Expressionism is characterized by the transfer of the emotional state of the artist with the help of form and color. The works are rather not connected with the image of the surrounding world, but reflect the inner reaction and association of the artist. Often there are themes referring to vivid emotions: fear, anxiety, pain, suffering.

Expressionism appeared as a reaction to the First World War and developed in the interwar period. Artists condemned superficial verisimilitude and sought to return deep meaning to art. Also, through the approach of expressionism, they expressed anxiety and expectations of global change. An interesting fact is that expressionism manifested itself differently in different countries: in Germany, Wassily Kandinsky explored spirituality in art as a salvation from alienation in the modern world; in Austria, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka fought against the hypocrisy of society, touching on topics such as sexuality, death and violence; in Norway, Edvard Munch is an intense expression of the environment, his "I".

The characteristic features of the style are: rethinking an object or fact through the subjective point of view of the artist, ignoring the artistic and aesthetic approach, creating dynamic compositions, using jagged lines, contrasting colors, abstract forms, exaggeration and simplification, depicting dramatic plots. An important feature is spontaneity and an instinctive form of expression.

Representative artist of Belarusian expressionism Gennady Faley (Miron). Often works with poor materials, creating abstract works (paintings, sculptures, installations and assemblages). The artist's art is built on the expression of dynamics.

Other representatives of Belarusian expressionism: Vladimir Akulov, Nikolai Bushchik, Khaim Soutine.

The continuation of the development of expressionism was abstract expressionism. In their art, the artists focused on the study of color fields, preserving spontaneity and improvisation.