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 "4 Square" Black and Pink Bunnies
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "4 Square" Black and Pink Bunnies Four rabbits gestured in black on a pink background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12 x 10 inches *Painting is frame...
Oil, Panel
"21" Black Outline Bunny on Wild Orchid Pink Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a black bunny on a Wild Orchid Pink background with thick use of pai...
Oil, Wood Panel
$32,200
"Blue Streak" Black Bunnies Blue Accents Gold Background Oil Painting on Canvas
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts gestural figures of Bunnies against a gold background with navy blue accents. Inspired b...
Oil, Canvas
Landscape n°87 by Jean Krillé - Oil on masonite 100x120 cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Oil on masonite plate sold with original framing Total size with the frame 102x122 cm Jean Krillé is a Swiss artist from Geneva, recognized for his significant contributions to co...
Oil
Hunt Slonem "Sinatra III" Black and Silver Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Sinatra III" Black and Silver Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black and blue on a silver background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12 x 10 inches *...
Oil, Panel
$920
Color-Driven Painting, Gestural Abstraction, Atmospheric Sunset Tones on Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This original painting by muralist Perrine Honoré radiates warmth through sweeping gestures of coral, saffron, and turquoise layered over a luminous yellow ground. Fluid brushwork an...
Paper, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
The Red-haired Woman
By Louis Berthomme Saint-Andre
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Oil on canvas by Louis BERTHOMME SAINT-ANDRE, France, 1940s. Young Red-haired Woman. with frame: 74x63 cm - 29.1x24.8 inches ; without frame: 61x50 cm - 24x19.7 inches. Format 12F. ...
Canvas, Oil
Mid-20th Century Aboriginal-Inspired Abstract Oil Painting on Board
Located in Cotignac, FR
Large Aboriginal-inspired abstract oil on board. We have shown the painting hanging in 'portrait' form but it could also be hung 'landscape'. This painting shares some of the qualit...
Oil, Board
Hunt Slonem "Silver Bunny" Black and Silver Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Silver Bunny" Black and Silver Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a silver background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 14 x 12 inches *Painting...
Oil, Panel
$8,000
"Untitled" Yellow Diamond Dust Bunny & Resin Oil Painting on Wood Panel Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a light yellow bunny on a yellow background with thick use of paint ...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Wood Panel
Original ink on Paper, Contemporary Abstract Expressionist
Located in Carballo, ES
Black And White Minimal Painting is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2020. The painting is unframed, we can frame it in natural wood or black on request. The title of this w...
Ink, Handmade Paper
Citizens of a Quiet Country 6 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Neo-Expressionism
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
These faces are not portraits of specific people, but emotional records of a collective condition. They carry the weight of fear, disappointment, suppressed anger, endurance, and fra...
Canvas, Acrylic
Hunt Slonem "Afternoon" Black and Blue Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Afternoon" Black and Blue Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a light blue background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: 14.5 x 12.5 inches *Pain...
Oil, Panel
Caldentey Black and White original neo-expressionist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
" La lluita. original neo-expressionist acrylic painting contemporary work by the mallorquin artist Toni CALDENTEY virtual framed Perfect state CALDENTEY, Toni - (Portocolom, Mallorc...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 107 by Jean Krille - Oil on masonite 100x100cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Jean Krillé’s paintings are known for their expressive use of color and dynamic, abstract forms, blending realism with abstraction in his depictions of nature. His landscapes often f...
