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Expressionist Art

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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
Large Bronze Bas Relief Danse Macabre Expressionist Sculpture Totentantz
Large Bronze Bas Relief Danse Macabre Expressionist Sculpture Totentantz

Large Bronze Bas Relief Danse Macabre Expressionist Sculpture Totentantz

Located in Surfside, FL

We have not located any markings on the piece and it does not appear to be signed. it bears similarities with works by Wilfredo Lam and other Cuban and Latin American masters and it ...

Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Bronze

GenZ Lovers -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Africa, Couple
GenZ Lovers -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Africa, Couple

GenZ Lovers -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Africa, Couple

By Olajide Kuti

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 Ola...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

¨Topiaria¨. Expressionist colorful garden. Big format Oil on canvas
¨Topiaria¨. Expressionist colorful garden. Big format Oil on canvas

¨Topiaria¨. Expressionist colorful garden. Big format Oil on canvas

By Chico Montilla

Located in Segovia, ES

Topiaria. Big format Oil on canvas Beautiful garden by Chico Montilla. Measurements: (H) 130 x (W) 195 x 3 cm. Framed 142 x 207 x 5 cm. Colorful expressionist view of a garden with plants that have been given artistic form through the topiary art...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'Camille VI', Fauve Figural of Young Woman, California Post Impressionist Oil
'Camille VI', Fauve Figural of Young Woman, California Post Impressionist Oil

'Camille VI', Fauve Figural of Young Woman, California Post Impressionist Oil

By Anthony McNaught

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed verso, 'Ant McNaught', (American, 1952-2026), titled 'Camille VI', and dated 2018-2020. This California Post-Impressionist and Abstract Expressionist artist has studied at the Esalen Institute with Erin Gafill and Tom Birmingham...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Solange de dos, 1990, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned, numbered
Solange de dos, 1990, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned, numbered

Solange de dos, 1990, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned, numbered

By Jean Jansem

Located in Les Acacias GE, GE

Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Solange de dos, 1990 Lithographie sur papier Japon Signée en bas à droite et justifiée en bas à gauche 45,5 x 65 cm / 54 x 76 cm Bibliographie: Imprimeur:...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Secret in Her Eyes, Romantic Realism Oil on Canvas Painting, 1980s
The Secret in Her Eyes, Romantic Realism Oil on Canvas Painting, 1980s

The Secret in Her Eyes, Romantic Realism Oil on Canvas Painting, 1980s

By Rosendo Gonzalez Carbonell

Located in Sitges, Barcelona

Technical Sheet - Title: *The Secret in Her Eyes* - Artist: Rosendo González Carbonell - Technique: Oil on canvas - Dimensions: 24 x 20 inches - Framing: Unframed - Style: Romantic realism...

Category

1980s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

One Mind With Many Thoughts - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women
One Mind With Many Thoughts - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women

One Mind With Many Thoughts - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women

By Elijah Olanase

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Sometimes, our thoughts can be the enemy. We need to be careful about our thoughts because we can lose ourselves. Life can be tough, filled with challenges and difficulties, but it's...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Trying to Leave Myself 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, People

Trying to Leave Myself 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, People

By Emmanuel Ojebola

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Expressionist Colorful Landscape Oil Paint : San Antonio
Expressionist Colorful Landscape Oil Paint : San Antonio

Expressionist Colorful Landscape Oil Paint : San Antonio

By Chico Montilla

Located in Segovia, ES

San Antonio . Oil on canvas by Spanish artist Chico Montilla. Measurements: (H) 65 x (W) 81 x 2 (D) cm. Framed 85 x 101 x 5 cm. San Antonio, another expressionist view of the countr...

