Neo Expressionism: The art style that acquired prominence in 1980s
Posted by GeorgeVelvet on April 26th, 2014
A modern style art referred to as neo expressionism came into existence in Germany in the later part of the 1970s. The revered German artist, George Baselitz, is considered to be the groundbreaker of this type of painting. Neo expressionism ruled the world of art during this time by throwing challenges to the Conceptual and Minimalists art movements. Many artists used this art style in painting, sculpting as well as in printmaking. Whether you are looking for a artwork exhibiting the touches of neo expressionism or iconic portraits, you can get in touch with well-known painters who can meet your requirements in the best possible way.
Neo expressionism acquired great prominence in the whole of Europe in the earlier part of the 1980s and kept its mark in the United States later. Though it is not treated as an art movement, it was one of the remarkable phenomena that positively impacted the world of contemporary art. Neo expressionism brought the rule of the impersonal American abstract styles to an end. It also marked the resurgence of the human element and interrelated symbolism in the various forms of art.
Neo-expressionism artists usually came up with allegorical artworks based on mythology, history, and eroticism. Some of the fundamental features of the art pieces belonging to the Neo expressionism class include over-dramatized themes with outstanding brushwork and coloring. The Neo expressionists attempted to reveal their intense emotions by means of their paintings. Frenzied brushstrokes with loud color combinations were used to give shape to highly tense and powerful depictions. A couple of Neo expressionists used thick impasto of color combined with broken glass, sand, and straw to create optimum effect. These artists also at times used straight abstracts to create human figures in their paintings. The unusual approach of these artists imparted rawness to their creations. Though it failed to enjoy a prominent commercial success, the neo expression artworks created a niche for itself in the world of art. There are many critics who did not approve of the aggression exhibited in the neo expressionist works and called them “unrefined” and “ugly”.
Most of the neo-expressionist art pieces possess an edge to it, while a few of them are emotionally dark. Kiefer, Richter, and some other neo expressionists of the time were drawn to Nazism and Communism and it influenced them to a great extent. Other artists of the time were prejudiced for affected by the perception of the ironic side to the American Dream.
Neo-expressionism acquired prominence at a period when the world of world, specifically the art market in the United States, was witnessing a boom. A large number of neo-expressionist artists acquired huge success, both with respect to recognition and from a monetary standpoint. Their works were appreciated hugely and collected by both art museums and art lovers. An exhibition based on Neo expressionism called 'New Spirit in Painting,' was organized in London in 1981. In this exhibition, 38 male artists exhibited their works. The movement came to an end by mid-1980s. The iconic portraits still have a good market in the current times.
If you are hunting for paintings exhibiting the tinge of Neo expressionism, you can visit my website. You will also be able to see many Iconic portraits in my website.
