Oskar Kokoschka

Born in Pöchlarn, Austria, in 1886, he became one of the most distinctive figures of early Expressionism. He studied at Vienna’s School of Arts and Crafts and quickly drew attention for art and writing that felt intense, restless, and completely unlike the polite styles around him. Alongside painting, he also wrote plays and was closely connected with the lively artistic world of early 20th-century Vienna.

His portraits and cityscapes are known for their nervous energy, bold color, and emotional honesty. After being seriously wounded in World War I, he continued to work across Europe, but the rise of the Nazis forced him into exile. He eventually settled in Switzerland, while his work came to be recognized internationally through major exhibitions and museum collections.

He died in 1980, leaving behind a body of work that feels both deeply personal and historically important. Today he is remembered not only as a major painter, but also as an artist who used modern art to explore feeling, memory, and the pressures of his time.