A resurgence of interest in Expressionism, Pop art, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and other movements gained steam among artists of the 1970s and ’80s, in part as a reaction to the austerity of the prevailing minimalism and Conceptual art of the era. A decadent, bold and brash art style called Neo-Expressionism saw painters returning to figural representation, creating highly textured works that were imbued with intensely personal narratives.
Neo-Expressionist paintings are sensuous in nature and highly subjective in meaning. Expressive brushwork, highly pigmented colors and layered forms and materials lent sculptural attributes to the work and were used to depict symbolic narratives from history, mythology and the artist’s personal experience.
Prominent figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat led the Neo-Expressionist movement in the United States with paintings and prints that were raw, emotional and often violent in nature. In Germany, Die Neuen Wilden (the “New Fauves”) was the name given to a group of postwar artists that included the likes of sculptor Georg Baselitz and Gerhard Richter, a painter and photographer who explored the possibilities of both abstraction and realism, sometimes in a single piece. The work of the New Fauves — labeled as such for its return to Fauvism’s textured brushwork and use of vibrant colors — shares commonalities with Neo-Expressionism, and Baselitz was a pioneer of the movement in Europe. In addition, Willem de Kooning’s pulsating action paintings and Julian Schnabel’s experimentation with the materiality of paintings also took shape during this period.
“I was trying to make paintings different from the paintings that I saw a lot of at the time, which were mostly minimal, and they were highbrow and alienating, and I wanted to make very direct paintings that most people would feel the emotion behind when they saw them,” said Basquiat.
Neo-Expressionism generated some polarizing opinions, with some celebrating the revival of personal subjectivity in art while others criticizing the movement for being too commercially driven and nostalgic. But most experts agree that Neo-Expressionism was a huge commercial success and culturally impactful, paving the way for the postmodern work of artists like Richter and Sigmar Polke.
Find original Neo-Expressionist paintings, prints, mixed-media works and other art on 1stDibs.
Hunt Slonem "Hombre" Red and Orange Diamond Dust Bunny Heart
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Hombre" Red and Orange Bunny Heart A rabbit gestured in red and orange on a matching Diamond Dust background in a vintage frame. Unframed: 14 x 14 inches Framed: 20 x 1...
Resin, Oil, Panel
Ruby Red Hutch
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Kaleidoscope Silhouette
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
"Figura con albero" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Figure with a tree". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
4 Red Rovers
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
$1,299
"Senza titolo (Cane)" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translate title: "Untitled (dog)" Acrylic on canvas. The artist painted the frame.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Pascolo" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Grazing". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$17,000
Red 5
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Paesaggio urbano" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Urban landscape". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Due figure" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Two figures". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$768
"La casa e il teschio" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "The house and the skull". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Poder Bravo" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Mixed media on canvas.
Canvas, Mixed Media
$4,371
"Bosco verticale" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Diptych, Mixed Media, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Vertical forest". Mixed media on canvas. This is a diptych and each canvas measures: 100 x 150 cm.
Canvas, Mixed Media
"Embrione" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Green and Yellow Acrylic, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Embryo". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Queen of Hearts
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
$10,950
Tom & Jane
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$9,100
2 Coral
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
2 Yellow Tulips
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$8,000
Tulip
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Pink Diamond Dust Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
$8,000
Darcy
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$8,000
Whitney
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Sea Shore
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Acrylic, Oil, Wood
Orange Diamond Dust
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
$2,599
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Red Figures, Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$8,000
Gables
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
"Cavaliere rosa" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 -Pink Figure, Acrylic, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Pink knight". Acrylic paint on canvas.
Acrylic, Canvas
$1,417
"Viso Tondo Celeste" by Enzio Wenk, 2018 - Acrylic on Paper, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Round pale blue face" Acrylic paint on paper. The frame has been painted by the artist.
Acrylic, Paper
"Animali" by Enzio Wenk, 2018 - Acrylic Paint on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Animals" Acrylic paint on canvas.
Acrylic, Canvas
Memorie Tropicali" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Tropical memories" Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Cobalt Leap
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$8,000
Landon
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Pink Profile
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$8,000
Daisy
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Tulip Remembered
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Never More
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil, Acrylic
$8,153
"Affiorano immagini" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Images emerge" Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
"Verso il cielo" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 -Enamel on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Up to the sky" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Paint on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Tre teste" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Paint on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Three heads" Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Senza Narrazione - 7 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 7" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Senza Narrazione - 6 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 6" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 5 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 5" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 4 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 4" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 3 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 3" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
$4,726
"Composizione" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Lacquer and Oil on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Composition". Lacquer and Oil paint on canvas. This is a diptych.
Canvas, Lacquer, Oil
"Testa" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic on Canvas Board, Neo Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Head". Acrylic paint on canvas board, which is applied on fabric and wood. The frame was painted by the artist.
Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Board
$1,654
"Teschio Tropicale" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Tropical skull". Acrylic on canvas. It features a lacquered wooden frame with brass studs.
Brass
$2,008
"Cuori in trappola" by Enzio Wenk 2018-Acrylic on Canvas Board, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Trapped hearts". Acrylic on framed canvas board.
Acrylic, Board
"Teschio Rosso" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Red skull". Acrylic on canvas.
Acrylic, Canvas
"Automa" by Enzio Wenk, 2018 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Robot" Mixed media on canvas.
Canvas, Mixed Media
$1,595
"Angelo alato" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Pain on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Title: "Angelo alato: Uomo fragile con improbabili ali e una maschera muta” Translated title: "Winged angel: fragile man with improbable wings and a mute mask". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Mickey mouse painting Street Art Basquiat Style
Located in OIA, ES
"A Little Bit of Magic" is an expressionist portrait of Mickey Mouse, the beloved Disney character. When you gaze upon the painting, you can't help but be amazed by the immense numbe...
Enamel
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite. The frame was painted by the artist.
Masonite, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite. The frame was painted by the artist.
Masonite, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite.
Masonite, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Acrylic Paint on Masonite, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on masonite. The frame was painted by the artist.
Masonite, Acrylic