- Year of birth: 1 March 1886
- Date of death: 22 Feb 1980
- Country: Austria
Biography:
Scandal, another scandal and… silence…
Sometimes I read about the life of a great man and I’m amazed at how many contradictions and incompatible events. Oskar Kokoschka – a complete scandal, a challenge to society, an emotional explosion and a provocation.
In Austria-Hungary there were only two nationalities: Austrian and Hungarian. Everything else is “so much” means nothing. When one country fifty lives of various people, to consider them all is exhausting. It today for the right to consider Kokoschka his fighting Austria and the Czech Republic, and then… a boy from a family of poor goldsmith, was born in a small town. On the one hand, the town in Austria, on the other – his father was a representative of the famous Czech jewelry of the dynasty.
A special child Oscar history was not included. Studied hard, at the insistence of his father after school he entered the chemical engineering program. Drew sometimes, but more for myself. His funny images distorted by suffering face, human body parts, types of Windows puzzling as companions to learning, and teachers. One day, one of the most conservative teachers of chemistry thrown carelessly to his disciple: “All this ugliness will be a success in Vienna. The world has gone crazy, send them to the competition these abnormal”.
For the sake of curiosity rather than hoping for the prize, Kokoschka refers to the contest of the Vienna school of crafts. A month later, as the winner of creative competition, Oscar was enrolled in the students with a scholarship from the Vienna Academy.
“Art” the young master was occupied Vienna. First it was noticed by Klimt, then the patrons had imposed on the architect Loos. People were not just visible in the art world, and the most influential and respected masters. The very first operation was a success with a refined audience, but it turned out that Kokoschka and even a writer. His plays, which he designed as a decorator, was a scandalous one another. Criticism smashed it on the pages of Newspapers, and the public flocked to the performances.
One of the exhibitions was visited by the Austrian Emperor. Near the work of Kokoschka, the monarch frowned. Enough to the next day Oscar was deprived of a scholarship and dropped out students. But to take away his glory could no longer.
The fame of the young artist and playwright grew up, there were groupies. With indefatigable perseverance Kokoschka love wins one victory after another. All this until, has not yet found her true “Muse” – the widow of the great Mahler. Pair of aroused universal interest. Love story interrupted by the First World war.
Captured and being several times wounded, Kokoschka was recognized as the military doctors of the unbalanced type, which it is impossible to give up arms. With this diagnosis he appeared in Vienna.
Followed the exhibitions, one, two… All of a sudden realized (critics in particular) that “the Czech” – a great artist… But here in Europe are starting to change the mood. The Nazis come to power in Italy, Nazis in Germany… the Work of Oscar falls under the definition of Goebbels – a degenerative. All works removed from the Museum’s collections, life is harder… “Hiding” at first in the Czech Republic, two years later, Kokoschka and forced to leave the land of their ancestors. He goes to England.
The conservative country did not need “the arts” foreign artist. The war years were marked by poverty and a random execution of orders.
But already in 1945 began the triumphant return of Kokoschka in the homeland. Museums, that refused his work, now dedicate his work the whole room. The Professor, who until recently only as “degenerate” didn’t call him enthusiastic about his new work…
Life is getting better… In Austria Oskar Kokoschka left, he was sick of all the environment. Having spent some time at the Vienna Academy, the artist moved to Switzerland.
The last thirty years of his life were spent quietly and very decently. Kokoschka seemed to become another person. And only his work remains the same as in 20-e years: fabulous, vivid, emotional, and mysterious.
After the death of the great expressionist, his name was named the most prestigious award in the field of contemporary painting. True.