Who is the most famous Neo-expressionist artist?

Jean Michel Basquiat (#1) is first in this ranking, followed by Anselm Kiefer (#2) and Cy Twombly (#3).

Which five Neo-expressionist artists should everyone know?

Jean Michel Basquiat (#1), Anselm Kiefer (#2), Cy Twombly (#3), Julian Schnabel (#4) and Georg Baselitz (#5).

Which techniques define Neo-expressionist art?

“Kiefer’s technique is characterized by an intense, thick impasto layering.” — from our biography of Anselm Kiefer (#2).

Who are the most famous living Neo-expressionist artists?

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).

Which women Neo-expressionist artists are the most famous?

1 women are in this ranking: Jennifer Bartlett (#13).

When were most Neo-expressionist artists born?

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

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

The museums holding the most key works of this list are Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (2), Albertina Klosterneuburg (1) and Kunsthaus Zürich (1).

Which country produced the most Neo-expressionist artists?

United States: 3 of the 13 artists in this list were born there, then Germany (3) and United Kingdom (2).

Who was the earliest Neo-expressionist artist?

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

How many works by these artists does the encyclopedia record?

The encyclopedia records 545 works by these artists.

Encyclopedia · Neo-expressionist

Famous Neo-expressionist Artists: Ranked List of 13

Jean Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) is the most famous Neo-expressionist artist in this list; notable works include Untitled - Skull, (Broad Collection, LA) and Hollywood Africans in Front of the Chinese. Ranks 2 to 5: Anselm Kiefer, Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel and Georg Baselitz. The list records 13 artists born between 1913 (Philip Guston) and 1968 (Chris Ofili) in 5 countries.

WikiOO.org encyclopedia editors28 October 2026

Method. Scope: artists whose works the encyclopedia records under Neo-expressionist. Ranking: the encyclopedia's fame ranking of artists. Artists born after 1955 without a Wikidata identifier are excluded pending verification. Wikipedia: number of the encyclopedia's 32 languages with an article on the artist.

1Jean Michel Basquiat
2Anselm Kiefer
3Cy Twombly

Summary

Neo-expressionist: summary

13Artists
1913–1968Years of birth
5Countries of birth
1Women
5Living artists
545Works in our catalogue

Cities with most births: Park Slope (1), Donaueschingen (1), Lexington (1), Brooklyn (1)
Museums holding the most key works: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (2), Albertina Klosterneuburg (1), Kunsthaus Zürich (1), Smithsonian American Art Museum (1)
The women of this list: Jennifer Bartlett

Entries

Ranked entries: 13 Neo-expressionist Artists

1of 13

Jean Michel Basquiat 1960–1988

American Born: Park Slope Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia: 29/32 languages

Paintings like Piscine versus the Best Hotels (or various loin) exemplify his ability to juxtapose seemingly disparate elements—luxury and deprivation, beauty and decay—creating a powerful commentary on social inequalities. In the years since his death, Basquiat’s reputation has only grown.

Notable works · 100 notable works

2of 13

Anselm Kiefer born 1945

German Born: Donaueschingen Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia: 23/32 languages

As his career progressed, Kiefer’s international recognition grew through works that challenged the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and installation.

Notable works · 100 notable works

3of 13

Cy Twombly 1928–2011

American Born: Lexington Abstract Expressionism, Postmodern Wikipedia: 21/32 languages

His early works, such as the North African Sketchbooks (1953), already hinted at his unique blend of abstract forms and poetic references. He drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources—from the raw energy of Jean Dubuffet and Alberto Giacometti to the poetic sensibilities of Stéphane Mallarmé, Rainer Maria Rilke, and John Keats.

Notable works · 100 notable works

4of 13

Julian Schnabel born 1951

American Born: Brooklyn Neo-Expressionism

Yet, Schnabel persevered, participating in pivotal exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale in 1980 and ‘A New Spirit in Painting’ at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1981, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the resurgence of painting. His works are now held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Whitney Museum, Tate Modern, and the Centre Pompidou—a testament to his enduring impact on contemporary art.

Notable works · 100 notable works

5of 13

Georg Baselitz 1938–2026

German Born: Deutschbaselitz Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia: 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.

Notable works · 100 notable works

6of 13

Philip Guston 1913–1980

Canadian-American Born: Montreal ['Abstract Expressionism', 'Neo-Expressionism'] Wikipedia: 15/32 languages

Initially, his work was figurative and representational, showcasing early influences from Renaissance masters like Piero della Francesca. His father, a Ukrainian Jewish immigrant, took his own life in 1923.

Notable works · 100 notable works

7of 13

Chris Ofili born 1968

British Born: Manchester Punk art Wikipedia: 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.

