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.
$4,149
Expressionist Figurative Portrait, Oil on Canvas, by a School of Paris Artist
Located in NANTES, FR
This work by Menachem Gueffen presents a very free portrait of a woman, halfway between figuration and expressionism. This painting is highly instinctive, the bold black outlines st...
Oil
$2,250Sale Price|25% Off
Victim (Meet James)
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, Oil
$1,176
Yesterday, Today II - Expressive Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Realism
By Robert Bubel
Located in Salzburg, AT
The painting is signed on the back. The whole artistic output of Robert Bubel centres around subjective emotions and arousing emotion in the beholder. The source of inspiration- tha...
Canvas, Oil
Colors of Winter, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This expressionist landscape painting by artist Robert Hofherr depicts tree trunks rising through thick layers of snow, with quiet houses set in the background....
Acrylic
Old Gray, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Robert Hofherr shares that certain structures framed by trees often suggest strong compositional possibilities, as seen in this scene. The style and sett...
Acrylic
$810
Olympic Palette on Cream, Vertical Painting, Simple Colorful Gestures on Beige
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Olympic Pattern on Cream" is an abstract painting diptych by Spanish artist Natalia Roman. It is a beautiful series of rhythmic brushstrokes combined with subtle tones and unique sh...
Acrylic, Paper
Emotional Metamorphosis 11: Lines of Illusion, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Petal-like shapes, vines, and organic forms overlap in this botanical painting. Created with acrylic paint, spray paint, and markers, the artwork features raise...
Acrylic
Emotional Metamorphosis 7, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Colorful organic and geometric shapes define this abstract expressionist painting. Paint drips run downward, adding a sense of motion to the scene. The composit...
Acrylic
Emotional Metamorphosis 2, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This vibrant medium-sized artwork explores the ever-changing emotional landscape. Its vivid colors and bold strokes suggest a blossoming, floral motif. The piec...
Acrylic
Creation Code: Code 5, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Expressive splashes and deliberate lines explore the tension between disorder and intention in this abstract expressionist painting. Vibrant colors and dynamic ...
Acrylic
Giner Bueno 41 Reparando redes original painting
By Giner Bueno
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Giner Bueno (1935-2000) Reparando Las Redes Painter from Alicante, son of the painter Luis Giner Valls. He studied at the School of Arts and Crafts of Valencia and finished his stu...
Canvas, Acrylic
Regarding the Sky, Oil Painting
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...
Oil
"Blue Mountains", Elena Lukina, Original Large Scale Impasto Oil Painting
Located in Zofingen, AG
Immerse yourself in the majestic serenity of nature with "Blue Mountains," an original oil painting that captures the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. Every brushstroke is a tes...
Canvas, Oil
Hamburger Kneipe (Hamburg Pub), Etching by Kathe Kollwitz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hamburger Kneipe (Hamburg Pub) Kathe Kollwitz (After) German (1867–1945) Date: original: 1901; printed circa 1948 - 1963 Etching Size: 7.75 x 9.75 in. (19.69 x 24.77 cm) Frame Size...
Etching
$701Sale Price|20% Off
Rouen Street Scene Thickly Painted 20th Century French Signed Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French Expressionist School, indistinctly signed Title: Rouen street scene Medium: signed oil painting on canvas, unframed. Siz...
Oil, Canvas
Sunflower time 65X50
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this vibrant oil painting, I poured my heart into capturing the fierce beauty of sunflowers standing tall. Each stroke embodies the energy and warmth these flowers exude, blending...
Canvas, Oil
$1,537Sale Price|25% Off
African Boy IV
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
African Boy is a series of paintings by talented artist Faith Gbadero. This series of Artworks capture the response and attitudes of African young adults...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$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
$161Sale Price|20% Off
Impressionist abstract oil floral bouquet painting on cardboard "Lovely day"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This artwork makes part of my series dedicated to the scenes of a summer period. This floral painting called "Lovely day" is done in an expressive impressionist style. Floral art...
