Kokoschka, Oskar
Owl, 1944
Colored pencil on paper, mounted on Japanese paper
Monogrammed and dated lower right
Sheet size unopened: 22,7 x 29,2
Despite Kokoschka's ironic saying, "Life is not a still life," the viewer may be puzzled by the mystery of his owl: is it a living animal looking at the viewer, or is it a carcass lying flat on a tabletop in the manner of memento mori? It is a testament to Kokoschka's talent that his drawing not only shows his technical skill, but also leaves room for a variety of interpretations.
The drawing will be included in the oeuvre catalog of drawings and watercolors being prepared by the Albertina Graphic Collection (Alfred Weidinger and Alice Strobl). Provenance: Johann Winkler (author of the catalog raisonné of Oskar Kokoschka's paintings, gift of the artist) / Private collection, Austria.
