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Neo-Expressionist Art

NEO-EXPRESSIONIST STYLE

A resurgence of interest in Expressionism, Pop art, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and other movements gained steam among artists of the 1970s and ’80s, in part as a reaction to the austerity of the prevailing minimalism and Conceptual art of the era. A decadent, bold and brash art style called Neo-Expressionism saw painters returning to figural representation, creating highly textured works that were imbued with intensely personal narratives.

Neo-Expressionist paintings are sensuous in nature and highly subjective in meaning. Expressive brushwork, highly pigmented colors and layered forms and materials lent sculptural attributes to the work and were used to depict symbolic narratives from history, mythology and the artist’s personal experience. 

Prominent figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat led the Neo-Expressionist movement in the United States with paintings and prints that were raw, emotional and often violent in nature. In Germany, Die Neuen Wilden (the “New Fauves”) was the name given to a group of postwar artists that included the likes of sculptor Georg Baselitz and Gerhard Richter, a painter and photographer who explored the possibilities of both abstraction and realism, sometimes in a single piece. The work of the New Fauves — labeled as such for its return to Fauvism’s textured brushwork and use of vibrant colors — shares commonalities with Neo-Expressionism, and Baselitz was a pioneer of the movement in Europe. In addition, Willem de Kooning’s pulsating action paintings and Julian Schnabel’s experimentation with the materiality of paintings also took shape during this period.

“I was trying to make paintings different from the paintings that I saw a lot of at the time, which were mostly minimal, and they were highbrow and alienating, and I wanted to make very direct paintings that most people would feel the emotion behind when they saw them,” said Basquiat. 

Neo-Expressionism generated some polarizing opinions, with some celebrating the revival of personal subjectivity in art while others criticizing the movement for being too commercially driven and nostalgic. But most experts agree that Neo-Expressionism was a huge commercial success and culturally impactful, paving the way for the postmodern work of artists like Richter and Sigmar Polke

Find original Neo-Expressionist paintings, prints, mixed-media works and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Neo-Expressionist
Faces which Ring with Refuge 8
Faces which Ring with Refuge 8

Faces which Ring with Refuge 8

By Michael O'Keefe

Located in Dallas, TX

“Everybody has that feeling when they look at a work of art and it’s right, that sudden familiarity, a sort of...recognition, as though they were creating it themselves, as though it...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Acrylic, Panel

Ecstasy:  Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
Ecstasy:  Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting

Ecstasy: Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

This painting from Sax Berlin's studio overlooking the wild Atlantic Ocean captures the essence of ecstasy. It's imbued with the hot sense of the urgency and frenetic energy of New Y...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Acrylic

Untitled
Untitled

Peter Robert KeilUntitled, 1987

$1,400Sale Price|22% Off

Untitled

By Peter Robert Keil

Located in Summit, NJ

Great piece by Peter Keil. The piece is from his family's private collection. It is framed in its original gold wood frame with a linen liner. Background is a beautiful blue with ma...

Category

1980s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Board

"Corpo di ballo" by Anna Pennati - acrylic on canvas
"Corpo di ballo" by Anna Pennati - acrylic on canvas

"Corpo di ballo" by Anna Pennati - acrylic on canvas

By Anna Pennati

Located in Milano, MI

'Dance and Passion is my “fil rouge”, the continuum in my artwork. Dance is my passion and in my paintings movement and anatomy are always respected and represented with knowledge.' ...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Most Young Kings Get Their Head Cut Off
Most Young Kings Get Their Head Cut Off

Most Young Kings Get Their Head Cut Off

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

This is a stunning, subtle painting from Sax Berlin that evokes the phrase used by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Berlin's interpretation of the quotation draws on his own personal knowledge ...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Acrylic

Portfolio 10 Master Prints #9
Portfolio 10 Master Prints #9

Portfolio 10 Master Prints #9

By Sandro Chia

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Sandro Chia Title: Untitled 9 Medium: Carborundum etching with hand coloring on handmade paper, each piece is unique Size: 39 x 47 Inches Signed: Hand Signed Edition: 31/50...

Category

1980s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

Untitled
Untitled

Untitled

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

So many influences can be seen in this painting, however it is unmistakenly from Sax Berlin's hand. It's a classic work of the renaissance of Neo-Expressionism of which Berlin is at ...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Acrylic

Invierno Primaveral
Invierno Primaveral

Invierno Primaveral

By Julian Schnabel

Located in New York, NY

"Sexual Spring-like Winter" is a large painterly work, created with layers of pink and resin by the art and film world's favorite enfant terrible, Julian Schnabel. The artist and dir...

