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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
Tulips with pear. Oil on cardboard, 50x40 cm
Tulips with pear. Oil on cardboard, 50x40 cm

Tulips with pear. Oil on cardboard, 50x40 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Tulips with pear. Oil on cardboard, 50x40 cm Aleksandr Rodin (1922-2001) Painter Born in a family of farmers. Wife Rasma Lace - art scholar. Studied at the Stalingrad School of Art,...

Category

1970s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

'Dusk, BulBarrow, Dorset',  Original oil painting, signed  c2004.
'Dusk, BulBarrow, Dorset',  Original oil painting, signed  c2004.

'Dusk, BulBarrow, Dorset', Original oil painting, signed c2004.

Located in Frome, Somerset

'BullBarrow at Dusk' by Jan Howarth Jones. circa 2002. oil on board. Oak glazed frame 52.5 cm x 52.5cm Painting 31cmx 34cm. A fine study of light and landscape in her native count...

Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Colorful water lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Colorful water lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Colorful water lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

Flowers in the morning dew The most beautiful flowers are in the early morning. When the dawn just dawned, the petals began to gradually bloom, with the water lily, the lotus in ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Trunks" - Original Landscape Painting - Tree Trunks in Vivid Orange Oil Paint
"Trunks" - Original Landscape Painting - Tree Trunks in Vivid Orange Oil Paint

"Trunks" - Original Landscape Painting - Tree Trunks in Vivid Orange Oil Paint

By David Leviathan

Located in Carmel, CA

David Leviathan (Israeli, born 1964) "Trunks" 2006 Oil paint on canvas, stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the painting. David Leviathan's "Trunks" is a 39" x 45" contemporary landscape abstract that captures the essence of a forest's heart. The canvas is alive with a rich tapestry of autumnal hues, ranging from deep umbers to fiery oranges and subtle golds. Leviathan's technique gives rise to a textured surface that mimics the rugged bark of tree trunks, standing tall amidst a flurry of color. The style is both abstract and suggestive, inviting the viewer to feel the organic growth and the cyclical decay inherent in nature. The painting evokes a sense of resilience and majesty, paying homage to the timeless beauty of the natural world. About the Artist: David Leviathan, born on August 6, 1950, in Kibbutz Givat Brenner, Israel, is a multifaceted Israeli artist whose talents span painting, sculpture, and poetry. After serving in the military, he studied at the Avni Institute of Fine Arts and worked under the guidance of Yehezkel Streichman...

Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars

Raspberry Boogie, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
Raspberry Boogie, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Raspberry Boogie, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

By Karin Goeppert

Located in Yardley, PA

This is a small abstract painting on beautiful off-white cotton rag paper. The work has bright colours to offset the off-white paper. It comes with a mat which is lighter than th...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Blue Sky Road
Blue Sky Road

Blue Sky Road

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this oil painting, I delve into the exhilarating freedom of a motorcycle ride under an expansive blue sky. I've captured the raw energy and motion of the bike, contrasted against ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

More than a thousand words
More than a thousand words

More than a thousand words

Located in Zofingen, AG

In creating this piece, I delved deep into the soulful presence of the equine form, decorating it with elements of nature to symbolize purity and renewal. The oil mediums allowed me ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hello Loretta

Hello Loretta

By Rob Lynch

Located in Buffalo, NY

An original oil on MDF by contemporary conceptual painter Rob Lynch. This work was part of a recent pop up exhibition The Dreamer Who Dreams, which was curated to raise money for Th...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Fiberboard

Dialog, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Dialog, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Dialog, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Karin Goeppert

Located in Yardley, PA

I am working at the moment on some flower paintings on a grey background in different sizes and colours. What remains the same is the background. They look elegant and are an eye-...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Winter Solstice, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Winter Solstice, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Winter Solstice, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Karin Goeppert

Located in Yardley, PA

Winter Solstice is a large painting - ready to hang with a hook attached to the back of the canvas - of my take of winter's beauty. Warm and cool colors playing off each other. 8...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Sunrise over the City, Original Painting
Sunrise over the City, Original Painting

Sunrise over the City, Original Painting

By Diana Elena Chelaru

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Vibrant, swirling sun rays fill the sky, creating a celestial panorama above a city. The windows of the stylized buildings below reflect the galaxy of geometr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

'Pompeii Entrance to Gardens' Signed original painting c 2019
'Pompeii Entrance to Gardens' Signed original painting c 2019

'Pompeii Entrance to Gardens' Signed original painting c 2019

Located in Frome, Somerset

Part of Gradwell's extensive painting journey. Pompeii and its environment Glazed bespoke frame 60 x 75 cm original mixed media on paper 37cm x52 An entrance to the finest public...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

"Mexican Countryside Landscape Scene with Trees on Hills" Expressionistic Style
"Mexican Countryside Landscape Scene with Trees on Hills" Expressionistic Style

"Mexican Countryside Landscape Scene with Trees on Hills" Expressionistic Style

By Michael Baxte

Located in New York, NY

A strong modernist oil painting depicted in 1963 by Russian painter Michael Baxte. Mostly known for his abstracted figures on canvas or street scenes, this piece is a wonderful repre...

