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.
Synchronized Traces of the Wind, Impasto Botanical Oil Painting, Fine Art
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Synchronized Traces of the Wind" by Elena Lukina (2022), from the series "The Architecture of Fragility". This authentic Alla prima oil painting on stretched canvas is calibrated to...
Canvas, Oil
$2,500
1950's Expressionist Judaica Painting "I Lit All My Candles" Hanukkah Menorah
By Hildegard Rath
Located in Surfside, FL
Hildegard Rath, (1909-1994) painter, author, teacher, and lecturer, Born in Wurttemberg, Germany, in the Black Forest region of Germany. Hildegard Rath became a painter of landscape, portraits, still lifes, and marine subjects and also a muralist. Her father was a bank president, her mother a sculptor, writer, and illustrator of children's books. At the age of 15, Miss Rath painted her first portrait in oil as a birthday present for her father and thereafter every opportunity for study was given to her. She went to art school at the Atelier House in Stuttgart, Germany and at the Akademie der Bildenden Kunste in Berlin. She studied with Lotte Laserstein...
Canvas, Oil
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...
Oil
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Gaze 1 - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Fashion
By Gobe Joseph
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Gob...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
Olja Ivanjicki "Florence or Hell of l'Inconnue De La Seine" Oil Painting c.1965
Located in San Francisco, CA
Olja Ivanjicki "Florence or Hell of l'Inconnue De La Seine" original oil circa 1965 Original oil on board. Dimensions 26" wide x 42" high. The frame m...
Oil
$1,800
Gouache Watercolor Painting, Nantucket Harbor Boats American Deaf Modernist Art
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...
Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
"The Quiet Resonance of Roses" Oil Painting – Contemporary Impressionism
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
This original oil painting, representing a central part of the series "The Silent Pulse of Decadence", focuses on the narrative dialogue between silent objects and the fleeting moments of nature. The composition captures delicate pink rose petals interacting with the deep vibration of a rounded blue vase, transforming a classical motif into a psychological mirror. Executed in a complex technique through multiple fluid layers directly on premium linen canvas, the artwork features a rich texture with a signature optical haze and a soft atmospheric glow across the surface. Designed with a sense of spatial balance, the painting organically complements high-end modern interior styling, architectural design projects, and private fine art collections. Infused with the conceptual sound frequency of 432 Hz resonance, the rich, textured surface functions as a vehicle for meditative calm and structured silence. For premium space visualization, this vertical oil painting is perfectly scaled above a white or marble classic fireplace, a luxury gold console table, and looks exceptional paired with a modern white sofa, a luxury leather armchair...
Canvas, Oil
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Marc Chagall, The Woman at the Counter, from Tales of Boccaccio, 1950 (after)
By Marc Chagall
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) (after) Title: The Woman at the Counter (La Femme au Comptoir) Year: April 20, 1950 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Paper Size: 14 x 10.5 inches (3...
Lithograph
Lovers Reclining
By Gustav Klimt
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Signed "Klimt". Framed dimensions 20.5h x 27.75w x 1.75d inches Note: Due to the size, weight, and/or value of this piece, we require shipping through 1stDibs, for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the default quote does not include packing and insurance and we do not ship uninsured. 1stDibs shipping provides a level of value, protection, and care that aligns with our commitment to safeguarding historic artworks and providing excellent client service. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Both intensely dynamic and deeply introspective, Klimt’s works devoted to the “act of love” rank among his most intoxicating and sought-after creations. Inspired by Japanese erotic woodblock...
Paper, Pencil
Max Eisler Eine Nachlese folio "Wally" (Girl in Profile) collotype
Located in Palm Beach, FL
After Gustav Klimt, Max Eisler Plate #27, Madchen im Profile; grey-toned monochrome collotype after the 1916 painting in oil on canvas. Original destroyed by fire May 1945. GUSTAV K...
Paper
$6,500
Max Eisler Eine Nachlese folio "Poppy Field (Poppies in Bloom)" collotype
Located in Palm Beach, FL
After Gustav Klimt, Max Eisler #5, Mohnwiese; multi-color collotype after 1907 painting in oil on canvas. GUSTAV KLIMT EINE NACHLESE (GUSTAV KLIMT AN AFTERMATH), a portfolio of 30 c...
