Sabarsky, Serge — Oskar Kokoschka

Europalia, 1987 Paperback. 231 pages. Text in several languages. Clean, tight and fresh copy. A retrospective exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints by the Austrian expressionist painter Kokoschka (1886-1980) was held in Belgium. Kokoschka played a leading role in Vienna around the turn of the century, and this accompanying catalogue emphasises that pioneering role at an important moment in European cultural history. It contains 2 philosophical and programmatic texts by the painter himself (one from 1912 on art education) and texts by various authors, including on his influence on the renewal of theatre and on his friendship with the poet Ehrenstein. The texts are short and accessible and, together with the 56 paintings and 76 drawings in colour, provide a solid introduction to an important artist. Text in Dutch and French.