Study for ‘Ambassador Ivan Maisky’ 1942

Editor: Here we have Oskar Kokoschka’s study for ‘Ambassador Ivan Maisky.’ It’s a drawing, and the coloured pencils give it a surprisingly light, almost ephemeral quality. What strikes you about this work? Curator: Kokoschka's choice of colored pencils is fascinating. It moves away from the perceived permanence of oil paint. I see this work as a glimpse into the means of production and the making of art. What does this choice of material suggest about his engagement with traditional portraiture? Editor: That’s an interesting angle. It feels almost like a sketch, prioritising process over a finished product. I hadn’t considered the material itself as part of the statement. Curator: Precisely. By using colored pencil, the artist emphasizes the labor and the artistic process, challenging traditional high art notions. Editor: Thank you, I will look at art differently from now on. Curator: And I will keep looking at art with fresh eyes.