What is the most important painting of the 20th century?

What painting is the most important of the 20th century is largely a matter of personal opinion. Some notable works produced during the period include Paul Cézanne's Mont Sainte-Victoire, Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Henri Matisse's The Dance and Jackson Pollock's Lavender Mist. Shop a large selection of 20th-century paintings on 1stDibs.

20th C Impressionist Paintings

Dutch Impressionist

20th Century Irish Artists

Ireland Landscape Painting

C Inness Oil Paintings

Early 20th Century Impressionist Oil Painting C.1920, Circa 1920

$975

Early 20th Century Impressionist Oil Painting C.1920

Located in San Francisco, CA

Early 20th Century Impressionist Oil Painting C.1920 Original oil on board Dimensions 16" wide x 11" high The distressed frame measures 22" wide x 16" high Signed illegibly lower...

Category

Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Modern BritishSombre Gentlemen, Mid 20th C. Male Portrait, Original Impressionist Oil Painting, c.1950s

$887

$812

$812

Le Quai des Strasbourg Mid 20th C French Post Impressionist Signed Painting

By Jean Laforgue

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Le Quai des Strasbourg Jean La Forgue (French 1901-1975) signed watercolour, ink on paper, mounted in a card frame inscribed verso card frame: 14 x 17 inches painting: 9 x 12 inches...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

$1,700

$1,800

"Times Square N.Y.C." Impressionist Snow Scene in New York City Oil Painting

By Christopher Willett 1

Located in New York, NY

Impressionist New York City winter city-scene depicting Times Square in New York City. This piece is done in a most intimate, yet energetic way. Christopher is known for capturing th...

Category

20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

$2,324Sale Price|20% Off

20th C French Impressionist landscape a Villa in the South of France or Rivera

Located in Woodbury, CT

20th C French Impressionist landscape a Villa in the South of France or Rivera.

Category

1960s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Charles Henry MillerLong Island Impressionist Pasture Scene by C.H. Miller, c. 1885

$3,000

$539

Mid 20th C. Irish Artist Watercolor Painting of Coastal Rustic Beach With Boats

By Frank Forty

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Size 11 x 15 inches Superb original watercolour painting by the well listed and popular Irish painter, Frank Forty (1902-1996). The painting came from a private collection of this ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

$539

Mid 20th C. Irish Artist Watercolor - Leaving Madeira - Open Seascape

By Frank Forty

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Inscribed verso size: 11 x 15 inches Superb original watercolour painting by the well listed and popular Irish painter, Frank Forty (1902-1996). The painting came from a private co...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

$485

Maryn Hunzeker "Explorers" Original Casein Painting c.1960

By Maryn Hunzeker

Located in San Francisco, CA

Maryn Hunzeker "Explorers" Original Casein Painting c.1960 Fantastic mid modern painting by noted artist Maryn Hunzeker. Created with casein on panel. Dimensions 26" x 18 1/4". The...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Casein, Panel

C CampbellBoats in Harbor, Mid Century Double-Sided Watercolor, c.1950s

$475

Boats in Harbor, Mid Century Double-Sided Watercolor

Located in Soquel, CA

A gorgeous double sided mid century impressionist watercolor painting depicting boats docked at the harbor on one side and a sailboat docked by a pier on verso by C. Campbell. Signed...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Vintage Oil Painting "Barn in the Distance" C.1970s

$350

Vintage Oil Painting "Barn in the Distance" C.1970s

Located in San Francisco, CA

Vintage Oil Painting "Barn in the Distance" c.1970s. Original painting of a summer sunset and a barn in the distance. A summer haze hangs over the air. The subtle layers of land len...

Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Recent Sales

Pieter FratermanPieter Fraterman - Orchard - Post-Impressionist Dutch Oil Painting, c. 1950, c. 1950

Unavailable

H 25.2 in W 28.75 in D 1.97 in

Pieter Fraterman - Orchard - Post-Impressionist Dutch Oil Painting, c. 1950

By Pieter Fraterman

Located in Meinisberg, CH

Pieter Fraterman (Dutch, * 12th April 1910, Den Haag – † 18th March 1969, Den Haag) In the Orchard Garden • Oil on Fibre board ca. 50 x 60 cm • Frame ca. 64 x 73 cm • Signed lower ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

C. Griffin, American 20th C Floral Bouquet Still Life in a Vase, 20th C., 1945

Unavailable

H 24 in W 18 in D 1 in

C. Griffin, American 20th C Floral Bouquet Still Life in a Vase, 20th C.

Located in Hallowell, ME

Signed lower left and verso--C Griffin. American there are a couple of possibilities. A very finished still life.

Category

1940s American Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Oil

Larry C WinborgCityscape Oil Painting of New York Street w Fire Escapes

Unavailable

H 26 in W 32 in D 2.75 in

Cityscape Oil Painting of New York Street w Fire Escapes

By Larry C Winborg

Located in Los Angeles, CA

In this painting the artist Larry Conrad Winborg uses vibrant Fauvist colors, painterly brushwork, and creates a dynamic composition celebrating the instantaneous quality of vision. ...

