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.
Liegender Akt auf rotem Polster
Located in Wien, 9
The artist's modesty was probably an obstacle to her career. Her magnificent, expressive works have few equals in Austria, but the time has come for her work to be honoured anew afte...
Canvas, Oil
Landscape Photograph Contemporary Modern Performance Art Hawaii Travel Signed
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Three Hawaiian Spirits in a Lava Tube" is an original fine art photography print by Robert Kawika Sheer. The artist signed the piece in the lower right and editioned it in the lower...
Photographic Paper, Photographic Film
Hunt Slonem "Violet Spring" Purple and Green Flower
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem "Violet Spring" Purple and Green Flower A single violet gestured in purple, yellow and green on a matching background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: ...
Oil, Panel
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 24 in D 1 in
"Love is the Souls of a Genius" Painting 30" x 24" inch by Vera Kochubey
Located in Culver City, CA
"Love is the Souls of a Genius" Painting 30" x 24" inch by Vera Kochubey Medium: Wall paint on canvas ATTENTION: please contact us if you want this painting to be shipped rolled to...
Canvas, Paint, Mixed Media
$8,000
H 16 in W 14 in D 1.25 in
"Tulips on Silver" Pair of Red Tulips on Silver Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's newest series, Tulips. This piece depicts 2 gestural red Tulips on a silver background with thick use of paint. It is housed in a wonderful...
Oil, Wood Panel, Mixed Media
$920
H 28 in W 40 in
Flowers for Melissa, Earth Tones Bouquet Diptych, Faux Naïf, on Paper, Yellow
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is a beautiful expressionist style painting by Juanjo Saez. Juanjo's pictorial work is an exploration of color, texture, and movement, creating vibrant compositions that capture...
Paper, Acrylic
SEA MOOD
By Daria Kusto
Located in CÓRDOBA, ES
Mixed media on paper by artist Daria Kusto Shipped well protected, rolled in a tube, unframed
Permanent Marker
$8,000
H 16 in W 14 in D 1.25 in
"Red Tulip - Belle Terre" Red Tulip on Gold Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's newest series, Tulips. This piece depicts a gestural figure of a Red Tulip on a golden background with thick use of paint. It is housed in ...
Mixed Media, Oil, Wood Panel
$8,000
H 16 in W 14 in D 1.5 in
"Daisy" White with Yellow Flowers on a Lime Green Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's newest series, Daisy's. This piece depicts a gestural Daisy on a lime green background with thick use of paint. Inspired by nature and a ge...
Oil, Wood Panel
Bouquet by the window
Located in Oslo, NO
This captivating artwork showcases a textured bouquet of flowers in a vase, composed of rich and varied hues that immediately draw the viewer's eye. The painting employs an impressio...
Oil, Board
$9,500
H 17 in W 15.25 in D 1.5 in
"Daisy's" 3 White with Yellow Flowers on a Golden Background Oil Painting Framed
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's newest series, Daisy's. This piece depicts 3 gestural figures of big bold Daisy's on a golden background with thick use of paint. Inspired ...
Oil, Wood Panel, Mixed Media
$1,032Sale Price|31% Off
H 19.89 in W 27.56 in D 0.4 in
Still life 113 by Jean Krille - Oil on masonite - 50.5x70cm
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
$8,000
H 14 in W 12 in D 2.5 in
"Single Bloom" Red Tulip on Silver Background Oil Painting with Antique Frame
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful composition of one of Slonem's newest series, Tulips. This piece depicts a gestural red Tulip on a silver background with thick use of paint. It is housed in a wonderful ...
Oil, Wood Panel, Mixed Media
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 0.4 in
Still life 117 by Jean Krille - Oil on masonite - 50x60cm
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
Sold
H 8.66 in W 6.66 in D 0.75 in
"Spiral Eyes" Modern Neo-Expressionist Photo Portrait
Located in Pasadena, CA
This small photo portrait features a woman with long dark hair, her profile turned outward against a green background. The artist uses surreal colors, giving her skin a yellow tone a...
Photographic Paper
San Marco
Located in Wien, 9
The artist's modesty was probably an obstacle to her career. Her magnificent, expressive works have few equals in Austria, but the time has come for her work to be honoured anew afte...
Canvas, Oil
Bodyshape 1
By Dell Cullum
Located in East Hampton, NY
Photograph was taken in The Hamptons, Long Isalnd. New York USA Nude woman Photographer, Dell Cullum was born and raised in Amagansett, LI. Edition of 10 Ready to FrameC_PRINT on ...
C Print
Bodyshape 1
By Dell Cullum
Located in East Hampton, NY
Photograph was taken in The Hamptons, Long Isalnd. New York USA Nude woman Photographer, Dell Cullum was born and raised in Amagansett, LI. Edition of 10 Ready to FrameC_PRINT on ...
C Print
Bodyshape 1
By Dell Cullum
Located in East Hampton, NY
Photograph was taken in The Hamptons, Long Isalnd. New York USA Nude woman Photographer, Dell Cullum was born and raised in Amagansett, LI. Edition of 10 Ready to FrameC_PRINT on ...
C Print