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.
Gloutorama - Julien Wolf, 21st Century, Contemporary Expressionist Drawing
By Julien Wolf
Located in Paris, FR
Pastel and charcoal on paper 2020 Signed Unique work Julien Wolf is a French painter born in 1981 in Strasbourg, France. In 2007, he graduated from the DNSEP Art section at the St...
Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel
"Freude am Schonen" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This is one of the scenes of the Berlin art world executed by Rudolf Grossmann. Printed in 1919 at the Wolf & Sohn atelier for the Ganymed portfolio ...
Lithograph
Sisters in Yellow 4 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Love African Fabric
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. "Often, in old a...
Canvas, Acrylic
Emancipation Oil and Acrylic Painting, Expressionist, 21st Century
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This painting conveys the enthusiasm for freedom of self-expression regardless of the restriction to decide what you are and what you want to express by the way you dress and the way...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
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...
Woodcut
Little Sleep, Little Slumber - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Woman
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This is an opening verse of a shared exhaustion that pushes and pulls between the body's need for rest and the unrelenting demands of survival. It plays on the biblical proverb (Prov...
Canvas, Mixed Media
$500
Post Soviet Avant Garde Russian Woodcut Print With Hand Watercolor Painting
By Ilya Shenker
Located in Surfside, FL
This depicts a wedding scene in a style of German Expressionism. hand signed and hand painted in watercolor. Ilya Shenker, Russian/American (1922 - ) As a soldier in World War II, ...
Watercolor, Woodcut
$407Sale Price|60% Off
Expressionist Oil on Board: The Life-Drawing Class, Circa 1960s
Located in London, GB
'The Life-Drawing Class', oil on board, by French (likely) artist M David (circa 1960s). A swirling, colourfully vivacious artwork that is immediately attractive and captivating. A l...
Oil, Board
$801
"Many within" Contemporary figurative portrait of women acrylic painting paper
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Many within" is a contemporary figurative mixed-media painting by French artist Natalya, created in her ongoing series dedicated to women, exploring feminine identity, inner transfo...
Paper, Acrylic
$1,282Sale Price|20% Off
Houses in Twilight: Expressionist Landscape Oil Painting, c. 1950
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Author: Francisco Salès (Barcelona, 1904 – Paris, 1976) Title: Houses in the Twilight Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 50 x 73 cm (19.7 x 28.7 in) Dimensions with frame: 58 x 81 ...
Canvas, Oil
3 funny fashionistas. Original impasto Miniature Oil Gift Art.
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
This original oil painting captures the joyful spirit of three funny fashionistas. The artist's use of impasto creates a textured surface that brings these characters to life with pl...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
$1,450
Embracing Self -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern, Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Made of layers, memories, lessons, scars, and hopes. Some parts are soft, some messy, some still taking shape, but all of them matter. You are texture, movement, and story. You don’t...
Canvas, Acrylic
$925Sale Price|63% Off
Mid-Century French Expressionist Oil, 'Anniversary Flowers and Champagne'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid Century Expressionist oil on canvas tablescape of flowers and Champagne. This wonderfully energetic painting straddles the line between impressionism and expressionism. The form...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$833Sale Price|20% Off
Watercolor Bouquet of Flowers, Expressionist Style, Signed, 1980s
Located in Genève, GE
Work on paper signed Dimensions with passepartout: 40.6 x 29.5cm This captivating watercolor depicts a vibrant bouquet of brightly colored flowers. The work boasts a dynamic composit...
Watercolor
$5,350
In This Moment - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Men, Fashion
By Gobe Joseph
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Gob...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
State of Mind 4: Unframed Acrylic Expressionist Painting, 21st Century
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,737Sale Price|40% Off
Mid Century Yosemite Park Winter Landscape Oil Painting, Signed
Located in Soquel, CA
Unique Yosemite Park Valley in winter mountain and lake scene by listed California artist Vladimir Shkurkin (American, 1900-1990). Circa 1950's. Signed "...
Canvas, Oil
At the Flower Market
By Walt Kuhn
Located in Sheffield, MA
Walt Francis Kuhn American, 1877-1949 At the Flower Market Oil on Canvas 15 by 18 in, w/ frame 22 ½ by 25 ½ in Signed lower right A painter and major organizer of the Armory Show, ...
Oil
"Der Kritiker" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This is one of the scenes of the Berlin art world executed by Rudolf Grossmann. Printed in 1919 at the Wolf & Sohn atelier for the Ganymed portfolio ...
Lithograph
Looking Beyond 4: Expressionist Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Femme Fiere" from the suite "Les Fleurs du Mal""
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Femme Fiere" from the suite "Les Fleurs du Mal" created in 1937/38, is an original color aquatint on Montval paper by renown French artist Georges Rouault, 1871-...