Oil, Cardboard
Spring Herbs Oil Painting, Expressionistic Landscape in the Swiss Alps
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Spring Herbs" is an original artwork born from a deep connection with nature. The artist has skillfully layered high-quality oil paints on an Italian linen canvas, building an impas...
Canvas, Linen, Oil
Colorful Day, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A stand of trees stretches across the center of a vast field. Their foliage glows with brilliant autumn colors. Tall grass spreads in the foreground while soft ...
Oil
$1,380
Sea of Blues Diptych, Abstract Blue & White Fish Patterns, Mediterranean Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us and reminds us of its natural beauty and the importance of its preservation. Details: Title: Sea of Blue N28 & 29 Medium: Mixed Media on Paper Size: 63 x 180 cm (each panel measures 63x90 cm); 24.8 x 70.8 inches (24.8 x 36 inches). Year: 2024 * Frame is for illustrative purposes only. Artwork shipped carefully rolled and packaged in a tube. * Certificate of Authenticity provided. Enric Servera (Ciutadella de Menorca, 1970) lives and works between Barcelona and Menorca, Spain. His works explores the colors and forms of the ocean, inspired by the fauna and flora of the Mediterranean Sea. His work has shown in galleries across Spain, and is part of several public and private collections. Words that may describe this series of artworks are: Mediterranean-inspired art, abstract sea paintings...
Watercolor
$16,000
Louise and Else Heyerdahl /// Expressionism Edvard Munch Portrait Figurative Art
By Edvard Munch
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Edvard Munch (Norwegian, 1863-1944) Title: "Louise and Else Heyerdahl" *Signed by Munch in pencil lower right Year: 1920 Medium: Original Lithograph on heavy cream wove paper...
Lithograph
$3,750Sale Price|25% Off
Odd Tales From an Old Flame -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Surrealism
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
A dream spills open like an old book without words— Its pages breathe smoke and feathered wings, keys that unlock nothing, clocks that refuse to tell time. In the half-light, a figur...
Linen, Oil
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Marc Chagall, The Acrobats, The Lithographs of Chagall, 1963
By Marc Chagall
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Les Saltimbanques (The Acrobats), from the album The Lithographs of Chagall, Volume II, originates from the 1963 edition...
Lithograph
$2,250Sale Price|25% Off
Rebirth 1 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative People, Expressionism, Women
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 Emma...
Canvas, Coffee, Mixed Media
$580
Mt. Fuji & Cherry Blossoms, Kawaguchiko, Original impasto Miniature Oil Gift Art
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Mount Fuji and Cherry Blossoms at Lake Kawaguchiko" is a beautiful original oil painting that captures the iconic view of Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms at Lake Kawaguchiko. P...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
'Portrait of a Man', by Jim Riley, Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 19.625" x 15.625" oil on canvas painting is by American artist, Jim Riley. The painting presents a frontal, half-length portrait of a figure with wavy brown hair and a calm, int...
Canvas, Oil
Expressionist Mid-Century Still Life of Flowers in a Vase.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid-century still life pastel on paper of a vase with flowers by French artist Andrée Ruy Petroff. Signed bottom right. An enchanting and energetic render...
Paper, Crayon, Pastel, Carbon Pencil
$1,642Sale Price|25% Off
Emancipation
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
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
Emmanuel Mane-Katz, Wedding, The Bedeken, 1966 (after)
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph after Emmanuel Mane-Katz (1894-1962), titled Mariage, Le Bedeken (Wedding, The Bedeken), from the folio Mane-Katz, Douze Lithographies pour Stempeniou de Ch...
Lithograph
Bird on the willow for the Annunciation
Located in Zofingen, AG
With vibrant oil strokes, I captured the delicate grace of a bird perched on a blooming willow branch, blending realism with expressive emotion. This painting radiates a serene yet h...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
During Sunset
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this piece, I strove to capture the fleeting beauty of a sunset beach scene, emphasizing the deep, emotional connection between the figures and the vast, soothing expanse...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Parade Large Oil Painting
By Jürgen Görg
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
"Parade" Oil, graphite on linen canvas, canvas 46x39 with frame 63x55. Jurgen Gorg was born in 1951 in Dernbach Germany. His formative years were spent in Koblentz, before moving ...
