Oskar Kokoschka (1886 - 1980)

Oskar Kokoschka (1886 - 1980) - photo 1

Oskar Kokoschka

Oskar Kokoschka was an Austrian artist, poet, playwright, and teacher, renowned for his significant contributions to the Expressionist movement. Born on March 1, 1886, in Pöchlarn, Austria, Kokoschka's journey into the arts began against the backdrop of early 20th-century Vienna, a city vibrant with cultural ferment and avant-garde experimentation. Without formal training in painting, Kokoschka brought a unique perspective to his work, approaching the medium with a fresh, unencumbered eye that eschewed traditional methods in favor of intuitive, expressive techniques​​​​.

Kokoschka's early career was marked by an innovative approach to portraiture and landscape, characterized by intense expressionism and a deep psychological penetration of his subjects. His artistic philosophy was heavily influenced by 17th-century Czech humanist Jan Amos Comenius, from whom Kokoschka adopted the idea that learning and creativity flourish through sensory engagement and reasoning. This philosophy underpinned both his artistic output and his teaching methodology, which favored storytelling and the evocation of dramatic emotion over conventional art instruction​​.

Among Kokoschka's notable early works were his contributions to the Vienna Kunstschau and his involvement with the Wiener Werkstätte, which provided him opportunities to explore his artistic voice through various commissions, including postcards and illustrations for children's books. His autobiographical poem "Die träumenden Knaben" (The Dreaming Youths) and the related illustrations showcase his journey from Jugendstil to Expressionism, marking a pivotal moment in his career and in the development of modern art​​.

Kokoschka's tumultuous affair with Alma Mahler is well-documented, influencing some of his most acclaimed works, such as "The Bride of the Wind" (The Tempest), which vividly encapsulates their passionate, stormy relationship. This work, alongside others like "Portrait of a Young Girl" and "Knight Errant (Self-Portrait)", exemplifies Kokoschka's masterful use of color, form, and emotional intensity to convey complex psychological states and narratives​​.

Oskar Kokoschka's legacy as a pioneering figure in Expressionism is undisputed. His works continue to resonate with collectors and experts in art and antiques, not only for their aesthetic and emotional depth but also for their groundbreaking approach to visual storytelling and the exploration of the human condition. For those interested in the vibrant world of Expressionist art and the profound humanism of Kokoschka's oeuvre, signing up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Oskar Kokoschka offers a unique opportunity to engage with the enduring impact of his work​​.

Date and place of birt:1 march 1886, Pöchlarn, Austria
Date and place of death:22 february 1980, Montreux, Switzerland
Nationality:Austria, Switzerland
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Artist, Graphic artist, Painter, Writer
Art school / group:Der Sturm, Vienna Secession
Genre:Allegory, Landscape painting, Portrait
Art style:Degenerate art, Expressionism, Modern art, Post War Art
Kokoschka, Oskar - Now at the auction

Now at the auction Oskar Kokoschka

All lots
2 lots
put up for auction
See auction lots

Creators Austria

Friedrich Friedländer (1825 - 1901)
Friedrich Friedländer
1825 - 1901
Christian Griepenkerl (1839 - 1916)
Christian Griepenkerl
1839 - 1916
Ernst Caramelle (1952)
Ernst Caramelle
1952
Herbert Gurschner (1901 - 1975)
Herbert Gurschner
1901 - 1975
Vojtech Hynais (1854 - 1925)
Vojtech Hynais
1854 - 1925
Heinrich Golpein (1814 - 1888)
Heinrich Golpein
1814 - 1888
Joseph Maria Olbrich (1867 - 1908)
Joseph Maria Olbrich
1867 - 1908
Johann Heinrich Carl Reinhold (1788 - 1825)
Johann Heinrich Carl Reinhold
1788 - 1825
Fritz Wotruba (1907 - 1975)
Fritz Wotruba
1907 - 1975
Franz Richard Unterberger (1838 - 1902)
Franz Richard Unterberger
1838 - 1902
Ferdinand Runk (1764 - 1834)
Ferdinand Runk
1764 - 1834
Josef Karl Rädler (1844 - 1917)
Josef Karl Rädler
1844 - 1917
Jacob Alt (1789 - 1872)
Jacob Alt
1789 - 1872
Valie Export (1940)
Valie Export
1940
Clementine Nielssen (1842 - 1928)
Clementine Nielssen
1842 - 1928
Gerwald Rockenschaub (1952)
Gerwald Rockenschaub
1952

Creators Degenerate art

Adrian Schiess (1959)
Adrian Schiess
1959
Allen Freer (1926)
Allen Freer
1926
Gen Paul (1895 - 1975)
Gen Paul
1895 - 1975
Xavier Bueno (1915 - 1979)
Xavier Bueno
1915 - 1979
Klavdiia Vasilevna Gorbashova (1927)
Klavdiia Vasilevna Gorbashova
1927
Carl-Heinz Kliemann (1924 - 2016)
Carl-Heinz Kliemann
1924 - 2016
Tone Fink (1944)
Tone Fink
1944
Gabriel Deschamps (1919 - 2011)
Gabriel Deschamps
1919 - 2011
Daniel Sabater y Salabert (1888 - 1951)
Daniel Sabater y Salabert
1888 - 1951
Faith Ringgold (1930 - 2024)
Faith Ringgold
1930 - 2024
Ceri Giraldus Richards (1903 - 1971)
Ceri Giraldus Richards
1903 - 1971
Lee Man Fong (1913 - 1988)
Lee Man Fong
1913 - 1988
Edgar Ende (1901 - 1965)
Edgar Ende
1901 - 1965
Paul Lamar Collins (1936)
Paul Lamar Collins
1936
Alois Hans Schram (1864 - 1919)
Alois Hans Schram
1864 - 1919
Francis E. Jamieson (1895 - 1950)
Francis E. Jamieson
1895 - 1950
× Create a Search Subscription