Skip to main content

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.

to
930
1,635
1,041
1,105
865
947
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
47
2,517
3,035
102
140
255
121
75
160
359
264
240
172
1
118,303
65,074
54,484
26,108
14,528
9,020
5,820
4,115
3,023
2,532
2,211
2,186
701
2,898
1,999
608
2,755
1,704
1,667
1,061
776
518
466
430
365
352
288
283
278
265
182
165
142
114
110
110
3,574
2,178
1,883
1,817
1,228
76
66
59
47
46
1,176
447
2,793
2,122
Style: Expressionist
NYC=Vibrant, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
The Empire State Building rises with bold and vibrant strokes. The minimalist lines and blurry contrasts capture the dynamic spirit of New York City. It reflect...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

NYC=Freedom, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Bold colors bring the towering Empire State Building to life. Minimal lines and dynamic hues convey constant motion, reflecting the unstoppable spirit of New Yo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Broome at Mercer - NYC Photography, 32"x54", Signed Limited Edition of 4
Located in New York, NY
" I started my Empty Streets of New York City series in SoHo at the start of the Covid pandemic (early 2020) because of the uniqueness and beautiy of the iron cast buildings, includi...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Great old age" nude portrait china ink 50x65cm on paper oak frame 2008
Located in Saint Pol de Léon, Bretagne
nude portrait "Great old age" china ink 50x65cm on paper dignity and fragility, pathetic and admirable delivered in oak and glass frame
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Art

Materials

Ink

Silent Conversations
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Silent conversations offer a rare insight into personal journeys. Life is fickle and time is short. There’ll be highs and lows, make it all count. Nobody understands your journey like you do. About Artist IDORENYIN UMANA...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Der Bildermann" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed on laid paper in 1919 and published in Berlin by Paul Cassirer. Sheet size: 6 3/4 x 9 inches (175 x 229 mm). Not signed.
Category

1910s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Escape 2
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 Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery) "Escape," a captivating artwork by the talented artist Simon Obeka, invites viewers into a world of contemplation and freedom. The centerpiece of the piece is a woman, elegantly turning sideways, her silhouette mirroring the graceful flight of birds in the background. Obeka's masterful use of color and texture creates a dreamlike atmosphere, where the woman seems to transcend the confines of the canvas. The subdued palette captures the serenity of the moment, while hints of vibrant hues symbolize the untamed spirit of the birds taking flight. The title, "Escape," hints at a narrative of liberation and release. The woman's gesture suggests a turning point, a deliberate decision to break free from the constraints of the mundane and soar into the limitless expanse of the unknown. The juxtaposition of the woman and the birds serves as a powerful metaphor for the human desire for independence, symbolizing the pursuit of one's dreams and the courage to embrace change. Obeka's attention to detail is evident in the delicate rendering of the woman's form and the meticulous depiction of the birds in flight. The composition exudes a sense of harmony and balance, reinforcing the theme of transcendence. "Escape" not only captivates the eye but also resonates on a deeper emotional level, inviting viewers to reflect on their aspirations and the universal quest for freedom. Simon Obeka's artwork serves as a visual poem, inspiring contemplation and celebrating the timeless desire to break free and soar beyond the boundaries of the ordinary. About Artist Obeka Simon...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Tableau n°67 by Jean Krillé - Oil on wood 62x47 cm
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

1970s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Pines and Dunes, Original Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Tall pine trees rise over the dunes of Asilomar Beach on the Monterey Peninsula. Patches of pink, orange, and white ice plants dominate the foreground. The vi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Raventos Abstract Piano and Sheet Music - original expressionist acrylic
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Music Piano - original expressionist acrylic canvas painting. framed Original work by RAVENTOS. Musical abstract composition. Perfect state .RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’A...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Raskolnikow" original linocut
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original linoleum cut. Executed in 1920 for Das Kunstblatt, published in Berlin by Verlag Gustav Kiepenheuer. The total sheet measures 10 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches (275 x 210mm); th...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Linocut

Attitude, Horse, Figurative Expressionism, Oil on canvas, Textured, Impasto Red
Located in LANGRUNE-SUR-MER, FR
"Attitude," an oil on canvas by Sophie Dumont, skillfully employs the knife technique to create a striking and evocative portrayal of a horse. The artwork immediately captivates with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Portrat der Bildhauerin Germaine Richier
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Portrat Der Bildhauerin Germaine Richier" 1950 is an original colors lithograph by Swiss artist Cuno Amiet, 1868-1961. It is hand signe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Das Nest" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This striking lithograph was published in 1922 for Genius. The image size is 11 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches (285 x 235 mm), printed on wove paper. This original C...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

The Little Things (Original)
Located in Toronto, ON
10” x 6” Unframed Original Acrylic on Canvas Board Hand Signed by Todd White Todd white captures restaurant, night and Hollywood scenes with contrasting colors serving the viewer’...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Luxemberg original aquatint etching by J.J. Regal
Located in Paonia, CO
  Luxemberg is an original signed limited edition aquatint etching by J.J. Regal printed on B F K Rives paper. This is a very bold design with an original depiction of a major Europe...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

