“**Loreley**,” crafted by Oskar Kokoschka between 1941 and 1942, belongs to the Expressionism movement and measures 63.5 x 76.4 cm. It is classified as a literary painting.
The artwork vividly depicts a tumultuous maritime scene, marked by bold, emotive brushstrokes characteristic of the Expressionist style. Dominating the composition is a female figure adorned in a red garment, presumed to be Loreley, a mythological siren famed for bewitching sailors with her beauty and song. The chaotic sea surrounds her, teeming with dramatic action – ships are tossed by fierce waves while mythical figures, including a trident-bearing merman, vie against the stormy backdrop. The sky, laden with swirling colors of yellow, purple, and grey, accentuates the overall mood of turmoil and enchantment. The figures within the scene are portrayed with distorted, expressive features, enhancing the narrative’s intensity and evoking a sense of impending doom.