Oil
$1,600
French Neo Expressionist Surreal Oil Painting Robert Vernet Bonfort Deaf Artist
By Robert Vernet-Bonfort
Located in Surfside, FL
Robert Vernet-Bonfort (French, 1934-2017) LA VIEILLE MAISON Oil painting on canvas Hand signed lower right, signed and inscribed on verso In a heavy carved frame Dimensions: 19 ¼ x 23 ¾”, frame 29 x 33 Provenance: Cambridge Art Gallery, Brentwood, California. Born in Marseille, France in 1934, he began his life as a healthy, happy child. Rendered deaf by an early childhood illness, Vernet-Bonfort embraced visual arts in study and practice as a refuge from the silence of the outer world, permitting elaborate expression through a vivid and colourful visual language. He studied at L'école des Beaux-Arts in Marseille from 1948 to 1957. A frequently exhibited and lauded French artist active since the 1950's, Vernet-Bonfort's work demonstrates the intersection of old and new masters' technique, with a strong personal sensibility with an element of surrealism. Upon completion of his studies he was awarded the Prix Claverie, the first of many future accolades. The year of his graduation also marked his first gallery exhibition at the Galerie Reboul in Marseille. In the next decade Vernet-Bonfort exhibited in many French cities, earning many honours, including the Prix de l'U.N.A.M., for Young Mediterranean Artists He has exhibited over the years with Albert-Ernest De Carrier-Belleuse, Maximilien Luce, Jean Pesce, Lucien Guerber, Honore Jacquet, Georgette Nivert...
Canvas, Oil
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 127 by Jean Krille - Oil on masonite 65x92 cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Jean Krillé’s paintings are known for their expressive use of color and dynamic, abstract forms, blending realism with abstraction in his depictions of nature. His landscapes often f...
Masonite, Oil
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Heavily Textured Expressionist Painting -- Sunflower Bouquet, 40"H x 30"W
Located in Soquel, CA
Sunflower Bouquet by Charles David Francis This heavily textured floral neo expressionist composition is built through thick impasto that gives the surface a nearly relief-like qua...
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$43,415
"Regines Black Diamond" White Bunnies on Monochrome Diamond Dust Oil on Canvas
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts white gestural figures of Bunnies against a black diamond dust background. Slonem traces ...
Canvas, Oil, Glass
$8,000
"Night Flight" Outline Bunny on Gradient Blue & Black Background Oil Painting
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a bunny on a gradient black and blue diamond dust background with th...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$8,000
"Amethyst" Light Purple Bunny on Purple Background Oil Painting on Wood Panel
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a light purple bunny on a Purple background with thick use of paint ...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Wood Panel
Harlequin in a Landscape
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Karlo Kacharava (1964-1994). Harlequin in a Landscape, ca. 1985. Enamel paint and marker on gloss paper, sheet measures 19.5 x 15.25 inches. Signed lower left. Unframed. Wit...
Enamel
Hunt Slonem "Mandy 2" Black and White Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Mandy 2" Black and White Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a white background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5 x 10.5 inches *Painting is...
Oil, Panel
Duino Elegies study
By Richard Mann
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Richard Mann (1940-1990). Duino Elegies, 1981. Mixed media on rag paper, consisting of 3 sheets, each measuring 18 x 24 inches. Each vertical edge is hinged with mounting tape, resulting in a triptych presentation. Entire measurement: 24 x 54 inches w. Unsigned. Biography: Playwright, poet and visual artist, Rev. Richard Mann was born and educated in Melbourne Australia. At the height of America's counter-cultural revolution, Mann moved to New York City where he lived and worked in Harlem. He was influenced by surrealism, abstract expressionism, and calligraphy at the time of his arrival. Beginning in the mid-1970's, the extreme living conditions of Harlem and demands of his religious calling provided subject matter for his painting. Urban decay and ubiquitous public graffiti provide inspiration for compositions that include highly stylized writing. By the late 1970's many works incorporate writing exclusively, with areas of layered, obscured and illegible words, very much like repeatedly tagged walls. Education: Studied painting with Maurice Cantlon, Melbourne, Australia 1961-62. Liberal Arts Studies, Christ the King...
Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic, Pencil
$14,000
"Zebra Swallowtail" Multicolored Butterflies on French Pink Background Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Butterflies. This piece depicts multicolor yellow and white delicate butterflies in ascension placed in a wonderful F...
Oil, Wood Panel
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 154 by Jean Krille - Oil on Masonite 80x100 cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Jean Krillé’s paintings are known for their expressive use of color and dynamic, abstract forms, blending realism with abstraction in his depictions of nature. His landscapes often f...
