This original 1972 Olympic poster by the renowned Austrian Expressionist Oskar Kokoschka was created as part of the official art series for the Munich Olympic Games. Featuring Kokoschka’s signature expressive style, the piece embodies the spirit of athleticism through raw emotion, movement, and energy, diverging from conventional depictions of sports in favor of a deeply human and artistic interpretation.
At the center of the composition, a loosely sketched, elongated male figure emerges in vibrant strokes of red, yellow, blue, and green, his posture slightly slouched, evoking a sense of reflection, exhaustion, or quiet contemplation. The dynamic lines and patches of pastel-like color, applied in a free-flowing manner, convey both the physical exertion of an athlete and the psychological intensity of competition. His facial features are indistinct yet powerful, capturing the transient emotions that accompany the Olympic experience.
The background, an abstract blur of blended colors and textured patches, suggests movement and vitality, reinforcing the painting’s fluid, almost dreamlike quality. Kokoschka, known for his bold use of color and line to express emotion, brings a unique and deeply personal artistic voice to the Munich Olympic series.
The minimal typography at the bottom, reading “Olympische Spiele München 1972,” maintains the clean, modern aesthetic of the Olympic branding, while the iconic Olympic rings and the Munich Games emblem subtly anchor the piece in its historical context.
This poster exemplifies Kokoschka’s lifelong commitment to capturing the human condition, elevating the Olympic athlete beyond mere physicality and into the realm of artistic expression. Unlike more traditional sports posters, this artwork does not glorify victory but rather celebrates the internal and external struggles of human endeavor, making it a profound and timeless addition to the Munich 1972 Olympic Art Series.
Olympic Games - Sport - Abstract - Germany
Printed by Olympia in Germany
Good condition
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