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 Oil Painting "Red 4" Black and Red Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red 4" Black and Red Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a red background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5 x 10.5 inches *Pain...
Oil, Panel
Cornucopia Oil Painting on Canvas, Neo-Expressionist, Framed, 2010+
Located in Miami, FL
Born 1949, Fréjus, France French artist Evelyne Ballestra studied painting in the South of France before moving to Switzerland where she met her mentor, Rolf Dürig, a master of the ...
Canvas, Oil
Ecstasy: Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
This painting from the Atlantic studio of Sax Berlin captures the essence of ecstasy. It’s imbued with a special sense of immediacy and fluid movement. The painting draws one in and ...
Oil, Acrylic
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red Duet" Bright Orange Bunny Couple
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red Duet" Bright Orange Bunny Couple A pair of rabbits gestured in black on a bright orange background in a vintage frame Signed, dated, and titled to verso...
Oil, Panel
$11,705
Neo-Expressionist Oil Painting of horses in Landscape Green/Blue, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
'A VAST LANDSCAPE WITH HORSES,' Theo Champion (1887– 1952) was a German painter whose work has been presented by leading galleries and museums, including Galerie Berinson. Trained at...
Oil
$8,000
"Spa" Black Outline Bunny on Teal Blue Oil Painting on Panel in 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 Teal Blue background with thick use of paint. It is...
Oil, Wood Panel
No Kings No War: Large Neo-Renaissance Oil Painting, 78.75x59 Inches
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Sax Berlin is a caring, compassionate man and his egalitarian outlook is translated into his art. This piece is large and impactful and shows this ascending star of the art world at ...
Oil, Acrylic
"Red Cross/Flower"- Colorful & Vibrant Neo-Expressionist Painting
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“It is terrifying to paint. When you start out, you are faced with this great unknown. And you think, am I ever going to paint again? Yet, as you work, it starts to formulate itself....
Canvas, Wax Crayon, Oil
Diet Street Art Basquiat Style
Located in OIA, ES
"Diet" is a thought-provoking piece that delves into the complexities of life and the human condition. The use of surreal imagery and symbolism in the painting invites the viewer to ...
Enamel
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red Rover" Single Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red Rover" Single Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a red background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 11 x 9 inches *Painting is ...
Oil, Panel
$17,600Sale Price|20% Off
Songbirds Sing
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“My work can be understood through the mind, but it is best felt with the heart, experienced through the emotions, recognized as a manifestation of the spiritual that is born on the ...
Canvas, Oil
"Autoritratto di Qualcun Altro " by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Someone else's self-portrait". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled Neo-Expressionist Mixed Media Painting, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Say It Ain’t So
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil paint, enamel, oil stick on canvas.
Enamel
"Senza Narrazione - 1 " by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic Enamel on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Without narration - 1" Acrylic enamel on canvas.
Enamel
$7,200Sale Price|20% Off
Meso Painting
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“My work can be understood through the mind, but it is best felt with the heart, experienced through the emotions, recognized as a manifestation of the spiritual that is born on the ...
Enamel
As If You Care
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“My work can be understood through the mind, but it is best felt with the heart, experienced through the emotions, recognized as a manifestation of the spiritual that is born on the ...
Canvas, Wax, Oil
$1,512Sale Price|20% Off
Landscape 133 (Utah) by Jean Krille - Oil on Canvas 51x60 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...
Canvas, Oil
$17,600Sale Price|20% Off
Nevermind
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“My work can be understood through the mind, but it is best felt with the heart, experienced through the emotions, recognized as a manifestation of the spiritual that is born on the ...
Canvas, Oil
$494Sale Price|39% Off
Urban Brushstrokes on Baby Blue, Funky Style, Rend and Yellow Gestures Diptych
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Urban Brushstrokes on Baby Blue" is an abstract painting diptych by Spanish artist Natalia Roman. It is a beautiful series of rhythmic brushstrokes comb...
Oil Crayon, Rag Paper
Dance of Shapes: Neo-Expressionist Mixed Media Painting, 130x100 cm
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Smoke Break Street Art Basquiat Style
Located in OIA, ES
"Smoke Break" is a visually striking and intellectually challenging painting that combines pop culture references with childhood nostalgia. At the center of the canvas, the phrase "T...
Enamel
$3,150Sale Price|30% 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
Caldentey Original Neo-Expressionist Acrylic Painting, Framed, 2000s
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
characters- Originall Neo-expressionist Acrylic painting contemporary work by the mallorquin artist Toni CALDENTEY Perfect state CALDENTEY, Toni - (Portocolom, Mallorca - Spain) Th...
Acrylic
$819Sale Price|30% Off
Neo-Expressionist Outsider Figurative Oil on canvas Painting with Masked Figures
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Neo-Expressionist Outsider Figurative Oil Painting with Masked Figures Artist: Sagarra Title: Neo-Expressionist Outsider Figurative Oil Painting with Masked Figures Medium: Oil on c...
Oil
Neo-Expressionist Mixed Media Painting, Late 20th Century, 120x95 cm
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Magico Restaraunte en Paris
Located in Atlanta, GA
This painting is in excellent condition and has only been shown in a gallery. This painting features the beautiful Art Deco interior of the Beef Bar Restaurant in Paris. Her works were recently featured in the March issue of American Art Collector magazine 2022. A hardbound-book is included with your purchase. Whether depicting lively night parties on the beach, Parisian streets, or bustling sidewalk cafes of her native Madrid, the paintings of Paloma Hinojosa...
