Skip to main content

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.

to
621
786
618
682
652
799
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
16
985
2,536
6
7
28
44
38
64
109
128
91
119
41,870
38,190
23,295
8,608
4,702
3,255
2,626
1,224
1,175
939
885
438
283
1,717
1,226
585
1,502
1,187
980
530
379
330
321
291
263
230
193
175
140
127
116
83
82
74
74
67
3,374
2,144
1,823
1,788
1,280
43
42
39
39
31
887
175
1,556
1,275
Style: Expressionist
Snap Peas, Expressionist  Portrait of Young Woman by Philadelphia Artist
Snap Peas, Expressionist  Portrait of Young Woman by Philadelphia Artist

Snap Peas, Expressionist Portrait of Young Woman by Philadelphia Artist

By Bernard Harmon

Located in Doylestown, PA

"Snap Peas" is an interior portrait of a young woman working at her kitchen table, painted by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 24" x 36" oil on board painting from 1955 is signed "Harmon" in the lower left and it is framed in a new black wood frame. 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 1800 - 1969" at the Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center in 1969. He was considered a Renaissance man by friends and colleagues for his interests not only in art but music and theater as well. He was familiar and friends with many other African American artists such as Doc Thrash, Selma Burke, Paul Keene...

Category

1950s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

At the Theatre
At the Theatre

At the Theatre

By Donald Roy Purdy

Located in New York, NY

Born in 1924 Donald Purdy in the 1960s did a series of works on clay-coated paper. He loved working in this medium and he would apply oil paint and then rub it away with a cloth to ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Clay, Board

1991 Vintage Original Swedish Mini Still Life Oil Painting - Cake & Blooms
1991 Vintage Original Swedish Mini Still Life Oil Painting - Cake & Blooms

1991 Vintage Original Swedish Mini Still Life Oil Painting - Cake & Blooms

Located in Bristol, GB

CAKE & BLOOMS Size: 35 x 30 cm (including frame) Oil on board This interior oil composition, dated 1991 on reverse, is an inviting and charming still-life painting that embodies the...

Category

1990s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Two Koi June 2

Two Koi June 2

By Linda Holt

Located in Wellesley, MA

"Two Koi, June 2," Oil on Canvas, 30 x 40 Inches, koi fish swimming underwater, brilliant and vivid color, fluid and painterly style, luscious. This painting is sold individually ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

Mid Century Modern Mini Expressive Landscape Oil Painting - Woodland Colour
Mid Century Modern Mini Expressive Landscape Oil Painting - Woodland Colour

Mid Century Modern Mini Expressive Landscape Oil Painting - Woodland Colour

Located in Bristol, GB

WOODLAND COLOUR Size: 38 x 33 cm (including frame) Oil on board A small but very impactful mid century modernist landscape composition, painted in oil onto board. In this painting ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

La Danse des Arbres: Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas
La Danse des Arbres: Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas

La Danse des Arbres: Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas

By Evelyne Ballestra

Located in Miami, FL

Her work with signs, symbols and esoteric spirituality reflects her passion for the ancient past and represents a symbolic return to the ground from which we emerged. Her work creates a commentary about “beginnings” and the transmission of signs and emotions through visual elements evoking a spiritual essence to our scientific notion of etymology. After studying under Rolf Dürig...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

County Mayo Beach
County Mayo Beach

County Mayo Beach

By Tom Irizarry Studio

Located in Booklyn, NY

This painting is one of the finest examples of Tom's painting style and materials. Color and paint burst across the canvas, imbued with movement of clouds, sun and water. From a distant shore, County Mayo...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Pigment

THE PARTY
THE PARTY

THE PARTY

By David Schluss

Located in Aventura, FL

Original mixed media on paper. Hand signed on front by the artist. Framed. Additional images available upon request. Studio Certificate of authenticity included. Artwork in excellen...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Twilight Tapestry
Twilight Tapestry

Twilight Tapestry

Located in West Hollywood, CA

ABOUT THE PAINTING The artist skillfully portrays a scene of enchanting darkness and ethereal beauty. The canvas depicts a serene forest, where tall and majestic trees with thick, da...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Expressionistic landscape oil painting 'Found Colors at the Snows Edge II'
Expressionistic landscape oil painting 'Found Colors at the Snows Edge II'

