Die träumenden Knaben [The Dreaming Boys]
About this artwork
This is Kokoschka's first major graphic work. 'Die traümenden Knaben' was made following a commission to produce a children's book. Reactions to the book were mixed, partly due to the erotic imagery. The use of stylization, distorted figures and a folk-art style look forward to Expressionism. Japanese woodcuts were also an inspiration, as can be seen in the way Kokoschka uses black outlines and flat areas of bright colours. Kokoschka dedicated the book to Gustav Klimt, who was a leading Austrian artist at the time and a powerful influence on him.
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:Die träumenden Knaben [The Dreaming Boys]
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date created:1908; published 1917
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materials:Book with eight colour lithographs with three black and white lithographs
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measurements:24.10 x 29.50 cm (page size)
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1990
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accession number:GMA 3552
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Oskar Kokoschka
Oskar Kokoschka
Kokoschka studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna from 1905 to 1909, where he also worked for the Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshops). Although his early work was part of the 'art nouveau' movement in Vienna, he soon developed into Austria's leading expressionist painter,...