Canvas, Oil
$4,914Sale Price|20% Off
Neo Expressionist Huge French Abstract Oil Painting Color Forms and Movement
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Lyrical Abstraction French School, circa 1960's oil painting on canvas, 55.5 x 28 inches provenance: private collection, France Superb original 1960's French oil painting, typical ...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Neo-Expressionist Blue Abstraction: Late 20th Century Framed Painting
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Born in the South of France in 1926 and raised by very strict parents, Jean Sanglar was prohibited from playing with same age mates. Truly talented, as a young boy he drew frequentl...
Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
Les Aériennes
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Born in the South of France in 1926 and raised by very strict parents, Jean Sanglar was prohibited from playing with same age mates. Truly talented, as a young boy he drew frequentl...
Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil, 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
Guardian Angel. 21st Century Sista. Contemporary Figurative Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Berlin’s iconic paintings of Guardian Angels is enhanced by this piece. This Sista is obviously a strong character and it’s easy to see in her how Berlin forged a connection with the...
Oil, Acrylic
$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
Collage / Watercolor on canvas “Poppies” Lis Petersen, 2008 – Portugal
Located in Valladolid, ES
Collage / Watercolor on canvas “Poppies” Lis Petersen, 2008 – Portugal Delicate and beautiful composition made in 2008 by the enthusiastic and versatile Lis Petersen, international ...
Canvas
$44,750
Fratillery
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
Untitled Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
$2,562Sale Price|40% Off
"Cafe Society", Surreal Large-Scale Figurative Abstract
Located in Soquel, CA
"Cafe Society", a large-scale figurative abstract evoking the style of Basquiat, where many faces, figures, and a blue bust with glowing eyes are layered in a surreal, dream-like space by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Signed "Michael Paulker...
Canvas, Oil
Hope Hop
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
Neo-Expressionist Abstract Surrealist Figures, #14
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Jesse Soifer (1932-2013). Untitled #14, ca. 1990. Ink and paper collage, sheet measures 9 x 12 inches. Measuring 18 x 21 in custom birch frame. Unsigned. Estate stamp on verso sh...
Paper, Ink
Neo-Expressionist Mixed Media Painting: Mise en Perspective
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
"Gary, " an Acrylic on Parchment signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Gary" is an original acrylic painting on parchment signed and dated in the lower right by the artist Reginald K. Gee. It is also signed and dated on verso. This painting depicts a m...
Parchment Paper, Acrylic
Think, Neo-Expressionist Mixed Media Painting, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Caldentey Forest Mallorca original neo figurative watercolor paper painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
original neo-expressionist acrylic painting virtual frame contemporary work by the mallorquin artist Toni CALDENTEY Painting on paper Perfect state CALDENTEY, Toni - (Portocolom, Mal...
Acrylic, Cardboard
The Oysters Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Violet Double 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
The Mechanics of Man - Abstract Figurative Mixed Media Skull 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
Le Passeur
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Born in the South of France in 1926 and raised by very strict parents, Jean Sanglar was prohibited from playing with same age mates. Truly talented, as a young boy he drew frequentl...
Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
$2,019Sale Price|25% Off
Where is your mind?, 90x70cm, acrylic, pastel, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Where is your mind?, 90x70cm, acrylic, pastel, canvas
Canvas, Pastel, Acrylic
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Abstract Expressionist Landscape, Oil on Canvas, 1990s, by Kristin Cohen
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Landscape, Oil on Canvas, 1990s, by Kristin Cohen The viewer is greeted by rich visual texture in this abstract expressionist painting by Kristin Cohen (Americ...
Canvas, Oil
$702Sale Price|25% Off
Forest fog, 60x40cm, acrylic, pastel, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Forest fog, 60x40cm, acrylic, pastel, canvas
Canvas, Pastel, Acrylic
$702Sale Price|25% Off
“ Ethereum”, 60x40cm, acrylic, pastel, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
“ Ethereum”, 60x40cm, acrylic, pastel, canvas
Canvas, Pastel, Acrylic
Venus Beach: Neo-Expressionist Oil and Mixed Media Painting
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Born in the South of France in 1926 and raised by very strict parents, Jean Sanglar was prohibited from playing with same age mates. Truly talented, as a young boy he drew frequentl...
Oil Crayon, Oil Pastel, Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Citizens of a Quiet Country 5 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Neo-Expressionism
By Paschal Ugwu
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
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Green, 55x120cm, acrylic on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Green, 55x120 cm
Canvas, Acrylic
$6,000
Vicente Cristellys, Oil on canvas "Gina Lollobrigida", Late 1950s
By Vicente Cristellys
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
This striking oil on canvas by Vicente Cristellys (1898–1970), a notable figure of the School of Paris, dates from the late 1950s and captures the timeless allure of cinema and fine ...
Canvas, Oil
EchoLayer: Quantum Family - Abstract Expressionist Figurative Layered Art
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 ...
Plexiglass, Paint, Mixed Media
Big Night Tonight - Vibrant Original Abstract Figurative Painting
By Soren Grau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With cultural icons and world events acting as inspiration, artist Soren Grau strives to communicate meaning through figures and colors. He paints in a stre...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Village of Provence, Oil on Canvas
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Oil on canvas by Michel Jouenne, France, Early 1960s. Village of France. Measurements : with frame : 38.7x28 inches - 98.3x71 cm, without frame : 36.3x25.6 inches - 92.2x65 cm, Forma...
Canvas, Oil
Hear See Speak - Abstract Figurative Skulls Mixed Media Urban 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