Aquatint
$515
Contemporary expressionist dog's portrait animal painting "Cool companion"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Cool Companion" is an Expressionist-style dog portrait by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her ongoing series dedicated to dogs that celebrates the profound, unconditional bo...
Canvas, Acrylic
Colorful Fish - Blue Green Pink White Yellow Black
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Signed lower left. Provenance: The Estate of the Artist A letter of authenticity from the Artist's Estate will accompany this work of art.
Gouache, Archival Paper
"Colors of friendship"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
The painting explores the idea that friendship is not defined by similarity, but enriched by differences. Each child carries a distinct personality and presence, yet their closeness ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Colourful Expressionist Oil on Canvas Market Scene, Mid-20th Century
Located in Cotignac, FR
Colourful Expressionist oil on canvas view of a market scene by A Monis. The painting is signed and dated bottom right and presented in a magnificent custom gilt wood frame. Provena...
Canvas, Oil
Parade Large Oil Painting
By Jürgen Görg
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
"Parade" Oil, graphite on linen canvas, canvas 46x39 with frame 63x55x1.5 Artist signed buttom center dated '89, titled lower left corner. Jurgen Gorg was born in 1951 in Dernbac...
Linen, Oil, Graphite
El caballo rojo - Óleo sobre tela - Firmado y enmarcado
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada por el artista en la parte inferior En la parte trasera, va nuevamente firmado, titulado y fechado del año 1994 Se presenta enmarcada la obra (leves faltas en la enmarcación) Medidas obra: 50 cm. de altura x 61 cm. de ancho Medidas marco: 52 cm. de altura x 63 cm. de ancho Buen estado de conservación el de la obra :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: BIOGRAFIA DEL ARTISTA: José Luis Marín...
Oil
"Alone"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Alone is an intimate figurative painting created during the period of war and personal solitude in 2026. The work emerged from a time of isolation, when the presence of another perso...
Plywood, Acrylic
Tulips Red 7
Located in Zofingen, AG
I poured vibrant energy into this piece, blending acrylic, oil pastel, and colored pencil to create bold, expressive tulips that burst with life. The fusion of expressionism, impress...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Sable - 21st Century Contemporary, Expressionist Portrait, African Woman, Face
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic
untitled, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Emotions are important. For example, when I look at a picture that caught my attention, I get in a certain mood that I think is very important. A starting point for the works are oft...
Pencil
Magnolia, Still Life Painting, Oil on Canvas, 2021
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A vibrant expressionist painting depicting lush blooming magnolia branches. Delicate white and soft pink blossoms contrast against a deep, textured background of dark greens, blues, ...
Oil
Kubrick Shining Scarf : Fashionable Cashmere/Modal blend Scarf
Located in New York, NY
Claudia Doring-Baez, "Kubrick Shining Scarf", 2021, Cashmere/Modal blend, 26 x 71 in. Beautiful scarves created by artist Claudia Doring-Baez with her paintings printed on high qual...
Fabric, Wool
Bloom 2 - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Fashion
By Gobe Joseph
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Gob...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
Expressive Male Head on Moving Spring, Carved and Polychromed Wood Sculpture
By Joan Priego
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This expressive carved wood sculpture presents a polychromed male head mounted on a visible steel spring, allowing the portrait to move and gently oscillate. Created by Spanish arti...
Wood, Pigment, Wax, Oil
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...
Lithograph
$8,815Sale Price|20% Off
Paris, Seine. 1918/19, oil on cardboard, 38x52 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Paris, Seine. 1918/19, oil on cardboard, 38x52 cm Signature located in bottom right corner Belay The certificate: M. Roland Souef at November 23, 2011 Pierre Savigny de Belay...
Oil, Cardboard
Meneses coast original watercolor paper expressionist painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
coast original watercolor paper expressionist painting. This Catalan painter, settled for years in Mallorca, offers a series of landscapes in which the natural is treated in the imp...
Watercolor, Handmade Paper
Bloom 1 - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Fashion
By Gobe Joseph
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Gob...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
I. Mundo Barcelona street original watercoler painting
By Ignasi Mundó
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
BARCELONA STREET original watercoler painting. MUNDO Ignasi Ignasi Mundó trained at the School of La Lonja, with Joaquín Mir, Mariano Pidelaserra and Manolo Hugué. In 1945 he recei...
Paper, Wax
$801
Autoretrato del artista - Dibujo a carbón - Firmado y enmarcado
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
La obra va firmada por el artista en la parte inferior (J. Reus) Medidas obra: 38cm. Altura x 29cm. Ancho Medidas del marco: 54cm. Altura x 45cm. Ancho Buen estado de conservación...
