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فاسيلي كاندينسكي 1866–1944
روسي From موسكو ['التعبيرية', 'الرسم التجريدي', 'الرائد الأزرق'] On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
New to Expressionist? Start here
If you remember one Expressionist painter, make it فاسيلي كاندينسكي (1866–1944), the name behind تكوين السابع and تكوين الثامن. After that come إدفارد مونش, جان ميشيل باسكيات, بول كلي and جاكسون بولوك. Our 100 picks go from كريستيان رولفس (born 1849) to جان ميشيل باسكيات (born 1960), from 37 countries.
How we picked them. We list the artists our catalogue links to Expressionist, from the most famous down. Artists born after 1955 that we cannot yet check on Wikidata are left out. The Wikipedia number shows in how many of our 32 languages Wikipedia writes about them.
Quick facts
Meet them one by one
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روسي From موسكو ['التعبيرية', 'الرسم التجريدي', 'الرائد الأزرق'] On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
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From بروكلين On Wikipedia in 29 of 32 languages
Piscine versus the Best Hotels (أو أجزاء مختلفة): يجسد تجميع باسكياط للثروة والفقر، ويعرض أسلوبه الفني الفريد. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Derelict: صورة ذاتية تجسد موضوعات الهوية والاغتراب والنقد الاجتماعي.
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ألماني وسويسري From ميونشنبوخزة التعبيرية، التكعيبية، السريالية On Wikipedia in 31 of 32 languages
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أمريكي From كودي التعبيرية المجردة On Wikipedia in 31 of 32 languages
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نمساوي From تولن آن دير دوناو التعبيرية النمساوية On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
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أيرلندي From دبلن التعبيرية، التكعيبية، السريالية On Wikipedia in 30 of 32 languages
Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion (1944).
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هولندي أمريكي From روتردام التعبيرية التجريدية On Wikipedia in 30 of 32 languages
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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ألماني From أشافنبورغ التعبيرية الألمانية On Wikipedia in 32 of 32 languages
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أرمني أمريكي From خورجوم التعبيرية التجريدية، السريالية On Wikipedia in 24 of 32 languages
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From أوستند On Wikipedia in 25 of 32 languages
His identity was shaped by a specific cultural intersection: his father, James Frederic Ensor, was born in Brussels to English parents, while his mother, Maria Catherina Haegheman, was Belgian.
See them at Ensor’s presence in major international collections confirms his lasting impact on the development of modernism.
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ألماني From لايبزيغ التعبيرية، الواقعية الجديدة On Wikipedia in 27 of 32 languages
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أمريكي From مانهاتن التعبيرية التجريدية، حقل اللون On Wikipedia in 19 of 32 languages
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From نيويورك On Wikipedia in 23 of 32 languages
Key Themes: Spirituality, The Sublime, Human Existence, Post-War Anxiety. Notable Works: Onement VI, Vir Heroicus Sublimis, “Rothko by Newman”, The Song of Orpheus. Artistic Style: Abstract Expressionism, Color Field Painting, characterized by large fields of color and vertical "zips".
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تشيكي From أوبوتشنو ['الواقعية', 'الرمزية', 'الأورفية', 'التكعيبية', 'التجريد'] On Wikipedia in 24 of 32 languages
Disks of Newton, Study for Fugue in Two Colors ، حوالي عام 1911.
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From درسدن On Wikipedia in 24 of 32 languages
Born Minna Hermine Paula Becker on February 8, 1876, in Dresden, Germany, her life was tragically short – she passed away November 30, 1907, in Worpswede – yet within those three decades, she forged a path of remarkable artistic innovation and personal courage. A pivotal moment came with her travels to Paris in 1899 and subsequent visits in 1903 and 1905.
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ألماني From دويتشبازيليتز التعبيرية الجديدة On Wikipedia in 26 of 32 languages
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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ألماني From روتنفلوت التعبيرية On Wikipedia in 25 of 32 languages
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ألماني فرنسي From لايبزيغ التعبيرية التجريدية الإيمائية On Wikipedia in 15 of 32 languages
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أمريكي From أبردين التعبيرية التجريدية On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
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أمريكي From ويلكس بار التعبيرية التجريدية On Wikipedia in 17 of 32 languages
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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هندي From بانهاربور لوحات تكعيبية سردية On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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روسي From تورجوك التعبيرية On Wikipedia in 23 of 32 languages
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ألماني From غفارديسك الطباعة والتعبيرية On Wikipedia in 24 of 32 languages
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أمريكية From ميريون سكوير التعبيرية، الواقعية On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
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سويسري From واكسيلدورن التعبيرية، باوهاوس On Wikipedia in 21 of 32 languages
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ألماني From دوبيلن التعبيرية الألمانية On Wikipedia in 22 of 32 languages
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نمساوي أمريكي From فيينا تقنية الاثني عشر نغمة؛ التعبيرية On Wikipedia in 31 of 32 languages
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إسباني From تسفيكاو التكعيبية، السريالية On Wikipedia in 21 of 32 languages
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مجري From بودابست الفن المجري الحديث On Wikipedia in 18 of 32 languages
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Serbian From Čačak Expressionism & Fauvism On Wikipedia in 27 of 32 languages
Growing up in Čačak, she experienced the hardships of Serbian life under Austro-Hungarian rule, fostering resilience and shaping her worldview. Recognizing her talent for art early on, her parents encouraged her pursuit of education beyond the conventional roles expected of women at the time.