Category

Early 1900s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'Improvisation 7' second ed. woodcut from 'Klänge' by Wassily Kandinsky
'Improvisation 7' second ed. woodcut from 'Klänge' by Wassily Kandinsky

'Improvisation 7' second ed. woodcut from 'Klänge' by Wassily Kandinsky

By Wassily Kandinsky

Located in Milwaukee, WI

'Improvisation 7' second ed. woodcut from 'Klänge' is a woodcut print created by Wassily Kandinsky. The present woodcut print comes from the second edition of 'Klänge (Sounds),' a book of original graphics and poetry by Wassily Kandinsky. The title of the album and of this print, 'Improvisation,' demonstrated Kandinsky's interest in music and how abstract musical forms could be translated into images on a two-dimensional surface. This particular composition is difficult to read, but through the abstraction, one can make out various figures and a landscape beyond. Originally carved and printed in 1911, this second edition print was done ca. 1938. It is a woodcut in black ink on woven paper. Signed with encircled 'K' in the block, lower right (from the book, signed in ink, ed. 117/300) Image Size: 7 1/2" x 5 inches Frame Size: 22 1/4" x 18 3/4" Ref. Roethel 124 Artist Bio: The Museum of Modern Art described 'Klänge (Sounds)' as follows: Vasily Kandinsky's self-described "musical album," Klänge (Sounds), consists of thirty-eight prose-poems he wrote between 1909 and 1911 and fifty-six woodcuts he began in 1907. In the woodcuts Kandinsky veiled his subject matter, creating increasingly indecipherable images (though the horse and rider, his symbol for overcoming objective representation, runs through as a leitmotif). This process proved crucial for the development of abstraction in his art. Kandinsky said his choice of media sprang from an "inner necessity" for expression: the woodcuts were not merely illustrative, nor were the poems purely verbal descriptions. Kandinsky sought a synthesis of the arts, in which meaning was created through the interaction of, and space between, text and image, sound and meaning, mark and blank space. The experimental typography shows his interest in the physical aspects of the book. Klänge is one of three major publications by Kandinsky that appeared shortly before World War I, alongside Über die Geistige in der Kunst (Concerning the Spiritual in Art) and the Blaue Reiter almanac...

Category

1910s Expressionist Art

Materials

Woodcut, Laid Paper

Gouache Watercolor Painting, Nantucket Harbor Boats American Deaf Modernist Art
Gouache Watercolor Painting, Nantucket Harbor Boats American Deaf Modernist Art

Gouache Watercolor Painting, Nantucket Harbor Boats American Deaf Modernist Art

By Robert Freiman

Located in Surfside, FL

Abstract harbor scene with boats, in bold, vivid colors on heavy mould made paper. Hand signed and dated, 1980 22 X 30 not frame Robert Freiman, deaf from birth, was born in March 1917 in New York City. He attended an oral program near his home and later transferred to the Lexington School for the Deaf when he was six. Early in his childhood, his love for drawing, painting and studying became apparent, and as an adult, he continued his studies in New York at the National Academy of Design, Pratt Institute, the Art Students League and the Parsons School of Design. In Paris, France he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Bob Freiman was especially focused on painting portraits and figures in motion in various mediums, especially the mixed-media combination of watercolor, acrylic and pen. Among his subjects were acrobats, ballet dancers, cyclists and other athletes. He as well focused on abstracts for a time, discovering new media in his works with quick brushwork and expressive movements. In the latter part of his career, his style became abstract and surreal with images of metaphysical landscapes with architectural elements such as arches, towers, pyramids and castles floating in the air. The famed art critic Pierre Rouve wrote: “It is therefore refreshing to see them revitalized by the colourist wealth and virile handwriting of Robert Freiman, probably the best American water-colorist since John Marin. He worked in Provincetown and Nantucket and regularly exhibited there. He showed at Doll & Richards gallery of Boston alongside John Chetcuti, Lloyd Goodrich, Tod Lindenmuth, William Meyerowitz, Dwight Shepler...

Category

1980s Expressionist Art

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper

The Park, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1920s, 66 cm
The Park, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1920s, 66 cm

The Park, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Framed, Circa 1920s, 66 cm

Located in London, GB

'The Park', oil on canvas, by M. Phidias (circa 1920s). Painted using this artist's trademark impasto, the effect is to add depth and texture to the exuberant display of hues and ref...

Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Woven Identities 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa

Woven Identities 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa

By Faith Gbadero

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Woven Identities is a body of work that explores the intersection of indigenous African heritage and modern global culture. In these paintings, I focus on hairstyle, tribal marks, dr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Displaced Beauty - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman
Displaced Beauty - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman

Displaced Beauty - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Displaced Beauty challenges the shifting standards of beauty shaped by social media and societal expectations. The figure stands as a quiet resistance, embracing natural African feat...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media

Unwind 1 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Modern, Interior

Unwind 1 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Modern, Interior

By Achike Miracle Anayo

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Snowman with a flashlight 30X25
Snowman with a flashlight 30X25

Snowman with a flashlight 30X25

By Elena Lukina

Located in Zofingen, AG

In my painting, I've poured my soul into capturing the whimsical joy and innocent warmth of winter's magic. Brushstrokes of oil dance across the canvas, framing a cheerful snowman as...

Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

"Mexican Villagers Scene with Man on a Horse" Expressionistic Style Oil Painting
"Mexican Villagers Scene with Man on a Horse" Expressionistic Style Oil Painting

"Mexican Villagers Scene with Man on a Horse" Expressionistic Style Oil Painting

By Michael Baxte

Located in New York, NY

A strong modernist oil painting depicted in the Mid Century by Russian painter Michael Baxte. Mostly known for his abstracted figures on canvas or street scenes, this piece is a wonderful representation of his portraits in village landscapes with expressive use of color, shape, and form. Later in his career, Baxte explores Expressionism, infusing both European and North American stylistic trends. Art measures 25.5 x 21.25 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. Around 1912, Michael Baxte returned to Europe to study the violin. In 1914 he, his mother, and Joseph moved to New York City. Meanwhile, in Algeria, a talented young woman painter, Violette Mege, was making history. For the first time, a woman won the prestigious Beaux Art competition in Algeria. At first, the awards committee denied her the prize but, with French government intervention, Mege eventually prevailed. She won again 3 years later and, in 1916, used the scholarship to visit the United States of America. When Violette came to New York, she met Baxte, who was, by then, an accomplished violinist, teacher, and composer. Baxte’s compositions were performed at the Tokyo Imperial Theater, and in 1922 he was listed in the American Jewish Yearbook as one of the prominent members of the American Jewish community. As a music teacher, he encouraged individual expression. Baxte stated, “No pupil should ever be forced into the imitation of the teacher. Art is a personal experience, and the teacher’s truest aim must be to awaken this light of personality through the patient's light of science.” By 1920 Michael Baxte and Violette Mege were living together in Manhattan. Although they claimed to be living as husband and wife, it seems that their marriage did not become official until 1928. On their “unofficial” honeymoon around 1917, in Algiers, Baxte confided to her his ambition to paint. There and later in New Mexico where the wonderful steeped sunlight approximates the coloring of Algiers, she taught him his heart’s desire. He never had any other teacher. She never had any other pupil. For ten years she devoted all her time, energy, and ambition to teaching, encouraging, inspiring him. Then in 1928, their mutual strivings were rewarded, as his works were being chosen as one of the two winners in the Dudensing National Competition for American Painters. Out of 150 artists from across the country participated in the Dudensing, and Michael Posner Baxte and, Robert Fawcett...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Masonite

Portrait of a Woman in a Fur Coat, Signed and Dated, French Expressionist School
Portrait of a Woman in a Fur Coat, Signed and Dated, French Expressionist School

Portrait of a Woman in a Fur Coat, Signed and Dated, French Expressionist School

Located in Pistoia, IT

"Portrait of a Woman in a Fur Coat"—French Expressionism, signed and dated. The painting, an oil on canvas, depicts a portrait of a young woman in the figurative style of the early 2...

Category

1930s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Strong and Bold 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fashion, Hair
Strong and Bold 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fashion, Hair

Strong and Bold 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fashion, Hair

By Gobe Joseph

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

The painting “Strong and Bold” from the series painting of Emily’s Diary portrays a compelling depiction of an African woman adorned with a nourishing Afrocentric hairstyle The fac...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

La commode, 1986, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned
La commode, 1986, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned

La commode, 1986, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned

By Jean Jansem

Located in Les Acacias GE, GE

Jean Jansem (1920-2013) La commode, 1986 Lithographie sur papier Arches Signée en bas à droite et justifiée en bas à gauche 51 x 70 cm / 54 x 76 cm D'une édition à 30 exemplaires d...

Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Quiet Strength 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Oil, Modern, Fashion

Quiet Strength 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Oil, Modern, Fashion

By Afolayan Emmanuel

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Sublime Haystack, Original Painting
Sublime Haystack, Original Painting

Sublime Haystack, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The expressionist seascape captures the Haystack Rock remaining steadfast along the coast. Sunrise highlights the silhouette of the monolith and casts warm refl...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Be Bold Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 21st Century, Unframed
Be Bold Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 21st Century, Unframed

Be Bold Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist, 21st Century, Unframed

By Adewuyi Theophilus

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

"Be Bold" is a striking piece that demands attention from the moment one sets eyes on it. The central figure, a woman with flowing blue hair, exudes an air of confidence and resilience. The blue hue not only serves as an aesthetic choice but also carries deeper significance, representing the freedom to break societal norms and embrace personal identity without fear. The composition is masterfully crafted, with bold brushstrokes and intricate details that draw the viewer into the artwork. The woman's piercing gaze locks with the observer, inviting them to explore their own journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Each stroke of Theophilus's brush seems to radiate energy and passion, capturing the spirit of the subject and infusing the artwork with a powerful presence. "Be Bold" serves as a powerful symbol of embracing individuality and embracing one's true self. The woman with blue hair stands as a representation of those who dare to be different, challenging societal expectations and norms. The vibrant blue color symbolizes freedom, confidence, and the courage to break free from conformity. In a world that often pressures individuals to fit into predefined molds, Theophilus's artwork is a reminder of the beauty and strength found in embracing one's unique qualities. "Be Bold" calls on viewers to celebrate their differences, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and express their true selves without hesitation or fear of judgment. The power of "Be Bold" lies in its ability to evoke a strong emotional response in those who experience it. The artwork serves as a catalyst for introspection, urging viewers to reflect on their own lives and choices. The confident and defiant gaze of the woman with blue hair prompts individuals to question their own limitations and seek the courage to break free from them. By inspiring viewers to be bold, Theophilus encourages self-empowerment and personal growth. Through his art, he instills a sense of pride and confidence, reminding us that our uniqueness is a strength to be celebrated, not hidden away. The artwork's impact extends beyond the confines of the gallery walls, inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves and pursue their passions with unwavering determination. "Be Bold" by Adewuyi Theophilus...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Falling Together, Large-Scale Contemporary Multi-Color Abstract
Falling Together, Large-Scale Contemporary Multi-Color Abstract

Falling Together, Large-Scale Contemporary Multi-Color Abstract

Located in Soquel, CA

Falling Together, Large-Scale Contemporary Multi-Color Abstract Beautiful and compelling large-scale contemporary abstract by an unknown San Francisco bay area artist (American, 20t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Schwartzer Fleck" original woodcut

"Schwartzer Fleck" original woodcut

By Wassily Kandinsky

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original woodcut. Catalogue reference Roethel 145. Printed in Paris in 1938 for the art revue XXe Siecle (issue number 3). Image size: 7 x 8 1/2 inches (170 x 218 mm). Sheet ...

Category

1930s Expressionist Art

Materials

Woodcut

A Party

A Party

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Born in 1962, Bludov was educated at the Faculty of Graphics at the Kiev State Art Institute in 1990. He is a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine and a professor of art at the ...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Adesewa - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, African Modern Women
Adesewa - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, African Modern Women

Adesewa - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, African Modern Women

By Faith Gbadero

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

This artwork was born from my reflection on the quiet resilience of the African woman, how she carries her identity with grace even when life feels heavy. I painted Adésẹwà standing ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Portrait of Stuart Egnal as a Young Man
Portrait of Stuart Egnal as a Young Man

Portrait of Stuart Egnal as a Young Man

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Mary Billingsly Portrait of artist, Stuart Egnal, 1959. Oil crayon on paper, image measures 8 x 11 inches. Framed measurement, 12 x 15 inches. Signed with artist monogram lower...

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil Crayon

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.