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.
"Testa" by E. Wenk, 2020-22 - Pencil on Paper, Abstract Portrait
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Head" Pencil on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with no erasure and with a continuou...
Paper, Pencil
$521
"Traces"by E. Wenk, 2020-Green, Red an Yellow Acrylic Paint and Pencil, Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Traces" Acrylic paint and pencil on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with no erasure ...
Paper, Acrylic, Pencil
$521
"Traces" by E. Wenk, 2020-Black and Red Acrylic Paint and Pencil, Abstract Words
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Complete title: "Tracciati ( cerca di non dire cazzate )" Translated title: "Traces ( try not to bullshit )" Acrylic paint and pencil on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmad...
Paper, Acrylic, Pencil
"Tracciati" by E. Wenk, 2020 - Green Acrylic Paint, Abstract Lines, Graffiti
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Traces" Acrylic paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with no erasure and with a c...
Paper, Acrylic
"Tracciati" by E. Wenk, 2020 - Green Acrylic Paint, Abstract Lines, Graffiti
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Traces" Acrylic paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with no erasure and with a c...
Paper, Acrylic
"Composizione" by E. Wenk, 2020 - Red Acrylic Paint and Pencil, Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Composition" Acrylic paint and pencil paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with n...
Paper, Acrylic, Pencil
"Sulle onde" by E. Wenk, 2020-22- Watercolor and Pencil, Abstract Figurative
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "On the waves" Watercolor and pencil paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. It's been drawn in one go, with no ...
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
"Composizione" by E. Wenk, 2020-21 - Watercolor and Red Acrylic Paint, Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Composition". Watercolor and acrylic paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single dr...
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
Untitled 1982, Agent X, Bright Art, Contemporary Abstract Art, Neo-Expressionist
By Agent X
Located in Deddington, GB
Agent X Untitiled 1982 Limited Edition of 40 Mixed Media on Paper Sold Unframed Paper Size: 101 cm x 88 cm x 1cm Please note that in situ images are purely an indication of how a pie...
Paper, Giclée
$405
"Volto con Fiore in Testa" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021 - Marker on Paper, Portrait
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Face with a flower on the head". Marker on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Permanent Marker
$347
"Gallo" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-21 - Watercolor and Marker, Abstract Animal, Rooster
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Rooster". Watercolor and marker on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Watercolor, Permanent Marker
$347
"Composizione" by E. Wenk, 2020-21-Black and Red Acrylic Paint, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Composition". Acrylic paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
"Composizione" by E. Wenk, 2020-21 - Watercolor and Acrylic Paint, Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Composition". Watercolor and acrylic paint on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single dra...
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor
$405
"Volto" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021 - Marker on Paper, Portrait, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Face". Marker on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Permanent Marker
$405
Untitled by E. Wenk, 2020 - 2021 - Orange and Yellow Acrylic, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled by E. Wenk, 2020-21 -Blue and Yellow Acrylic on Paper, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
$405
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021 -Acrylic on Paper, Abstract, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
$405
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021 -Acrylic on Paper, Abstract, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
$405
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021 -Acrylic on Paper, Abstract, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
"Maschera" by Enzio Wenk, 2020-2021-Acrylic on Paper, Abstract, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Mask". Acrylic paint on paper. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Acrylic
"Maschera" by Enzio Wenk, 2022 - Gray Watercolor on Paper, Figurative Portrait
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Mask". Watercolor on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Watercolor
"Afro" by Enzio Wenk, 2022 - Black India Ink Drawing on Paper, Figurative
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
India ink on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, India Ink
"Studio per scultura" by Enzio Wenk, 2020/2022 - Watercolor on Paper, Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Study for a sculpture". Watercolor on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Watercolor
"Studio per scultura" by Enzio Wenk, 2020/2022 - Watercolor on Paper, Figurative
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Study for a sculpture". Watercolor on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Watercolor
"Studio per scultura" by Enzio Wenk, 2020/2022 - Watercolor on Paper, Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Study for a sculpture". Watercolor on high-quality cotton paper, which is handmade in Italy. This is part of an album. The price refers to the single drawing.
Paper, Watercolor
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2021 -Acrylic on Canvas, Abstract, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Uccello Tropicale" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Tropical bird". Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$909Sale Price|20% Off
The nature explode * 1986. Aquatint, etching on paper 9/13. 41x58 cm
Located in Riga, LV
The nature explode * 1986. Aquatint, etching on paper 9/13. 41x58 cm Ivars Poikans 1952. Riga Ivars Poikāns works in painting, graphics, book illustration, cinema art. Born on Oct...