Notable works · 100 notable works

8of 13

Richard John Spare born 1951

Born: London

While highly respected for his printmaking skills, Spare began focusing on his own artistic endeavors in the late 1980s. His dedication to traditional printmaking techniques and his commitment to quality have helped preserve this valuable art form.

Notable works · 100 notable works

9of 13

Rainer Fetting born 1949

German Born: Wilhelmshaven Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia: 6/32 languages

Throughout this evolution, however, Fetting consistently explored themes of urban life, human relationships, and personal experiences – subjects that resonated deeply with the anxieties and aspirations of his generation. 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.

Notable works · 100 notable works

10of 13

Richard Spare

British Printmaking, Oil painting

His formative years at Maidstone College of Art from 1971 to 1974 laid the groundwork for a career deeply rooted in traditional techniques yet remarkably attuned to contemporary artistic currents. Throughout this period, Spare remained a frequent exhibitor at prestigious venues like the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition—a testament to his consistent artistic quality and enduring appeal.

Notable works · 100 notable works

11of 13

Anthony Sims

American Neo-expressionism, Glitch art

What sets Sims apart is not just his artistic vision but also his technical background.

Notable works · 100 notable works

12of 13

Thiago Boecan

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

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.

Notable works · 100 notable works

13of 13

Jennifer Bartlett 1941–2022

American Born: Long Beach Conceptual Art & Neo-Expressionism Wikipedia: 4/32 languages

Born Jennifer Losch in 1941 in the coastal environs of Long Beach, California, her early life was steeped in a unique duality of influences.

Notable works · 100 notable works

Notable works

Notable Neo-expressionist works

Untitled - Skull, (Broad Collection, LA)

Jean Michel Basquiat

1981
Böhmen liegt am Meer (Bohemia Lies by the Sea)

Anselm Kiefer

1996
Cold Stream

Cy Twombly

1966
Ornamental Despair

Julian Schnabel
Der hirte

Georg Baselitz
To Fellini

Philip Guston

1958
The Holy Virgin Mary

Chris Ofili

1996 · MOMA - Museum of Modern Art, New York City
Puffin Pair

Richard John Spare

2010

Chronology

Chronology of notable works

Statistics

Country of birth
United States	3
Germany	3
United Kingdom	2
United States of America	1
Canada	1

Decade of birth
1910s	1
1920s	1
1930s	1
1940s	3
1950s	2
1960s	2

Museums holding their key works
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao	2
Albertina Klosterneuburg	1
Kunsthaus Zürich	1
Smithsonian American Art Museum	1
Arts Council Collection	1
MOMA - Museum of Modern Art	1
Dortmunder U	1
Leeds Art Gallery	1

Index

List of 13 Neo-expressionist artists

1Jean Michel BasquiatAmerican · 1960–1988
2Anselm KieferGerman · born 1945
3Cy TwomblyAmerican · 1928–2011
4Julian SchnabelAmerican · born 1951
5Georg BaselitzGerman · 1938–2026
6Philip GustonCanadian-American · 1913–1980
7Chris OfiliBritish · born 1968
8Richard John Spareborn 1951
9Rainer FettingGerman · born 1949
10Richard SpareBritish ·
11Anthony SimsAmerican ·
12Thiago BoecanBrazilian ·
13Jennifer BartlettAmerican · 1941–2022

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who is the most famous Neo-expressionist artist?
Jean Michel Basquiat (#1) is first in this ranking, followed by Anselm Kiefer (#2) and Cy Twombly (#3).
Which five Neo-expressionist artists should everyone know?
Jean Michel Basquiat (#1), Anselm Kiefer (#2), Cy Twombly (#3), Julian Schnabel (#4) and Georg Baselitz (#5).
Which techniques define Neo-expressionist art?
“Kiefer’s technique is characterized by an intense, thick impasto layering.” — from our biography of Anselm Kiefer (#2).
Who are the most famous living Neo-expressionist artists?
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).
Which women Neo-expressionist artists are the most famous?
1 women are in this ranking: Jennifer Bartlett (#13).
When were most Neo-expressionist artists born?
Most artists in this list were born in the 1940s (3 of 13), between 1913 and 1968 overall.
Where are the great works of Neo-expressionist art today?
The museums holding the most key works of this list are Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (2), Albertina Klosterneuburg (1) and Kunsthaus Zürich (1).
Which country produced the most Neo-expressionist artists?
United States: 3 of the 13 artists in this list were born there, then Germany (3) and United Kingdom (2).
Who was the earliest Neo-expressionist artist?
The earliest-born artist in this list is Philip Guston (#6), born in 1913.
How many works by these artists does the encyclopedia record?
The encyclopedia records 545 works by these artists.