Archival Paper
"Tender embrace" Contemporary figurative expressionist oil painting of two women
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
"Tender Embrace" — Original Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting Depicting Two Women by French Artist Natalya Mougenot "Tender Embrace" is an original contemporary figurative oil pa...
Canvas, Oil
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...
Canvas, Oil
Large Scale Abstracted Still Life with Fish, in the Style Of Henri Matisse
By D.S. Silver
Located in Soquel, CA
Large Scale Abstracted Still Life with Fish, in the Style Of Henri Matisse Bright, ocean-like, tropical colors in this abstract with fish in the style of Henri Matisse by D.S. Silve...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
(after) Anders Zorn "Edward Rathbone Bacon"
By Anders Zorn
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: heliogravure (after the etching). Printed in Stockholm in 1920 on laid paper in an edition of 650 for the Asplund catalogue and now scarce. There is a platemark around the im...
Heliogravure
Günther Förg German Artist 1995 Original Poster lithograph
By Günther Förg
Located in Miami, FL
Günther Förg (Germany, 1952-2013) 'Erker-Gallery', 1995 Original poster from exhibition of 1995 lithograph on paper 36.5 x 22.6 in. (92.7 x 57.4 cm.) Unframed Ref: FOR100-201 Günthe...
Lithograph
H.O. Miethke Das Werk folio "Life is a Struggle" collotype print
By Gustav Klimt & K.K. Hof-und Staatsdruckerei
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Life is a Struggle (The Golden Knight), no. 10 from the second installment of Das Werk Gustav Klimts With his golden armor meticulously and faithfully rendered after examples found ...
Archival Paper
$1,200
Interspecies Communication, colorful mythological swirling pattern orange tones
By Janet Morgan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Watercolor, mixed media, using resists and metalic paints and old pastels. For Octopus and cephalopod fans. Janet Morgan’s explosive art captures the exu...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper
$712Sale Price|20% Off
Illustration Style, Exotic Flamingo Bouquet, Tropical Flowers in Red on Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This vibrant painting captures the striking beauty and elegant forms of Flamingo flowers. Sweeping brushstrokes and vivid colors bring these flowers to life, highlighting their styli...
India Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor
The Geometry of Shimmering Light, Impressionist Oil Painting, Canvas
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
"The Geometry of Shimmering Light" by Elena Lukina (2022), from the series "The Architecture of Fragility". In this artwork, the artist transcends the traditional botanical subject, ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,560Sale Price|70% Off
“The Horse Race" #50 A Pierre Bosco (Italy/France, 1909-1993) circa 1950s
By Pierre Bosco
Located in SANTA FE, NM
“The Horse Race" #50 A Pierre Bosco, (1909-1993) Oil n canvas Signed lower right 12 x 15 inches “The savage art of Bosco bears its rudeness and its mystery. It is an art of pure ex...
Canvas, Oil
$800
Hungarian Modernist Judaica Etching Print Kiddush, Jewish Rabbi at Shabbat Feast
By Janos Kass
Located in Surfside, FL
From very small edition of 15 on handmade mould made paper, with Jewish star Magen David watermark. From the deluxe boxed portfolio edition. János Kass (...
Etching
Signed 1930s French Expressionist Mountain Forest Landscape
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage French expressionist landscape. Oil on board. Signed and dated "Marchand" lower right. Overall dimensions: 22 x 18 inches. Artwork alone: 18.5 x 14.5 inches.
Oil
original lithograph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1919 for Das Kestnerbuch (a portfolio of original prints published during the height of the German Expressionist movement). Image size: 7 x 5 ...
Lithograph
Mujer en reposo - Óleo sobre tela - Año 2005 - Sin enmarcar
Located in Sant Celoni, ES
Firmado en la parte trasera y fechado del año 2005 Se presenta sin enmarcar la pintura Buen estado de conservación Medidas obra: 97 cm. de altura x 91 cm. de ancho ::::::::::::::...
