Oskar & Alma

"The two of us with a very strong, peaceful expression, hand in hand, on the edge within a semicircle sea, lit by Bengal fire, water-tower, mountains, lightning and moon."

-Oskar Kokoschka 


After being widowed a year prior, Alma Mahler began a very passionate yet tumultuous love affair with artist Oskar Kokoschka. the dynamics of the relationship can be seen in many of the artists paintings during the time period, such as Two Nudes (Lovers) -- which depicts the two embracing yet moving away from one another. Kokoschka's intense possessiveness wore on Mahler, and the emotional vicissitudes of the relationship tired them both. In 1914 Mahler rejected him, stating that she was afraid of becoming too overcome with passion. Kokoschka's love for her continued nevertheless and he painted Bride of the Wind (The Tempest) [above] as a bizarre tribute to her and the relationship they shared. His poem Allos Markar, translated: Happiness is Otherwise, was also inspired by the relationship and is actually an anagram of their two names -- Oskar & Alma. Bride of the Wind depicts the former lovers lying naked from the waist up, entwined on a type of shell like vessel, seemingly floating on turbulent waves.  The expressions and body language of the two contrast immensely and clearly illustrate their individual characters. Mahler is lying sideways, blissfully asleep. Her face appears serene; oblivious to the crashing waters around them. On the other hand Kokoschka lies still, devoid of sleep and seemingly staring into space -- as if he were consumed with worry. Kokoschka captured universal emotions that most everyone can connect to in some way -- emotions that have been copied numerous times in all forms of art. One notable example being a promotional photo for the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Sources:
http://ezinearticles.com/?His-Most-Famous-Painting-(Bride-of-the-Wind)---Oskar-Kokoschka&id=2724706
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Kokoschka
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55094.asp