmartre. Afterwards he moved to Saint Maurice, where he came under the spell of the banks of the Marne with its blue green reflections, the heavy river barges, sail boats, and the lock with its large dark mass, which all made their impressions, as did a later visit in northern France, long before he thought seriously about painting. But in both eye and mind, he was already storing secret visions and emotions. During a holiday in Brittany, he discovered an entirely new awareness of colors, or rather of colors of the enchanting, subtle tones which make up the varied atmospheres of the Breton scene. He is linked to both post impressionism and expressionism. He was part of the Ecole de Paris (School of Paris) and showed with Francois Arnal, Franz Priking, Isis Kischka, Roland Dubuc, Bernard Maurice Quentin, Michel Patrix, Roger Bezombes, Lucien Joseph Fontanarosa, Bernard Buffet, Jean Marzelle, Maurice Blond, Isaac Antcher, Francis Bott, Jean Jansem, Alfred Charles Weber...
Canvas, Oil
$3,949
Manyfaced. Man, masculine, inner world, faces, fish, bright, strong, strange
Located in Oslo, NO
“Many faced” is an oil painting from Alter Ego series, inspired by Carl Jung’s analytical psychology. The series explores the inner landscape of the self — the tension between opposi...
Oil, Canvas
Still life with Dasies. Oil on canvas. 80x70.5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Professional painter from Latvia in Soviet period
Plywood, Oil
Pagoda, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A tulip poplar towers like a golden pagoda on a beautiful sunny day. The pastel light from the sky reflects its warm glow on the tree. The artwork evokes a jo...
Oil
Large Vintage Expressionist Landscape Original Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
A gorgeous bright green expressionist landscape by Carl Ashby. From the collection of renowned painter Steve Wheeler. Nicely framed in a gold and black wooden floater frame. Measurin...
Oil, Canvas
$17,800
Still of Flowers in a Blue Vase Pierre Ambrogiani (France, 1905-1985)
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"Still Life of Flowers in a Blue Vase" Pierre Ambrogiani (France, 1905-1985) Oil on panel Circa 1960 15 3/4 x 20 (20 1/4 x 24 1/2 frame) inches If the artists Diego Velázquez (Spai...
Oil, Panel
"Happy Fish: The Golden Kiss" (2025) – Original Oil on Canvas by Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"The Golden Kiss" (2025) is a masterpiece of emotional depth and technical brilliance within Elena Lukina’s internationally acclaimed series, "Vitality in Motion: The Koi Symphony" (...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Light and Stone in Harmony Sway, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Soft light hits two peaks, casting soft, blue shadows on the cliffs below. In the foreground, a meadow lights up with small, dancing trees. The composition and ...
Oil
$2,653Sale Price|50% Off
The Bather
Located in London, GB
'The Bather', oil on board, by Charles Kvapil (1934). The world of art has for centuries depicted bathers in one form or another. Kvapil's wonderfully allur...
Oil, Board
Rise and Shine, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Soft morning light bathes winter trees in a warm glow. A house peeks out from behind the branches, partially hidden within the landscape. Minimal detail is used...
Acrylic
"Mexican Landscape Water Scene with Figures and Boat" Expressionistic Style
Located in New York, NY
A strong modernist oil painting depicted in the Mid Century by Russian painter Michael Baxte. Mostly known for his abstracted figures on canvas or street scenes, this piece is a wond...
Oil, Masonite
Blue Sky - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract Expressionism, Modern, Interior
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,796Sale Price|40% Off
'The Park' by M. Phidias (circa 1920s)
Located in London, GB
'The Park', oil on canvas, by M. Phidias (circa 1920s). Painted using this artist's trademark impasto, the effect is to add depth and texture to the exuberant display of hues and ref...
Canvas, Oil
French Expressionist School of Paris Oil Painting Women with Umbrellas Rainy Day
Located in Surfside, FL
Michel De Gallard, France (1921-2007). Oil on canvas signed lower left, Silver gilt and dark wood frame. Provenance: Label on verso Galerie de la Presidence, Paris, Titled: 'Femme...
Canvas, Oil
The red apple. Mother and daughter, family, rural landscape, village, ancestors
Located in Oslo, NO
“The Red Apple” shows an old and a young woman as one figure. They share the same body, the same presence — youth and age together. The apple recalls the story of Eve. It stands for ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Expressionist Lake and Mountain Landscape Oil Painting
Located in Genève, GE
Work on canvas
Oil
Promeneur au Pigeonnier, Expressionist Oil on Board Landscape, Signed
Located in Cotignac, FR
French landscape, Expressionist oil on board by Jean Arene. The painting is signed bottom left, titled dated and signed to the back and is presented in the original 'Arene' frame sup...
Oil
Still life with watering can and cacti
Located in Genève, GE
Work on wood Golden frame Dimensions with frame :64 x 79 x 2.5 cm A close look at this work reveals the artist's astonishing mastery in depicting an apparently simple yet profoundly...
Oil, Gouache
Mediterranean Village of Mallorca oil on canvas painting
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Artist: Bernat Sanjuan i Tarré (Barcelona, 1915 – Deià, Mallorca, 1979) Title: Mediterranean Village of Mallorca Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 65 × 92 cm (25.6 × 36.2 in) Framed:...
Canvas, Oil
$4,219Sale Price|50% Off
Landscape
Located in London, GB
'Landscape', oil on canvas, by Charles Kvapil (1928). The artist, Kvapil, has scores of tremendous artworks which depict scenes in nature such as this one. Here, a bit of Mediterrane...