Paper, Etching, Aquatint
$909Sale Price|20% Off
Still life 1986. 1/21. Paper, etching, aquatint, 31x40 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Still life 1986. 1/21. Paper, etching, aquatint, 31x40 cm Ivars Poikans 1952. Riga Ivars Poikāns works in painting, graphics, book illustration, cinema art. Born on October 24, 19...
Paper, Etching, Aquatint
"Volto con Figure" by Enzio Wenk, 2019 - Acrylic on Wood, Figurative Abstract
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Face with figures". Acrilic paint on beech panel. The frame is included.
Acrylic, Wood Panel
"Il Mare Dentro" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "The sea inside". Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,203
"Grandi Occhi" by E. Wenk, 2018 - Acrylic on Canvas, Figurative NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Big Eyes". Acrilic paint on canvas. The painted beech frame is included.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated lithograph was executed by the renowned visual artist Peter Eugene Ball circa 1970. Realized in black and white, it depicts a styl...
Etching
Untitled
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated lithograph was executed by the renowned visual artist Peter Eugene Ball circa 1970. Realized in black and white, it depicts a styl...
Lithograph
"Davanti all'immenso" by Enzio Wenk, 2010 - Acrylic on a Vintage Mirror
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "In front of the immense". Black, blue and yellow acrylic paint on a vintage mirror.
Mirror, Acrylic
"Verso il cielo" by E. Wenk, 2010 - Mixed Media on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: " Towards the sky ". Mixed media on canvas.
Canvas, Mixed Media
"Mi son ritrovato a volare" by Enzio Wenk, 2010 -Acrylic on Canvas, Blue Faces
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "I found myself flying" Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Testa d'asino" by Enzio Wenk, 2010 - Acrylic on Canvas, Colorful Words
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Entire title: "Testa d'asino tagliata che grida e brucia nel fuoco" Translated title: "Head of a donkey that screams and burns in a fire" Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"La forza dei miti" by Enzio Wenk, 2010 -Acrylic on Canvas, Words on Red Shades
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "The strength of the myths / legends /mild-mannered" In Italian "Mito" means "fallacy", "myth" and also "mild-mannered". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Vita mia" by Enzio Wenk, 2010 - Acrylic on Canvas, Colorful Words on Black
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "(Oh) my life!" Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Maschera" by E. Wenk, 2023 - Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Mask ". Acrilic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Il cantore del bosco" by E. Wenk, 2023 - Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Singer of the woods ". Acrilic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$811
"Volto" by Enzio Wenk, 2022 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Figurative NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Face". Mixed media on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2022- Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas. The black frame is included.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Albero" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Still Life Painting, Acrylic Paint on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Tree". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2022 - Acrylic on Canvas, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Libellula " by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Espressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Title: "La libellula in compagnia del suo animale volante é osservata e vociferata" Translated title: "The dragonfly in the company of its flying animal is observed and rumored". A...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Autoritratto di Qualcun Altro " by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Someone else's self-portrait". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Another Woman
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“It is terrifying to paint. When you start out, you are faced with this great unknown. And you think, am I ever going to paint again? Yet, as you work, it starts to formulate itself...
Oil Crayon, Oil, Archival Paper, Graphite
Sun Circus II Oil Painting on Canvas, Neo-Expressionist, Framed, 2010+
Located in Miami, FL
Born 1949, Fréjus, France French artist Evelyne Ballestra studied painting in the South of France before moving to Switzerland where she met her mentor, Rolf Dürig, a master of the ...
Canvas, Oil
"Figura con albero" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Figure with a tree". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Pascolo" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Grazing". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Paesaggio urbano" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Urban landscape". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Due figure" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Two figures". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
$753
"La casa e il teschio" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 -Acrylic on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "The house and the skull". Acrylic on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
"Poder Bravo" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Mixed media on canvas.
Canvas, Mixed Media
$4,291
"Bosco verticale" by Enzio Wenk, 2017 - Diptych, Mixed Media, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Vertical forest". Mixed media on canvas. This is a diptych and each canvas measures: 100 x 150 cm.
Canvas, Mixed Media
"Giocoliere" by Enzio Wenk, 2020 - Mixed Media on Canvas, Neo-Expressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Juggler". Mixed media on canvas.
Canvas, Mixed Media