Expressionism was an early 20th century art style characterized by strong outlines, bold colors, and free brushstrokes used to convey emotion and distort reality. It originated in Germany in the early 1900s as a reaction against Impressionism. Key expressionist artists included Edvard Munch, known for his painting The Scream, Emile Nolde, Ernst Kirchner, and Franz Marc, who often depicted animals in their expressive, brightly colored paintings.