THEWORLD OF KOKOSCHKA

Halls Modern and Contemporary Art auction is returning this spring with an exciting catalogue of original and unique artworks for sale by world leading artists, both British and international, including names such as Graham Sutherland, Geoffrey Key, Richard Hambleton and Peter Lanyon.

Specialist Abigail Molenaar is thrilled to be offering two fascinating items, with impeccable provenance, by Austrian expressionist of world-renowned fame, Oskar Kokoschka CBE (1886-1980).

Oskar Kokoschka was aleading figure of theexpressionist movement in Europe He was considered acontroversial figure during his lifetime, often criticised for his unconventional style and approach to art. At one of his first exhibitions at the First Viennese Kunstschauin1908, his artworks caused much public outrage and backlash due to theirerotic content and it resulted in his expulsion from the Vienna Academy of Arts and Crafts. He was forced to flee the Nazis who had denounced him as a‘degenerate’ artist, seizing 417 of his paintings and artworks, 16 of which were shown atthe infamous 1937 DegenerateArt Exhibition which displayed works considered to “insult German feeling”.

Throughout his career Kokoschka often met with hostility and criticismfor breaking tradition and conventional artist style, but he is now recognised as one of the most important artists of the 20th Century and is celebrated for the lasting impact thathehas had in Modern Art and the Expressionist movements.

The artist was self-taught and best known for his individual style using distorted forms, with bold, powerful brushstrokes. His portraiture is particularly highly prized for his ability to convey complex inner emotion and turmoil through the sitter.He primarily explored themes of love and relationships and the concept of human struggle and angst coping with themodern world.

Halls Fine Art are delighted to have consigned araretwo-sidedterracotta medallion titled ‘Anima’ /‘Mania’. Anima seemingly depicts an artistatwork on aportrait, and on the verso is the contrasting Mania scene showing two figures in an intimate embrace. The two contrasting scenes reflecting upon two very different juxtaposing emotional states and activities.

The medallion is all the more interesting as it was presented by Kokoschka to Sir Michael Tippett (19051998), composer of AChild of our Time, in 1945 on the occasion of abenefitinaid of the Children of Warsaw at the Royal Albert Hall where Tippett’s oratorio was performed. Artists Augustus John (18781961) and Oskar Kokoschka both donated drawings which were sold to raise money for the cause.

Medallions by Kokoschka are known, but rarely come up for saleonthe open market, this is an exciting opportunity to acquire aspecial piece by asignificant name. Anima /Mania carries an estimate of £800-£1,200 (+fees).

The same collection has yielded an artist proof lithograph Steigendes Pferd which Kokoschka signed and inscribedfor his ex-mistress Anna Kallin, affectionately known as ‘Niouta’. She bequeathed the print to Sir Michael Tippett upon her death in 1984 and both items were later given by Tippett to hislong-serving secretary who settled down in Shropshire. Both pieces will be going under the hammer in Halls Fine Art’s forthcoming Modern and Contemporary Art auction taking place onlinefrom April 21 until May 7.

Halls are accepting consignments forthe auction until the end of March, for afreevaluation contact fineart@ hallsgbcom, all items will be on public view April 24-25.