• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

  • Art & Artists
  • Art Connection Activities
  • Art Teacher Tips
  • Elements & Principles
  • Downloads & Resources
Home
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
    • Art & Artists
    • Elements & Principles
    • Art Connection Activities
    • Art Teacher Tips
    • Downloads & Resources
  • Book
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

oskar kokoscka

February 8, 2016 Leave a Comment

Art About Love: Oskar Kokoschka’s The Bride of the Wind

The Art Curator for Kids - Art About Love - Kokoschka

I was planning another Art About Love post for Valentine’s Day when I came across a painting I had never seen before that totally captivated me with its depth of emotion and painterly style. This artwork deserves its own post and some more thorough examination.

The Art Curator for Kids - Art About Love - Kokoschka

Take a closer look at The Bride of the Wind by Oskar Kokoscka, and think about it for yourself before reading on.

The Art Curator for Kids - Oskar Kokoschka - The Bride of the Wind - Art About Love
Oscar Kokoschka, The Bride of the Wind, 1914

Questions to Ask

Use these questions to guide your and your students into a deeper discussion of this artwork.

  • What is going on in this painting? What do you see that makes you say that?
  • Who are these two people? What is their relationship? How can you tell?
  • How does the man feel right now? How does the woman feel? Compare and contrast the two figures. 
  • What emotions do you feel or notice? What choices did the artist make to contribute to that emotion?
  • Describe the colors and lines in this painting. How do they contribute to the emotion?
  • Is this relationship permanent or temporary? How do you know?
  • How does the artwork fit its title? What does wind imply? 

Art Interpretation Poetry Activity

Because of the heightened emotion and dramatic use of the elements of art and principles of design, this painting is perfect for a poetry writing activity. In my art appreciation worksheets bundle, there are multiple printable poetry activities, but I think the “I am.. Character Poem” would work well for this artwork.

In this activity, you have multiple prompts like “I am…” “I wonder..” “I see…” “I hear…” “I say…” “I feel…” “I dream…” and students fill in responses based on the artwork,

Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle

This art worksheets bundle from the Art Class Curator includes 25 ready-to-use art worksheets for use with individual works of art. The worksheets for art in this document are designed to work with lots of different types of artworks, so you can just pick an artwork, print a worksheet, and start the activity. Each has instructions at the top and plenty of space to do the activity.

Buy Now

Compare and Contrast Activity

I first discovered this artwork when I was flipping through Varieties of Visual Experience by Edmund Burke Feldman (a book I highly recommend btw). The author compares the depiction of love in this artwork with Chagall’s Birthday. Both of them show love causing the couple to levitate and swirl but Chagall’s depiction is sweet and romantic while Kokoschka’s is torrid and complicated.

Kokoschka and Chagall - Compare and Contrast
(left) Oscar Kokoschka, The Bride of the Wind, 1914 (right) Marc Chagall, Birthday, 1915-23

Ask your students: How does Kokoschka’s depiction of love differ from Chagall’s?

Art Information

This painting highlights the man and his intense feelings towards the woman. You can see he loves her but knows the relationship won’t last. This painting is a self-portrait of the artist with Alma Mahler, the widow of composer Gustav Mahler. He loved her passionately and featured her in much of his art, but when they broke up, his art becomes more dramatic and unstable.

Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

Join the List

Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: oskar kokoscka

 

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Cindy Ingram, the creator of Art Class Curator and The Curated Connections Library

I’m on a mission to revolutionize education with the power of life-changing art connections. Art is not “extra”. Art is essential. We are empowering teachers to bridge the gap between art making and art connection, kindling a passion for art that will transform generations.

More About Me

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Download

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Enrollment in Curated Connections Library is currently open. Click here to join. Join our list to get more information and to get a free lesson from the vault! If you are purchasing for a school or school district, head over here for more information.

Check Out What’s New In The Shop

Experience Art: Engaging Art Criticism Discussions and Activities for Teachers and Students of All Ages
Call to Art: An Un-Conference for Art Educators
Curated Connections Library Membership
Perspectives High School Curriculum

More Products

Have You Listened to the Latest Podcast Episode?

Falling for Naudline Pierre’s Evocative Art: A Conversation with Madalyn (Part 2)

More Episodes

Testimonials

I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs, feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."
Erin A.
Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!
Denise W.
Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!
Melissa G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
Caroline G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.
Maryjane F.

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

Enter your email address to get regular art inspiration to your inbox
plus a BUNDLE OF 6 FREE WORKSHEETS!
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.
Download

Free Worksheets!

*Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets*

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Copyright © 2025 Ignite Art, LLC DBA Art Class Curator •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy Policy  •  Terms of Service  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs