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.
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red Rover" Single Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red Rover" Single Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a red background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Fram...
Oil, Panel
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Maxim" Single Black and White Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Maxim" Single Black and White Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a white background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: 13.5 x 11.5 ...
Oil, Panel
Tondo Diamond Dust
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Jay-Z Basquiat. Transformation: The Masks of God
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Once again master artist Sax Berlin has created a poem in paint; this piece is the fourth in the Jay-Z /Basquiat Transformation sequence. The Masks of God is an exploration of a psyc...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Color Purple Diamond Dust
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Deux Iris 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
$28,000
Hunt Slonem "Chenesis", 30x36 Contemporary Multicolor Circle Bunny Oil Painting
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
Renowned artist Hunt Slonem's "Chenesis" 30x36 oil painting on canvas of black and white contemporary abstract bunnies. Bright round swatches of color in orange, yellow, blue, green,...
Canvas, Oil
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Tinsely" Black and Yellow Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Tinsely" Black and Yellow Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a yellow background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5 x 10.5 inch...
Oil, Panel
Untitled by Enzio Wenk, 2021 -Acrylic on Canvas, Abstract, NeoExpressionism
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Acrylic paint on canvas.
Canvas, Acrylic
The Oysters Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
"Alphabet 2"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
“Alphabet 2” is a visual embodiment of the foundations hidden within language and symbols, conveying energy and meaning. This painting explores how each letter, as a building block, ...
Oil, Acrylic
$397
"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
$1,910Sale Price|20% Off
Portokali. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
$4,092Sale Price|20% Off
Untitled. Vibrant landscape, Contemporary Mountains Acrylic Painting
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
Silver Ascension
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil
Lories Bayou Castino
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil
Totem Winter Flurry
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil
Neo-expressionist Painting by Samuel Murphy "The 3 Estate Agents"
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Kevin Samuel Murphy (born 1969) THE 3 ESTATE AGENTS , 2001 Large - mixed media on canvas Size: 104 × 128 cm (including frame) Depicting three estate agents frenziedly clambering ove...
Mixed Media
Cardinal Rule surreal mythological narrative birds tree autumn color humor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soft pastel on toned heavyweight paper signed and dated bottom. Part of an ongoing series by the artist depicting humans and birds and various other creatures.
Pastel, Archival Paper
The Red Queen
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...
Canvas, Oil
Pink Profile
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$7,503
Georg Baselitz, Farewell Bill #7 - Signed Print, Edition of 15, Abstract Art
Located in Hamburg, DE
Georg Baselitz (German, b. 1938) Untitled #7 (from Farewell Bill), 2013 Medium: Aquatint and line etching on wove paper Dimensions: 85.1 x 64.9 cm Edition of 15: Hand-signed and numb...
Etching, Aquatint
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Happy Camper" Black and White Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Happy Camper" Black and White Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a white and grey background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5...
Oil, Panel
Peter Hermann, Wood Sculpture "Man In Red With Bird, 1998" Contemporary
Located in Eltville am Rhein, DE
Peter Hermann Bietigheim 1962 - lives in Ludwigsburg Figure with Bird, 1998 Elm, carved, painted Monogrammed on the back Size: 70 x 40 x 19 cm Literature and illustration: "Peter H...
Wood
Untitled Mixed Media Painting, Neo-Expressionist, Late 20th Century
By Jean Sanglar
Located in Miami, FL
Jean Sanglar was born in France in 1926. He draws with taste and talent from an early age, however, his family will only consider this a mere hobby. After studying law, he later took...
Mixed Media
Nymph and Satyr, abstracted nude figures classical
By Tom Bennett
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Richly painted work on archival paper - abstracted nudes
Archival Paper, Monotype
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red 2" Black and Red Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Red 2" Black and Red Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a red background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 13 x 11 inches *Painting...
Oil, Panel
$950
Figure in White. Seated while suited male Figure on couch black and white tones
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a soft pastel on archival black toned paper signed and dated by the artist on the bottom right corner. This work requires framing under glass for long term preservation.
Pastel, Archival Paper
Miracle Ascension
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Rousselle
Located in New York, NY
Color lithograph on Arches paper. Signed by the artist and dated in pencil. lower right. One of five numbered printer's proofs. Numbered 3/5 an inscribed "Prova per lo stampatore" ...
Lithograph, Color
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Nude , 100x75cm, acrylic, canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Untitled , 100x75cm, acrylic, canvas
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,600
circus rider, colorful circus interior woman and elephant bright cheerful happy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
an early work by artist on canvas Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with bou...
Canvas, Oil
$8,000
Daisy
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$1,400
Basement Lovers narrative romantic couples human condition wry humor cool colors
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Origional soft pastel on toned paper signed and dated on bottom. Suitable for framing under glass..
Paper, Pastel
$1,080
Girl with Geometric Rabbit. Original Acrylic Figurative Painting. Contemporary.