Expressionistic landscape oil painting 'Found Colors at the Snows Edge II'

By Ken Elliott

Located in White Plains, NY

'Found Colors at the Snows Edge II' 2023 by American artist, Ken Elliott. Oil on canvas, 48 x 60 in. / Frame: 49.75 x 61.75 in.This painting of a forest and snowy ground comprises of colors in blue, green, brown and white. Framed in a gold painted frame. Colorado based artist Ken Elliott, focuses on the western landscape and its rich store of ideas and inspiration. Painting rural scenery, the artist does not try to recreate nature or attempt storytelling but instead, wields color boldly, creating vibrant, contemporary landscapes that are both animated and peaceful. Early in his career, he was a student of Wolf Kahn, who inspired his work. Since 1988, Elliott’s work has been exhibited in numerous galleries nationwide. His work is collected in corporate art...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

PRIVATE CONCERT ON THE SQUARE
PRIVATE CONCERT ON THE SQUARE

PRIVATE CONCERT ON THE SQUARE

By Stephen Shortridge

Located in Aventura, FL

Original oil on canvas painting. Hand signed on front; signed and titled on verso by the artist. Canvas size 24 x 36 in. Framed. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of a...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Palette of Persia 1
Palette of Persia 1

Palette of Persia 1

Located in West Hollywood, CA

ABOUT THE PAINTING This piece transports viewers to the picturesque landscapes in the northern villages of Iran. The focal point of the artwork lies in the village itself, with its s...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Expressionist portrait painting of Permeke's daughter
Expressionist portrait painting of Permeke's daughter

Expressionist portrait painting of Permeke's daughter

Located in Oostende, BE

Beautiful painting of the daughter of Permeke. The piece is signed and at the back you can read the titel on the label. Paintings by Permeke can be found in museums all over the world.

Category

1930s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Serene Symphony
Serene Symphony

Serene Symphony

Located in West Hollywood, CA

The landscape piece is a stunning representation of a serene and romantic setting, created in a unique impressionistic style. The artist has masterfully captured the essence of natur...

Category

1990s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Rolling Meadows
Rolling Meadows

Rolling Meadows

Located in West Hollywood, CA

The use of soft tones and impressionistic brushstrokes lends a sense of ethereal beauty to the overall composition. The artist has skillfully created a sense of distance, with the ba...

Category

1990s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Patrol Boys - Contemporary Figurative History Oil Painting
Patrol Boys - Contemporary Figurative History Oil Painting

Patrol Boys - Contemporary Figurative History Oil Painting

Located in Boston, MA

Patrol Boys 84.0 x 60.0 x 1.5, 12.0 lbs Oil on streched canvas Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "Gun violence in America and the ineffective ability of our society to a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Turquoise Symphony #2 - Lucy Moore
Turquoise Symphony #2 - Lucy Moore

Turquoise Symphony #2 - Lucy Moore

By Lucy Moore

Located in Deddington, GB

original Acrylic on canvas Image size: H:60 cm x W:60 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:60 cm x W:60 cm x D:1.5cm Sold Unframed Please note that insitu images are purely an i...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Beach Time Celebration, Original Expressionist Painting
Beach Time Celebration, Original Expressionist Painting

Beach Time Celebration, Original Expressionist Painting

Located in Boston, MA

Beach Time Celebration 16.0 x 20.0 x 1.5, 1.0 lbs Acrylic on canvas Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "Did you know medical studies now show that certain 'evidence-based design' art will trigger areas in the brain and put people at ease and in good moods? This painting was strategically designed to positively impact brain and body outcomes. Dorothea Sandra...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Cherry Blossom Season, Still-Life Oil Painting, 2021

Cherry Blossom Season, Still-Life Oil Painting, 2021

By Lynne Friedman

Located in Boston, MA

Artist Commentary: I planted a cherry tree to remind me of the one I had outside my window as a child. It was a Japanese Keanza and very beautiful. About the artist: Lynne's work ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Red Sky at Night #9, Abstract Expressionist Style Landscape Painting, Floral Art
Red Sky at Night #9, Abstract Expressionist Style Landscape Painting, Floral Art

