Oskar Kokoschka is regarded the greatest talent of Austrian Expressionism, not only as a painter and graphic artist of international standing, but also as an author of poems, essays and plays (e.g. "Mörder, Hoffnung der Frauen", 1909) did Oskar Kokoschka render tremendous achievements.
Initially influenced by Viennese Art Nouveau, Oskar Kokoschka would soon abandon the decorative style, in order to attain a dynamic, expressionist style. In the loud style that dominated his early period Oskar Kokoschka, who lived in a passionate relation with Alma, the young widow of Gustav Mahler, referenced the elementary conflicts of the human soul and the ardent battle of the sexes. Oskar Kokoschka's remarkable uninterrupted maturation finally culminated in a deep late work dominated by biblical and mythological topics.
The Austrian government has been awarding particularly commendable talents the Oskar-Kokoschka-Prize since the 1980s and thereby honors the internationally most renowned Austrian expressionist.