Linen, Oil, Graphite
Venetians Gondolas 2
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this artwork, I poured my reverence for the rhythmic dance of Venetian gondolas. The vibrant blue hues and expressive strokes embody the fluidity and reflective beauty of...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Codorniu Majorca expressionist acrylic painting
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...
Canvas, Oil
"Artist Painting Still Life" Expressionistic Style Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in New York, NY
A strong modernist oil painting depicted in the Mid Centruy by Russian painter Michael Baxte. Mostly known for his abstracted figures on canvas or street scenes, this piece is a wonderful representation of his interior scenes with expressive use of color, shape, and form. Later in his career, Baxte explores Expressionism, infusing both European and North American stylistic trends. This painting measures 32 x 25.5 inches Michael Posner Baxte was born in 1890 in the small town of Staroselje Belarus, Russia. For the first half of the 19th century, it was a center of the Chabad movement of Hasidic Jews, but this group was gone by the middle of the 19th century. By the time the Baxte family immigrated to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish population numbered only on the hundreds. The native language of the Baxte family was Yiddish. It is likely that the death of Michael Baxte’s father triggered the family’s immigration. Three older brothers arrived in New York between 1903 and 1905. Michael and his mother, Rebecca, arrived in 1907. By 1910 Michael, his mother, and brother, Joseph, were living in New Orleans and may have spent some time on a Louisiana plantation...
Oil, Canvas
Sunflowers field 3D (18X24)
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this painting, I sought to capture the vibrant essence of life, channeling my emotions into each stroke. The bold sunflowers stand as symbols of joy and exuberance, their bright f...
Canvas, Oil
Christus, 1961 (Expressionist, Spiritual Theme)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Richard Haizmann Christus, 1961 Woodcut Year: 1987 (printed) Size: 33.66 x 24.01 inches (85.5 × 61 cm) Stamped verso by the Estate, signed "Dr. Wolfgang Wesiack" COA provided *Will ...
Woodcut
$3,750Sale Price|25% Off
Floating on Cloud Nine -21st Century, Expressionist, Figurative Modern, Balloon
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
$523Sale Price|20% Off
Provence Fishing Harbour French Expressionist Original Painting
By Akos Biro
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
AKOS BIRO (HUNGARIAN 1911-2002) watercolour / gouache, size: 9.75 x 6.25 inches Beautifully colourful, original painting by the very popular and highly regarded Hungarian/ French pa...
Oil Pastel, Gouache
Cask and Copper Pot Still Life, Oil on Canvas, Signed, 1995, Framed
By Susan Lyon
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous cask and copper pot still life by Susan Lyons (American, 20th Century). Presented in a wooden frame. Signed "Lyons" and dated "95" lower right. Image size, 28"H x 30"W. Sus...
Canvas, Oil
Before the Storm
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this piece, I sought to capture the vibrant yet calm moment before a storm. I used acrylic and oil to blend realism with abstraction, allowing the textures and colors to ...
Oil, Acrylic, Canvas
Sunny Terrace 25X35
Located in Zofingen, AG
In crafting this piece, I've intertwined the essence of expressionism and impressionism, allowing the vibrant colors and bold textures to evoke feelings of warmth and serenity. The f...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard, Giclée
$1,537Sale Price|25% Off
African Boy III
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
African Boy is a series of paintings by talented artist Faith Gbadero. This series of Artworks captures the response and attitudes of African young adult...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,418Sale Price|20% Off
Notre Dame de Paris II
By Lucien Génin
Located in London, GB
'Notre Dame de Paris II', gouache on paper, by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s). One of two paintings of Notre Dame by this artist held by our gallery, it is also an absolutely charming and now, historic depiction from the 1930s, of the most famous cathedral in France. This version uses more exaggerated brushstrokes with strong colours attesting to its expressionist roots. Notre Dame is one of the most widely recognised symbols of the city of Paris and the French nation. As the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris. Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in the city. While undergoing renovation and restoration, the roof of Notre-Dame caught fire on the evening of 15 April 2019. Burning for around 15 hours, the cathedral sustained serious damage. The government of France hopes the reconstruction can be completed by Spring 2024, in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Unlike the actual cathedral, this artwork is in good condition, is newly framed and glazed and signed by the artist in the lower right hand corner. Upon request a video may be provided. About the Artist: After the devastation of the First World War, Lucien Génin (1894 - 1953) left his provincial home in the autumn of 1919 to find his fortune among the lively Parisians in the heart of Montmartre. Génin befriended the painters Frank Will, Gen Paul, Émile Boyer, Marcel Leprin...
Paper, Gouache
Venice 3
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this fervent composition, I melded acrylics and oils to capture Venice's aura, blending realism's clarity with impressionism's vigor and expressionism's raw emotion. Each stroke e...
Oil, Acrylic, Cardboard
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Regal Beauty 1
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Regal Beauty 1 is an oil painting that showcases the elegance and majesty of a black African woman. The subject is depicted with an afro hairstyle and a tribal mark on her face, which highlights her cultural identity and connection to her African roots. The Ankara fabric provides the backdrop, adding texture and depth to the piece and making the subject stand out even more. The oil on Ankara fabric medium creates a stunning visual effect, bringing out the richness of the colors and capturing the subject's beauty and strength. This painting serves as a tribute to the beauty, elegance, and resilience of African women and is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural appreciation and representation. 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 Bakare Babatunde...
Fabric, Oil
Mid Century French Expressionist Oil, La Couseuse
Located in Cotignac, FR
A mid-century French Expressionist oil on paper, laid on board, painting of a lady sewing by Raphael Arnal. The painting is signed bottom left and dated, located and attributed to th...
Oil
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Marc Chagall, Motherhood with Centaur, from Chagall, 1957
By Marc Chagall
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Maternite au Centaure (Motherhood with Centaur), from the album Chagall, originates fro...
Lithograph
$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
Sea, Boats
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this artwork, I've captured the vibrant dance of light on water, blending impressionist strokes with the emotive dynamism of expressionism. Using oils, I layered colors to evoke t...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$4,149
Ski Slope, Winter Serenity Oil Painting, Large Landscape, Textured Impasto, New
Located in Zofingen, AG
SKI SLOPE is a beautiful, original oil painting that captures the untamed spirit of a winter mountain landscape. The artist's expressive brushstrokes and harmonious blend of blues an...
Canvas, Oil
$2,437Sale Price|25% Off
Culture 4
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
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Marc Chagall, Selifane the Coachman, from Dead Souls, 1923–1927
By Marc Chagall
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite etching by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Selifane le cocher (Selifane the Coachman), originates from the celebrated folio Nicolas Gogol, Les Ames mortes, Eaux-forte...
Etching
Coral poppies
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this painting, I've depicted vibrant coral poppies blooming vigorously against a serene, softly blended background. The contrast between the vivid red hues of the flowers and the ...
Canvas, Oil
Raventos Dark Blue original expressionist acrylic
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Horitzo al mediterrani. original expressionist acrylic painting. virtual framed RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jord...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Pre War European Hasidic Rabbi Kiddush Levana (Moon) German Judaica Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Kiddush Levanah oil painting Hand signed A. Gruenstein. It is not dated or titled. Pre War European Chasidic Rabbis Kiddush Levana (Blessing on seeing the new moon) German Judaica ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
Emmanuel Mane-Katz, Dance, 1966 (after)
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph after Emmanuel Mane-Katz (1894-1962), titled Danse (Dance), from the folio Mane-Katz, Douze Lithographies pour Stempeniou de Cholem Aleikhem (Mane-Katz, Twe...
Lithograph
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
Emmanuel Mane-Katz, The Drummer, 1966 (after)
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph after Emmanuel Mane-Katz (1894-1962), titled Le Tambour (The Drummer), from the folio Mane-Katz, Douze Lithographies pour Stempeniou de Cholem Aleikhem (Man...
Lithograph