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Expressionist Art

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
La Brocante, 1975, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned and numbered
La Brocante, 1975, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned and numbered

La Brocante, 1975, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned and numbered

By Jean Jansem

Located in Les Acacias GE, GE

Jean Jansem (1920-2013) La Brocante, 1975 Lithographie sur papier Arches Signée en bas à droite et justifiée en bas à gauche 69 x 51,5 cm / 76 x 54,5 cm Bibliographie: Jansem Lith...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Silence, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Silence, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Silence, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Located in Yardley, PA

œWe sit silently and watch the world around us. This has taken a lifetime to learn. It seems only the old are able to sit next to one another and not say anything and still feel cont...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Poster for the 12th Exhibition of the Vienna Secession by Alfred Roller
Poster for the 12th Exhibition of the Vienna Secession by Alfred Roller

Poster for the 12th Exhibition of the Vienna Secession by Alfred Roller

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Note: Due to the size, weight, and value of this piece, we require shipping through 1stDibs, for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standar...

Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Bouquet of Roses
Bouquet of Roses

Bouquet of Roses

By Jean-Pierre Cassigneul

Located in New York, NY

A very rare composition by the artist Jean-Pierre Cassigneul, the woman holds a beautiful Bouquet of Roses by the artist, she is wearing a chapeau in front of a painting showing th...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Cherries
Cherries

Cherries

Located in Zofingen, AG

In creating this piece, I sought to evoke a simple yet profound beauty through the bold, vivid strokes of these cherries set against a muted, textured backdrop. The rich, deep reds o...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Marc Chagall, The Blue Fish, from Chagall, 1957
Marc Chagall, The Blue Fish, from Chagall, 1957

Marc Chagall, The Blue Fish, from Chagall, 1957

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Le Poisson Bleu (The Blue Fish), from the album Chagall, originates from the 1957 edition published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1957. This enchanting composition exemplifies Chagall’s poetic imagination and his symbolic use of color to express emotion, spirituality, and dreamlike wonder. In Le Poisson Bleu, a radiant blue fish glides across a fantastical landscape, surrounded by floating figures and luminous forms that evoke the harmony between nature and the divine. The deep blue tones suggest both serenity and transcendence, capturing the mystical lyricism that defines Chagall’s vision. The work transforms the natural motif into a metaphor for freedom, renewal, and the boundless vitality of life. Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, this work measures 9.06 x 15.75 inches (23.01 x 40 cm), with centerfold as issued. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the superior craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, celebrated for its collaborations with the foremost modern artists of the 20th century. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: Le Poisson Bleu (The Blue Fish), from Chagall, 1957 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 9.06 x 15.75 inches (23.01 x 40 cm), with centerfold as issued Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1957 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue raisonne references: Chagall, Marc, and Julien Cain. Chagall Lithographe. Andre Sauret, Editeur, 1960, illustration 198. Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonne Des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer ed., 1995, illustration 34. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the album Chagall, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, 1957 Notes: Excerpted from the album (translated from French), This album was printed by Drager Freres in Montrouge on behalf of Maeght Editeur, 13, Rue de Teheran, Paris VIII. The original color lithographs were drawn by Mourlot Freres. The photographs of the works printed are of Y. Hervochon, M. Routhier, Draeger. Copyright 1957. About the Publication: The 1957 album Chagall, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, stands among the most celebrated achievements of mid-century art publishing. Each lithograph within the volume reflects Marc Chagall’s synthesis of visual poetry and spiritual resonance, revealing the painter’s unique ability to weave emotion and imagination into color. Through the technical excellence of the Mourlot atelier, Chagall’s luminous palette and ethereal forms were translated into lithography with remarkable fidelity. Conceived under the direction of Aime Maeght, the album highlights the enduring dialogue between artist, printer, and publisher—a creative partnership that elevated the printed image to a work of fine art and helped define the legacy of modernist bookmaking. About the Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) was a Belarus-born French painter, printmaker, and designer whose visionary imagination, radiant color, and deeply poetic symbolism made him one of the most beloved and influential artists of the 20th century. Rooted in the imagery of his Jewish heritage and the memories of his childhood in Vitebsk, Chagall’s art wove together themes of faith, love, folklore, and fantasy with a dreamlike modern sensibility. His unique style—merging elements of Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, and Surrealism—defied categorization, transforming ordinary scenes into lyrical meditations on memory and emotion. Influenced by Russian icon painting, medieval religious art, and the modern innovations of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Georges Braque, Chagall developed a profoundly personal visual language filled with floating figures, vibrant animals, musicians, and lovers that symbolized the transcendent power of imagination and love. During his early years in Paris, he became an integral part of the Ecole de Paris circle, forming friendships with Amedeo Modigliani, Fernand Leger, and Sonia Delaunay, and his creative spirit resonated with that of his peers and successors—Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray—artists who, like Chagall, sought to push the boundaries of perception, emotion, and form. Over a prolific career that spanned painting, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, and stage design, Chagall brought an unparalleled poetic sensibility to modern art, infusing even the most abstract subjects with human warmth and spiritual depth. His works are held in the most prestigious museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Guggenheim, where they continue to inspire generations of artists and collectors. The highest price ever paid for a Marc Chagall artwork is approximately $28.5 million USD, achieved in 2017 at Sotheby’s New York for Les Amoureux (1928). Marc Chagall Le...