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Belgian From Antwerp Flemish Expressionism On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
Constant Permeke, born in Antwerp in 1886, stands as a monumental figure in Belgian art history – not merely as a painter and sculptor, but as the very embodiment of Flemish Expressionism. He initially pursued formal studies at the Bruges Academy (1903-1906) and later at the Ghent Academy (1906-1908), but found himself increasingly stifled by traditional methods.
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German From Duisburg Expressionism
Wilhelm Lehmbruck (1881-1919) stands as a pivotal figure in German sculpture, embodying the spirit of Expressionism while retaining an undeniable connection to Naturalistic principles. Lehmbruck’s journey into art began with studies at the School of Applied Arts in Düsseldorf, fueled by a generous municipal stipend, allowing him to pursue his passion for sculpture alongside broader artistic explorations.
Works to know · Their 100 best-known works
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أمريكي From بورتلاند ['التعبيرية التجريدية', 'الأسلوب التصويري لمنطقة خليج سان فرانسيسكو', 'التجريد الغنائي'] On Wikipedia in 9 of 32 languages
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أمريكي From روثرفورد الحداثة، الألوان المائية On Wikipedia in 16 of 32 languages
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Romanian From Iași ['Expressionism', 'Dadaism']
Arthur Segal (1875 – 1944) stands as a compelling figure in the turbulent landscape of early 20th-century European art, a Romanian artist whose career unfolded across multiple continents and artistic movements.
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أمريكي From نيويورك التعبيرية التجريدية On Wikipedia in 12 of 32 languages
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Canadian From Montreal Lyrical Abstraction On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages
Later, he attended the École des beaux-arts de Montréal but transitioned to the École du meuble, graduating in 1945. This shift proved pivotal as it led him to Paul-Émile Borduas.
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German From Berlin Expressionism On Wikipedia in 18 of 32 languages
From early training to her pivotal role in Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), Münter’s life was inextricably linked with artistic exploration and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what painting could be. Münter's artistic education began with private tutoring, followed by formal studies at the Düsseldorf studio of Ernst Bosch and later at the Damenschule (Women’s School) in Munich.
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Polish From Leorda Expressionism On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages
Early Life and Education: Born in Bukovina to Stanisław Weiss and Maria Kopaczyńska, Wojciech’s musical inclinations gave way to a fervent passion for painting after encountering Stanisław Przybyszewski. He pursued his artistic studies at Kraków's Academy of Fine Arts under Leon Wyczółkowski, initially focusing on historical or mythological subjects before embracing Expressionism as a profound response to Przybyszewski’s influence.
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أمريكي From بوفالو التعبيرية التجريدية، البساطة On Wikipedia in 12 of 32 languages
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Austrian From Bzenec Vienna Secession On Wikipedia in 13 of 32 languages
Born amidst the evocative landscapes of Bisenz, Bohemia, Maximilian Franz Viktor Zdenko Marie Kurzweil carried the romantic sensibilities of his youth into the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His relocation to Vienna in 1879 marked the beginning of a transformative era for both the artist and the city itself, as he moved from the quietude of his Czech origins toward the vibrant, pulsing energy of a burgeoning metropolis.
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French From Paris Expressionism
Bernard Buffet (1928–1999) remains one of the most evocative and polarizing figures in twentieth-century French art. Born in Paris during a period of profound global upheaval, his very existence was shaped by the shadows of the Second World War.
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German/Dutch From Krefeld Der Blaue Reiter On Wikipedia in 13 of 32 languages
Born in Krefeld, Germany, in 1889, into a family connected to the textile industry – a world of intricate patterns and vibrant hues – Campendonk’s artistic journey began not with formal training but with an apprenticeship, a grounding in craft that would later inform his deeply symbolic approach.
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American From Centerville Abstract Expressionism On Wikipedia in 14 of 32 languages
Mark George Tobey, born in Centerville, Wisconsin, in 1890, was more than just a painter; he was a spiritual seeker whose artistic journey mirrored his lifelong exploration of faith, philosophy, and the delicate balance between Eastern and Western aesthetics.
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Scottish Expressionism; Surrealism
Born in 1942 amidst the salt-sprayed fishing traditions of Port Seton, near Edinburgh, John Bellany CBE, RA emerged as one of Scotland’s most profound and evocative visual storytellers. During his formative years at the Edinburgh College of Art, he forged lasting bonds with contemporaries such as Alan Bold and Alexander Moffat, contributing to a movement dedicated to revitalizing Scottish art through a blend of local heritage and international influence.