Oil
"Secret Garden" (2023) by Leigh Ann Van Fossan, Original Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Leigh Ann Van Fossan's "Secret Garden" (2023) is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a path surrounded by colorful flowers and trees arching over. Van Fossan was born in...
Canvas, Oil
Early Autumn, Expressionist Still Life Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 2023
Located in Edinburgh, GB
For me, early fall is associated first and foremost with deep, vibrant colors—with the appearance of juicy fruits and colorful leaves… I was able to perfectly capture this very atmos...
Acrylic
Vibrant Bowl of Cherries Oil Painting by Pierre Jerome
Located in Surfside, FL
approximate image size 13 3/4'' x 10 1/2'', frame size 22'' x 19''. Pierre Jerome French 1905-1982 During his 50+ year career as an artist, he won several major awards, including a...
Canvas, Oil
$1,637
The call of the ancestors. Family painting, mother and daughter, green artwork
Located in Oslo, NO
“The Call of the Ancestors” is part of Alter Ego series, inspired by Carl Jung’s psychology. The oil painting shows a young woman and her mother in a rural landscape. The scene is q...
Canvas, Oil
"In Freiheit (In Freedom)", White Porcelain Horses
Located in Detroit, MI
This gorgeous porcelain sculpture from Hutschenreuther porcelain is of two galloping horses, sculpted in exquisite detail and signed by the sculptor, Max Hermann Fritz...
Porcelain
Mid 20th Century After Franz Marc German Expressionism Red Horses Oil Canvas
By Franz Marc
Located in Stockholm, SE
This mid-20th-century oil on canvas by Swedish artist C. Landin is an expressive hand-painted recreation of the famous work "Grazing Horses IV" (also known as "The Red Horses" or "Di...
Canvas, Oil, Cardboard
Irises
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil on canvas, I've poured my soul into capturing the essence of growth and resilience. Each brushstroke narrates a dance of light and shadow, embodying the juxtaposition of ...
Canvas, Oil
Red city
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Rendered in pulsating red and blue tones, this urban landscape serves as a powerful visual metaphor for existential loneliness within a metropolis. The sharp contrast between the lon...
Oil
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Away From The Lens 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Oil, Women, Fashion
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, Oil
$1,628Sale Price|20% Off
Oil on canvas French Expressionist Alsatian Village by E. Ritter France
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and extraordinary oil on canvas painting is signed by Etienne Ritter in the lower right corner. It depicts a European village from the French region of Alsace, following the...
Canvas
Crane kiss 40X80 oil painting
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I've captured an intimate dance of grace and elegance. The natural fluidity of movement and the tender connection between these creatures embody harmony and ser...
Canvas, Oil
signed original etching - Artist's Proof
By Jack Levine
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original soft ground etching. Signed in pencil and annotated "Artist's Proof". Printed in 1967 for the Dreigroschen Film portfolio and published by Touchstone Publishers. Thi...
Etching
Vintage Modernist Beach Sunset Vibrantly Toned Seascape Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage French expressionist beach scene. Framed. Measuring: 10 by 15 inches overall and 4 by 9 painting alone. Signed. Excellent condition, ready to hang and enjoy.
Oil, Board
"Schwartzer Fleck" original woodcut
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 ...
Woodcut
"Self Portrait" original woodcut
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original woodcut. Printed in 1920 for the Deutsche Graphiker der Gegenwart portfolio, and published in Leipzig by Klinkhardt & Biermann in an edition of 500. Catalogue refere...
Woodcut
Woman in dress, Gustav Klimt Handzeichnungen (Sketch), Thyrsos Verlag, 1922
Located in Chicago, IL
Original collotype lithograph of Gustav Kilmt’s Woman in dress, published in the 1922 Handzeichnungen portfolio by Thyrsos Verlag, Leipzig and Vienna, i...
Paper, Lithograph
$1,798Sale Price|40% Off
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...
Canvas, Oil
Zimbeaux's Garden by Graydon Foulger, Original Oil 30x36"
Located in Loveland, CO
Zimbeaux's Garden by Graydon Foulger 30x35" image size (37x43" including the frame) Original Oil on Canvas, Signed lower right as pictured. The painting demonstrates the artist's hig...
