The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century were the time of dramatic change in the art world.
As society was transformed by the forces of industrialization, modernization and the unrest in different parts of the world, the artists deserted the truths of realism and started searching for deeper emotional truths. This hunt led to the rise of bold avant-garde movements as Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Dadaism, and, most famously, Expressionism.
In contrast to styles that emphasized light, beauty, or form, Expressionism turned inward, and raw feelings of anxiety, desire, and inner conflict were captured. Using distorted forms, intense colors and strong brushstrokes, the expressionist painters aimed at showing the invisible world of human feeling.
In order to understand the complete expressionism art definition, we have to investigate what the art was about, its roots, and the impactful artists who characterized this breakthrough movement.
Characteristics of Expressionist Painting
Although Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, the author of the well-known The Scream, is often considered the father figure of expressionist paintings, the movement truly flourished in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. The society at the time was characterized by alienation, fast modernization, mass culture and the destruction of World War I.
In contrast to Impressionists, who used to paint the light that was fleeting, or Cubists, who divided reality into pieces, expressionist artists turned inward. Their canvases reflected images of chaos, suffering and crooked visions.
The main characteristics of expressionist art are the use of bold and non-naturalistic coloring, exaggerated figurative forms, and anxiety, tragedy and spiritual themes. Most importantly, art expressionism was not about imitating reality but rather about expressing the raw feelings of human existence.
Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter
German Expressionism was not a homogeneous movement; it had specific movement groups, and each of them carried its own philosophies and styles.
Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter were two of the most important.
1. Die Brücke (The Bridge)
Die Brücke was founded in 1905 in Dresden and established the basis of the modern expressionist art. The members were inspired by German Gothic traditions, African sculpture and Russian literature and directed them to spontaneous images of nature.
Similar to the French Fauvists, they did not adhere to Impressionism and realism, but their motive was distinct. When Fauves praised the beauty of color, the artists of Die Brücke treated it as an instrument of penetrating surfaces and revealing raw emotional truth.
2. Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider)
Der Blaue Reiter, which was formed in Munich in 1911, adhered to abstraction and spirituality.
They regarded meaning as a dialogue between artist and viewer, beyond form. Although the group was dissolved during World War I, their visionary approach was influential to the field of expressionism, introducing the way to the symbolic and abstract expressionist paintings.
Prominent Expressionist Painters
The charm of the expressionist artwork is that it is very diverse, as every artist reshaped reality with their own experiences and emotions.
Even with varying styles, expressionist painters had one common principle, which was the deformation of the visible world to show something more profound, deeper and also more unsettling. Their artworks are classic and still continue to motivate both art enthusiasts and artists.
The following are some of the famous expressionist painters who continue to make their presence felt in the present day.
1. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
A founding member of Die Brücke, Kirchner captured the restless energy of Berlin’s urban life. His simplified forms, daring use of color, and raw depictions of human figures conveyed both the vitality and the alienation of modern society. Furthermore, his canvases serve as a vivid record of Germany’s cultural climate on the eve of World War I.
2. Vasily Kandinsky
Widely regarded as a pioneer of abstract art, Kandinsky was the guiding force behind Der Blaue Reiter. His paintings combined vibrant color, geometry, and rhythm in ways that felt almost musical.
With works like Houses in Munich, Kandinsky showed how expressionist art could transcend physical reality, existing instead as pure emotion on canvas.
3. Gabriele Münter
As Kandinsky’s collaborator, Münter brought emotional depth to landscapes through bold colors and simplified lines. She holds a crucial place among female expressionist artists, though often overlooked in early accounts, and her works highlight the symbolic power of nature.
4. Franz Marc
Marc infused his art with spiritual symbolism, portraying animals in radiant colors. Iconic pieces like The Blue Horse and The Yellow Cow reflected themes of masculinity and femininity.
Though his life was tragically cut short in World War I, Marc’s vision shaped the future of art expressionism.
Expressionism in Context
To fully appreciate the impact of expressionist paintings, it helps to place them within the broader scope of 20th-century culture. Expressionism was not confined to painting alone; it influenced literature, theater, film, architecture, and even music.
In the United States, its echoes were felt later in Abstract Expressionism, with artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning pushing its principles into new territory.
Today, museums across the U.S., such as New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Guggenheim, host collections of expressionist artwork, allowing American audiences to experience firsthand the intensity and beauty of this movement.
Would You Like to Paint an Expressionist Artwork?
At Canvas by Numbers, we make it easy for anyone to enjoy the beauty of expressionist paintings with our paint-by-numbers kits. Each set comes with a pre-printed canvas, paints, and brushes; no experience needed.
Inspired by famous expressionist painters, our curated collection lets you recreate bold, emotional masterpieces in your own home. It’s more than painting; it’s a way to connect with the spirit of great expressionist artists while creating something uniquely yours. Explore our expressionist artwork kits today and experience the joy of turning history and emotion into art, one brushstroke at a time.
Blue Horse
Yellow Cow
Cat on a Yellow Pillow
Dog Lying in the Snow
Houses in Munich
Houses at Murnau
FAQs About Expressionist Painting
1. What is expressionist art?
Expressionism is an early 20th-century art movement that emphasizes subjective emotion over objective reality. Expressionist painters used distorted forms, bold colors, and dramatic brushstrokes to convey inner feelings rather than external appearances.
2. Who are some famous expressionist painters?
Some of the most famous expressionist painters include Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Vasily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and Gabriele Münter. Each contributed unique styles while sharing the goal of expressing deep emotional truths.
3. How is expressionist art different from impressionist art?
Impressionism captures fleeting moments and the effects of light in a realistic but painterly way. Expressionist art, by contrast, distorts reality to express personal or emotional experiences, often with more intensity and symbolism.
4. Can beginners create expressionist artwork with paint-by-numbers?
Absolutely! With a Canvas by Numbers kit, even beginners can recreate the bold colors and emotional depth of expressionist paintings. It’s a fun, relaxing way to engage with art history while making something meaningful of your own.