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German From Soest Expressionism On Wikipedia in 11 of 32 languages
In the fleeting dawn of the twentieth century, few voices resonated with as much raw, spiritual intensity as that of Wilhelm Morgner.
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أمريكي From برمنغهام التعبيرية الجديدة On Wikipedia in 8 of 32 languages
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French Cubism
Armand Schonberger (1885–1974) stands as a captivating figure in the tapestry of early 20th-century modernism, a painter whose brush bridged the delicate light of Impressionism with the fractured, rhythmic energy of Cubism. Born in Galgóc and later finding his artistic soul within the vibrant bohemian circles of Munich and Budapest, Schonberger’s life was a continuous dialogue between tradition and the avant-garde.
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German From Dusseldorf New Objectivity & Realism
Werner Peiner (20 July 1897 – 19 August 1984) was a German painter whose artistic journey spanned from the expressive currents of early Expressionism to the increasingly formalized aesthetic dictated by the Third Reich, ultimately cementing his position as one of its most prominent official artists.
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British Biblical scenes, female figures
Mary Ascher (1900-1988) wasn’t merely a painter; she was an emotional archaeologist, meticulously excavating the hidden depths of biblical narratives and translating them into powerfully resonant visual experiences. Ascher rejected the prevailing detachment of much 20th-century art, instead embracing a deeply personal and often unsettling approach to depicting scenes from the Old Testament. Early influences on Ascher’s style were rooted in Expressionism and German Romanticism.
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Belgian From Ghent Expressionism, Surrealism On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages
Born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1883, Frits Van den Berghe’s life was a tapestry woven from artistic passion, personal turmoil, and a profound engagement with the shifting currents of early 20th-century European art. Van den Berghe’s journey began within the established framework of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under Jean Delvin, absorbing the foundational principles of academic painting.
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Born in Wedel, Holstein (Germany) on January 2nd, 1870, Ernst Heinrich Barlach was the eldest of four sons.
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أمريكي From بيروت ['تجميع (Assemblage)', 'فن البوب (Pop Art)', 'النيو-دادا (Neo-Dada)'] On Wikipedia in 17 of 32 languages
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German From Krefeld Expressionism On Wikipedia in 10 of 32 languages
Born in Krefeld, Germany, in 1880, Heinrich Nauen’s artistic journey was one of quiet observation and profound emotional resonance. Nauen’s formal training began at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in 1898, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of established masters. However, it was his subsequent studies at the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart from 1900 to 1902 that truly ignited his artistic fire.
Pictures worth knowing
When it happened
Fun figures
| الولايات المتحدة | 18 |
|---|---|
| ألمانيا | 18 |
| النمسا | 6 |
| Germany | 6 |
| روسيا | 5 |
| الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية | 4 |
| سويسرا | 2 |
| هولندا | 2 |
| 1840s | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1850s | 1 |
| 1860s | 10 |
| 1870s | 16 |
| 1880s | 22 |
| 1890s | 9 |
| 1900s | 13 |
| 1910s | 8 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 4 |
| 1940s | 2 |
| 1950s | 3 |
| 1960s | 1 |
Just the names
Good questions
فاسيلي كاندينسكي (#1) is first in this ranking, followed by إدفارد مونش (#2) and جان ميشيل باسكيات (#3).
فاسيلي كاندينسكي (#1), إدفارد مونش (#2), جان ميشيل باسكيات (#3), بول كلي (#4) and جاكسون بولوك (#5).
The highest-ranked living painters in this list are جيرارد ريختر (#9), جاسبر جونز (#11), أنسليم كييفر (#23), جوليان شنابل (#35), بيتر دوغ (#43) and كيري جيمس مارشال (#90).
10 women are in this ranking: كاتي كولفيتس (#25), هيلين فرانكينثالر (#29), باولا مودرزون-بيكر (#34), لي كراسنر (#37), أليس النيل (#49), ماريان فون ويريفكين (#55), Nadežda Petrović (#58) and Gabriele Münter (#77).
الولايات المتحدة: 18 of the 100 painters in this list were born there, then ألمانيا (18) and النمسا (6).
The highest-ranked painters born in ألمانيا are جيرارد ريختر (#9), فرانتس مارك (#13), إرنست لودفيغ كيرشنر (#15), أوتو ديكس (#18) and ماكس بكمان (#21).
نيويورك: 4 of the painters in this list were born there.
The museums holding the most key works of this list are متحف الفن الحديث (MoMA) (7), مجموعات بافاريا الحكومية للرسم (6) and Museum Folkwang (4).
“This sense of existential struggle is furthered in The Man of Sorrows (1891), an oil painting that combines the suffering of Christ with the jarring imagery of a Japanese Noh theatre mask.” — from our biography of جيمس إنسور (#19).
Most painters in this list were born in the 1880s (22 of 100), between 1849 and 1960 overall.
The earliest-born painter in this list is كريستيان رولفس (#62), born in 1849.
Our catalogue holds 16,739 works by these painters.
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