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.
$4,001
Large Carved Wood Standing Figure Sculpture with Geometric Assemblage and Totem
By Joan Priego
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Large carved wood standing figure sculpture assembled from geometric timber elements and expressive hand-carved forms. The Walker transforms the human body into an architectural con...
Wood, Acrylic, Pigment
Clown Holding Teddy Bear, Unique Bronze Expressionist Sculpture
Located in Surfside, FL
Agnes Yarnall LePage, began studying sculpture at the age of 6 at the Liberty Tadd School of Modeling. She went on to study with Charles Grafly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fin...
Bronze
Bust of Yitzhak Rabin, Expressionist Bronze Sculpture by Chaim Gross
By Chaim Gross
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Chaim Gross, Austrian/American (1904 - 1991) Title: Bust of Yitzhak Rabin Year: 1967 Medium: Bronze Sculpture, signature inscribed Size: 12.5 x 6.5 x 8.5 in. (31.75 x 16.51 x...
Bronze
$2,876Sale Price|24% Off
Expressionist Figurative Bust Sculpture, Coloured Glazed Refractory Ceramic
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Xente Abrigo is an expressionist figurative bust sculpture by Spanish artist Óscar Aldonza Torres, combining high-temperature refractory ceramic, experimental glazing and oil-based p...
Ceramic, Oil
Rare Chaim Goldberg Kaszmirez Polish Modernist Memorial Sculpture Spertus Museum
Located in Surfside, FL
Deaccessioned from the Spertus Museum in Chicago Hand signed by artist in wood carving Chaim Goldberg -- born in the Polish shtetl of Kazimierz Dolny Chaim Goldberg has worked in ne...
Wood
$1,135Sale Price|25% Off
Testa Nº 8 Expresionist Ceramic Head in White Stoneware with Bismuth Raku Glaze
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Testa nº 8 is an expressionist ceramic head sculpture from the Testas series, modeled in white stoneware and finished with a distinctive bismuth raku glaze. This ceramic head, measur...
Clay, Glaze
$5,441
Translucent Alabaster Head Sculpture with Expressive Natural Veins. Light
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Translucent alabaster head sculpture with expressive natural veins, carved in direct carving for a unique interplay of light, stone and human form. This unique alabaster head sculpt...
Alabaster
Mother and Newborn Child, Nude Bronze Sculpture by Kuno Lange
By Kuno Lange
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kuno Lange, German (1950 - ) Title: Mother and Newborn Year: 1997 Medium: Bronze Sculpture, signature and number on base Edition: 2/9 Size: 28 in. x 7 in. x 3.5 in. (71.12 cm...
Bronze
German Expressionist Hand Carved Colored Original Wood Pane Art Israeli Bezalel
Located in Surfside, FL
This is original hand carved wood carving used to produce a woodcut print. Hand colored with painting. signed woodblock (unique piece, not a print) by Jacob Steinhardt 1887-1968 "Reuben Offering Food and Drink to Joseph" Hand carved and painted surface, painted in relief. Signed LR, dated LL. In thin wood painted frame, woodcut panel approx. 1/2" thick, raised on frame. panel within gold painted wood liner 16"H x 12.5 framed 22.5 x 18.75 Judaica biblical scene. Steinhardt, Jakob, Painter and Woodcut Artist. b. 1887, Yaacov Steinhardt was born in the then remote, largely Polish town of Zerkow in the Posen District of Germany. (poland/german) Immigrated 1933. Studies: 1906 School of Art, 1906 Studied in Berlin Arts and Crafts School. Berlin; 1907 painting...
Woodcut
Bronze Plaque Sculpture Judaica Rabbi Figure Portrait American Boston Modernist
Located in Surfside, FL
Small Jewish Portrait Relief Plaque Signed and numbered in Roman numerals from limited edition Aronson, David 1923- David Aronson, son of a rabbi, was born in Lithuania in 1923 and i...
Bronze
Acrobats, Modern Bronze Sculpture by Peter Rockwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Rockwell (1936 - 2020) Title: Acrobats Year: 1968 Medium: Bronze Sculpture, signature engraved Size: 18 in. x 14 in. x 10 in. (45.72 cm x 35.56 cm x 25.4 cm)
Bronze
Caged Woman 3 – Verdigris Bronze Torso in Rusted Iron Globe, Lost-Wax and Forged
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Patinated bronze torso suspended within a rusted iron globe evokes ancient Venus iconography and contemporary themes of constraint and resilience. Caged Woman 3 (Ø 32 cm) by Aldonza ...