Category

20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Albert AndreRoses dans une Verre, 25 3/4 x 25 3/4 O/C Post Impressionist French

Unavailable

H 25.75 in W 25.75 in

Roses dans une Verre, 25 3/4 x 25 3/4 O/C Post Impressionist French

By Albert Andre

Located in Dallas, TX

Biography from the Archives of askART Albert André (1869-1954) A Post-Impressionist artist and painter of 'intimiste' interiors, still lives and Parisian scenes, he was born in Lyon...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Paintings

Canvas, Oil

Jean MarchandL'entre du Parc, c.1920, c.1920

Unavailable

Sold

H 30.75 in W 40.5 in D 1 in

Scottish, 20th C Impressionist painting of lady with red parasol, summertime

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

This captivating oil painting exudes serenity and beauty, portraying a lady in repose, delicately cradling a red parasol amidst a picturesque garden during the summer. Created by the...

Category

20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

English Impressionist20th C English Impressionist Oil Windmill in Blue Sky Landscape, 20th Century

Sold

Sold

H 7 in W 10 in D 0.1 in

Mid 20th C. Irish Impressionist Oil County Donegal Ireland

By Frank Forty

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Superb original oil painting by the well listed and popular Irish painter, Frank Forty (1902-1996). The painting is signed to the lower left and titled to its mount - "Marble Hill" a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Georges BordonoveSummer Wheatfields of Gold Color Large 20th C. French Impressionist Oil Painting

Sold

Sold

Sold

Sold

H 19.3 in W 37.41 in D 2.37 in

English Original large impressionist oil painting of PORT ISAAC CORNWALL C.1965

By Arnold Beauvais

Located in Cirencester, GB

ARTIST: Arnold Beauvais (1886-1982) EnglIsh TITLE: "Port Isaac Cornwall" SIGNED: lower right MEDIUM: oil on board SIZE: 95cm x 49cm inc frame CONDITION: excellent DETAIL: Arnold ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

Frank FortyMid 20th C. Irish Artist Watercolor Painting Spanish Blue Fishing Boat Vigo, c. 1950's

Sold

Sold

H 11 in W 15 in

Mid 20th C. Irish Artist Watercolor Painting of Ships Deck Cruise Ship Canberra

By Frank Forty

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Inscribed verso and dated 80' size: 11 x 15 inches Superb original watercolour painting by the well listed and popular Irish painter, Frank Forty (1902-1996). The painting came fro...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

David HarrisDavid Harris (American, 20th c.) Pair of Floral Still Life Paintings c.1970, Circa 1970

Sold

H 46 in W 36 in D 3 in

David Harris (American, 20th c.) Pair of Floral Still Life Paintings c.1970

By David Harris

Located in San Francisco, CA

David Harris (American, 20th c.) Pair of Floral Still Life Oil Paintings c.1970 Original oil on canvas Each canvas measures 30" wide x 40" high The frames measure 36" wide x 46" ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

$1,483

$895

H 15 in W 19 in D 2 in

Pennsylvania Impressionist Landscape Painting, ca 1930’s Listed Artist

Located in Baltimore, MD

This American Impressionist painting is by listed artist Bernhard Safford Good. The artist was born in England in 1893. He came to Canada in 1910, moving west to Manitoba to work on...

Category

1930s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

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Portrait of a young boy, impressionist painting.

$867Sale Price|20% Off

H 16.54 in W 12.6 in

Portrait of a young boy, impressionist painting.

Located in Berlin, DE

Portrait of a young boy, impressionist painting. Dimensions WITHOUT frame in cm 32 x 42

Category

20th Century Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Oil, Board

$1,200Sale Price|45% Off

$3,600Sale Price|28% Off

$1,500

H 34.5 in W 28 in D 29 in

Barbara Barry for Baker Art Deco Slipper Chair

By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company

Located in New York, NY

Classic Art Deco, Hollywood Regency style slipper chair, designed by Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture, circa 1980/90's. This voguish chair is in excellent, original, clean and ready...

Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Slipper Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pierre NeveuProvence Hilltop Village Vineyard Watercolour Pierre Neveu, 1982

$887

H 19.75 in W 25.75 in

Provence Hilltop Village Vineyard Watercolour Pierre Neveu

By Pierre Neveu

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Title: Provence Hilltop Village Vineyard Watercolour Pierre Neveu Artist: Pierre Neveu (French b.1929) Medium: Watercolour on paper, unframed Size (H x W): 19.75 x 25.75 inches Signe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache

Antique Early American Primitive Pine Farmhouse Corner Cabinet Cupboard 90"

$3,600

H 89.25 in W 24 in D 46 in

Antique Early American Primitive Pine Farmhouse Corner Cabinet Cupboard 90"

Located in Dayton, OH

An antique early 19th century American primitive country farmhouse corner cabinet. Made of pine featuring a large 12 pane rolled glass arcaded door that opens to a blue painted inte...