"Lighthouse" by William GOLIASCH - Oil on wood 16x26 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Oil on wood sold with frame Total size with frame 36x47 cm William GOLIASCH is a Swiss artist born in 1922 and died in 1986. His works have been sold at public auction 100 times, ma...
Category

1970s Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Large Watercolor Painting Israeli Modernist Judaica Two Rabbis
Located in Surfside, FL
A large watercolor painting. Moshe Gat was born in Haifa in 1935. in 1952 he began his studies at the Bezalel School, in Jerusalem. In 1955...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Stéphanie au collant à damier, 1989, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, signed
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) Stéphanie au collant à damier, 1989 Lithographie sur papier Arches Signée en bas à droite et justifiée en bas à gauche 50 x 65 cm / 54 x 76 cm Bibliographi...
Category

Late 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

signed original etching - Artist's Proof
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...
Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

Mid 20th Century oil painting of Venice by French artist Clement Serveau
By Henri Clement Serveau
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A beautiful and bold composition of La Cad'oro in Venice with clear blue skies above and a cubist reflections of the buildings below in different shades of blues and turquoises. H...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

LLuis Ribas 17 Little Mediterranean Coast original landscape painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Mediterranean coast- original landscape acrylic painting Ribas (El Masnou, Barcelona, 1949) is a Spanish painter whose large and hyper-realistic paintings reflect, above all, the be...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

EVENING MOOD
Located in Aventura, FL
Original oil on canvas painting. Hand signed on front; signed and titled on verso by the artist. Canvas is stretched. Artwork is in excellent condition. Stretched. Certificate of au...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

La Baie de Trépassés
Located in New York, NY
An excellent impression of this large color aquatint. Numbered in pencil 99/175. Printed by Lacourière, Paris. Published by Vollard, Paris. Catalogue reference: Chapon/Rouault 141; ...
Category

1930s Expressionist Art

Materials

Color, Aquatint

Elegance
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 Ogu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

At the Flower Market
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, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Seaside Play
Located in Zofingen, AG
"This piece captures a moment of serene companionship between a woman and her dog by the sea, enveloping the viewer in a sense of peacefulness. I used oil to bring out the vibrant co...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1920 on a light brown tinted wove paper for the German Expressionist art revue Das Kunstblatt, published in Berlin by Verlag Gustav Kiepenheue...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Family Tree, Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A colorful tree stands alone in an open field under a clear blue sky. The orange, yellow, and red leaves create a focal point against the soft, expansive back...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Body in the Field #1 - Red, Landscape, Coloured pencil, Drawing
Located in Baden-Baden, DE
Body in the Field #1, 2022 coloured pencils on canvas 25 H x 16 W cm Signed on reverse Zsolt Berszán embodies in his works the dissolution of the human body through the prism of t...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Color Pencil

original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1920 on a light brown tinted wove paper for the German Expressionist art revue Das Kunstblatt, published in Berlin by Verlag Gustav Kiepenheue...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Dawn in Paris 50X50 oil on canvas
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this vibrant oil painting, I've captured the romance of twilight caressing Paris. My brushstrokes convey the dynamic energy of day giving way to night, as the sky blushes with war...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Dandelions in the meadow 30X40
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I sought to capture the delicate interplay between strength and ephemeral beauty. The dandelions, poised against a field of gold and green, embody nature's flee...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Raventos Marina original expressionist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930).. original expressionist acrylic painting Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. ...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Cardboard

Dauntless 3 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman, Blue Pattern
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

signed original etching - Artist's Proof
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...
Category

1960s Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

Summer, sea, beach, girl
Located in Zofingen, AG
"In this oil painting, I've captured the essence of a serene moment by the sea, where the gentle breeze plays with her hair, and the sun kisses her skin. The expressionism style brin...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Interrogation - Original Lithograph and Offset by George Grosz - 1925
Located in Roma, IT
Interrogation is an original offset and lithograph realized by George Grosz. The artwork is from the book "Kobes" by Heinrich Man, that Grosz illustrated with 10 drawings reproduce...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Offset, Lithograph

Coll Bardolet Bolero mallorquin. Original multiple ceramic piece
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Bolero mallorquin. Original multiple ceramic piece Spanish painter maximum representative of the art of Mallorca at the end of the 20th century. Costumbrista work. With different own...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Art

Materials

Ceramic

E. Gert Fruit Still Life Painting w/Pitcher & Candelabra
By Edith Gert
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful fruit still life painting w/pitcher & candelabra by Danish artist Edith Gert (1906-1983)
Category

20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Raventos Blue Boat original expressionist acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Escritura y Barcos original expressionist acrylic painting RAVENTÓS Mª Assumpció – (San Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona 1930). Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts...
Category