Carbon Pencil
Red Koi Fish: The Genesis of Motion" (2020) – Original Watercolor on Paper
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"The Genesis of Motion" (2020) is a pivotal masterpiece that marks a defining moment in Elena Lukina’s internationally acclaimed exploration of aquatic life. Part of the foundational...
Paper, Watercolor
$1,620
"Frida"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A captivating blend of bold expressionism and contemporary realism, this 36" x 48" original acrylic painting to the iconic spirit and resilience of Frida Kahlo. Rendered with strikin...
Canvas, Acrylic
6 Vulnerable Beauty Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 2010+
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
THE PROJECT: INDEPENDENT PAVILION VENICE 2026 This work is a cornerstone of the "In Minor Keys: The Turquoise Silence" series — a large-scale artistic manifesto created specifically ...
Canvas, Oil, Linen
$4,009
"Girl with lilac" Oil Painting by Elena Lukina (2017) – Impressionism Canvas
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Girl with lilac" (2017) is an evocative original oil painting from the acclaimed series "The Garden of Resonance: Floral Symphony", exploring the profound harmony of a spring lands...
Canvas, Oil
$304Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Graveside Scene Patriotic Dead Soldier, Gas Mask & Skeletons
By Nicholas Sperakis
Located in Exton, PA
Brutalist colored woodcut circa 1976 by Nicholas Sperakis. The image depicts skeletal figures around the grave of a soldier. Note the American flag features which drape the entombed ...
Woodcut
Expressionist Gouache and Watercolour Study for 'Alexander and His Army'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
French late 20th century watercolour and gouache study for the series 'Alexander and His Army' by Stephane Lovighi-Bourgogne. Presented in plain wood frame. A strong and forceful de...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
Benavente Solís Poppies Red Green Landscape original painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
landscape- original figuratif watercolor painting framed of the Spanish artist BENAVENTE SOLIS. Watercolor on paper. Perfect state . During its first exhibition in Paris, the Fren...
Watercolor
Impasto Poppies, Elena Lukina, Original Large Impasto Oil Painting
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Impasto Poppies" captures the essence of a dream inspired by the sun-kissed hills of Tuscany. It's a vibrant ode to idyllic summer days, where soft horizons meet the bold energy of ...
Canvas, Oil
Mere Biblique
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Theo Tobiasse (French/Israeli, 1927-2012) Title: Mere Biblique Year: 1984 Medium: Color lithograph, with collage Edition: Numbered 172/175 in pencil Paper: Arches Image...
Lithograph
$870Sale Price|20% Off
Le Tambour, 1984, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned and numbered
By Jean Jansem
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Le tambour, 1984 Lithographie sur papier Arches, justifiée EA Signée en bas à droite 67,5 x 47 cm / 76 x 54 cm Bibliographie: CR Jansem, 1993, n°1 "Ma pre...
Lithograph
Carved banana wood sculpture, expressionist bust, astonished face
Located in Carballo, ES
Hand-carved sycamore wood sculpture by the artist Álvaro de la Vega (1954, Lugo, Spain) in 2008. It is part of a series of sculptures of facial expressions. The sculpture measures 41...
Wood
"Lago Maggiore" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Catalogue reference: Jentsch 91. This impression on wove paper was printed in 1919 for Das Kestnerbuch, an important collection of original prints publis...
Lithograph
Raventos BLUE Big original expressionist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
La Santa Espina. original expressionist acrylic painting RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts i...
Acrylic
$2,200
Raventos MOULIN ROUGE. PARIS original expressionist acrylic canvas
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
"MOULIN ROUGE. PARIS"- original expressionist acrylic canvas painting - 1997 RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi...
Canvas, Oil
Raventos Collage Little City original expressionist mixed media
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Paris original expressionist mixed media painting RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts in Barce...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Contemporary figurative dog's portrait acrylic painting on canvas "Stylish pup"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
“Stylish Pup” is a contemporary acrylic dog painting by French artist Natalya Mougenot, part of her expressive ongoing series devoted to canine personalities. With her distinctive p...
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic
signed original etching - Artist's Proof
By Jack Levine
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original soft ground etching. Signed in pencil and annotated "Artist's Proof". Printed in 1967 for the Dreigroschen Film portfolio and published by Touchstone Publishers. Thi...
Etching
"Portrait of a Boy (Rupert Doone)" original woodcut
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original woodcut. Catalogue reference: Colnaghi 142. Published in London in 1921 by Herbert Furst at the Little Art Rooms for inclusion in the "Modern Woodcutters 4" volume, ...
Woodcut
$2,900
Wish You Merry and Happy 1 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Holiday, Dog
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Season is the day that holds all time together with endless peace, joy, and love. Do not set aside your happiness season, do not wait to be happy in the future because the best time...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic