Accession Number
55570
Medium
Charcoal, with stumping, laid down on cream wove paper
Dimensions
47.8 × 33.2 cm (18 7/8 × 13 1/8 in.)
Classification
charcoal
Credit Line
Anonymous gift in honor of Dr. John Gedo
Background & Context
Background Story
Oskar Kokoschka's Alma Mahler (1913) is a charcoal drawing with stumping on cream wove paper depicting the famous Viennese beauty and composer's wife. Kokoschka had a passionate and tumultuous affair with Alma Mahler, and this portrait captures her with the intensity of his personal involvement. The charcoal technique is energetic and sensitive, the features rendered with both passion and penetration.
Cultural Impact
Kokoschka's portraits of Alma Mahler are among the most intense works of his career, documents of a legendary love affair.
Why It Matters
This charcoal portrait of Alma Mahler captures the intensity of Kokoschka's personal involvement with his subject.
