Neo-expressionist, one artist at a time

13 Famous Neo-expressionist Umělci Who Shaped the Movement

Jean Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) is the most famous Neo-expressionist umělec, whose singular vision gave us Untitled (ernok) a Fishing Fish. Next stand Anselm Kiefer, Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel a Georg Baselitz. These 13 umělci, from Philip Guston (born 1913) to Chris Ofili (born 1968), came from 4 countries.

Our selection. Artists whose works our catalogue attaches to Neo-expressionist, in the order of our fame ranking. Artists born after 1955 with no Wikidata identifier stay out until verified. The Wikipedia figure counts our 32 languages with an article on the artist.

  1. Untitled (ernok) od Jean Michel Basquiat1Jean Michel Basquiat
  2. Böhmen liegt am Meer (Bohemia Lies by the Sea) od Anselm Kiefer2Anselm Kiefer
  3. Cold Stream od Cy Twombly3Cy Twombly

In brief

Neo-expressionist in brief

  • 13Umělci
  • 1913–1968Roky narození
  • 4Země narození
  • 1Ženy
  • 5Živí umělci
  • 545Díla v našem katalogu
Města s nejvyšším počtem narozených
Brooklyn (2), Donaueschingen (1), Lexington (1), Deutschbaselitz (1)
Muzea s největším počtem klíčových děl
Guggenheimovo muzeum Bilbao (2), Toledo Museum of Art (1), Metropolitan Museum of Art (1), Albertina Klosterneuburg (1)
Ženy na tomto seznamu
Jennifer Bartlett

One artist at a time

13 Neo-expressionist Umělci and their signature works

1of 13

Jean Michel Basquiat

Američan Born in Brooklyn Neo-expresionismus Wikipedia in 29/32 languages

Jean Michel Basquiat

By the early 1980s, Basquiat transitioned from graffiti to canvas, rapidly gaining recognition within the New York art world. The crown, perhaps his most iconic symbol, has been interpreted as a representation of aspiration, self-mythologization, and the complexities of Black identity in America. In the years since his death, Basquiat’s reputation has only grown.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

2of 13

Anselm Kiefer

Němec Born in Donaueschingen Neoexpresionismus Wikipedia in 23/32 languages

Anselm Kiefer

Narodil se v německém Donaueschingen v roce 1945, takže jeho samotná existence je neoddělitelně spjata s následky druhé světové války. Jeho umělecká cesta začala přísnými studiemi u Petera Drehera a Horsta Antes na Hochschule für Gestaltung Weinheim-Basel, kde položil základy svého slavného experimentálního přístupu k tvorbě. Duše Kieferova díla je hluboce zakořeněná v literárních stínech minulosti, především skrze dojmovou poezii Paula Celana.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

3of 13

Cy Twombly

Američan Born in Lexington Abstr. ekspresionismus Wikipedia in 21/32 languages

Cy Twombly

Rané studium pod Pierre Daura na Washington and Lee University následovalo formativními zkušenostmi na Arts Students League of New York a Black Mountain College, kde potkal klíčové osobnosti jako Robert Rauschenberg, Johna Cagea a Merce Cunninghama. Nicméně, cesta do Itálie a severní Afriky v roce 1952 s Rauschenbergem – financovaná grantem od Virginie Museum of Fine Arts – se ukázala jako skutečně transformační.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

4of 13

Julian Schnabel

Američan Born in Brooklyn Neo-expressionismus

Julian Schnabel

Julian Schnabel se narodil roku 1951 v Brooklynu, New Yorku, jako nejmladší ze tří dětí. Jeho rodiče jsou Jack Schnabel, imigrant z Československa, a Esther Schnabel z New Yorku. Studoval na Univerzitě Houston, ale jeho odvážná žádost o nezávislý studijní program Whitney Museum of American Art – předložená mezi dvěma plátky chleba – skutečně vyjádřila jeho ikonoklastický duch a ochotu narušovat ustálené normy.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