Oil
Sakura in the city park – Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting Wall Art
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
This vibrant oil painting is an evocative landscape painting titled Sakura in the city park created by the internationally registered artist Elena Lukina in 2022.As a comforting land...
Canvas, Oil
Between Thoughts. Richard K Blades. Painting of sea at sunset. Turner influence.
Located in Coltishall, GB
A warm sunset over Norfolk's Cromer beach. Between Thoughts is a sublime oil painting that captures the mesmerizing tranquility of a sunset over thw North Sea. The horizon is ablaze...
Oil, Board
$773Sale Price|20% Off
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:...
Lithograph
Saul Raskin “The Binding of Isaac”
By Saul Raskin
Located in San Francisco, CA
Saul Raskin: 1878-1966. Well, listed Russian American artist who has auction results as high as $8750. He’s most famous for painting biblical scenes such as this beautiful piece. I’v...
Oil
Night at the Fair Oil on Board, Mid-Century Modernist Scene
Located in Genève, GE
Dimension with frame : 43,8 x 58,8 x 3,4 cm. Signed "A. Carducci" in the lower right corner. This oil on board depicts a lively evening promenade at a brightly illuminated fairgroun...
Oil, Cardboard
$13,700
Original Vintage Secession Poster celebrating the emperor's jubilee
Located in Zurich, CH
Original Vintage Poster by the Austrian artist Ferdinand Ludwig Graf, a member of the Hagenbund. This Viennese artist association moved as soon a...
Paper
$2,680Sale Price|20% Off
Don't Be Perfect, Be Real -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait 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 Eli...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$4,350
Gentleman 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Mixed Media
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, Charcoal, Pastel, Acrylic
$636Sale Price|30% Off
La porte du jardin, 1986, original lithograph by Jean Jansem, handsigned
By Jean Jansem
Located in Les Acacias GE, GE
Jean Jansem (1920-2013) La porte du jardin, 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 exemp...
Lithograph
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Hope Not Lost - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Abstraction, Balloon
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
Allow Yourself to Bloom, Impressionist Still Life, Acrylic on Canvas
Located in Edinburgh, GB
I have a special connection with chrysanthemums. Flowers with a rich, slightly bitter scent, their own rhythm, and a quiet sense of wholeness. They remind me of the right to take up ...
Acrylic
$557
Colorful Tablescape Still-Life of Bottles & Fruit. Gouache, Pastel. 54cm x 72cm.
Located in Cotignac, FR
1970s tablescape still-life of bottles and fruit in pastel and gouache on paper by Belgian artist André Pierard. Not signed but acquired along with a collection of work from the arti...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Pastel
$2,100
"Softly at Ease" - Impressionist Horse Portrait and Human Figure, Oil Painting
By Jill Soukup
Located in Denver, CO
"Softly at Ease" About the artist: Jill Soukup was born in Buffalo, New York. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Colorado, where she still resides. Jill’s affinity for horses ...
Canvas, Oil
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Marc Chagall, The Green River, from Chagall, 1976
By Marc Chagall
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: The Green River (Le fleuve vert) Year: 1976 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Paper Size: 10.875 x 22.25 inches (27.62 x 56.52 cm), with cente...
Lithograph
Sailboats, Painting, Oil on Canvas
Located in Yardley, PA
Original oil on canvas on wooden stretchers, signed on the back. Certificate of authenticity included. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate...
Oil
Light the Christmas Tree! 30X30
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
In my creation, I've captured the essence of holiday delight. Through the vibrant strokes of oil, I've woven a tale of innocence and joy. The snowman, adorned with a playful red scar...
Oil
$3,840Sale Price|39% Off
20th Century Bucks County Colorful Landscape Painting, Italian artist
By Louis Bosa
Located in Beachwood, OH
Louis Bosa (American, 1905–1981) Bucks County, 1934 Oil on canvas Signed and dated lower right 17.5 x 21.5 inches 25.5 x 29 inches, framed Born in Codroipo, a small village only a f...
Oil