Bronze, Iron
$2,208Sale Price|20% Off
Woman's Hands
By George Segal
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Cast paper, edition 16/50.
Paper
Women in the Garden, Porcelain Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
This painted porcelain vase is of Chinese origin. Women can be seen socializing in an ancient Chinese garden. The analogous color scheme creates a serene and comfortable design. Or...
Porcelain
Leda and the Swan, Bronze Sculpture by Reuben Nakian
Located in Long Island City, NY
A bronze sculpture by Reuben Nakian from 1978. An abstract-figurative sculpture representing the Greek myth of Leda and the Swan- in which the Greek god Z...
Bronze
Pop Art Bronze Sculpture Paul Suttman Bottles for Marcel Duchamp Surrealist Art
Located in Surfside, FL
Paul Suttman (American, 1933 - 1993) Bottles for Duchamp Bronze Dimensions: 23.25 h x 13.5 w x 10 d in (59 x 34 x 24 cm) Impressed signature (initials and numbered to base 'PS V. II ...
Bronze
$2,000
Bronze Judaica Expressionist Sculpture Russian Jewish Shtetl Goose Peddler
Located in Surfside, FL
A cast bronze sculpture depicting an elderly jewish peddler carrying a basket of geese going to the shtetl market. Signed on base. This is not editioned...
Bronze
Carved Wood German Expressionist Sculpture Jewish Woman Refugee Artist Judaica
By Miriam Sommerburg
Located in Surfside, FL
Miriam Sommerburg (American female artist, born Germany, Hamburg, 1900–1980 New York) Modernist Wood Carved Sculpture, Carving depictin...
Wood
$1,040Sale Price|20% Off
Lina Gonchar - "Lina II" - Unique Ceramic Sculpture - Coated in Brown
By Lina Gonchar
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Lina Gonchar - "Lina II". Lina Gonchar, born 1963, is a Russian artist. She studied at the Far Eastern Academy of Arts and the Faculty of Art Ceramics. She is a member of the Union...
Ceramic
El Doctor, Painted Bronze Sculpture by Bruno Luna
By Bruno Luna
Located in Long Island City, NY
Title: El Doctor Year: circa 1990 Medium: Bronze Sculpture, signature and number inscribed Edition: V/XXX Size: 12.5 in. x 6 in. x 6 in. (31.75 cm x 15.24 cm x 15.24 cm)
Bronze
Figurative Expressionist Sculpture, "Armor: Protection Series Small 5"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original figurative expressionist sculpture by southern California artist, Linda Literal. Its dimensions are 11"x14"x6". A certificate of authenticity will fo...
Porcelain
German Expressionist Bronze Relief Plaque Mans Best Friend, a Man and His Dog
Located in Surfside, FL
Mans Best Friend C.M. Junghans 1985 This is done in a German Expressionist style. It is bronze over some sort of fill. It depicts a man gentleman and his dog. a Cocker Spaniel or Co...
Bronze
Liliane Danino, ladder for all, Elevation, Bronze Sculpture
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Liliane Danino, Ladder for all, bronze sculpture, sculpture, dancers , nude figures, elevation, dance, Israeli artist, Israeli art
Bronze
Praying Woman, Modern Bronze and Marble Sculpture by Ruth Gutman
By Ruth Gutman
Located in Long Island City, NY
This bronze patina sculpture is set on a warm toned marble base. The sculptor, Ruth Gutman, has created an expressionist rendering of a woman praying. ...
Marble, Bronze
$3,950
"Chicken Pox, " Ceramic Platter with Chickens & a Man signed by Michael Gross
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Chicken Pox" is an original ceramic platter by Michael Gross. The artist signed the piece "Gross". It depicts a gray man with chicken pox and some yellow birds with teeth. 20" diameter The ceramic sculptures of Wisconsin artist Michael Gross are personal narratives that reveal an unusual mix of earthly magic and primal vitality. The artist works in a variety of forms, including figurines, large vessels and furniture. With over a dozen museum exhibitions under his belt, the artist is a regular exhibitor at SOFA in New York...
Ceramic
Mother and Child, Modern Bronze Sculpture by Chaim Gross
By Chaim Gross
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Chaim Gross, Austrian (1904 - 1991) Title: Mother and Child Medium: Bronze Sculpture, signature inscribed Size: 10 x 5 x 5 in. (25.4 x 12.7 x ...
