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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Oskar Kokoschka

Oskar Kokoschka