Red Sky at Night #9, Abstract Expressionist Style Landscape Painting, Floral Art

By Lucy Moore

Located in Deddington, GB

Red Sky At Night #9 - Using Red and orange to depict a vibrant skyline over a figurative meadow . An Original semi-abstract painting by Lucy Moore. Using her signature string grass t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Warm Inside - Somber Lakeside Painting

Warm Inside - Somber Lakeside Painting

Located in Boston, MA

Warm Inside 30.0 width Acrylic Hand signed by artist Artist's Commentary: "In the middle of the Winter, the snow covering the forest and the ice covering the lake. A blue feeling...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Mid-Century Modern Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas
Mid-Century Modern Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas

Mid-Century Modern Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Modern Expressionist oil painting on canvas with several texturing techniques and a fiery hot use of color. Signed in the lower right F. Howard and titled on the back Royal Hunt of t...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait with Pearl Necklace

Portrait with Pearl Necklace

By Erich Waske

Located in Wien, 9

Deling with the work of Erich Waske today, one encounters first of all a number of reasons why this outstanding artist has fallen into such undeserved oblivion. In addition to the de...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Forest Calm by Amanda Horvath, Landscape, Trees, Botanical, Expressionist
Forest Calm by Amanda Horvath, Landscape, Trees, Botanical, Expressionist

Forest Calm by Amanda Horvath, Landscape, Trees, Botanical, Expressionist

Located in Deddington, GB

Forest Calm [2022] original and hand signed by the artist Acrylics on canvas Image size: H:76 cm x W:76 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:76 cm x W:76 cm x D:3.5cm Sold Unfra...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Haystacks on the riverbank. Cardboard, oil, 50x59.5 cm
Haystacks on the riverbank. Cardboard, oil, 50x59.5 cm

Haystacks on the riverbank. Cardboard, oil, 50x59.5 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Haystacks on the riverbank. Cardboard, oil, 50x59.5 cm Jurgis Skulme (1928-2015) – painter, art scientist. 1954 – The graduating State Art Academy of Latvia, the monumental departm...

Category

1980s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Silver Wood
Silver Wood

Silver Wood

By Amanda Horvath

Located in Deddington, GB

Silver Wood by Amanda Horvarth [2022] original Acrylics on canvas Image size: H:60 cm x W:60 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:60 cm x W:60 cm x D:...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Potato joint work in Piebalga. 1986, oil on canvas, 48.5x68 cm

Potato joint work in Piebalga. 1986, oil on canvas, 48.5x68 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Arijs Skride (1906.24.IX Madonna parish – 1987.22.XI Riga), painter. Arijs Skride was born into a farmer's family. Wife Gundega Vaska – graphic artist. At the age of 15, he passed ...

Category

1980s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Home in Vecpiebalga. 1976, oil on canvas, 50x70 cm

Home in Vecpiebalga. 1976, oil on canvas, 50x70 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Arijs Skride (1906.24.IX Madonna parish – 1987.22.XI Riga), painter. Arijs Skride was born into a farmer's family. Wife Gundega Vaska – graphic artist. At the age of 15, he passed ...

Category

1970s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Landscape. Oil on canvas, 48x70 cm
Landscape. Oil on canvas, 48x70 cm

Landscape. Oil on canvas, 48x70 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Arijs Skride (1906.24.IX Madonna parish – 1987.22.XI Riga), painter. Arijs Skride was born into a farmer's family. Wife Gundega Vaska – graphic artist. At the age of 15, he passed ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Autumn. 2011, oil on cardboard, 48x35 cm
Autumn. 2011, oil on cardboard, 48x35 cm

Autumn. 2011, oil on cardboard, 48x35 cm

Located in Riga, LV

Ludmilla Perec was born in 1959 in Uzbekistan. Graduated from the State University of Latvia with a degree in theoretical astrophysics. She learned the professional drawing in the st...

Category

2010s Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

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.