The exhibition of Oskar Kokoschka was another in a series of expositions featuring the pioneers of modern art of the 20th century. Though initially associated with the Vienna Secession, the artist gradually evolved towards Expressionism.

He was both a painter and a writer – his play entitled Murder. Hope of Women created a scandal when published in 1909. His artistic creation was heavily influenced by Gustav Klimt and the architect Adolf Loos. A relationship with the artist Alma Mahler lasting over a number of years was also of great importance – her figure as well as a motif of domination and female’s triumph over men often appear in Kokoschka’s works from the period.

Kokoschka’s portraits and drawings were particularly interesting. Known to have a reputation of a “soul ripper”, instead of pursuing veracity and similarities, Kokoschka focused on presentation of a model’s psychological complexity and interiority of their soul.