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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
Isaac Friedlander, My People
Isaac Friedlander, My People

Isaac Friedlander, My People

By Isaac Friedlander

Located in New York, NY

Isaac (sometimes Isac) Friedlander's large wood engraving, My People, 1944, reflects his genuine social interest. After a youth of extreme hardship, including incarceration in a czar...

Category

1940s Expressionist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Quiet Vessel - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Africa
Quiet Vessel - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Africa

Quiet Vessel - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Africa

By Daniel Owoeye

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

So many memories, thoughts, and feelings we never want to forget—they refuse to fade away. In this place, the clock does not tick; everything is suspended in time. It is as if the w...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Mujere
Mujere

Mujere

By Raul Soldi

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork "Mujere" c.1960 is an original color silkscreen by noted Argentinian artist Raul Soldi, 1905-1994. It is hand signed and numbered 12/15 P.A in pencil by the artist. The image size is 22.75 x 17 inches, sheet size is 26.65 x 21.5 inches. It is in very good condition, colors are fresh and bright. About the artist: Raúl Soldi was born in Buenos Aire in 1905. He was an argentine plastic artist of recognized international experience. In 1920 he began drawing and painting. He makes reproductions of Quinquela Martín...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Screen

"Klausen in Tirol" original lithograph

"Klausen in Tirol" original lithograph

By Alexander Kanoldt

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. This striking lithograph was printed in 1922 for Genius. The image size is 11 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches (285 x 235 mm). This original Alexander Kanoldt lithogra...

Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Red Kite Expressionist Painting in Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Red Kite Expressionist Painting in Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

Red Kite Expressionist Painting in Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

By Eniafe Gbenga

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

I want to tell you what it means when a man feels at home. It is not when he sits in his house alone; it is when he can step out of his home without thinking it is risky to do so. (...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Acrylic

Simple Times - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Plants, Women
Simple Times - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Plants, Women

Simple Times - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Plants, Women

By Josue M Pierre

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Josue M Pierre ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

The Collector - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Africa
The Collector - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Africa

The Collector - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Modern, Africa

By Daniel Owoeye

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 Dan...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Oil

Violin Tempo -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Neo-Expressionism, Floral
Violin Tempo -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Neo-Expressionism, Floral

Violin Tempo -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Neo-Expressionism, Floral

By Omoayo George Osoba

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 Oso...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Polymer

Regarding the Sky, Oil Painting
Regarding the Sky, Oil Painting

Regarding the Sky, Oil Painting

By Ronda Waiksnis

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
This painting captures a tranquil scene where a body of water reflects the sky. The muted, distant horizon suggests an endless expanse, inviting contemplation...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

The North. Richard K Blades. Oil painting of the sea and sky Turner influence.
The North. Richard K Blades. Oil painting of the sea and sky Turner influence.

The North. Richard K Blades. Oil painting of the sea and sky Turner influence.

By Richard K Blades

Located in Coltishall, GB

The North presents a mesmerizing seascape under an expansive, tumultuous sky. Broad, dynamic brushstrokes in a palette dominated by purples and blues convey a sense of movement and d...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Colorful Water Lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Colorful Water Lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Colorful Water Lily, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By LE ANH TUAN

Located in Yardley, PA

Colorful Water Lily Welcome to the beautiful artwork titled **"Colorful Water Lily"**! This painting is not only a picture of nature but also a symphony of colors, bringing freshnes...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Femme en Rose Avec un Arbre
Femme en Rose Avec un Arbre

Femme en Rose Avec un Arbre

By André Brasilier

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist: Andre Brasilier (French, born 1929) Title: Femme en Rose Avec un Arbre Year: c.1975 Medium: Color lithograph Edition: Inscribed "Bien Amicalement" (With Friendship) in pe...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Water lily inspiration
Water lily inspiration

Water lily inspiration

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In creating this painting, I was inspired by the tranquil beauty of water lilies. I aimed to capture their serene essence and the dynamic interplay of light on water. This piece blen...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dreams of Yesterday, Original Painting
Dreams of Yesterday, Original Painting

Dreams of Yesterday, Original Painting

By Diana Elena Chelaru

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A woman rests gently against a swirling current that resembles both wind and water, as if she is swinging between past and present. Soft touches of yellow and o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Here I Am Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 21st Century
Here I Am Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 21st Century

