“The Supplicant,” created by Oskar Kokoschka in 1914, is a notable piece within the Expressionism movement. This illustration belongs to the series titled “O Eternity – Thou Word of Thunder (Bach Cantata).” The artwork captures the intense emotional expression, characteristic of the Expressionist style.
The artwork depicts a kneeling figure with an anguished and pleading expression, hands raised towards the heavens. Dark, swirling strokes dominate the background, creating a sense of turmoil and dramatic tension. The use of stark contrasts in light and shadow emphasizes the figure’s form and its emotional intensity. The figure appears consumed by a mix of desperation and hope, embodying the essence of a supplicant’s fervent prayer or plea. Overall, the composition is marked by dynamic lines and an evocative atmosphere, quintessential to Kokoschka’s Expressionist vision.