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
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Creators Austria

Wolfgang Paalen (1905 - 1959)
Wolfgang Paalen
1905 - 1959
Wilhelm Viktor Krausz (1878 - 1959)
Wilhelm Viktor Krausz
1878 - 1959
Wilhelm Koller (1829 - 1884)
Wilhelm Koller
1829 - 1884
Herbert Bayer (1900 - 1985)
Herbert Bayer
1900 - 1985
Károly Ferenczy (1862 - 1917)
Károly Ferenczy
1862 - 1917
Maria Lassnig (1919 - 2014)
Maria Lassnig
1919 - 2014
Robert Zielasco (1948)
Robert Zielasco
1948
Franz Anton Zeiller (1716 - 1794)
Franz Anton Zeiller
1716 - 1794
Rudolf Hoflehner (1916 - 1995)
Rudolf Hoflehner
1916 - 1995
Georg Philipp Rugendas I (1666 - 1742)
Georg Philipp Rugendas I
1666 - 1742
Wilhelm Kaufmann (1895 - 1975)
Wilhelm Kaufmann
1895 - 1975
Karl Reinhold (1820 - 1887)
Karl Reinhold
1820 - 1887
Vincenz Morstadt (1802 - 1875)
Vincenz Morstadt
1802 - 1875
Hans Klocker (1474 - 1500)
Hans Klocker
1474 - 1500
Josef Adolf Lang (1873 - 1936)
Josef Adolf Lang
1873 - 1936
Hans Hueber (1813 - 1889)
Hans Hueber
1813 - 1889

Creators Degenerate art

Otto Hellmeier (1908 - 1996)
Otto Hellmeier
1908 - 1996
Arthur Fellig (Weegee) (1899 - 1968)
Arthur Fellig (Weegee)
1899 - 1968
Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919 - 1999)
Oswaldo Guayasamín
1919 - 1999
Erich Bödeker (1904 - 1971)
Erich Bödeker
1904 - 1971
Fritz Klimsch (1870 - 1960)
Fritz Klimsch
1870 - 1960
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein (1910 - 1983)
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein
1910 - 1983
Coert Steynberg (1905 - 1982)
Coert Steynberg
1905 - 1982
Zygmunt Menkes (1896 - 1986)
Zygmunt Menkes
1896 - 1986
Felix Samoilovich Lembersky (1913 - 1970)
Felix Samoilovich Lembersky
1913 - 1970
Tony Costa (1935 - 2013)
Tony Costa
1935 - 2013
Koloman Moser (1868 - 1918)
Koloman Moser
1868 - 1918
Eulabee Dix (1878 - 1961)
Eulabee Dix
1878 - 1961
Leon Underwood (1890 - 1975)
Leon Underwood
1890 - 1975
Michael Ayrton (1921 - 1975)
Michael Ayrton
1921 - 1975
Richard Mortensen (1910 - 1993)
Richard Mortensen
1910 - 1993
José Belizón Tocino (1930 - 1997)
José Belizón Tocino
1930 - 1997