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

Johann Nepomuk Rauch (1804 - 1847)
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Balthasar Ferdinand Moll (1717 - 1785)
Balthasar Ferdinand Moll
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Heinrich Salzmann (1959)
Heinrich Salzmann
1959
Karl Otto Cheshka (1878 - 1960)
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1878 - 1960
Siegfried Anzinger (1953)
Siegfried Anzinger
1953
Alois Hans Schram (1864 - 1919)
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1864 - 1919
Joseph Eduard Telcher (1801 - 1837)
Joseph Eduard Telcher
1801 - 1837
Adolf Hölzel (1853 - 1934)
Adolf Hölzel
1853 - 1934
Roland Goeschl (1932 - 2016)
Roland Goeschl
1932 - 2016
Robert Ullmann (1903 - 1966)
Robert Ullmann
1903 - 1966
Utz Rothe (1940)
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1940
Valentin Oman (1935)
Valentin Oman
1935
August von Pettenkofen (1822 - 1889)
August von Pettenkofen
1822 - 1889
Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess (1769 - 1849)
Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess
1769 - 1849
Jacob van Schuppen (1670 - 1751)
Jacob van Schuppen
1670 - 1751
Herbert Albrecht (1927 - 2021)
Herbert Albrecht
1927 - 2021

Creators Degenerate art

Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888 - 1965)
Thomas Stearns Eliot
1888 - 1965
Rashit Garifovich Maksyutov (1925 - 1997)
Rashit Garifovich Maksyutov
1925 - 1997
Vladimir Herceg-Pustodolčan (1947)
Vladimir Herceg-Pustodolčan
1947
Eleonore Peduzzi-Riva (1936)
Eleonore Peduzzi-Riva
1936
Max Gubler (1898 - 1973)
Max Gubler
1898 - 1973
U Hla Shein (1904 - 1979)
U Hla Shein
1904 - 1979
Nguyen Tu Nghiem (1922 - 2016)
Nguyen Tu Nghiem
1922 - 2016
Kunibert Fritz (1937)
Kunibert Fritz
1937
Gerson Fehrenbach (1932 - 2004)
Gerson Fehrenbach
1932 - 2004
Martin Krampen (1928 - 2015)
Martin Krampen
1928 - 2015
Luigi Marengo (1928 - 2010)
Luigi Marengo
1928 - 2010
Jane Peterson (1876 - 1965)
Jane Peterson
1876 - 1965
Vera Mercer (1936)
Vera Mercer
1936
Lothar Quinte (1923 - 2000)
Lothar Quinte
1923 - 2000
Zenzaburo Kojima (1893 - 1962)
Zenzaburo Kojima
1893 - 1962
Friedrich Schaper (1869 - 1956)
Friedrich Schaper
1869 - 1956
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