Bronze
Trapeze Artists
By Gérard Koch
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Gerard Koch, French (1926 - ) Title: Trapeze Artists Year: circa 1962 Medium: Bronze Sculpture Size: 18 in. x 34 in. x 7 in. (45.72 cm x 86.36 ...
Bronze
bronze horse statue by Patrick Villas
By Patrick Villas
Located in Gent, VOV
Standing horse sculpture in bronze 2001. The first cast of a proud standing horse, looking to the side. A fine bronze statue by Patrick Villas (°1961), in his typical expressionist ...
Bronze
Expressionist Wall Sculpture by Chris Riccardo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
renown sculptor Chris Riccardo Terracotta with under glazes EDUCATION: 1990 - BFA- College of Fine Arts, Boston University, Boston, MA PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: PRESENT STUDIO 740- ARTIST/ STUDIO MANAGER, Helena, MT ASSISTANT CURATOR OF EDUCATION- HOLTER MUSEUM OF ART, Helena, MT 1998-2014 SCULPTURE DEPART. CHAIR/ FOUNDRY DIRECTOR - Armory Art Center,WPB, FL 2012 SUMMER RESIDENT ARTIST @ THE ARCHIE BRAY FOUNDATION, Helena, MT 2010 ELECTED MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY DESIGNED & FABRICATED ANNUAL AWARD - The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, WPB, FL DESIGNED & FABRICATED SENIOR GIFT SCULPTURE - Northwood University, WPB, FL 2008 DESIGNED & FABRICATED ANNUAL AWARD - Judge Knott Award, Historical Society of Palm Beach County DESIGNED & FABRICATED ANNUAL AWARD - Providencia Award- Palm Beach County Convention Bureau, WPB, FL FINALIST - My Wendy, My Way, Wendy’s International, Dublin, OH 2003 DESIGNED & FABRICATED CEE CEE LYLES MEMORIAL- Veteran’s Park, Ft. Pierce, FL 1998 - 1996 RDK STUDIOS - Owner/Operator, FIne Art Bronze Foundry, Riviera Beach, FL EXHIBITIONS: 2015 CHRIS RICCARDO & FRIENDS, The Art Spirit Gallery of Fine Art, Coure d’Alene, ID 16TH ANNUAL SMALLL ARTWORKS INVITATIONAL, The Art Spirit Gallery of Fine Art, Coure d’Alene, ID 2014 ON & OFF THE WALL: SOFLO CERAMICS, The Art Gallery @ Eissey Campus Gallery ART PALM BEACH, JF Gallery, WPB, FL IN LIQUID 15, Philadelphia, PA 2013 NCECA 2013: Resident Artist Exhibtion, NCECA 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX ART PALM BEACH, JF Gallery, WPB, FL THE INVISIBLE HOURDE: Unit 1 Gallery, WPB, FL 2012 ARCHIE BRAY @ the Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA RESIDENT ARTIST EXHIBITION: Bray Warehouse Galley, The Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT MUSES & SIRENS: CHRIS RICCARDO & JACQUES De BEAUFORT, The Art GAllery @ Eissey Campus, PBG, FL PALM BEACH ART & ANTIQUES, JF Gallery, WPB, FL SMALL FAVORS VII- The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA BEYOND THE BRICKYARD ( 4th Annual Juried Exhibition ) Juried by Richard Shaw...
