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.
Contemporary abstract expressionist vivid acrylic portrait on paper "True self"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This contemporary expressionist, figurative abstract portrait was created by French artist Natalya Mougenot as part of her ongoing series devoted to the human face—not just as a like...
Paper, Acrylic
Peacock displaying in Magenta and Yellow Birds
By Robert Funk
Located in Miami, FL
The reality is that this is an eye-witness account of a male peacock displaying for the attention of a female peahen. It turns out that humans are equally...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$4,750
"No Title" Still Searching For The Title Two, Giclee Print, Color Photography
By Hatice Besun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Still Searching For The Title / No Title 2 / Photograph Creator: Hatice Besun Creation year: 2022 Dimension: 19 x 13 External Dimension( with white border) Height:19.8 inch Width:13...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$5,000
Skid Row Bowery Street Portrait - The Streets of New York - Photojournalism
Located in Miami, FL
Street Photographer Mitchell Funk breaks with tradition and shoots street photography in color. Today in 2022, this does not seem like a big deal. But 52 years ago, in 1970, it was q...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$2,908
H 21.26 in W 13.78 in D 0.08 in
Audrey- Signed limited edition fine art print, Sensual, Contemporary
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Audrey - Signed limited edition archival pigment print , Edition of 5 This is an Archival Pigment print on fiber based paper ( Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm , Acid-free and...
Archival Paper, Black and White, Giclée, Archival Pigment, Pigment, Phot...
$3,900
H 30 in W 30 in D 2 in
"I Have Your Back", Abstract Expressionist, Portrait, Red, Blue, Oil Painting
By Sorin Bica
Located in Franklin, MA
Sorin Bica's "I Have Your Back" is a 30 x 30 x 2 inch abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas. Abstract double-faced portrait in vivid red, blue, and yellow tones, bold brushst...
Canvas, Oil
$2,900
H 24 in W 24 in D 2 in
"I Can Assure You", Abstract Expressionist, Portrait, Yellow, Blue, Oil Painting
By Sorin Bica
Located in Franklin, MA
Sorin Bica's "I Can Assure You" is a 24 x 24 x 2 inch abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas. This painting is a surreal abstract portrait of three faces in an intimate embrac...
Canvas, Oil
$813
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 1.38 in
Exploring Every Path 4 Magdalena Morey, Original Contemporary Impressionist Art
Located in Deddington, GB
Magdalena Morey Exploring Every Path 4 Original Cubist Inspired Landscape Painting Mixed Media on Canvas Canvas Size: H 30cm x W 30cm x D 3.5cm Sold Unframed (Please note that in sit...
Paper, Pastel, Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
“Foreign Bodies” Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff
By Brian Ziff
Located in Culver City, CA
“Foreign Bodies” Photography 24" x 24" inch Edition of 24 by Brian Ziff Giclee (Archival Ink) Print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA sig...
Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Giclée
$1,580
H 40 in W 82.6 in
Three Corals Together, Modern Marine Triptych, Colorful Illustration Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
In this vibrant triptych, Romina Milano explores the delicate vitality of fragile ecosystems through coral-like formations that pulse with chromatic intensity. Each panel exists as a...
Acrylic, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
$977Sale Price|23% Off
H 26 in W 20 in D 1 in
1970s Expressionist Acrylic. 'Seated Figure'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
An expressionist portrait of a seated figure, acrylic on paper by French artist Alain Caucat. Signed bottom right. Also signed and dated to the back of the framing board. Presented u...
Paper, Acrylic
$3,838
H 41.74 in W 41.74 in D 0.08 in
" Leopard #1 ”- Animal signed limited edition contemporary fine art print, black
By Tim Platt
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
" Leopard #1 ” - Signed limited edition archival pigment print - Edition of 10 A series of studio portraits of a panther, or black leopard. Panthers are more commonly known thes...
Archival Paper, Color, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pigment, Photographic P...
$1,580
H 40 in W 82.6 in
Poppies and Wildflowers, Botanical Painting Triptych, Illustration Style Prairie
Located in Barcelona, ES
Poppies and Wildflowers unfolds as a lyrical triptych, where fluid brushwork and a vibrant yet balanced palette evoke the quiet vitality of spring. Red poppies emerge among delicate ...
Acrylic, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
The Annunciation
By Jackie Felix
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original acrylic on paper by American female artist Jackie Felix from the artist Blue Mary period. This work is currently featured in the exhibition at Benjaman Gallery "Over the...
Acrylic, Paper
Portrait of Boo Radley
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original acrylic on paper by emerging contemporary artist Anthony Leone which was featured in the artist's solo exhibition Grape Farm.
Acrylic, Archival Paper
$3,838
H 41.74 in W 32.29 in D 0.08 in
Leopard #4 - Signed limited edition contemporary print, Black animal, Portrait
By Tim Platt
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
" Leopard #4 ” - Signed limited edition archival pigment print - Edition of 10 A series of studio portraits of a panther, or black leopard. Panthers are more commonly known thes...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pig...