Oskar Kokoschka and Alma Mahler met in April of 1912. The major part of the correspondence is concentrated in the period from immediately following their meeting in 1912 until the summer of 1915, by which time their romantic relationship had come to an end (these items exist as typed transcripts made at the direction of Alma Mahler); Kokoschka reported for military duty in Jan. 1915, and Alma Mahler married Walter Gropius later that year. After that time there are 8 additional letters from Kokoschka in the period 1916 to 1922 (transcripts); 1 letter dated 1957; 2 telegrams (1916 and 1964); and 6 postcards. Kokoschka speaks often of his feelings for and perception of Alma, sometimes in very poetic language (a particularly striking example is his letter of 3. Jan. 1913 in which he speculates that he and Alma have a similar relationship to nature, and that Alma's inner music lies in the natural movements of the landscape). In addition, external events are sometimes registered, including the production of a play at the Freie Volksbühne (letter of July 1912); his work on portraits and other commissions (his drawings of Karl Kraus are mentioned several times); and his paintings of himself and Alma (including Die Windsbraut). 3 communications in 1914 contain poetry, as he was beginning to write Wehmann und Windsbraut. In the letters to the end of 1914, Alma's daughter, Anna Mahler ("Gucki"), is frequently mentioned, reflecting Kokoschka's interactions with her; and Henriette Amalie ("Lilly") Lieser, a close friend of Alma's at that time, is also mentioned a number of times. The letters in 1915 refer, on occasion, to Kokoschka's life in the military. The transcripts of letters (1912-1922) include explanatory annotations in Alma Mahler's hand. In a draft of 1 letter, dated around 1956, Alma Mahler reflects on their relationship. Kokoschka's letter of 1957 was written just prior to a visit to the U.S. In addition, transcripts of the following 2 items are included: 1 note from Kokoschka to Paul Cassirer, dated 1914, in which Kokoschka pithily expresses his wish that the new German art should soon be liberated from Cassirer's influence; and 1 undated letter from Arno Nadel to Kokoschka, in which Nadel expresses admiration for Kokoschka and includes a poem ("Zeichnung von Kokoschka"). Also included are a photograph of Kokoschka as a young man, and 3 clippings about him: 1 is an excerpt from the book Die grossen Namen by Prince Konstantin von Bayern (1956); 1 is from Der Spiegel of 1962; and 1 is an article from Time, dated 1969, about Kokoschka's art in the context of his relationship with Alma Mahler.
