Neo-expressionist, one artist at a time
Jean Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) is the most famous Neo-expressionist kunstenaar, whose singular vision gave us Untitled (ernok) en Fishing Fish. Next stand Anselm Kiefer, Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel en Georg Baselitz. These 13 artiesten, 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
1of 13
Amerikaans Born in Park Slope Neo-Expressionisme Wikipedia in 29/32 languages
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.
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Duits Born in Donaueschingen Neo-expressionisme Wikipedia in 23/32 languages
Anselm Kiefer staat te boek als een van de meest diepzinnige en kenmerkende stemmen binnen het Neo-expressionisme, een artistieke stroming die aan het eind van de jaren zeventig en het begin van de jaren tachtig opkwam als een krachtige reactie op de soberheid van het minimalisme en de conceptuele kunst. Geboren in 1945 in Donaueschingen, Duitsland, is het bestaan van Kiefer onlosmakelijk verbonden met de nasleep van de Tweede Werelwt.
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Amerikaans Born in Lexington Abstract Expressionisme Wikipedia in 21/32 languages
Vroege studies onder Pierre Daura aan Washington and Lee University werden gevolgd door invloedrijke ervaringen op het Arts Students League of New York en Black Mountain College, waar hij in contact kwam met belangrijke figuren zoals Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage en Merce Cunningham.
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Amerikaans Born in Brooklyn Neo-expressionisme
Schnabel’s upbringing in Brownsville, Texas, instilled within him a profound appreciation for the raw beauty of the American Southwest—a duality that would permeate his oeuvre. Notably, Schnabel’s decision to apply to the Whitney ISP—a deliberate act of defiance against institutional expectations—demonstrated his unwavering commitment to artistic freedom and innovation. Like Robert Rauschenberg—who championed collage and found objects—Schnabel questioned established artistic conventions, advocating for a more expansive conception of artmaking.
Signature works · The 100 signature works
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Duits Born in Deutschbaselitz Neo-expressionisme Wikipedia in 26/32 languages
Geboren als Hans-Georg Bruno Kern op 23 januari 1938 in het kleine Duitse dorpje Deutschbaselitz, was de kunstenaar die de wereld zou leren kennen als Georg Baselitz een kind van diepgaande transitie en ontwrichting.
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Canadees-Amerikaans Born in Montréal ['Abstract Expressionisme', 'Neo-Expressionisme'] Wikipedia in 15/32 languages
Philip Guston, geboren als Phillip Goldstein in Montreal en overleden in Woodstock, New York, was een kunstenaar van ongekende complexiteit en invloed. Guston’s jeugd werd getekend door een diepe tragedie: de zelfdoding van zijn vader in 1923. Al vroeg toonde hij aanleg voor kunst, eerst door het nadoen van stripfiguren uit kranten, later onder de begeleiding van Frederick John de St.
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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Duits Born in Wilhelmshaven Neo-expressionisme Wikipedia in 6/32 languages
Rainer Fetting, geboren in 1949 in Wilhelmshaven, Duitsland, is een spilfiguur in de heropleving van de figuratieve schilderkunst tijdens de late 20e eeuw. Toen hij begin jaren 70 naar Berlijn verhuisde, schreef Fetting zich in aan de Hochschule der Künste (Academie voor Schone Kunsten), waar hij studeerde onder professor Hans Jaenisch.
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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
| Verenigde Staten | 3 |
|---|---|
| Duitsland | 3 |
| United Kingdom | 2 |
| Verenigde Staten en Gebouwen | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| 1910s | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 1 |
| 1930s | 1 |
| 1940s | 3 |
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1960s | 2 |
| Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum | 1 |
|---|---|
| Guggenheim Museum Bilbao | 1 |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | 1 |
| Tate Britain | 1 |
| Albertina Klosterneuburg | 1 |
| Kunsthaus Zürich | 1 |
| Tate Modern | 1 |
| Arts Council Collection | 1 |
Every name
Jean Michel BasquiatAmerikaans · 1960–1988Anselm KieferDuits · geboren in 1945Cy TwomblyAmerikaans · 1928–2011Julian SchnabelAmerikaans · geboren in 1951Georg BaselitzDuits · 1938–2026Philip GustonCanadees-Amerikaans · 1913–1980Chris OfiliBritish · geboren in 1968Richard John Sparegeboren in 1951Rainer FettingDuits · geboren in 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) en Georg Baselitz (#5).
This list includes 1 women: Jennifer Bartlett (#13).
Verenigde Staten: 3 of the 13 artiesten in this list were born there, then Duitsland (3) en United Kingdom (2).
The highest-ranked living artiesten in this list are Anselm Kiefer (#2), Julian Schnabel (#4), Chris Ofili (#7), Richard John Spare (#8) en Rainer Fetting (#9).
“De techniek van Kiefer kenmerkt zich door een intense, dikke impasto-laag.” — from our biography of Anselm Kiefer (#2).
Most artiesten in this list were born in the 1940s (3 of 13), between 1913 and 1968 overall.
The earliest-born kunstenaar 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) en Metropolitan Museum of Art (1).
Our catalogue holds 545 works by these artiesten.
Read
Other movements
Beroemde Baroque-artiestenDe Nachtwacht · Rembrandt
Beroemde Contemporary Realist-artiestenDe Graassters · Jean-François Millet
Beroemde Impressionist-artiestenDe Sterrennacht (New York, MoMA) · Vincent Van Gogh
Beroemde Romanticist-artiestenSaturnus die zijn zoon verslindt · Francisco Goya
Beroemde Neoclassicist-artiestenDe dood van Marat · Jacques-Louis David
Beroemde Realist-artiestenDe oorsprong van de wereld · Gustave Courbet
Beroemde Renaissance-artiestenMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo Da Vinci
Beroemde Dutch Golden Age-artiestenHet meisje met de parel · Johannes Vermeer
Beroemde Expressionist-artiestenCompositie VII · Wassily Kandinsky
Beroemde Rococo-artiestenDe Vestiging naar Cythère · Antoine WatteauOther periods
Beroemde Early Medieval-artiestenSnowy River · Wang Wei
Beroemde High Medieval-artiestenMadonna in Maest (Ognissanti Madonna) · Giotto Di Bondone
Beroemde Late Medieval-artiestenDe Annunciatie en twee heiligen · Simone Martini
Beroemde Renaissance-artiestenDe Schepping van Adam · Michelangelo Buonarroti
Beroemde Early Modern-artiestenDe Roeping van Sint Mattheüs · Caravaggio
Beroemde 19th Century-artiestenWaterlelies (of Nympheas) · Claude Monet
Beroemde Modern-artiestenGuernica · Pablo Picasso
Beroemde Contemporary-artiestenWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka ShonibareDiscover more
