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Expressionist Figurative Prints

EXPRESSIONIST STYLE

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.

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Style: Expressionist
Conversation Unterhaltung German Expressionism Romantic Scene
Located in London, GB
EMIL NOLDE 1867-1956 Nolde 1867 - 1956 Seebüll (German) Title: Conversation Unterhaltung, 1906 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Dated and Titled Etching in Colour on Heavy Van Gel...
Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

"Untitled - LJ #53, " Lithograph signed by Lester Johnson
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Untitled - LJ#53" is an original color lithograph by Lester Johnson. The artist signed the piece in the lower center and also wrote the edition number,...
Category

1970s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

"You Feel Like Home, " an Etching & Aquatint signed by Molly McKee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"You Feel Like Home" is an original etching and aquatint signed by the artist Molly McKee. It is edition 3/10 and depicts a figure holding two babies and another tall figure to the l...
Category

1990s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

La Princesse et le Bouffon
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Theo Tobiasse (French/Israeli, 1927-2012) Title: La Princesse et le Bouffon Year: 1978 Medium: Color lithograph Edition: Numbered 60/175 in pencil Paper: Wove Image siz...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Le Travesti (The Transvestite)
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, titled "Le Travesti" (The Transvestite) from the suite "Mon Cirque" 1968, is an original color lithograph on Arches paper by renown French artist Bernard Buffet, 1928-...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Untitled (Personages Drinking) 2
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Untitled (Personages Drinking) 2" c.2005, is an original serio lithograph (serigraph and lithograph) on paper by renown American figurative expressionist artist Michael Todd White, b.1969. It is signed and numbered 133/350. The artwork (Image) Size is 16 x 16 inches, framed size is 25.75 x 25.25 inches. Custom framed in a wood veneer and black frame, with fabric matting. It is in excellent condition, the frame has a minor small restoration at the lower left corner, practically invisible. About the artist: Michael Todd White (born October 10, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas) is a figurative expressionist painter.[1] He has also been described as an avant-garde expressionist. White was named the official artist for the Grammy Awards by the Recording Academy in 2007. His painting appeared on the ceremony's invitation and program book and served as the official image for the event. His work was featured in the Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection, an exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. The collection toured designated cities all over the world including Miami, Los Angeles, Dubai, Japan, London, Toronto and Vienna. In 2010, White was chosen to provide sketches for Coca-Cola Light in Mexico. White's six sketches are depicted on different faces of Coca-Cola Light bottles and cans, each featuring his distinctive box signature. This was the first time that Coke had collaborated with a fine artist to depict artwork for its label. The bottles were released in August 2010.[5] As a result of some of these career achievements White has earned international recognition and a lengthy list of celebrity collectors. White's work hangs in a number of galleries in North America and he is currently one of the best selling artists in the United Kingdom. Some of White's most prominent exhibitions include a show at the Bank of Scotland in Manchester, England and at the unveiling of The World's Largest Todd White Collection, hosted by CNN's Larry King at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Todd White's work was featured in the opening of Clarendon Fine Art Gallery in Hampstead, London alongside that of leading British contemporary artists Sherree Valentine-Daines and Christian Hook.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

063062
Located in New Orleans, LA
Otto Neumann (1895-1975) was an expressionist painter and printmaker born in Heidelberg, Germany. He was one of the most versatile and original artists of the twentieth century. Neum...
Category

1960s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Monotype

"Master Arthur" from the suite "Cirque de l'Etoile Filante" Original aquatint.
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Master Arthur" from the suite "Cirque de l'Etoile Filante" created in 1934, printed in 1938 is an original color aquatint, etching and drypoint by renown French ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Aquatint

Rabbis Studying the Thorah
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Jakob Steinhardt (German/Israeli, 1887-1968) Title: Rabbis Studying the Thorah Year: Circa 1960 Medium: Color woodcut Paper: Wove Image size...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Rabbi's Communion With God
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Jakob Steinhardt (German/Israeli, 1887-1968) Title: Rabbi's Communion With God Year: Circa 1960 Medium: Color woodcut Paper: Wove Image size: 9.5 x 14 inches Framed size:...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Three Men
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Francisco Corzas (Mexican, 1936-1983) Title: Three Men Year: 1968 Medium: Color lithograph Edition: Numbered 17/30 in pencil Paper: Wove Image ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

A Tough Citizen
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

Man Into Machine
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

A Piece of Technology
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Screen

The Coffee Break
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in his work. Like many of the issues Aptekar addresses, technology is not without contradiction." The use of clear contours and colors, is certainly not oblivious of Fernand Leger latest work and what he called "the law of contrast". At the same time, the political and social commentary that are a constant inherent component of Aptekar's work has it's roots in the work of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, who Apterkar met at age of 11. The outcome is an imagery of an extraordinary visual impact and absolutely unique to Aptekar's own creative process. This work "Coffee Break...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

They Won't Be Stopped
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

The Rats
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

The Hot Dog Man
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in his work. Like many of the issues Aptekar addresses, technology is not without contradiction." The shocking imagery of juxtaposed human and natural forms with mechanical elements, using clear contours and colors, is certainly not oblivious of Fernand Leger latest work and what he called "the law of contrast". At the same time, the political and social commentary that are a constant inherent component of Aptekar's work has it's roots in the work of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, who Apterkar met at age of 11. The outcome is an imagery of an extraordinary visual impact and absolutely unique to Aptekar's own creative process. This work "The Hot Dog...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

The Football Players
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in his work. Like many of the issues Aptekar addresses, technology is not without contradiction." The shocking imagery of juxtaposed human and natural forms with mechanical elements, using clear contours and colors, is certainly not oblivious of Fernand Leger latest work and what he called "the law of contrast". At the same time, the political and social commentary that are a constant inherent component of Aptekar's work has it's roots in the work of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, who Apterkar met at age of 11. The outcome is an imagery of an extraordinary visual impact and absolutely unique to Aptekar's own creative process. This work "The Football Players...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

Hand Into Meat
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

Moving Woman
Located in New York, NY
As art historian and writer Suzanne Ramljak wrote "the ambivalent relationship between humanity and machinery has informed Aptekar's art from the start and remains a central theme in his work. Like many of the issues Aptekar addresses, technology is not without contradiction." The shocking imagery of juxtaposed human and natural forms with mechanical elements, using clear contours and colors, is certainly not oblivious of Fernand Leger latest work and what he called "the law of contrast". At the same time, the political and social commentary that are a constant inherent component of Aptekar's work has it's roots in the work of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, who Apterkar met at age of 11. The outcome is an imagery of an extraordinary visual impact and absolutely unique to Aptekar's own creative process. This work "Moving Woman" has been conceived while Aptekar was working on a monumental piece of 23 x 45 x 17 feet titled "The Defeat of the City of Plutonium: A Holocaust Prevented". The strong image of a human female naked body depicted as being one of the building parts...
Category

1980s Expressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Screen

Expressionist figurative prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist figurative prints available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add figurative prints created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of orange, blue, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including George Grosz, Marc Chagall, Todd White, and Gustav Klimt & K.K. Hof-und Staatsdruckerei. Frequently made by artists working with Lithograph, and Paper and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Expressionist figurative prints, so small editions measuring 3 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative prints made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $88 and tops out at $975,000, while the average work sells for $1,100.

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