Category

1950s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Landscape with meadow
Landscape with meadow

Landscape with meadow

Located in Zofingen, AG

"In creating this painting, I infused my passion for nature's raw beauty and the tranquility of open meadows. The expressive strokes of oil paint capture the warmth of sunlight cares...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Marc Chagall, Mozart and Mussorgsky, 1963 (after)
Marc Chagall, Mozart and Mussorgsky, 1963 (after)

Marc Chagall, Mozart and Mussorgsky, 1963 (after)

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Mozart et Moussorgsky (Mozart and Mussorgsky), from the album Le plafond de l’Opera de Paris par Marc Chagall (The Ce...

Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Irises on the pond
Irises on the pond

Irises on the pond

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this painting, I sought to capture the ephemeral beauty of irises by the pond's edge, reflecting my deep admiration for nature's transient moments. The oils allowed me to blend vi...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Linen

H.O. Miethke Das Werk folio "Birch Forest I" collotype print

H.O. Miethke Das Werk folio "Birch Forest I" collotype print

DAS WERK GUSTAV KLIMTS, a portfolio of 50 prints, ten of which are multicolor collotypes on chine colle paper laid down on hand-made heavy cream wove paper with deckled edges; under each of the 50 prints is a gold signet intaglio...

Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Art

Materials

Paper

Irises Still Life
Irises Still Life

Irises Still Life

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this oil painting, I've captured the delicate interplay of light and color through a tender arrangement of irises. My artistic expression melds impressionism with realism, allowin...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Revelry, Oil Painting
Revelry, Oil Painting

Revelry, Oil Painting

By Karen Barton

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A jewel-toned hummingbird hovers mid-flight, its wings blurred by motion as it flies through the colorful sky. The scene takes inspiration from the birds that...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Sunny terrace
Sunny terrace

Sunny terrace

Located in Zofingen, AG

I poured my soul into this piece, capturing the warmth of the sun and the serene beauty of nature. My brushstrokes evoke a sense of peace and invite the viewer to step into a tranqui...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard, Giclée

Vibrant Bathers Scene, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Early 20th Century
Vibrant Bathers Scene, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Early 20th Century

Vibrant Bathers Scene, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Early 20th Century

Located in Genève, GE

Work on canvas Dimension with frame : 46 x 54.5 x 3.3 cm Vibrant Bathers Scene This expressionist painting captures a lively scene of nude figures gathered near the water, portrayed ...

Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Le Bal Masque" Giuseppe Verdi Opera (Variant)
"Le Bal Masque" Giuseppe Verdi Opera (Variant)

"Le Bal Masque" Giuseppe Verdi Opera (Variant)

By Oskar Kokoschka

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Le Bal Masque" Giuseppe Verdi Opera, (Variant) 1967 is an original color lithograph on Japan paper by renown Austrian expressionist artist Oskar Kokoschka, 1886-...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Portrait of Lady in Red and Black by Gustav Klimt, Das Werk collotype, 1908-1912
Portrait of Lady in Red and Black by Gustav Klimt, Das Werk collotype, 1908-1912

Portrait of Lady in Red and Black by Gustav Klimt, Das Werk collotype, 1908-1912

By Gustav Klimt

Located in Chicago, IL

Original collotype created from Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Lady in Red and Black. Published and edited by Verlag H.O. Miethke and printed by k.k. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, Vienna, in an edition of 300. Collotype on chine colle paper laid down on heavy deckled-edge cream-wove paper. Between 1908 and 1914, H.O. Miethke published Das Werk Gustav Klimts...

Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Art

Materials

Paper

Canal View
Canal View

Canal View

Located in Sheffield, MA

Lucien-Hector Jonas French, 1880-1947 Canal View Oil on Canvas 21 ¼ by 29 in, w/ frame 32 ½ by 40 in Signed lower left Jonas was born in the town of Anzin in northern France. He fi...

Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Colorful vase by Jean Krillé - Oil on wood 92x65 cm
Colorful vase by Jean Krillé - Oil on wood 92x65 cm

Colorful vase by Jean Krillé - Oil on wood 92x65 cm

By Jean Krille

Located in Geneva, CH

Of Germanic descent, the painter Jean Krillé was born in 1923 in Switzerland. His father, writer and poet, oriented him towards art and culture. From the age of 16, he enrolled at th...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Sailors in the Port of Nice
Sailors in the Port of Nice

Sailors in the Port of Nice

By Alfred Salvignol

Located in London, GB

'Sailors in the Port of Nice', mixed media - gouache, pastel and oil on paper, by Alfred Salvignol (circa 1950s). The Port of Nice is one of the key hubs of Nice and, in fact, of the entire French Riviera, standing out as one of the main harbours for the boats which sail across the Mediterranean Sea. It accommodates both the ships operated by ferry companies and the private yachts of visitors who come to Nice by sea. The artist here depicts a group of crusty sailors watching...