Masonite, Oil
$10,500
"Orange Pair" Double Bunnies on Orange Background Oil Painting on Wood Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts 2 gestural figures of black bunnies on a bring orange background with thick use of paint....
Oil, Wood Panel
Hunt Slonem "Home Run" Bunnies on Gold
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Home Run" Bunnies on Gold A rabbit couple gestured in black on a white and metallic background in a vintage frame Unframed: 17.5 x 21 inches Framed: 26 x 29.5 x 3.5 inc...
Oil, Panel
$14,000
"Cardinal Virginia" Red Cardinals on White Background Oil Painting on Wood Panel
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition Slonem's Macaws. This piece depicts gestural figures of colorful Cardinals on a white background with thick use of paint. Inspired by nature and a genuine lov...
Oil, Wood Panel
Hunt Slonem "Morpho" Blue and Black Butterfly on White
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Morpho" Blue and Black Butterfly on White A single butterfly gestured in blue and black on a white scored background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: ...
Oil, Panel
Hunt Slonem, "Finches on Gold", 24x36 Colorful Textured Bird Oil Painting
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
Renowned artist Hunt Slonem's "Finches on Gold" is a 24x 36 colorful gold background oil painting on wood board of contemporary abstract finches in blue, yellow, green, red, pink, an...
Oil, Board
$8,000
"Black Diamond" White Outline Bunny Diamond Dust Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a white bunny on a black background with thick white paint and then ...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Wood Panel
$245,000
Hunt Slonem "Silver Ascension Melting" Butterflies on Metallic Blue Background
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Silver Ascension Melting" Butterflies on Metallic Blue Background A group of butterflies on a textured silver background Canvas 93 x 134 inches Unframed (framing options...
Canvas, Oil
Figure A - Original Abstract Modern Figurative Mixed Media Artwork on Canvas
By Soren Grau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drawing inspiration from cultural icons and global events, Soren Grau's street art-infused Neo-expressionism invites art enthusiasts to be a part of a narrative larger than life. In ...
Canvas, Mixed Media
"Blue Sky" Colorful Outline Bunny on Gradient Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a bunny on gradient resin and diamond dust background with thick use...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$984Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 130 by Jean Krille - Oil on canvas 50x35 cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Jean Krillé’s paintings are known for their expressive use of color and dynamic, abstract forms, blending realism with abstraction in his depictions of nature. His landscapes often f...
Masonite, Oil
Hunt Slonem "Silver Ascension Travel Tomorrow" Blue and Silver Butterflies
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Silver Ascension Travel Tomorrow" Blue and Silver Butterflies Multiple butterflies on a textured, reflective metallic background Unframed Hunt Slonem is a well-renowned...
Canvas, Oil
$20,100
Hunt Slonem "Monsoon Tomorrow" Cockatoo Parrots on a Blue Metallic Background
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Monsoon Tomorrow" Cockatoo Parrots on a Blue Metallic Background A pair of birds gestured in white and yellow on a blue, gold and silver background in a vintage frame U...
Oil, Panel
"Situated" Black Outline Bunny on Mint Green Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a black bunny on a Mint green background with thick use of paint. In...
Oil, Wood Panel
$1,512Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 118 by Jean Krille - Oil on wood 73x60 cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Jean Krillé’s paintings are known for their expressive use of color and dynamic, abstract forms, blending realism with abstraction in his depictions of nature. His landscapes often f...
Oil, Wood
Hunt Slonem "Pink Double" Monkey Couple
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Pink Double" Monkey Couple A monkey couple gestured in black and white on a pink background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: 14.5 x 12.5 inches *Paint...
Oil, Panel
$17,500
"Owls Tatiana" Two Owl Birds with Golden Background Oil Painting on Wood Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects of owls. The thick use of paint is greatly recognizable as he slathers on layer after layer of oil paint with deep red...
Oil, Wood Panel
$50,750
Hunt Slonem "White Butterfly's Lakeside" Scored Butterflies on White Background
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "White Butterfly's Lakeside" Scored Butterflies on White Background Multicolor butterflies on a scored background in a vintage frame Unframed: 39.5 x 62.5 inches Framed:...