Canvas, Oil
"The Toreador" Pierre Ambrogiani (France, 1905-1985) Circa 1950s
Located in SANTA FE, NM
"The Toreador" Pierre Ambrogiani (France, 1905-1985) Oil on canvas Circa 1950's 28 1/4 x 20 3/4 (31 1/4 x 23 3/4 frame) inches Signed bottom right corner If the artists Diego Veláz...
Oil, Canvas
Stolphärbre in Moonlight
Located in North Clarendon, VT
Beautiful colorist Alf Sundstrom oil on canvas painting of moonlight over a Stolphärbre in Sweden 1923. Wilhelm Alfons (Alf) Maria Sundström was born April 16, 1888 in Nansta, Gävle...
Oil
Yellow Ambitions -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Surrealism Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
“Thus wrote I, since my One Love was torn from me. I cannot work: I cannot think: I seek distraction here: I seek distraction there: but this is all my truth, that I Who love have lo...
Linen, Oil
Vintage American New York City Bridge Cityscape
By Simon Gaon
Located in Buffalo, NY
A gorgeous New York cityscape. Beautifully framed in a silver gilt wooden floater frame. Measuring: 23 by 31 inches overall and 22 by 30 inches image alone. Excellent condition, read...
Oil, Board
$1,057
Peonies in the evening garden" oil on canvas.Landscape of Liliуа Volskayaya
Located in Zofingen, AG
SHIPPED IN ROLL "Peonies in the evening garden" oil on canvas.Landscape of Lilia Volskaya. To paint this landscape, I used several techniques of oil painting on canvas. 1. The main p...
Canvas, Oil
$2,600
Love and Bond 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Whites, Black
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
A better society is not built solely by wealth or power, but by shared values. By the courage to love without condition, the strength to treat all as equals, and the wisdom to honor ...
Canvas, Oil
Into The Light 2 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Surrealism, Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
A garden of broken vows— where lilies bloom with ash in their throats and mirrors drip with the sweat of secrets. Two shadows entwine, Yet one dissolves into smoke, The other crumble...
Linen, Oil
$790
Nature-Inspired Painting, Tropical Flora in Brown and Green, Modern Nature Forms
Located in Barcelona, ES
This painting explores an intimate and imaginative relationship with nature, transforming tropical flora into expressive, living forms. Rather than depicting a specific landscape, th...
Paper, Wax Crayon, Acrylic
Alfonsas Dargis "The Old Country"
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alfonsas Dargis:1909-1996. Listed artist who was born in Lithuania and emigrated to the Rochchester N.Y. area in 1951. He has auction results up to ? $1700 but has sold for much high...
Oil
$11,908Sale Price|30% Off
Piazza di Spagna Roma
By Yves Brayer
Located in London, GB
'Piazza di Spagna, Roma' oil on canvas, by Yves Brayer (1933). At the bottom of the Spanish Steps, is one of the most famous squares in Rome. It owes ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Woman with Red Hair
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Baron Robert Heinrich Freiherr von Doblhoff (1880 Vienna - 1960 ibid.) Woman with Red Hair Ink and watercolor on paper, image measures 6.25 x 7.25 inc...
Ink, Watercolor
Seeing Autumn, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A lone tree stands in the middle of a vast meadow, with a single cloud hovering over it. Its leaves, painted in shades of yellow and red, subtly hint at the c...
Oil
Hydro-Genesis: Luminous Flux – Museum Scale Masterpiece (145x100)
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this monumental 145x100 cm canvas, the proprietary "Ordered Chaos" method is pushed to its technical and emotional limits. Part of a profound, decade-long study titled Hydro-Genes...
Canvas, Oil
$7,300
Kinetic Azure: Deep Turquoise Abstract Expressionism – Large Palette Knife Oil
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this monumental 80x120 cm work from her 2024 pivotal collection, Elena Lukina redefines the boundaries of contemporary marine abstraction. 'Kynetic Azure' is not merely a depictio...
Canvas, Oil
CHERRY
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this painting, I imbued a whimsical essence, capturing innocence through naive strokes and a pop art vibe. I harmonized acrylic and oil to craft a texture-rich surface, like a tap...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Obìnrin Bí Òkúta (Women Like Stone) - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Oil
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...
Canvas, Oil
Guoqiang Ning Portrait Original Oil Painting "Blue Fantasy"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Blue Fantasy Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 15 x 12 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This painting is ...
Canvas, Oil
$489Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-20th Century French Expressionist Landscape River and Colorful Mountains
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Expressionist Landscape signed gouache painting on artist paper painting: 9.75 x 12.75 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: very good and sound condition Descr...
Gouache
$4,030Sale Price|35% Off
Stone Head Oil Painting on Board, Expressionist, Circa 1950s, Framed
Located in Vancouver, CA
Herbert Siebner (1925-2004) was a German-born Canadian painter whose work is characterized by its expressive use of color and texture, and its exploration of themes of war, exile, an...
Oil, Board
"Horses in the field" with yellow popular trees
Located in New York, NY
"Horses in the field" is unique by the artist, because of the location where they are grazing among the yellow popular trees.
Oil
$4,850
Even in Pain - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern, Love
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Set in a small, resilient village on September 1, 2022, ADEROGBA, a young artist, loses his eyesight due to a sudden illness. With a chain on his hands symbolizing pain. Devastated b...
Canvas, Acrylic, Oil