Neo-expressionist, one artist at a time
Jean Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) is the most famous Neo-expressionist artist, whose singular vision gave us Hollywood Africans in Front of the Chinese and Untitled (ernok). Next stand Anselm Kiefer, Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel and Georg Baselitz. These 13 artists, from Philip Guston (born 1913) to Chris Ofili (born 1968), came from 5 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.
In brief
One artist at a time
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American Born in Park Slope Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia in 29/32 languages
By the early 1980s, Basquiat transitioned from graffiti to canvas, rapidly gaining recognition within the New York art world. He became a central figure in the Neo- Expressionist movement, though he resisted easy labeling. In the years since his death, Basquiat’s reputation has only grown.
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German Born in Donaueschingen Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia in 23/32 languages
As his career progressed, Kiefer’s international recognition grew through works that challenged the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and installation.
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American Born in Lexington Abstract Expressionism, Postmodern Wikipedia in 21/32 languages
Throughout the 1960s, Twombly’s style began to coalesce around a distinctive vocabulary of scribbled lines, gestural marks, and fragmented words on expansive canvases. Cold Stream (1966), with its swirling loops and bold text, is a powerful example of this evocative style. He paved the way for painters like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Anselm Kiefer, Francesco Clemente, and Julian Schnabel, who embraced a similar spirit of experimentation and emotional intensity.
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American Born in Brooklyn Neo-Expressionism
Ornamental Despair, The Student of Prague, and Fakires exemplify this early period, showcasing a bold rejection of minimalist austerity in favor of maximalist expression. This approach aligned him with the burgeoning Neo- Expressionist movement, a reaction against the conceptual rigor of the preceding decades, which prioritized subjective experience and emotional resonance. Notable Works: Plate Paintings, Basquiat (film), The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (film).
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German Born in Deutschbaselitz Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia in 26/32 languages
Throughout his prolific career, Baselitz’s artistic language has been a complex tapestry woven from myriad influences, ranging from the starkness of Socialist Realism and the dramatic tension of Mannerism to the primal rhythms of African sculpture.
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Canadian-American Born in Montreal ['Abstract Expressionism', 'Neo-Expressionism'] Wikipedia in 15/32 languages
He later embraced abstraction, becoming a prominent figure in the New York School alongside artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Abstract Expressionism: By the 1950s, Guston achieved recognition for his abstract expressionist paintings, characterized by dynamic compositions and gestural brushwork. His father, a Ukrainian Jewish immigrant, took his own life in 1923.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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British Born in Manchester Punk art Wikipedia in 10/32 languages
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.
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Born in London
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.
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German Born in Wilhelmshaven Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia in 6/32 languages
Initially, his paintings focused on Berlin cityscapes – gritty, angular representations of buildings and streets that reflected the city's post-war reconstruction and political climate. He also explored portraiture and figurative compositions, often depicting individuals within these urban settings. Beyond painting, Fetting also received notable commissions, creating sculptures for prominent locations like the Willy Brandt House in Berlin and portraits of influential figures such as Henri Nannen and Helmut Schmidt.
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British Printmaking, Oil painting
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
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American Neo-expressionism, Glitch art
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.
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Brazilian ['Neo-Figurative Art', 'Abstract Art']
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
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American Born in Long Beach Conceptual Art & Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia in 4/32 languages
It was at Yale, during an era dominated by the starkness of Minimalism, that she encountered a constellation of masters including Josef Albers, Jack Tworkov, Jim Dine, and Richard Serra.
Signature works
A timeline
Figures
| United States | 3 |
|---|---|
| Germany | 3 |
| United Kingdom | 2 |
| United States of America | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| 1910s | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 1 |
| 1930s | 1 |
| 1940s | 3 |
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1960s | 2 |
Every name
Jean Michel BasquiatAmerican · 1960–1988Anselm KieferGerman · born 1945Cy TwomblyAmerican · 1928–2011Julian SchnabelAmerican · born 1951Georg BaselitzGerman · 1938–2026Philip GustonCanadian-American · 1913–1980Chris OfiliBritish · born 1968Richard John Spareborn 1951Rainer FettingGerman · born 1949Richard SpareBritish · Anthony SimsAmerican · Thiago BoecanBrazilian · Jennifer BartlettAmerican · 1941–2022Questions
First place goes to Jean Michel Basquiat (#1); Anselm Kiefer (#2) and Cy Twombly (#3) complete the podium.
Jean Michel Basquiat (#1), Anselm Kiefer (#2), Cy Twombly (#3), Julian Schnabel (#4) and Georg Baselitz (#5).
This list includes 1 women: Jennifer Bartlett (#13).
United States: 3 of the 13 artists in this list were born there, then Germany (3) and United Kingdom (2).
The highest-ranked living artists in this list are Anselm Kiefer (#2), Julian Schnabel (#4), Chris Ofili (#7), Richard John Spare (#8) and Rainer Fetting (#9).
“Kiefer’s technique is characterized by an intense, thick impasto layering.” — from our biography of Anselm Kiefer (#2).
Most artists in this list were born in the 1940s (3 of 13), between 1913 and 1968 overall.
The earliest-born artist in this list is Philip Guston (#6), born in 1913.
The museums holding the most key works of this list are Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1), Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (1) and Albertina Klosterneuburg (1).
Our catalogue holds 545 works by these artists.
Read
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