Category

1960s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Masonite

Fish and Bicycles # 12

Fish and Bicycles # 12

By Bruce Adams

Located in Buffalo, NY

An original oil on paper by contemporary artist Bruce Adams from his Fish and Bicycles series. This work is currently part of an exhibition at Benjaman Gallery "Over the Fence". This piece comes framed in an archival natural wood frame presentation. The Fish and Bicycle series employs a similar strategy as my Men at Work series. This time the subject matter includes both men and women (exhibited in pairs) representing a range of gender identities. The title is derived from Irina Dunn’s witty statement (often erroneously attributed to Gloria Steinem...

Category

1980s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Paper

Tree Row by Field, Original Painting
Tree Row by Field, Original Painting

Tree Row by Field, Original Painting

By Janet Dyer

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A row of slender trees lines a road in Provence, France. As artist Janet Dyer drove by, she was captivated by the configuration of the trunks against the pale...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Shark Attack

Shark Attack

By James Beaudin

Located in Buffalo, NY

An original mixed media acrylic and ink painting by French American artist James Beaudin.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Ink, Panel

Colorful woman portrait
Colorful woman portrait

Colorful woman portrait

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this oil piece, I have channeled sheer vibrancy, blending expressionism with elements of pop art. The woman's portrayal bursts with emotive color, suggesting a blend of thoughtfu...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

My Galaxy
My Galaxy

Elena LukinaMy Galaxy, 2022

$1,618Sale Price|20% Off

My Galaxy

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this oil painting, I've poured my fascination with the cosmos onto canvas, creating a vibrant expression of energy and emotion. The abstract form intertwines with impressionist t...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Seaside Play
Seaside Play

Elena LukinaSeaside Play, 2018

$1,292Sale Price|20% Off

Seaside Play

Located in Zofingen, AG

"This piece captures a moment of serene companionship between a woman and her dog by the sea, enveloping the viewer in a sense of peacefulness. I used oil to bring out the vibrant co...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

White boat
White boat

White boat

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this oil painting, I've captured a solitary boat mirroring life's simplicity. The palpable textures and the interplay of light and shadow reflect an in...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lilac still-life
Lilac still-life

Elena LukinaLilac still-life, 2018

$3,256Sale Price|20% Off

Lilac still-life

Located in Zofingen, AG

"I've woven tranquility and vibrancy into this oil painting, where delicate lilacs bloom with an impressionistic touch. It captures a moment of serene beauty, with soft textures and ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Magic River
Magic River

Elena LukinaMagic River, 2020

$1,626Sale Price|20% Off

Magic River

Located in Zofingen, AG

"Immersed in the dance of colors, I've crafted a serene escape with my oils—a tranquil river, guiding the gentle drift of thought and emotion. The soft hues and light, playing across the canvas, evoke a sense of peaceful introspection. Bring this energy into your home, let the quiet contemplation and soothing ripples of my art wash over you, enriching your space with a harmonious whisper of nature's solace. Italian canvas...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Meeting on the pond
Meeting on the pond

Meeting on the pond

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this oil painting, I sought to capture an intimate interplay between the inhabitants of a tranquil pond. My brushstrokes dance between expressionism and impressionism, melding rea...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blooming tree, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Blooming tree, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Blooming tree, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

In this oil painting, I endeavored to capture the ephemeral beauty of nature's awakening. With each stroke, I sought to embody the delicate dance of blossoms on a gentle breeze, infu...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Raventos Collage Little City original expressionist mixed media
Raventos Collage Little City original expressionist mixed media

Raventos Collage Little City original expressionist mixed media

By Maria Asuncion Raventos

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

Paris original expressionist mixed media painting RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts in Barce...

Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic

Gentle roses
Gentle roses

Elena LukinaGentle roses, 2016

$1,388Sale Price|20% Off

Gentle roses

Located in Zofingen, AG

Crafted with emotive brushstrokes, this oil painting is a fusion of expressionism and impressionism, where realism meets fine art. I poured my soul into capturing not just the delica...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lovers - Night Of Passion 10, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Lovers - Night Of Passion 10, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Lovers - Night Of Passion 10, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

Original semi-abstract figurative acrylics painting on canvas, painted edges and ready to hang. Colourful and textured produced using the palette knife. The 10th artwork in the serie...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Hortensias
Hortensias

Elena LukinaHortensias, 2017

$3,256Sale Price|20% Off

Hortensias

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this vivid oil painting, I captured the ethereal beauty of blossoming flowers, channeling a blend of impressionistic and expressionistic styles. The play of light and shadow brea...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Japanese meadow daisies 40X30
Japanese meadow daisies 40X30

Japanese meadow daisies 40X30

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

Punk - German Expressionist Pastel Portrait Painting
Punk - German Expressionist Pastel Portrait Painting

Punk - German Expressionist Pastel Portrait Painting

By Dina Gardner

Located in Boston, MA

Punk 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.0, 3.0 lbs Pastel on wood Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "I'm having the best time in my studio doing a self-exploration of the German Expression m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Pastel

