Resurrection - Oskar Kokoschka

A powerful 1916 lithograph by Oskar Kokoschka, capturing the raw, emotive energy of the Expressionist movement during the First World War.

This lithograph by Oskar Kokoschka, titled Resurrection, appeared in the periodical Der Bildermann on 20 October 1916. During this period, Kokoschka was recovering from severe injuries sustained during the First World War, an experience that heavily influenced his artistic output. The work displays the raw, emotive line quality characteristic of his graphic production, where figures are rendered with a sense of urgency and psychological tension. The composition depicts a central standing figure, surrounded by others in various states of movement or repose. The artist employs a stark, high-contrast approach, using dense, gestural marks to define the forms against a dark, ambiguous background. The figures appear elongated and angular, typical of the Expressionist style, which prioritised the communication of internal states over anatomical precision. The scene conveys a sense of spiritual or existential awakening, consistent with the themes of renewal often explored by artists working in the shadow of the Great War. Kokoschka’s draughtsmanship here is immediate and unrefined, reflecting the rapid execution often found in his lithographic work. The lack of traditional perspective creates a flattened, stage-like space, forcing the viewer to focus on the interaction between the central figure and the surrounding group. This print serves as a record of the artist's engagement with the cultural and political climate of mid-war Europe, capturing a moment of profound personal and collective reflection. The work is signed with the artist's initials, OK, in the lower right corner, a mark that became synonymous with his distinctive approach to modern art.