“Portrait of Commerce Counselor Ebenstein,” created in 1908 by Oskar Kokoschka, is an oil on canvas painting that falls under the art movement of Expressionism. The artwork portrays a distinguished portrait and is indicative of the Expressionism genre’s typical emotive and dynamic style.
The artwork features a seated elderly gentleman identified as Commerce Counselor Ebenstein. He is depicted with a solemn expression and an air of dignity. The man is dressed in formal attire: a dark suit, a vest, a white shirt, and a tie. His facial features are rendered with pronounced brushstrokes, capturing a sense of depth and character. His hands rest on a chair in front of him, showing age through the detailed depiction of veins and wrinkles. The background is composed of a blend of dark, moody colors that serve to emphasize the figure. Kokoschka’s use of dynamic brushwork and vivid coloring adds an emotional intensity to the portrait, characteristic of the Expressionist movement.
