[Audio Guide]
Oskar Kokoschika’s artistic talents were recognized early on by Gustav Klimt. In contrast to Klimt’s gorgeously decorative style however, Kokoschika astutely observed his own interiority, projecting profoundly violent emotional states onto his works. The upper half of Kokoschika’s body is twisted diagonally, glaring out of the painting at the viewer. Thickly applied, with vigorous brushstrokes, the earth-toned pigments in this work seem to retain the artist’s sentiments. The following text is written on the back of the painting: “I stare out of this painting. You see me.” This is what Kokoschika said to his lover at the time, Alma, who was the widow of composer Gustav Mahler. However, theirs was a brief affair. Shortly after the completion of this work, Kokoschika joined the military in order to get over his broken heart.