1990s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

"Javanische Tanzerin" original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Catalogue reference: Rathenau 169. Printed in Germany in 1921 for the rare Ganymed portfolio of "Das dritte Jahrbuch der Marees Gesellschaft", published ...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

City flower garden
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I've poured my soul into capturing the harmony of nature amidst an urban soul. The textured strokes and vibrant colors evoke a sense of growth and renewal, crea...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Under the sun 50X70
Located in Zofingen, AG
This piece is a vibrant celebration of nature's beauty and light's transformative power. Layered with oil, each brushstroke contributes to the vivid visual symphony. The sun, breakin...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Nickel Pinks At Barts Bar" Modern Expressionist Figurative
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
"Nickel Pinks at Barts Bar is from Sandra Jones Campbell's recent collection, a series that displays her unique vision of the world and is informed by her current social observations. It is custom framed on a box canvas and ready to hang and enjoy! (Framed Dimension is 31" x 31x2") The internationally collected artist is based in Laguna Beach and has had multiple Solo exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the United States over the past 30 years. Sandra Jones Campbell’s depiction of social and political scenes reflect both her professional respect for the 30’s style German Expressionists Max Beckman...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Ligo
Located in Zofingen, AG
"In this oil painting, I've poured my soul into capturing the serene connection between the human spirit and nature's tranquility. The figure, immersed in water, symbolizes purity an...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Mid 20th Century Modern British Oil Painting Welsh Ponies Grazing Penlan Swansea
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
Hazel M. Barnett. Ponies At Penlan, Swansea, Wales. 1967. Oil On Board. Signed Monogram Lower Right. Image size 17.9 inches x 35.6 inches ( 45.5cm x 90.5cm ). Frame size 19.7 inche...
Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil

Valentine 50X40 oil painting.
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this fervent oil painting, I've channeled the vibrancy of passion and the tenderness of affection through a bouquet of luscious tulips cradled in a gleaming red vase. The expressi...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Auction
Located in New York, NY
Bernard Kretzschmar (1889-1972), Auction, etching, drypoint, and burnished aquatint, 1921, signed and dated (’20) in pencil lower right [also initialed in the plate lower left] Refe...
Category

1920s Expressionist Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching, Aquatint

Warm summer waves
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I've poured my passion into capturing the ephemeral dance of light on waves, weaving the energy of the sea with vibrant expressionistic strokes. Imagine feeling...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Raventos Street Barcelona. original acrylic painting
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
Barcelona. original acrylic painting Raventos trained at the elite Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. Raventós expanded her studies in etching and lithography at the Friedl...
Category

Early 2000s Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic

Dos Mujeres Sentadas, Lithograph by Francisco Zuniga
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Francisco Zuniga, Mexican (1912 - 1998) Title: Dos Mujeres Sentadas Year: 1978 Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: VIII Size: 22.5 in. x 31 in. (57.15...
Category

1970s Expressionist Art

Materials

Lithograph

Nakedness of Truth
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Nakedness of Truth is an original painting by Abifola Olorunlana. Olorunlana created Nakedness of Truth with Acrylic on a 36W by 48H inches primed canvas. Nakedness of Truth was made over a painting Abifola Olorunlana did and didn't like (an underlying painting depicting four figures fetching water from a river and gossiping about someone they didn't like). The Nakedness of Truth is a painting that advocates for people who belong to the LGBTQ community and salutes their unity in making the movement impactful globally. For years many have stayed reclusive about their true identity due to religious beliefs, societal constructs, and government laws which have left many depressed till their last days, many were even killed for courageously coming out to state their true identity. This is depicted in the painting: dark yellow eyes sticking out of the woods to portray a sense of public rejection, yet my subject boldly stands out of the green woods and leaves to express courage, strength, and power. 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) About Artist Olorunlana Abifola (b. 1999) is an emerging visual artist from Nigeria whose works of art cut across mix-media and contemporary art paintings which includes portrait paintings of Black people...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Ski slope 60X90
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this piece, I was captivated by the raw and majestic beauty of nature. Using oil paints, I sought to blend the expressive strokes of Impressionism with the detailed beauty of Realism. Each brushstroke carries the crisp chill of the mountain air...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ajoke
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Ajoke is an original painting by Theophilus Madaki. Theophilus created Ajoke Oil on a 28W by 33H inches primed canvas. "Ajoke" is a stunning artwork...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fly! 40X40 oil on canvas
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I captured the ephemeral moment of release and liberation. It's a dance between reality and interpretation, where feathered grace meets the human desire for fre...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

''Summer''
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Summer” The painting “Summer” reveals to the viewer a picture of life, full of light, harmony and warmth. The artist Oleksandr Khrapachov skillfully captured the traditional Ukrainia...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Spring
Located in Zofingen, AG
"In this piece, I've captured the essence of rejuvenation. The vibrant strokes and vivid colors symbolize nature's awakening, weaving a tapestry of growth and vitality. With each bru...
Category

2010s Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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.

Recently Viewed

View All