Notes

In this lithograph depicting Delphiniums, Oskar Kokoschka’s artistic approach reflects his early training in decorative arts. Born in Austria in 1886, Kokoschka initially attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna on a scholarship. However, he grew dissatisfied with the program’s exclusive focus on decorative arts, which diverged from his profound interest in portraying the human form. Kokoschka’s distinctive style, characterized by the use of colour and line to convey emotion, is exemplified in this artwork.

During the 1920s, Kokoschka embarked on extensive travels, eventually settling in Prague in 1937 before relocating to London in 1938 due to the persecution by the Nazi regime. His works from the World War II era, marked by antiwar sentiments and a focus on the human cost of conflict, garnered recognition. Kokoschka’s artistic contributions continued until his passing in 1980, and his legacy as an Expressionist artist left a lasting influence on subsequent generations.

Today, Kokoschka’s artworks are prominently featured in esteemed museums around the world.

Literature

Hans M Wingler and Friedrich Welz (1975) Oskar Kokoschka - Das druckgraphische Werk, Galerie Welz Verlag: Salzburg, cat. no. 513.