The Awakenings (1917) by Oskar Kokoschka

The Awakenings - Oskar Kokoschka - 1917

Artwork Information

TitleThe Awakenings
ArtistOskar Kokoschka
Date1917
Art MovementNaïve Art (Primitivism)

About The Awakenings

“The Awakenings” is an artwork by Oskar Kokoschka, completed in 1917. It belongs to the art movement known as Naïve Art (Primitivism) and is categorized under the genre of illustration. The piece forms part of the series “The Dreaming Boys,” illustrating the vivid, emotive style for which Kokoschka is recognized.

The artwork presents a dreamlike landscape populated by figures that are rendered in a style characterized by a deliberate disregard for formal accuracy. The composition is dominated by bold colors and fragmented forms. A dark, night sky sets the backdrop, punctuated by stars and an abstract representation of a crescent moon. Irregular, yellow tree-like forms emerge from the landscape, intertwined with red bursts that possibly symbolize blossoms or life force.

To the left, an elongated, naked figure with elongated limbs and a mask-like face raises one arm skyward, capturing the viewer’s attention with a distinctly expressive pose. This figure stands on a patch of green, suggesting a connection to the earth. Centrally, there is a figure with a detailed, tree-like structure for a torso, seated against a brown backdrop. Its gesture implies an offering or an interaction with the surrounding environment.

To the right, two more figures are visible. One lies on a blue shape—perhaps a body of water or a blanket—displaying body language that suggests sleep or surrender. The other sits upright, with hands placed over the ears as if blocking out sound, or perhaps symbolically refusing to hear something. The colors chosen for this section of the artwork—vibrant red, yellow, and green against the blue—create a stark contrast with the dark skyline.

Each figure in the artwork appears detached from the others, reinforcing a sense of individual experience within the collective dreamscape. The use of simple, almost childlike lines and shapes conveys a sense of raw emotion and primitive energy, characteristic of the Naïve Art movement. The figures’ faces are simplified, further emphasizing the primordial and universal emotions that Kokoschka seeks to evoke.

Oskar Kokoschka’s signature “OK” can be found in the lower right corner of the composition, serving as a discreet testament to his authorship of this evocative piece. Overall, “The Awakenings” stands as a vivid manifestation of the artist’s inner visions and a notable example of early 20th-century avant-garde illustration.

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