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.
$2,860
Volture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Carlos J. Tirado (born on April 3, 1964 in Caracas, Venezuela) is an artist, painter and sculptor who has developed a very personal and precise line of work linked to Neo-Pop art. Wi...
Mixed Media
One Hundred Back
Located in Atlanta, GA
Carlos J. Tirado (born on April 3, 1964 in Caracas, Venezuela) is an artist, painter and sculptor who has developed a very personal and precise line of work linked to Neo-Pop art. Wi...
Oil
Price Upon Request
Women Who Dance With Wolves. Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Sax Berlin's Sharp Edge 21st Century NYC Style Sometimes there is a coming together of spirit or intuition, it happens for no discernible reason and is a jolt to the psyche to find others in step with ones own dance. I am not a "feminist" but I do come from a line of women who were strong and happy in their own skins and who lived their lives in their own unique ways. Imagine how astounded I was to find these latest paintings from Sax Berlin arrive as I was starting to delve into Prof. Estes book Women Who Run With The Wolves. A happy coincidence and I must confess that I did a little wild woman wolf dance...
Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Open Hearted (Candice O). Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Sax Berlin's Sharp Edge 21st Century NYC Style Sometimes there is a coming together of spirit or intuition, it happens for no discernible reason and is a jolt to the psyche to find others in step with ones own dance. I am not a "feminist" but I do come from a line of women who were strong and happy in their own skins and who lived their lives in their own unique ways. Imagine how astounded I was to find these latest paintings from Sax Berlin arrive as I was starting to delve into Prof. Estes book Women Who Run With The Wolves. A happy coincidence and I must confess that I did a little wild woman wolf dance...
Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
"The Angel", colorful, large neo expressionist mixed media painting
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"The Angel", colorful, large neo expressionist mixed media painting.
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
"Sista". Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Berlin’s iconic paintings of Guardian Angels is enhanced by this piece. This Sista is obviously a strong character and it’s easy to see in her how Berlin forged a connection with the...
Oil, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Acid
By ETTE
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"This time it was different. This time at my pity party I cried until flowers bloomed from the flooded soil beneath my feet. I danced so hard the chandelier fell from the ceiling. My...
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Tall Witness
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Fairfield, CT
oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil
Price Upon Request
Supermaestro
By Sandro Chia
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Sandro Chia, Italian (1946 - ) Title: Supermaestro Year: 1991 Medium: Oil on canvas, signed and dated l.r., labeled verso Size: 68.5 x 60.5 in. (173.99 x 153.67 cm)
Canvas, Oil
Price Upon Request
Otono Floral
Located in New York, NY
OTONO FLORAL, 1995 Hand-painted, 15-color silkscreen with poured resin 40 x 30 inches (102 x 76 cm) Edition of 80 "Sexual Spring-like Winter" is a large painterly work, created with...
Screen, Resin