Here I Am Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 21st Century

By Kayimahe Ishmael Zed

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 Gallery). At the heart of the artwork lies a young woman adorned in a striking red dress. The choice of red as the dominant color symbolizes strength, passion, and confidence. It serves as a visual representation of the artist's intention to empower and embolden the subject, inspiring viewers to embrace their own identities unapologetically. The woman in the red dress becomes a beacon of self-assurance, encouraging others to fully express themselves without fear or hesitation. "Here I Am" encapsulates the essence of celebrating one's individuality. The young woman's presence demands attention, her confident stance serving as a powerful statement of self-acceptance. The artwork encourages viewers to embrace the unique attributes, quirks, and qualities that make them who they are. It celebrates the beauty of diversity and underscores the importance of allowing oneself to shine authentically. Kayimahe Ishmael Zed...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

"Goats" original lithograph

"Goats" original lithograph

By August Gaul

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1920 on smooth wove paper for the Deutsche Graphiker der Gegenwart portfolio, and published in Leipzig by Klinkhardt & Biermann in an edition ...

Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Zehlendorf" original lithograph

"Zehlendorf" original lithograph

By Rudolf Grossmann

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. This is one of the Berlin Scenes executed by Rudolf Grossmann during the years before World War I and published in Germany by Bruno Cassirer from 1911-14...

Category

1910s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Paris under the sun
Paris under the sun

Paris under the sun

Located in PARIS, FR

Oscar Rabine was a renowned Russian-French painter and one of the leading figures of nonconformist art in the Soviet Union. Born in 1928 in Moscow, he became known for his expressive...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Zehlendorf" original lithograph

"Zehlendorf" original lithograph

By Rudolf Grossmann

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. This is one of the Berlin Scenes executed by Rudolf Grossmann during the years before World War I and published in Germany by Bruno Cassirer from 1911-14...

Category

1910s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Roses in a vase 50X40 oil painting
Roses in a vase 50X40 oil painting

Roses in a vase 50X40 oil painting

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this piece, I captured the transient beauty of life through the delicate interplay of light and color. My strokes convey a dance between realism and imagination, an expressionisti...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Bridge at Sundown, Original Painting
Bridge at Sundown, Original Painting

Bridge at Sundown, Original Painting

By Robert Hofherr

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A railroad bridge in New England glows beneath the late afternoon sun in this expressionist painting. Vibrant reds, oranges, violets, and blues create bold cont...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Morning in the Hollow, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Morning in the Hollow, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Morning in the Hollow, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Lisa Elley

Located in Yardley, PA

Morning in the Hollow is a quiet celebration of spring in California, where the poppies sway, the hills glow, and time seems to hold its breath. A little herd rests in the shade near...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Expressionistic landscape oil painting 'Colors in the Breeze III'
Expressionistic landscape oil painting 'Colors in the Breeze III'

Expressionistic landscape oil painting 'Colors in the Breeze III'

By Ken Elliott

Located in White Plains, NY

'Colors in the Breeze III' 2021 by American artist, Ken Elliott. Oil on canvas, 30 x 30 in. / Frame: 31.5 x 31.5 in. This painting of a forest and a field comprises of colors in green, purple, yellow, pink, and blue. Framed in a gold painted frame. Colorado based artist Ken Elliott, focuses on the western landscape and its rich store of ideas and inspiration. Painting rural scenery, the artist does not try to recreate nature or attempt storytelling but instead, wields color boldly, creating vibrant, contemporary landscapes that are both animated and peaceful. Early in his career, he was a student of Wolf Kahn, who inspired his work. Since 1988, Elliott’s work has been exhibited in numerous galleries nationwide. His work is collected in corporate art...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Symphony of the Sea, Original Painting
Symphony of the Sea, Original Painting

Symphony of the Sea, Original Painting

By Tiffany Blaise

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The sun sinks low on the horizon, casting its final warmth and glow across the coast. Gestural, layered brushwork explores the fusion of light and water. The tu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Fantasy with Flowers 50
Fantasy with Flowers 50

Fantasy with Flowers 50

Located in Zofingen, AG

"Fantasy with Flowers" (series of 200+ pictures)   paper 59x42cm  On the paper acrylic, oil pastel, felt-tip pen, ink, gold leaf, pencils, silver,mixed media. Flowers are a smile of ...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Archival Paper

"Landschaft mit Frauen" original woodcut
"Landschaft mit Frauen" original woodcut

"Landschaft mit Frauen" original woodcut

By Aloys Wach

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original woodcut. The title means "Landscape with Women". Printed in 1920 for the German Expressionist art revue Das Kunstblatt, published in Berlin by Verlag Gustav Kiepenhe...

Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Woodcut

original etching

original etching

By Leonard Baskin

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original etching. Printed in 1984 on Cartiere Magnani paper at the atelier of Bruce Chandler in an edition of 1500. This work was executed by Leonard Baskin to illustrate the...

Category

1980s Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

"Le centaure" original woodcut

"Le centaure" original woodcut

By Auguste Louis Lepère

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original woodcut. This impression on thin wove paper was printed in 1902 and published by Gazette des Beaux Arts. Image size: 8 1/8 x 5 1/2 inches (207 x 140 mm). Signed in t...

Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Art

Materials

Woodcut

Ceramic Expressionist Head in White Stoneware with Bismuth Rakú Glaze. Testa 9
Ceramic Expressionist Head in White Stoneware with Bismuth Rakú Glaze. Testa 9

Ceramic Expressionist Head in White Stoneware with Bismuth Rakú Glaze. Testa 9

By Óscar Aldonza Torres

Located in FISTERRA, ES

Testa 9 is an expressionist ceramic head sculpture created in white stoneware with a bismuth Rakú glaze. This ceramic head belongs to the artist’s Testas series, a body of work compo...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Clay, Glaze

Sail
Sail

Sail

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this painting, I aimed to capture the dynamic interplay of light on water, using a blend of acrylic and oil to create texture and depth. I employed expressionism to convey the emo...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Canvas

Tranquil Day, Oil Painting
Tranquil Day, Oil Painting

Tranquil Day, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Vibrant autumn trees paint a distant forest in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Soft layers of beige and blue land stretches across the foreground. A pale sky...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Autumn Color’s in Misty Land, Oil Painting
Autumn Color’s in Misty Land, Oil Painting

Autumn Color’s in Misty Land, Oil Painting

By George Peebles

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A stand of trees stretches across a landscape in warm, autumnal shades. Vertical strokes suggest tall trunks rising through the orange, yellow, and green foliag...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Chromatic Nomad, Oil Painting
Chromatic Nomad, Oil Painting

Chromatic Nomad, Oil Painting

By Rodion Gilmitdinov

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A solitary rider stands against a vibrant, textile-inspired backdrop of bold geometric forms and saturated color. Rendered with raw, gestural lines, the figure ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Dress with irises
Dress with irises

Dress with irises

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In this piece, I melded oil paints to captivate the timeless dance of nature with human grace. Inspired by the delicate irises swaying in a serene field, I portrayed a figure harmoni...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

original etching

original etching

By Leonard Baskin

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original etching. Printed in 1984 on Cartiere Magnani paper at the atelier of Bruce Chandler in an edition of 1500. This work was executed by Leonard Baskin to illustrate the...

Category

1980s Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

Summer Bouquet View From The Balcony, Expressionist Oil Painting
Summer Bouquet View From The Balcony, Expressionist Oil Painting

Summer Bouquet View From The Balcony, Expressionist Oil Painting

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

View From the Balcony With Summer Bouquet Oil on canvas singed lower right corner, canvas 36x28"5, framed 48x39x2. Yolande Ardissone (born June 6, 1927) is a French painter. Born in ...

Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gazing Through Ankara 2, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Unframed
Gazing Through Ankara 2, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Unframed

Gazing Through Ankara 2, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Unframed

By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

"Gazing Through Ankara" is a captivating series of paintings that celebrates the beauty, diversity, and individuality of black African women through the exploration of eyewear and An...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Fabric, Mixed Media, Oil

The Silence of Fading Light, Original Painting
The Silence of Fading Light, Original Painting

The Silence of Fading Light, Original Painting

By Crystal DiPietro

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Fading sunlight casts warm orange hues across the mountain, while cool pastel tones settle in the shadows and desert brush below. In the foreground, a mix of pl...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Watercolor

(after) Carl Hofer - "Pierrot" pochoir

(after) Carl Hofer - "Pierrot" pochoir

By Carl Hofer

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: pochoir (after the watercolor). Printed in Germany in 1922 for the Ganymed portfolio "Das vierte Jahrbuch der Marees Gesellschaft" and published in Munich by Marees-Gesellsch...

Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

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.