Canvas, Oil
Hunt Slonem "Manor" Pink Diamond Dust Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Manor" Pink Diamond Dust Bunny A single rabbit gestured in pink and white on a matching background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: 15 x 13 inches *Pa...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Panel
Hunt Slonem "Red" Black and Red Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Red" Black and Red Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a dark red background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5 x 10.5 inches *Painting is fr...
Oil, Panel
Hunt Slonem "Delight" Black and White Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Delight" Black and White Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a white background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5 x 10.5 inches *Painting is...
Oil, Panel
$45,750
"Peace Plan" Birds & White and Yellow Butterflies on Gold Oil Painting on Canvas
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects of Birds and Monarch butterflies. They are placed in a wonderful golden background with black marks representing the "...
Canvas, Oil
Hunt Slonem "Catalayas and Orioles" Birds, Flowers and Guardians on White
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Catalayas and Orioles" Birds, Flowers and Guardians on White Multiple birds and orchid flowers on a white "Guardian" background Unframed Hunt Slonem is a well-renowned ...
Canvas, Oil
Hunt Slonem "John" Black and White Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "John" Black and White Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a white background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 10.5 x 8.5 inches *Painting is fra...
Oil, Panel
$8,000
"Lavender Fog II" Bunny on Lavender Diamond Dust Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a black bunny on a Light Lavender background with thick use of paint...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Wood Panel
Latin American Figurative Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media Monoprint Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Artists stamp to verso; pictured. Provenance: From the artists estate. Oscar Murillo (Mexican American 1940-2017) was a prominent figure in the 1960s and 1970s Los Angeles art scene...
Mixed Media
$8,000
"Zero" Black Outlined Bunny on Gold and Silver Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a black bunny on a silver and gold background with beautiful accents...
Oil, Wood Panel, Mixed Media
Large Colorful Neo-Expressionist Vintage Framed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American abstract oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Measuring: 33.5 by 45.5 inches overall and 33 x 45 painting alone. Framed in a wood molding. Excellent condition, read...
Canvas, Oil
$8,000
"Red Rover III" Black Bunny on Lip Stick Red Background Painting w Antique Frame
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a black bunny on a Lipstick Red background with thick use of paint. ...
Oil, Wood Panel
$8,000
"Cause of Our Joy" Black Outline Bunny on Silver Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's most iconic subjects, Bunnies. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a black bunny on a silver background with thick use of paint. Inspir...
Wood Panel, Mixed Media, Oil
$14,000
"Hibiscus Honolulu 1961" Hummingbirds French Pale Green Background Oil Painting
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition Slonem's Hummingbirds. This piece depicts gestural figures of colorful Humming Birds and hibiscus flowers on a light pale green background with thick use of p...
Oil, Wood Panel
$4,600
Oswald the Rabbit! Large Colorful Ispiring Neo-Expressionist Pop Art Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Urban abstract expressionism artist Tommy Lennartsson draws on the visual culture of street and pop art when creating his original vibrant mixed-medi...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Graphite, Gouache
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 143 by Jean Krille - Oil on Masonite 100x100 cm
By Jean Krille
Located in Geneva, CH
Jean Krillé’s paintings are known for their expressive use of color and dynamic, abstract forms, blending realism with abstraction in his depictions of nature. His landscapes often f...
Masonite, Oil
R. Poch FELIX 153 original acrylic painting
By Ramon Poch
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
original acrylic painting Born in Badalona (Barcelona). Photographer and advertising film director. Founding partner of the advertising production company La Cosa de las Peliculas...
Acrylic
$28,000
Hunt Slonem "Chenesis", 30x36 Contemporary Multicolor Circle Bunny Oil Painting
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
Renowned artist Hunt Slonem's "Chenesis" 30x36 oil painting on canvas of black and white contemporary abstract bunnies. Bright round swatches of color in orange, yellow, blue, green,...
Canvas, Oil