Category

1990s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Screen

"The God of Colour " Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting
"The God of Colour " Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting

"The God of Colour " Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

Exhilarating flashes of neon colour swirl around the golden mouthed icon image. A painting of movement  and meditation from the unique and unmistakable palette of master artist Sax B...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Acrylic

Triple Halo Lil' Angel of SoHo
Triple Halo Lil' Angel of SoHo

Triple Halo Lil' Angel of SoHo

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

Truly an exceptional, statement piece from Berlin. His Lil’ Angel is perhaps the most eyecatching and iconic of his works depicting the Guardian Angels. The Guardian Angels loomed la...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Oil, Acrylic

"Devil is Busy, Talk to God" Painting 59" x 43" inch by Vera Kochubey
"Devil is Busy, Talk to God" Painting 59" x 43" inch by Vera Kochubey

"Devil is Busy, Talk to God" Painting 59" x 43" inch by Vera Kochubey

By Vera Kochubey

Located in Culver City, CA

"Devil is Busy, Talk to God" Painting 59" x 43" inch by Vera Kochubey Medium: Wall paint on canvas ATTENTION: please contact us if you want this painting to be shipped rolled to l...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Mixed Media

Born In the Night. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting
Born In the Night. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting

Born In the Night. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

When Sax Berlin experiences the desire to lay something down he's unstoppable. This piece was created from an initial impulse of red. He laid down the base of reds and retired for so...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Animal Rights
Animal Rights

Animal Rights

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

When Muhammad Ali appears in your dreams there's bound to be a message! As a compassionate man Berlin feels strongly about many of the issues that affect our world. Animal Rights...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mortality.  Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
Mortality.  Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting

Mortality. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

What better time than now to introduce Sax Berlin's Mortality series. Since people started creating art works there have been representations of human (and animal) bones; skeletons and skulls. This is a departure for Berlin and he brings his masterly talent to the genre. The Mortality series offers pieces that are in the vein of Neo-Expressionism and Art Brut but they are stamped with Berlin's authority. Redolent of Picasso's work Black Skull and Jug (1946) or the work of Belgian Expressionist...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

21st Century Wild Man. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting
21st Century Wild Man. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting

21st Century Wild Man. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Painting

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

With his Sharp Edge 21st Century Neo-Expressionist New York City Style series Berlin gifts us the fruits of complete abandonment in paint. He offers these works that map the evolutio...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Guardian Sista. Acrylic Neo Expressionist Painting
Guardian Sista. Acrylic Neo Expressionist Painting

Guardian Sista. Acrylic Neo Expressionist Painting

By Sax Berlin

Located in Brecon, Powys

New York City has immersed Berlin in the whole vibe of the street culture that existed in the city at that time. Guardian Sista pays tribute to the women who were an integral part of...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Portfolio 10 Master Prints #2
Portfolio 10 Master Prints #2

Portfolio 10 Master Prints #2

By Sandro Chia

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Sandro Chia Title: Untitled 2 Medium: Carborundum etching with hand coloring on handmade paper, each piece is unique Size: 38.3.5 x 50 Inches Signed: Hand Signed Edition: 3...

Category

1980s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

Portfolio 10 Master Prints #5
Portfolio 10 Master Prints #5

Portfolio 10 Master Prints #5

By Sandro Chia

Located in Hollywood, FL

Artist: Sandro Chia Title: Untitled 5 Medium: Carborundum etching with hand coloring on handmade paper, each piece is unique Size: 39 x 49 Inches Signed: Hand Signed Edition: 31/50...

Category

1980s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Etching

Mickey mouse painting Street Art Basquiat Style
Mickey mouse painting Street Art Basquiat Style

Mickey mouse painting Street Art Basquiat Style

By Diego Tirigall

Located in OIA, ES

"A Little Bit of Magic" is an expressionist portrait of Mickey Mouse, the beloved Disney character. When you gaze upon the painting, you can't help but be amazed by the immense numbe...

Category

2010s Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Enamel

Portokali. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting

Portokali. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting

By Andrzej Borowski

Located in Warsaw, PL

Contemporary acrylic landscape painting by Polish artist Andrzej Borowski. Artist is fascinated with mediterranean views and how the landscape is changing during the day and with eve...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Iversione orancione. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting
Iversione orancione. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting

Iversione orancione. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting

By Andrzej Borowski

Located in Warsaw, PL

Contemporary acrylic landscape painting by Polish artist Andrzej Borowski. The Artist is fascinated with mediterranean views and how the landscape is changing during the day and with...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neo-Expressionist Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Neo-expressionist art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Neo-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 blue, orange, purple, pink and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Hunt Slonem, Enzio Wenk, Sax Berlin, and Jean Sanglar. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Acrylic 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 Neo-Expressionist art, so small editions measuring 1 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $39 and tops out at $215,000, while the average work sells for $3,444.