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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
1957 Vintage Mid Century Modern Portrait Oil Painting - Behind the Mask
1957 Vintage Mid Century Modern Portrait Oil Painting - Behind the Mask

1957 Vintage Mid Century Modern Portrait Oil Painting - Behind the Mask

Located in Bristol, GB

BEHIND THE MASK Size: 43 x 35 cm (including frame) Oil on board A bold and enigmatic mid-century figurative portrait, executed in oil onto board and dated 1957. The composition dep...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Not All At Once, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Not All At Once, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Not All At Once, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Steven Miller

Located in Yardley, PA

My abstract paintings are all about creating excitement for the viewer through concentrated exploration. Each painting is inspired by nature, travels, or imagination and created to e...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Ellen Hackl Fagan, Primer, 2001, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Graphite
Ellen Hackl Fagan, Primer, 2001, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Graphite

Ellen Hackl Fagan, Primer, 2001, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Graphite

By Ellen Hackl Fagan

Located in Darien, CT

Ellen Hackl Fagan creates works of art focused on building a visual language. Primer is a large acrylic on canvas painting that was painted during the attacks on NYC on 9/11. She used the alphabet as a metaphor, as a way towards communicating anew with one another. The alphabet is a recurring theme in Fagan's work, ranging from interactive, ColorSoundGrammar works to painting, sculpture, lost languages...

Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Acrylic, Graphite

Snow peaks, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Snow peaks, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Snow peaks, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

For those who love white in their interior. For those who love snow and skiing. For those who set goals and accomplish them, climbing step by step, reaching the top. For those who...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

White Town, 8, Painting, Oil on Canvas

White Town, 8, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

White Ton, 8, oil on canvas, 60 x 80 cm, stretched on a gallery frame, edges painted, technique brush and painting knife, 10 layers; On our way was the “Accademia di Belle Arti ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Going About Life, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
Going About Life, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel

Going About Life, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel

By Debbie Pacheco

Located in Yardley, PA

Walking in the city I was struck by the gratitude of being able to go about life. The everyday coming and going that I sometimes take for granted suddenly brought me joy. This painti...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

In the radiance, Painting, Oil on Canvas
In the radiance, Painting, Oil on Canvas

In the radiance, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

In this painting I combine classical realism with abstract art. Warm greens, pinks and yellows predominate in In the Shining. In my painting, I want to tell the story of a girl full...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Blue Water 2, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Blue Water 2, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Ray Brandolino

Located in Yardley, PA

I draw inspiration from nature and it’s vastness. I am painting more and more from how I feel and see our world. All works are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by the artis...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Girl in bikini, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Girl in bikini, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Located in Yardley, PA

I use my photos as a starting point. I change them up significantly to get a final composition that best conveys my sense of a work. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

SUGAR LIPS, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
SUGAR LIPS, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

SUGAR LIPS, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

By Victor Sheleg

Located in Yardley, PA

I only do original work. Each one is unique, so you only get one! My work is my emotions and you can see those emotions on the canvas - you can experience them every day you have th...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Mood, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Mood, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Mood, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Andrada Anghel

Located in Yardley, PA

Bold red and blue abstract painting, energetic brushstrokes and vibrant color for a happy mood. Created with professional acrylic paint on canvas, it will bring the outdoors inside. ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Deviant Beauty, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Deviant Beauty, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Deviant Beauty, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

Deviant Beauty, oil on canvas, 120 x 120 x 3 cm I lay beneath lavender pendants and deep purple blooms. In the shade of the Wisteria tree I look at the beauty around me, the tangle...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

« Expression 2 » by M.Y., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
« Expression 2 » by M.Y., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

« Expression 2 » by M.Y., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

« Expression 2 » by M.Y. I am constantly looking for different techniques, colors and materials to experiment with, and always strive to achieve sensual harmony in every compositi...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Procession With Elephant
Procession With Elephant

Procession With Elephant

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

Procession with elephant, expressionist style oil painting, signed and dated. George Russin was born in New York 1910-2010. He attended the High School of Music and Art to pursue bot...

Category

1970s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

Jay-Z., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Jay-Z., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Jay-Z., Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Iryna Kastsova

Located in Yardley, PA

Jay-Z. Shawn Corey Carter, better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, executive producer and entrepreneur. Painted in a modern style wi...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Conversation with a friend, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Conversation with a friend, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Conversation with a friend, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

I register it and then part of it automatically goes to work. I'm not trying to paint literally, but I'm trying to bring the emotions being exerted on me closer to the viewer. A feel...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Adonis 350 BC, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Adonis 350 BC, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Adonis 350 BC, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Gavin O'Donoghue

Located in Yardley, PA

In Greek mythology, Adonis was the god of beauty and desire. Oil on canvas, ready to hang. rough textures and loose brushwork. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with a...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

ROSY CHEEKS, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
ROSY CHEEKS, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

ROSY CHEEKS, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

By Victor Sheleg

Located in Yardley, PA

I only do original work. Each one is unique, so you only get one! My work is my emotions and you can see those emotions on the canvas - you can experience them every day you have the...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

KAT, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

KAT, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

The mythical cat, usually the boss in a home... :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Y...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Midnight Lady D - Female Nude, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Midnight Lady D - Female Nude, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Midnight Lady D - Female Nude, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

Original semi-abstract figurative acrylics painting on deep edge stretched canvas, painted edges and ready to hang. Colourful and textured using blue, lime green, red colours and the palette knife. Frontal image of seated female nude relaxing. Size 24" x 18" x 1.5"(61 cm x 46 cm x 3 cm). Quality art materials used...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Large-Scale Abstract Expressionism with Aqua, Teal, Grey, & White
Large-Scale Abstract Expressionism with Aqua, Teal, Grey, & White

Large-Scale Abstract Expressionism with Aqua, Teal, Grey, & White

By D.S. Silver

Located in Soquel, CA

Expressive and dynamic large-scale abstract expressionist painting by D.S. Silver (American, 20th Century), c.1985. Big and bold brushstrokes in a palette of cool colors, including aqua, teal, grey, and white, dance across the huge canvas...