Located in Oslo, NO
Contemporary figurative painting depicting a young girl holding a colorful geometric rabbit. The work combines expressive figurative painting with Neo-Expressionist elements, geometr...
Canvas, Acrylic
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Untitled" Pink Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Untitled" Pink Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a light pink background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches...
Oil, Panel
3 Bunnies Silver Oval (Mexico)
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$8,000
Sky Owl
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Ramon Poch 8.3.2 119 Famili Square. original acrylic painting
By Ramon Poch
Located in CORAL GABLES - MIAMI, FL
109 120x120 cm. original acrylic painting Born in Badalona (Barcelona). Photographer and advertising film director. Founding partner of the advertising production company La Cosa d...
Acrylic
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Coral" Black and Pink Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Coral" Black and Pink Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a pink background in a vintage frame Unframed: 8 x 6 inches Framed: 12.5 x 10.5 inches *Pa...
Oil, Panel
Diamond Dust Hutch Snow
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Cotton Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Large Archival Pigment Print Judaica Lithograph Mark Podwal Jewish Hebrew Art
By Mark Podwal
Located in Surfside, FL
Mark Podwal (American, New York, born 1945) "All This Has Come Upon Us" Archival pigment print Dimensions: 22 X 30 inches Soldiers carrying temple Menorah From a 2014 portfolio of...
Lithograph, Archival Pigment
Cornucopia 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
7 Birds Large Oil on Canvas, Neo-Expressionist, Framed, Signed, 1992
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Southampton, NY
Artist: Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) Title: “Mystic Jay” Year: 1992 Medium: Oil on canvas Image: One Steller’s jay (the “mystic jay,” top left), three magpies, and three toucans Dimensions:...
Canvas, Oil
Pretending to Be Awake
By Taher Jaoui
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Neo Expressionist Abstracted Figurative painting
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Brunch Break, " Oil Pastel signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Brunch Break" is an original oil pastel drawing on rag board by Reginald K. Gee. This piece is an abstract amalgamation of many different colors and markmaking techniques. 40" x 3...
Oil Pastel, Rag Paper
Say It Ain’t So
By Ford Crull
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil paint, enamel, oil stick on canvas.
Enamel
"Jugando en la cosecha" acrylic, figurative, orange, Mexican
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Acrylic, figurative, orange, Mexican
Oil, Acrylic
Large Archival Pigment Print Judaica Lithograph Mark Podwal Jewish Hebrew Art
By Mark Podwal
Located in Surfside, FL
Mark Podwal (American, New York, born 1945) "All This Has Come Upon Us" Archival pigment print Dimensions: 22 X 30 inches Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel From a 2014 portfolio of...
Lithograph, Archival Pigment
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Banded Signet" Multicolor Diamond Dust Bunny
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Banded Signet" Multicolor Diamond Dust Bunny A single bunny gestured in different colors of Diamond Dust in an antique frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Panel
$6,500
"Pink Summer KMH 010, " Acrylic & Mixed Media signed by Katherine Hartley
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Pink Summer KMH 010" is an original acrylic and mixed media painting by Katherine Hartley. The artist signed the piece lower right. This piece depicts a line of girls in dresses amo...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "4 Hombre" Gradient Diamond Dust Bunnies
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "4 Hombre" Orange and Red Diamond Dust Bunnies A family of four rabbits in orange, red, yellow and purple Diamond Dust in a vintage frame Unframed: 21.5 x 1...
Glass, Resin, Oil, Panel
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Lime" Black Outline Bunny on Green
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Houston, TX
Hunt Slonem Oil Painting "Lime" Black Outline Bunny on Green A single rabbit gestured in black on a light green background in a vintage frame Unframed: 13 x 8 inches Framed: 22 x 17...
Oil, Panel
$21,250
White Hutch
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Water Mark
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
Body Electric. Large Contemporary Neo Expressionist Oil Painting
By Sax Berlin
Located in Brecon, Powys
Truly an exceptional, statement painting from Berlin. An evolutionary piece from his Lil’ Angel series depicting the Guardian Angels of New York from the 1980s. Alongside artistic i...
Oil, Acrylic
Trapeze: Neo-Expressionist Oil Painting on Canvas, Unframed
Located in Miami, FL
Evelyne Ballestra's work with signs, symbols and esoteric spirituality reflects her passion for the ancient past and represents a symbolic return to the ground from which we emerged....
Canvas, Oil
Mr. President
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Wood, Oil
$25,000
New Wave
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Woodmere, OH
Hunt Slonem (b. 1951) is an internationally celebrated American artist whose vibrant and instantly recognizable works have made him one of the most collectible contemporary painters ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
"Albero" by E. Wenk, 2020-22 - Pencil on Paper, Abstract Tree, Still-life
By Enzio Wenk
Located in Bresso, IT
Translated title: "Tree" 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