Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is still under copyright. Misch Kohn died in 2003; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2073. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
Hawk — Misch Kohn
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 87 at death.
Painted when the artist was 48. The artist lived to 87. 12 of the 17 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Misch Kohn (1916–2003) ▲ this work, 1964 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1940 Main working years: 1940–1964 Late works: from 1964
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/misch-kohn-hawk-AQU2EM-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #3e2f24
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 19 works by this artist, of which 6 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Hawk — Misch Kohn
The Hawk painting by Misch Kohn is a stunning example of modern art that showcases the artist's unique style and technique. Created in 1964, this collage piece is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the United States. The painting features a majestic hawk with its wings spread wide, painted in various colors including blue, red, yellow, and green.
Misch Kohn was an American artist known for his bold and vibrant works of art. His use of collage as a medium adds a unique texture and depth to his paintings. The Hawk painting is a testament to Kohn's experimentation with abstract forms and colors.
The Hawk painting is a beautiful representation of the bird in flight. The hawk's wings are painted in various colors, creating a sense of movement and energy. The background of the painting is filled with various shapes and colors, adding to the overall visual effect. The painting captures the majesty and grace of the hawk in a unique and artistic way.
The use of collage as a medium adds a unique texture and depth to the painting.
The vibrant colors used in the painting create a sense of movement and energy.
The background of the painting is filled with various shapes and colors, adding to the overall visual effect.
Handmade oil paintings reproductions of the Hawk painting by Misch Kohn are available at https://AllPaintingsStore.com. These reproductions are created using high-quality materials and techniques, ensuring that they are both durable and visually stunning. For more information on Misch Kohn and his works, visit /art/list/?Filter=misch+kohn,misch,kohn&.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is home to many other notable works of art, including pieces by Bernard Safran and Boris Gorelick. For more information on these artists and their works, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com.
Artist and museum
Misch Kohn, born Harris Kohn in Kokomo, Indiana on March 26, 1916, to Russian immigrants Jacob and Anna Kohn, embarked on an artistic journey marked by profound engagement with social issues and a masterful exploration of printmaking techniques. His formative years were shaped by the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis where he honed his skills before pursuing further studies at Yale University. Notably, Kohn’s artistic trajectory took a decisive turn during his time at Laszlo Moholy-Nagy’s “New Bauhaus” Institute of Design in Chicago, fostering an innovative approach to graphic art that would define his career.
Early Influences: Kohn's initial exposure to European avant-garde movements—particularly Dada and Surrealism—fueled a desire to challenge conventional artistic norms and embrace emotional intensity as a primary expressive tool.
The WPA Years: Following World War II, Kohn joined the Works Progress Administration (WPA), immersing himself in collaborative projects that addressed pressing social concerns during the era. This experience solidified his commitment to art’s role in shaping public discourse.
Kohn's artistic philosophy centered on pushing the boundaries of printmaking mediums—woodcuts, lithographs, etchings—to convey complex ideas and emotions. He meticulously studied the processes involved, mastering techniques like aquatint and drypoint to achieve nuanced tonal gradations and textural effects. His prints often depicted scenes from everyday life interwoven with symbolic representations of human experience, reflecting a humanist sensibility deeply rooted in his Jewish heritage.
Collaboration with Stanley William Hayter: Kohn’s partnership with Stanley William Hayter at Atelier 17 in New York proved pivotal, introducing him to the principles of etching and fostering experimentation with innovative printing methods.
The Bauhaus Legacy: The influence of Moholy-Nagy's Bauhaus aesthetic—emphasizing geometric abstraction alongside expressive elements—shaped Kohn’s artistic vision and encouraged him to integrate formal considerations into his thematic explorations.
Kohn achieved international acclaim for his distinctive style, characterized by haunting portraits and evocative depictions of urban landscapes during the Second World War. Among his most celebrated pieces are “Season in Hell,” a visceral portrayal of existential angst; “My Grandfather’s Mustache,” which explores themes of memory and identity; “General,” reflecting on the complexities of leadership and responsibility; and “Three Generals,” symbolizing power dynamics and moral dilemmas. His artwork garnered recognition from prominent institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, New York City and the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., cementing his place as a seminal figure in postwar American art.
Misch Kohn died peacefully in Castro Valley, California on February 12, 2003, leaving behind an enduring artistic legacy that continues to inspire contemporary printmakers. His unwavering dedication to exploring the expressive potential of printmaking—combined with his profound engagement with social and psychological themes—established him as a champion of figurative expressionism and a visionary artist who profoundly impacted the trajectory of modern art history. Kohn’s work remains a testament to the transformative power of artistic vision and its capacity to illuminate the human condition.
wahooart.com/en/art/download/misch-kohn-hawk-AQU2EM-en/
Look closely
Hawk — Misch Kohn
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The Preview page of "Hawk" lets you preview the artwork before ordering.
"Hawk" by Misch Kohn was created in 1964.
The AR Preview page of "Hawk" by Misch Kohn uses augmented reality to show the artwork in your own space, on a compatible device.