This picture most likely depicts the view from the window of Kokoschka’s studio in Dresden, from which he enjoyed a splendid view of the Elbe River, its bridges, and the houses on the far shore. The three elements of the landscape—water, embankment, and sky—are suggested by bold patches of bright color, and the simple, strongly horizontal composition emphasizes the low buildings and the river’s edge. Painted between 1919, when Kokoschka moved to Dresden, and 1921, this painting is one of the earliest works by the artist to have been acquired by a U.S. museum.
Details
| Artist | Oskar Kokoschka, Austrian, 1886-1980 |
|---|---|
| Title |
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| Date | ca. 1921 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | Unframed: 23 1/2 × 31 1/2 inches (59.7 × 80 cm) Framed: 28 3/16 × 36 1/8 × 1 1/2 inches (71.6 × 91.8 × 3.8 cm) |
| Credit Line | City of Detroit Purchase |
| Accession Number | 21.203 |
| Department | European Modern Art to 1950 |
| On View | Modern N230, Level 2 (see map) |
Signed, Marks, Inscriptions
| Signed | Signed, lower left: O K |
|---|
Provenance
1921-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)
Published References
German Painting and Sculpture. Exh. cat., Museum of Modern Art. New York, 1931, no. 52.
Hoffman, E. Kokoschka-Life and Work. London, 1947, no. 125. [as Dresden I]
Retrospective Exhibition of Oskar Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Institute of Contemporary Art. Boston, 1949, no. 26 (ill.).
Oskar Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Haus der Kunst. Munich, 1958, no. 48.
Oskar Kokoschka, the Work of the Painter. Exh. cat., Galerie Welz. Salzburg, 1958, p. 309, no. 135.
German Expressionism. Exh. cat., Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts. Columbus, Ohio, 1961, no. 43.
Bultman, B. Oskar Kokoschka. London, 1961, pp. 70-71 (ill.). [as Dresden New own II, dated 1921]
Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Tate Gallery. London, 1962, no. 58 (pl. 19).
Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Marlborough-Gerson Gallery. New York, 1966, p. 41, no. 21 (ill.).
Erwerbungsberichte, vol. II. Hamburg, Germany, 1966, p. 172, no. 11.
Cinco Siglos de Obras Maestras. Exh. cat., Museo de Jade. San Jose, Costa Rica, 1978, pp. 24, 51 (ill.).
Uhr, H. Masterpieces of German Expressionism at the Detroit Institute of Arts. New York, 1982, p. 122 (ill.).
Hoffman, E. Kokoschka-Life and Work. London, 1947, no. 125. [as Dresden I]
Retrospective Exhibition of Oskar Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Institute of Contemporary Art. Boston, 1949, no. 26 (ill.).
Oskar Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Haus der Kunst. Munich, 1958, no. 48.
Oskar Kokoschka, the Work of the Painter. Exh. cat., Galerie Welz. Salzburg, 1958, p. 309, no. 135.
German Expressionism. Exh. cat., Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts. Columbus, Ohio, 1961, no. 43.
Bultman, B. Oskar Kokoschka. London, 1961, pp. 70-71 (ill.). [as Dresden New own II, dated 1921]
Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Tate Gallery. London, 1962, no. 58 (pl. 19).
Kokoschka. Exh. cat., Marlborough-Gerson Gallery. New York, 1966, p. 41, no. 21 (ill.).
Erwerbungsberichte, vol. II. Hamburg, Germany, 1966, p. 172, no. 11.
Cinco Siglos de Obras Maestras. Exh. cat., Museo de Jade. San Jose, Costa Rica, 1978, pp. 24, 51 (ill.).
Uhr, H. Masterpieces of German Expressionism at the Detroit Institute of Arts. New York, 1982, p. 122 (ill.).