5of 13

Georg Baselitz

Němec Born in Deutschbaselitz Neoexpresionismus Wikipedia in 26/32 languages

Georg Baselitz

Narodil se jako Hans-Georg Bruno Kern 23. ledna 1938 v malé německé vesnici Deutschbaselitz; umělec, který se světu proslavil pod jménem Georg Baselitz, byl dítětem hlubokých transformací a otřesů. Vyrostl v oblasti Horní Lužice uprostřed doslovného i metaforyckého sutin po druhé světové válce, přičemž jeho rané vědomí bylo neoddělitelně spjato s tématy destrukce, vyhnanství a roztříštěného řádu zničeného společnosti.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

6of 13

Philip Guston

Born in Montréal Wikipedia in 15/32 languages

Philip Guston

Philip Guston, rodák z Montrealu, vlastním jménem Phillip Goldstein, byl jednou z nejvýznamnějších postav amerického moderního umění. Již od útlého věku projevoval talent k malbě a kreslení, studoval na Los Angeles Manual Arts High School, kde se v roce 1927 začal aktivně věnovat tvorbě.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

7of 13

Chris Ofili

British Born in Manchester Punk art Wikipedia in 10/32 languages

Chris Ofili

His recognition as a member of the Young British Artists group brought him to the forefront of a generation that redefined contemporary painting. A defining moment in his career arrived in 1998 when he was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize, an achievement that highlighted his ability to spark intense public debate through works such as The Holy Virgin Mary.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

8of 13

Richard John Spare

Born in London

Richard John Spare

He has since created a vast body of work comprising over 400 images, primarily inspired by nature and travel. Spare’s works frequently depict wildlife, landscapes, and scenes encountered during his travels, rendered with expressive lines and subtle color palettes. His dedication to traditional printmaking techniques and his commitment to quality have helped preserve this valuable art form.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

9of 13

Rainer Fetting

Němec Born in Wilhelmshaven Neoexpresionismus Wikipedia in 6/32 languages

Rainer Fetting

Rainer Fetting, narozený v roce 1949 v německém Wilhelmshavenu, představuje klíčovou postavu povojeného rozkvětu figurativní malby v pozdním 20. století. Po přestěhování do Berlína na začátku 70. let se Fetting zapsal na Hochschule der Künste (Akademie krásných umění), kde studoval pod vedením profesora Hanse Jaenische. V roce 1977 společně s Helmutem Middendorfem, Berndem Zimmerem, Salomé, Anne Jud a Bertholdem Schepersem spoluzaložil Galerie am Moritzplatz.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

10of 13

Richard Spare

British Printmaking, Oil painting

Richard Spare

Richard John Spare, born in Chelmsford in 1951, embarked on a journey that would establish him as a pivotal figure in British printmaking and a celebrated artist in his own right. Following college, Spare's apprenticeship with Thomas Ross & Son proved invaluable. In 2025, the Open University bestowed upon him an Honorary Doctorate, recognizing his significant “Services to the Arts.” His works now reside in esteemed public collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum, British Library, and Hunterian Art Gallery, cementing his place within the canon of contemporary British art.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

11of 13

Anthony Sims

American Neo-expressionism, Glitch art

Anthony Sims

What sets Sims apart is not just his artistic vision but also his technical background. His interest in blockchain technology extends beyond mere artistic application, envisioning an NFT museum in Memphis dedicated to showcasing local talent and bridging the gap between physical and digital artworks.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

12of 13

Thiago Boecan

Brazilian ['Neo-Figurative Art', 'Abstract Art']

Thiago Boecan

The influence of Brazilian Neo- Figurative Art is palpable – a movement known for its psychological intensity and exploration of the human condition. This process often involves a captivating interplay of vibrant reds and browns, as seen in works like ‘ Color Study C-1 ’, where color itself becomes a vehicle for exploring internal tensions.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

