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

Creators Austria

Désiré Thomassin (1858 - 1933)
Désiré Thomassin
1858 - 1933
Vincenz Morstadt (1802 - 1875)
Vincenz Morstadt
1802 - 1875
Adolf von Hildebrand (1847 - 1921)
Adolf von Hildebrand
1847 - 1921
Heinrich Kühn (1866 - 1944)
Heinrich Kühn
1866 - 1944
Marianne Stokes (1855 - 1927)
Marianne Stokes
1855 - 1927
Johann Cimbal (1722 - 1795)
Johann Cimbal
1722 - 1795
Carl Goebel (1824 - 1899)
Carl Goebel
1824 - 1899
Wilhelm Kaufmann (1895 - 1975)
Wilhelm Kaufmann
1895 - 1975
Joseph Mathias Grassi (1757 - 1838)
Joseph Mathias Grassi
1757 - 1838
Georg Dienz (1964)
Georg Dienz
1964
Ernst Caramelle (1952)
Ernst Caramelle
1952
Jacob Adam (1748 - 1811)
Jacob Adam
1748 - 1811
Maria Bach (1896 - 1978)
Maria Bach
1896 - 1978
Rudolf Hafner (1893 - 1951)
Rudolf Hafner
1893 - 1951
Karl von Blaas (1815 - 1894)
Karl von Blaas
1815 - 1894
Gastone Novelli (1925 - 1968)
Gastone Novelli
1925 - 1968

Creators Degenerate art

Barbara Heinisch (1944)
Barbara Heinisch
1944
Angelo Mangiarotti (1921 - 2012)
Angelo Mangiarotti
1921 - 2012
Otto Torsten Andersson (1926 - 2009)
Otto Torsten Andersson
1926 - 2009
Eduardo Chillida (1924 - 2002)
Eduardo Chillida
1924 - 2002
Paratene Temokopuorongo Matchitt (1933 - 2021)
Paratene Temokopuorongo Matchitt
1933 - 2021
George Hoyningen-Huene (1900 - 1968)
George Hoyningen-Huene
1900 - 1968
Micha Bar-Am (1930)
Micha Bar-Am
1930
Jo Baer (1929)
Jo Baer
1929
Fred Thomas Saberhagen (1930 - 2007)
Fred Thomas Saberhagen
1930 - 2007
George Nelson (1908 - 1986)
George Nelson
1908 - 1986
Wolfgang G. Bühler (1957)
Wolfgang G. Bühler
1957
Alois Erbach (1888 - 1972)
Alois Erbach
1888 - 1972
Heinrich Engel (1900 - 1988)
Heinrich Engel
1900 - 1988
Aleksei Viktorovich Vorobevskii (1906 - 1992)
Aleksei Viktorovich Vorobevskii
1906 - 1992
Oskar Coester (1886 - 1955)
Oskar Coester
1886 - 1955
Elmar Georg Dietz (1902 - 1996)
Elmar Georg Dietz
1902 - 1996
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