"Midnight Walk", Mixed Media Collage, Expressionist, Unframed, 2010+
"Midnight Walk", Mixed Media Collage, Expressionist, Unframed, 2010+

"Midnight Walk", Mixed Media Collage, Expressionist, Unframed, 2010+

Located in San Diego, CA

This is a one of a kind mixed media collage by southern California artist, Susan Osborn. Its dimensions are 32"x41". It is unframed. A certificate of authenticity will follow deliver...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

Pastel Still Art
Pastel Still Art

Elena LukinaPastel Still Art, 2018

$11,177Sale Price|20% Off

Pastel Still Art

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

Coast
Coast

Coast

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In my work, I've captured a serene coastal moment, mixing impressionism with expressionism to evoke the tranquility of the sea. The brushstrokes are alive with emotion, inviting contemplation. You'll sense the calm and reflective atmosphere, an infusion of peace that I yearn to share. It evokes a timeless connection with nature, perfect for bringing a breath of coastal serenity into your living space...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Lovely garden daisies
Lovely garden daisies

Lovely garden daisies

Located in Zofingen, AG

In crafting this piece, I unleashed my passion for nature's unassuming beauty onto the canvas. Each stroke of oil paint embodies the serene and gentle vitality of a blooming field. T...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Arc de Triomphe. 1988, canvas, oil, 100x92 cm
Arc de Triomphe. 1988, canvas, oil, 100x92 cm

Arc de Triomphe. 1988, canvas, oil, 100x92 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Arc de Triomphe. 1988, canvas, oil, 100x92 cm Biruta Delle (born 1944.17.I) Biruta Delle studied in Latvia Art academy (1964 – 67) and one of her most i...

Category

1980s 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

Рicturesque pomegranate
Рicturesque pomegranate

Рicturesque pomegranate

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this passionate dance of colors, I've captured the vibrant essence of life itself through the allegory of pomegranates. Oil paint weaves a textural symphony, blending realism with...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Waiting for spring
Waiting for spring

Waiting for spring

Located in Zofingen, AG

In crafting this piece, I poured my soul into the vivid hues of the landscape, seeking to evoke the feeling of anticipation as nature teeters on the cusp of rebirth. With each stroke...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blooming garden
Blooming garden

Elena LukinaBlooming garden, 2013

$2,748Sale Price|20% Off

Blooming garden

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this creation of mine, I sought to capture the fleeting beauty of nature's awakening. With each stroke, I merged the worlds of realism and impressionism, allowing the vibrant hue...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blooming balcony
Blooming balcony

Blooming balcony

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this vibrant oil painting, I've captured a lush, secluded nook that speaks to the soul's yearning for serenity. The interplay of light and shadow dances with the splendor of bloom...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

After the snow
After the snow

After the snow

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this oil painting, I've embraced the tranquil solitude that comes after a snowfall. The soft purples and blues against the muted earth tones reflect the serene atmosphere and flee...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Road to the sea
Road to the sea

Road to the sea

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this painting, I've channeled the boundless journey of the soul towards the horizon, where land meets sea. The blend of expressionism and impressionism captures the dance of light...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Spring
Spring

Spring

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In this piece, I've captured the essence of rejuvenation. The vibrant strokes and vivid colors symbolize nature's awakening, weaving a tapestry of growth and vitality. With each bru...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blooming arch by the sea
Blooming arch by the sea

Blooming arch by the sea

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

Expressionistic Architecture Painting, "Mission Sunset"
Expressionistic Architecture Painting, "Mission Sunset"

Expressionistic Architecture Painting, "Mission Sunset"

Located in San Diego, CA

This is a one of a kind original expressionist architecture acrylic painting by San Diego artist, Joe Oakes. It comes unframed. Its dimensions are 20" x 16" in (L x H). A certificate...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Sailboats in Rough Seas, Original Painting by Romano Mussolini.
Sailboats in Rough Seas, Original Painting by Romano Mussolini.

Sailboats in Rough Seas, Original Painting by Romano Mussolini.

Located in Belleville, CA

A Gorgeous Original painting by Romano Mussolini. Dated 1974. The image is a painting of a Sailboats in Rough Seas, signed by Romano Mussolini with a Certificate of Authenticity on t...

Category

1970s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

'Falmouth , Night and Day' original painting  signed work circa 2015.
'Falmouth , Night and Day' original painting  signed work circa 2015.

'Falmouth , Night and Day' original painting signed work circa 2015.

Located in Frome, Somerset

Original painting by Andy Gradwell b. 1968 'Falmouth , Cornwall, Night and Day' signed 2015 mixed media painting 34cmx 42cm Glazed frame and mounted 55cm x67cm A contemplative piece ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

Surfs Up, Oil Painting
Surfs Up, Oil Painting

Surfs Up, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
With low tide, the sand stretches out towards the receding waterline, revealing a shallow pool of water reflecting the sky. A solitary cloud watches over the ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Venice, I miss you, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Venice, I miss you, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Venice, I miss you, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

Imbued with my longing for the serene canals, this oil on canvas embodies my passion for the city's dance of light and shadow. Textured brushstrokes capture the fluidity of water and...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

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.