Terracotta
Expressionist Wall Sculpture by Chris Riccardo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
renown sculptor Chris Riccardo Terracotta with under glazes EDUCATION: 1990 - BFA- College of Fine Arts, Boston University, Boston, MA PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: PRESENT STUDIO 740- ARTIST/ STUDIO MANAGER, Helena, MT ASSISTANT CURATOR OF EDUCATION- HOLTER MUSEUM OF ART, Helena, MT 1998-2014 SCULPTURE DEPART. CHAIR/ FOUNDRY DIRECTOR - Armory Art Center,WPB, FL 2012 SUMMER RESIDENT ARTIST @ THE ARCHIE BRAY FOUNDATION, Helena, MT 2010 ELECTED MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY DESIGNED & FABRICATED ANNUAL AWARD - The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, WPB, FL DESIGNED & FABRICATED SENIOR GIFT SCULPTURE - Northwood University, WPB, FL 2008 DESIGNED & FABRICATED ANNUAL AWARD - Judge Knott Award, Historical Society of Palm Beach County DESIGNED & FABRICATED ANNUAL AWARD - Providencia Award- Palm Beach County Convention Bureau, WPB, FL FINALIST - My Wendy, My Way, Wendy’s International, Dublin, OH 2003 DESIGNED & FABRICATED CEE CEE LYLES MEMORIAL- Veteran’s Park, Ft. Pierce, FL 1998 - 1996 RDK STUDIOS - Owner/Operator, FIne Art Bronze Foundry, Riviera Beach, FL EXHIBITIONS: 2015 CHRIS RICCARDO & FRIENDS, The Art Spirit Gallery of Fine Art, Coure d’Alene, ID 16TH ANNUAL SMALLL ARTWORKS INVITATIONAL, The Art Spirit Gallery of Fine Art, Coure d’Alene, ID 2014 ON & OFF THE WALL: SOFLO CERAMICS, The Art Gallery @ Eissey Campus Gallery ART PALM BEACH, JF Gallery, WPB, FL IN LIQUID 15, Philadelphia, PA 2013 NCECA 2013: Resident Artist Exhibtion, NCECA 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX ART PALM BEACH, JF Gallery, WPB, FL THE INVISIBLE HOURDE: Unit 1 Gallery, WPB, FL 2012 ARCHIE BRAY @ the Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA RESIDENT ARTIST EXHIBITION: Bray Warehouse Galley, The Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT MUSES & SIRENS: CHRIS RICCARDO & JACQUES De BEAUFORT, The Art GAllery @ Eissey Campus, PBG, FL PALM BEACH ART & ANTIQUES, JF Gallery, WPB, FL SMALL FAVORS VII- The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA BEYOND THE BRICKYARD ( 4th Annual Juried Exhibition ) Juried by Richard Shaw...
Terracotta
$14,075
Vintage Murano Colored Glass Sculpture by Alessandro Barbaro, Italy, 1970
Located in Madrid, MD
This exceptional Murano glass piece was created in 1970 by Alessandro Barbaro (Dorsoduro, 1936), a renowned artist and master glassmaker celebrated ...
Glass
Torso
By Vladimir Yankilevsky
Located in PARIS, FR
Vladimir Yankilevsky (1938–2018) was a major Russian artist of the second half of the twentieth century, associated with the Soviet nonconformist movement. His work is distinguished ...
Bronze
$1,040Sale Price|20% Off
Lina Gonchar - "Lina III" - Unique Ceramic Sculpture - Coated in Green
By Lina Gonchar
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Lina Gonchar - "Lina III". Lina Gonchar, born 1963, is a Russian artist. She studied at the Far Eastern Academy of Arts and the Faculty of Art Ceramics. She is a member of the Unio...
Ceramic
$1,040Sale Price|20% Off
Lina Gonchar - "Lina I" - Unique Ceramic Sculpture - Coated in Gold
By Lina Gonchar
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Lina Gonchar - "Lina I". Lina Gonchar, born 1963, is a Russian artist. She studied at the Far Eastern Academy of Arts and the Faculty of Art Ceramics. She is a member of the Union ...
Ceramic
Mexican indian woman with Water Pot (In the style of Francisco Zúñiga)
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco
Mexican Indian Woman with Water Pot (In the style of Francisco Zúñiga) Unknow Artis Lost Wax Bronze 45 x 35 x 35 cm 1960, MX No base
Bronze
Crucifixion
By Doris Caesar
Located in Greenwich, CT
signed "Caesar" lower right edge American, 1892-1971 Doris Porter Caesar was born in 1892 in Brooklyn, New York. Her father’s successful career as a lawyer allowed her to attend Mi...
Bronze
$10,150
Untitled (Nude) Bronze Sculpture, Expressionist, Signed, Edition of 10, 1994
Located in Aventura, FL
Bronze sculpture. Incised signature by the artist and numbered. Artwork is in excellent condition. Edition of 10. Certificate of authenticity included. All reasonable offers will be ...
Bronze
Price Upon Request
The Mystical Supper
Located in New York, NY
Dionisios Fragias is a New York -based artist born on the Greek island of Kefalonia and raised in New York City. He is the protege of the artist Jeff Koons whose years-long mentorshi...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Price Upon Request
Untitled
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Mixed media sculpture, 15 x 15.
Mixed Media