Oskar Kokoschka
- Born:
- March 1, 1886, Pöchlarn, Austria-Hungary
- Died:
- February 22, 1980, Montreux, Switzerland
- Nationality:
- Austrian, British (after 1947)
- Profession(s):
- Painter, Printmaker, Poet, Playwright
Early Life and Education
- Born to Gustav Kokoschka, a goldsmith, and Maria Romana Loidl.
- Studied at the Kunstgewerbeschule (School of Applied Arts) in Vienna from 1905 to 1909.
- Initially worked in the Wiener Werkstätte, designing postcards and fans.
Career and Major Achievements
- Developed an expressionistic style characterized by psychological portraits and turbulent landscapes.
- Served in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I, suffering severe injuries.
- Taught at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts from 1919 to 1924.
- Traveled extensively throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East during the 1920s and 1930s.
- His work was declared "degenerate" by the Nazis, and he fled to Prague in 1934, then to London in 1938.
- Became a British citizen in 1947.
- Established the "School of Vision" in Salzburg in 1953.
Notable Works
- Self-Portrait with Crossed Arms (1923)
- The Tempest (Die Windsbraut) (1914)
- Dresden (Frauenkirche) (1919-1923)
- Numerous portraits of prominent figures.
- Stage designs and theatrical productions.
Legacy and Impact
Oskar Kokoschka was a pivotal figure in the development of Expressionism, known for his intense psychological portraits and politically charged works. His influence extends across painting, printmaking, and theater. This entry provides a brief overview of his distinguished career, suitable for a reference work on notable figures in art history; a comprehensive "austrian jewish artists biography" would further detail his life and artistic contributions.