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Corner Cupboards

Materials

Glass, Pine

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20th C Impressionist Paintings For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are several options of 20th c impressionist paintings available for sale. Finding the perfect Impressionist, Post-Impressionist or Surrealist examples of these works for your space is difficult — today, we have a vast range of variations and more on offer. These items have been made for many years, with versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Adding a colorful piece of art to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — see the 20th c impressionist paintings on 1stDibs that include elements of brown, gray, beige, blue and more. These artworks have been a part of the life’s work for many artists, but the versions made by Henri Duhem, Jacques Zucker, Joseph Barrett, Ronald Birch and Fernand Audet are consistently popular. Frequently made by artists working in paint, oil paint and fabric, all of these available pieces are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Large 20th c impressionist paintings can be an attractive addition to some spaces, while the smaller iterations available — each spanning 0.79 inches in width — may make for a better choice for a more modest living area.

How Much are 20th C Impressionist Paintings?

The average selling price for 20th c impressionist paintings we offer is $1,827, while they’re typically $106 on the low end and $885,000 for the highest priced.

A Close Look at Impressionist Art

Emerging in 19th-century France, Impressionist art embraced loose brushwork and plein-air painting to respond to the movement of daily life. Although the pioneers of the Impressionist movement — Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir — are now household names, their work was a radical break with an art scene led and shaped by academic traditions for around two centuries. These academies had oversight of a curriculum that emphasized formal drawing, painting and sculpting techniques and historical themes.

The French Impressionists were influenced by a group of artists known as the Barbizon School, who painted what they witnessed in nature. The rejection of pieces by these artists and the later Impressionists from the salons culminated in a watershed 1874 exhibition in Paris that was staged outside of the juried systems. After a work of Monet’s was derided by a critic as an unfinished “impression,” the term was taken as a celebration of their shared interest in capturing fleeting moments as subject matter, whether the shifting weather on rural landscapes or the frenzy of an urban crowd. Rather than the exacting realism of the academic tradition, Impressionist paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings represented how an artist saw a world in motion.

Many Impressionist painters were inspired by the perspectives in imported Japanese prints alongside these shifts in European painting — Édouard Manet drew on ukiyo-e woodblock prints and depicted Japanese design in his Portrait of Émile Zola, for example. American artists such as Mary Cassatt and William Merritt Chase, who studied abroad, were impacted by the work of the French artists, and by the late 19th century American Impressionism had its own distinct aesthetics with painters responding to the rapid modernization of cities through quickly created works that were vivid with color and light.

Find a collection of authentic Impressionist art on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Paintings for You

Painting is an art form that has spanned innumerable cultures, with artists using the medium to tell stories, explore and communicate ideas and express themselves. To bring abstract paintings, landscape paintings, still-life paintings and other original paintings into your home is to celebrate and share in the long tradition of this discipline.

When we look at paintings, particularly those that originated in the past, we learn about history, other cultures and countries of the world. Like every other work of art, paintings — whether they are contemporary creations or works that were made during the 19th century — can often help us clearly see and understand the world around us in a meaningful and interesting way.

Cave walls were the canvases for what were arguably the world’s first landscape paintings, which depict natural scenery through art. Portrait paintings and drawings, which, along with sculpture, were how someone’s appearance was recorded prior to the advent of photography, are at least as old as Ancient Egypt. In the Netherlands, landscapes were a major theme for painters as early as the 1500s. Later, artists in Greece, Rome and elsewhere created vast wall paintings to decorate stately homes, churches and tombs.

Today, creating a wall of art is a wonderful way to enhance your space, showcase beautiful pieces and tie an interior design together.

No matter your preference, whether you favor Post-Impressionist paintings, animal paintings, Surrealism, Pop art or another movement or specific period, arranging art on a blank wall allows you to evoke emotions in a room while also showing off your tastes and interests. A symmetrical wall arrangement may comprise a grid of four to six pieces or, for an odd number of works, a horizontal row. Asymmetrical arrangements, which may be small clusters of art or large, salon-style gallery walls, have a more collected and eclectic feel.

Download the 1stDibs app, which includes a handy “View on Wall” feature that allows you to see how a particular artwork will look on a particular wall, and read about how to arrange wall art. And if you’re searching for the perfect palette for your interior design project, what better place to turn than to the art world’s masters of color?

On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive collection of paintings and other fine art for your home or office. Browse abstract paintings, portrait paintings, paintings by emerging artists and more today.

Questions About 20th C Impressionist Paintings

What is the most important painting of the 20th century?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
What painting is the most important of the 20th century is largely a matter of personal opinion. Some notable works produced during the period include Paul Cézanne's Mont Sainte-Victoire, Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Henri Matisse's The Dance and Jackson Pollock's Lavender Mist. Shop a large selection of 20th-century paintings on 1stDibs.