Category

1980s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars

Large-Scale Modern Argyle Abstract
Large-Scale Modern Argyle Abstract

Large-Scale Modern Argyle Abstract

By D.S. Silver

Located in Soquel, CA

Whimsical large-scale abstract presenting a modernist take on old-fashioned argyle shapes with contemporary color palate by D.S. Silver (American, 20th Century), a San Francisco, Cal...

Category

1980s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars

Land of Living Skies, Painting, Oil on Paper
Land of Living Skies, Painting, Oil on Paper

Land of Living Skies, Painting, Oil on Paper

By Tiffany Blaise

Located in Yardley, PA

Original mixed-media painting on paper of a coastal landscape composed of ink, oil paint and cold wax medium. This textured artwork is created with a palette knife and brushes. It i...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Woman VI, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Woman VI, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Located in Yardley, PA

In my pictures I try to combine the visual and the conceptual. For me, drawing is a medium of knowledge which, beyond direct expression, makes visible material and immaterial forces,...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Congress Avenue" Expressionist painting of downtown Austin, Texas
"Congress Avenue" Expressionist painting of downtown Austin, Texas

"Congress Avenue" Expressionist painting of downtown Austin, Texas

Located in Austin, TX

A painting of Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, Texas from Pep Suari's visit to Austin. Suari is an artist based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. This piece is executed in acrylic on p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

Red Portrait, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Red Portrait, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Located in Yardley, PA

My work is about dealing with the real world and above all using the images that surround us in everyday life. I often search for the unexpected. An ironic turn to images or things y...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Patterns and Stripes, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
Patterns and Stripes, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist

Patterns and Stripes, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist

By Bernard Harmon

Located in Doylestown, PA

"Patterns and Stripes" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 34" oil on board portrait of two figures is painted in a muted color palette. The painting is framed in a new, gold frame and signed "Harmon" on verso. Figurative expressionism in the style of Alice Neel. Bernard Harmon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1935. Harmon was primarily a portrait painter and a well loved teacher in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of the Philadelphia Museum School and Temples Tyler School of Art, Harmon traveled extensively in Europe and South America. Beloved by many, Harmon taught in the Philadelphia School District for 32 of his 54 years of life. Beginning his career as an art teacher at West Philadelphia High School, in the early 1960s he became one of the district's artists in residence, traveling from school to school to demonstrate for students how an artist works. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School where he taught for 14 years and became an innovator in art curriculum, developing a program offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. In his final years Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia school systems District #1. During his short life Harmon taught collage preparatory art classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, summer classes at the University of the Arts, and a Saturday program for gifted children at Drexel University. Among Harmon's portraits were commissioned by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and Mayor Richardson Dilworth. Bernard Harmon was active in promoting African American Artist throughout his life time. He organized many early shows such as the "Afro American Artists...

Category

1970s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

"Sycamores at Dusk" - Contemporary Dark Autumn Forest Landscape in Warm Palette
"Sycamores at Dusk" - Contemporary Dark Autumn Forest Landscape in Warm Palette

"Sycamores at Dusk" - Contemporary Dark Autumn Forest Landscape in Warm Palette

Located in Carmel, CA

Penny Whent (American, born 1949) "Sycamores at Dusk" 2024 Acrylic Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom left of the painting. “Sycamores at Dusk” by Penny When...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars

LADY ON THE COUCH, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
LADY ON THE COUCH, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

LADY ON THE COUCH, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

I only make original works. Each is a one of a kind so you will have the only one! My artwork is my emotions and you can see that emotions on the canvas - You can experience it each...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

'Zulu Dancers'
'Zulu Dancers'

'Zulu Dancers'

Located in Amsterdam, NL

‘Zulu Dancers’ Signed bottom right Hardman, titled on a sticker at the reverse and with address Walton End, Walton Lane, Bosham, Chichester, and Price 45 gns. Oil on board, 99 x 87...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Juliette
Juliette

Juliette

Located in Austin, TX

By Pep Suari 39.5" x 32 Acrylic on Canvas

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Cats and a Woman
Cats and a Woman

Cats and a Woman

Located in Austin, TX

By Pep Suari 39" x 39" Acrylic on Canvas

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Sitting nude with a white towel, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
Sitting nude with a white towel, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Sitting nude with a white towel, Painting, Acrylic on Paper

Located in Yardley, PA

I register it and then part of it automatically goes to work. I'm not trying to paint literally, but I'm trying to bring the emotions being exerted on me closer to the viewer. A feel...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Private Island, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Private Island, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Thong Le

Located in Yardley, PA

Landscape an island in fall season :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Re...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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.