Man and Wife Walking Over a Corpse 1914

Editor: This is "Man and Wife Walking Over a Corpse," a 1914 lithograph by Oskar Kokoschka, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The harsh lines and bleak imagery really create a feeling of despair. What's your take on this piece? Curator: This work, made on the cusp of World War I, isn't just despairing; it’s a brutal commentary on relationships amidst societal collapse. The corpse is both literal and metaphorical—a symbol of destroyed intimacy, perhaps? How does Kokoschka challenge traditional portraiture with this stark representation? Editor: I guess portraiture usually tries to flatter the subjects. Here, they both look pretty grotesque! Do you think it's meant to be a specific couple, or more of a generalized statement? Curator: Knowing Kokoschka, there's likely a personal element here. He had turbulent relationships, and his work often explores the darker sides of human connection. But even if it is personal, it also serves as a broader indictment. How might we interpret this piece through a feminist lens, considering the power dynamics represented? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that. The woman does seem to be… almost dragging behind the man. And the title definitely implies ownership. Curator: Exactly. Kokoschka seems to be questioning the societal roles that contribute to these fractured relationships and highlighting the anxieties around masculinity and femininity in a changing world. He does not only portray; he actively critiques. What is the artwork asking of us? Editor: That's really powerful. I initially just saw it as depressing, but it’s clear that Kokoschka is aiming for something much deeper, questioning established social norms and individual agency. Curator: Precisely! Art like this forces us to confront uncomfortable truths and challenges us to actively re-evaluate how power operates within relationships and society as a whole. I’m leaving with new questions to think about!