Category

1950s Expressionist Art

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Oil, Gouache

Chagall, Sans titre, Le Dur Désir de Durer (after)
Chagall, Sans titre, Le Dur Désir de Durer (after)

Chagall, Sans titre, Le Dur Désir de Durer (after)

By Marc Chagall

Located in Southampton, NY

Lithograph on vélin bouffant d'Alfa paper. Inscription: unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the volume, Le Dur Désir de Durer, illustré par Marc Chagall, ...

Category

1950s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Forest Spring Flowers Bouquet
Forest Spring Flowers Bouquet

Forest Spring Flowers Bouquet

Located in Zofingen, AG

This piece captures the raw, tumultuous energy of a wave at its peak, a moment both mightily powerful and intensely serene. Using expressionistic strokes and a bold realism-infused p...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Peony impromptu
Peony impromptu

Peony impromptu

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this oil painting, I've captured the transient beauty of blossoms, conveying a blend of vitality and tenderness. My brushstrokes reflect the impressionism's play with light and ex...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Life Lessons by Rachael Dalzell.   Acrylic on canvas with tray frame
Life Lessons by Rachael Dalzell.   Acrylic on canvas with tray frame

Life Lessons by Rachael Dalzell. Acrylic on canvas with tray frame

By Rachael Dalzell

Located in Coltishall, GB

Young Buddhist monks awaiting lessons. Rachael’s free, expressive use of paint give energy and life to her work. She spent time in Ladakh in the Indian Himalaya and produced a serie...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Frontal Street Scene
Frontal Street Scene

Frontal Street Scene

By Lester Johnson

Located in San Francisco, CA

This lithograph is immediately identifiable as the work of Lester Johnson (1919-2010) . The print is titled “Frontal Street Scene.” It was published in 1970 by Collector’s Press. Th...

Category

1970s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Season, Oil Painting
The Season, Oil Painting

The Season, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A serene and mysterious atmosphere envelops a snow-covered landscape. Traces of grass dot the foreground, while a shroud of fog softly blurs the distant tree ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Crepe-Myrtle 2, Oil Painting
Crepe-Myrtle 2, Oil Painting

Crepe-Myrtle 2, Oil Painting

By Naoko Tadotsu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A crepe-myrtle tree blooms with delicate flowers that resemble colorful confetti. Its leaves sway gently in the breeze, glowing softly in the summer sunlight. E...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Pagoda, Oil Painting
Pagoda, Oil Painting

Pagoda, Oil Painting

By Naoko Tadotsu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A tulip poplar towers like a golden pagoda on a beautiful sunny day. The pastel light from the sky reflects its warm glow on the tree. The artwork evokes a jo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Looking Through the Window
Looking Through the Window

Looking Through the Window

By Pierre Roussel

Located in Sheffield, MA

Pierre Roussel French, 1927-1995 Looking Through the Window Oil on Canvas 21 ½ by 28 ¾ in, w/ frame 29 ¼ by 36 ½ in Signed lower right

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Seeing Autumn, Oil Painting
Seeing Autumn, Oil Painting

Seeing Autumn, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A lone tree stands in the middle of a vast meadow, with a single cloud hovering over it. Its leaves, painted in shades of yellow and red, subtly hint at the c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Reminding on flowers, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Reminding on flowers, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Reminding on flowers, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Eva Hoffmann

Located in Yardley, PA

In this oil painting, expressionism and impressionism merge with symbolic elements. I have passionately applied every brushstroke to depict emotions and memories. The powerful splash...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Codorniu Majorca expressionist acrylic painting
Codorniu Majorca expressionist acrylic painting

Codorniu Majorca expressionist acrylic painting

By Daniel Codorniu

Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL

original expressionist acrylic painting. frame Painter and draftsman born in Ciutat de Mallorca in 1943. In 1959 moved his address to Barcelona. He was a student of the School of A...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

H.O. Miethke Das Werk folio "Beethovan Frieze 1 & 2" set of collotype prints
H.O. Miethke Das Werk folio "Beethovan Frieze 1 & 2" set of collotype prints

H.O. Miethke Das Werk folio "Beethovan Frieze 1 & 2" set of collotype prints

DAS WERK GUSTAV KLIMTS, a portfolio of 50 prints, ten of which are multicolor collotypes on chine colle paper laid down on hand-made heavy cream wove paper with deckled edges; under ...

Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Art

Materials

Paper

Expressionist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Expressionist art 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 art 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, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Iryna Kastsova, George Grosz, Stephen Basso, and Marc Chagall. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Oil Paint 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 art, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available.