The Crab 1939 - 1940

Curator: Oskar Kokoschka, born in 1886, painted this piece, titled "The Crab" at an unknown date. It is currently held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It’s visceral. The thick impasto almost makes the scene feel alive and writhing, doesn’t it? The crab seems both menacing and vulnerable. Curator: Kokoschka often explored themes of psychological turmoil and existential anxiety in his work. The crab, a symbol of the unconscious, can be seen as representing hidden fears and desires. Editor: Look at the way the human figures are dwarfed by the landscape and the crab. It suggests the overwhelming power of nature, perhaps even our own internal nature. Curator: Indeed. Kokoschka's expressionistic style, with its distorted forms and jarring colours, reflects the unease of the interwar period. His work often critiqued societal norms and exposed underlying tensions. Editor: It feels like a Jungian dreamscape, doesn't it? Curator: I agree. It's a powerful piece that invites reflection on our place in the world. Editor: Yes, it's a raw and honest portrayal of human experience.