Expressionist Art
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.
Early 20th Century Expressionist Art
Ink, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
1980s Expressionist Art
Oil, Canvas
1990s Expressionist Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
This painting portrays a woman with an ambiguous expression, adding a mysterious mood to the piece. The blue streaks in her hair and the shadow on her face crea...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Art
Acrylic
1940s Expressionist Art
Oil, Cardboard
Early 2000s Expressionist Art
Acrylic
1990s Expressionist Art
Oil
2010s Expressionist Art
Acrylic, Cardboard
2010s Expressionist Art
Watercolor
20th Century Expressionist Art
Bronze
2010s Expressionist Art
Wood, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art
Oil, Wood Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Canvas, Mixed Media
20th Century Expressionist Art
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art
Oil
1990s Expressionist Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Mixed Media, Oil, Board
2010s Expressionist Art
Oil
2010s Expressionist Art
Acrylic, Cardboard
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Wood Panel, Oil
1980s Expressionist Art
Archival Paper, Lithograph
1980s Expressionist Art
Lithograph
1990s Expressionist Art
Mixed Media
1980s Expressionist Art
Canvas, C Print, Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Expressionist Art
Canvas, Oil
Early 1900s Expressionist Art
Etching
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Mixed Media, Board
1990s Expressionist Art
Acrylic
Early 2000s Expressionist Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
"Inspired by Paul Klee, I reimagined a quiet October evening with heavily textured colors and an emphasis on simplified linear elements," says artist Robert Hof...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art
Oil, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Canvas, Mixed Media
1970s Expressionist Art
Lithograph
2010s Expressionist Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The painting portrays a serene pond amid lush greenery. Featuring expressive brushstrokes, the piece conveys movement and bold contrast of complementary colors, adding visual appeal. Artist Janet Dyer's approach prioritizes capturing the energy of the scene over immediate representational details.
About the Artist
Artist Janet Dyer captures picturesque scenes from her travels in expressive and gestural landscapes. Her work reflects the changes brought on by the seasons, seizing the colors and mood and reinterpreting them into lively compositions. "I believe the process of creating art is equal in importance to the final product," says Janet. She started painting when she was nine and sold her first painting at thirteen at a country fair, where it won first prize. From ages eight to seventeen, she joined countless country fairs and relished seeing her works on display. Growing up in Ohio and Michigan influenced Janet's fascination with wide open spaces. Now living in New York State, she loves to travel whenever she gets the chance and finds inspiration everywhere she goes—particularly farms and France, and farms in France. "Luckily for me, landscapes are everywhere, so I'm spoiled for choice."
Words that describe this painting: water, pond, panoramic, trees, woods, expressionism, nature, acrylic painting, green
Pond with Yellow Trees...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
1960s Expressionist Art
Lithograph
1990s Expressionist Art
Oil Pastel
1980s Expressionist Art
Lithograph
Early 2000s Expressionist Art
Acrylic
1990s Expressionist Art
Watercolor
1990s Expressionist Art
Wood, Mixed Media, Wood Panel
1990s Expressionist Art
Oil Pastel
1980s Expressionist Art
Oil
Early 1900s Expressionist Art
Paper
1990s Expressionist Art
Oil Pastel
20th Century Expressionist Art
Oil, Canvas
Early 1900s Expressionist Art
Paper
Artist Comments
Steering clear from realistic details, this whimsical portrayal of a nighttime graveyard opts for stylized and simplified depictions of elements. The primarily ...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
1990s Expressionist Art
Mixed Media
20th Century Expressionist Art
Silk, Ink
Early 1900s Expressionist Art
Lithograph
Artist Comments
Artist Alix Palo presents a vibrant floral arrangement with a soft and colorful palette. Set against a light gray background, the flowers spring to life, gracin...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Alix Palo portrays a delightful still life of a bouquet in a vase. The harmonious blend of purple, green, and yellow brings out the vibrancy of the flowe...
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art
Canvas, Acrylic