Signature works

Signature Neo-expressionist works

  1. Untitled (ernok) od Jean Michel Basquiat

    Untitled (ernok)

    Jean Michel Basquiat

  2. Böhmen liegt am Meer (Bohemia Lies by the Sea) od Anselm Kiefer

    Böhmen liegt am Meer (Bohemia Lies by the Sea)

    Anselm Kiefer

    1996

  3. Cold Stream od Cy Twombly

    Cold Stream

    Cy Twombly

    1966

  4. Fakires od Julian Schnabel

    Fakires

    Julian Schnabel

    1993 · Guggenheimovo muzeum Bilbao

  5. Da. Portrait (Franz Dahlem) od Georg Baselitz

    Da. Portrait (Franz Dahlem)

    Georg Baselitz

    1969

  6. The Pit od Philip Guston

    The Pit

    Philip Guston

    1976

  7. The Holy Virgin Mary od Chris Ofili

    The Holy Virgin Mary

    Chris Ofili

    1996 · MoMA - Museum of Modern Art, New York

  8. Puffin Pair od Richard John Spare

    Puffin Pair

    Richard John Spare

    2010

A timeline

Neo-expressionist through its signature works

  1. 1966
  2. 1969
  3. 1976
  4. 1983
  5. 1991
  6. 1993
  7. 1996
  8. 1996
  9. 2010

Figures

The figures

Every name

List of 13 famous Neo-expressionist umělci, every name

  1. 1Jean Michel BasquiatJean Michel BasquiatAmeričan · 1960–1988
  2. 2Anselm KieferAnselm KieferNěmec · narozen 1945
  3. 3Cy TwomblyCy TwomblyAmeričan · 1928–2011
  4. 4Julian SchnabelJulian SchnabelAmeričan · narozen 1951
  5. 5Georg BaselitzGeorg BaselitzNěmec · 1938–2026
  6. 6Philip GustonPhilip Guston1913–1980
  7. 7Chris OfiliChris OfiliBritish · narozen 1968
  8. 8Richard John SpareRichard John Sparenarozen 1951
  9. 9Rainer FettingRainer FettingNěmec · narozen 1949
  10. 10Richard SpareRichard SpareBritish ·
  11. 11Anthony SimsAnthony SimsAmerican ·
  12. 12Thiago BoecanThiago BoecanBrazilian ·
  13. 13Jennifer BartlettJennifer BartlettAmeričanka · 1941–2022

Questions

Your questions

  • Which Neo-expressionist umělec is the most famous?

    First place goes to Jean Michel Basquiat (#1); Anselm Kiefer (#2) and Cy Twombly (#3) complete the podium.

  • Who are the 5 most famous Neo-expressionist umělci?

  • Who are the most famous female Neo-expressionist umělci?

    This list includes 1 women: Jennifer Bartlett (#13).

  • Where were most Neo-expressionist umělci born?

    Spojené státy americké: 4 of the 13 umělci in this list were born there, then Německo (3) a United Kingdom (2).

  • Who was the first Neo-expressionist umělec?

    The earliest-born umělec in this list is Philip Guston (#6), born in 1913.

  • Who are famous Neo-expressionist umělci today?

    The highest-ranked living umělci in this list are Anselm Kiefer (#2), Julian Schnabel (#4), Chris Ofili (#7), Richard John Spare (#8) a Rainer Fetting (#9).

  • In which period did Neo-expressionist art flourish?

    Most umělci in this list were born in the 1940s (3 of 13), between 1913 and 1968 overall.

  • Which city was home to the most Neo-expressionist umělci?

    Brooklyn: 2 of the umělci in this list were born there.

  • Where are the great works of Neo-expressionist art today?

    The museums holding the most key works of this list are Guggenheimovo muzeum Bilbao (2), Toledo Museum of Art (1) a Metropolitan Museum of Art (1).

  • Where can I see more works by these umělci?

    Our catalogue holds 545 works by these umělci.

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