Egon Schiele

Egon Schiele, an Austrian painter, is renowned for his raw and provocative artworks that epitomize the emotional intensity and psychological depth of Expressionism.

Intense and Provocative Style

Schiele developed a distinctive style characterized by bold lines, exaggerated forms, and a raw emotional intensity. His artworks often depict figures in contorted poses, conveying a sense of inner turmoil and existential angst.

Exploration of the Human Psyche

Schiele delved into the depths of the human psyche, exploring themes of sexuality, mortality, and the fragility of the self. His self-portraits, in particular, offer a glimpse into his own inner struggles and emotional vulnerabilities.

Controversial Subject Matter

Schiele’s provocative depictions of the human body and sexuality sparked controversy during his lifetime. His frank exploration of taboo subjects challenged societal norms and conventions, earning him both admiration and condemnation from his contemporaries.

Influence of Gustav Klimt

Schiele was heavily influenced by the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, particularly in his early years. He adopted Klimt’s use of decorative patterning and symbolism but later developed a more expressive and psychologically charged style of his own.

Legacy

Despite his short life (he died at the age of 28), Schiele’s impact on the development of Expressionism and modern art was profound. His bold and provocative artworks continue to captivate viewers with their emotional intensity and raw honesty, cementing his legacy as one of the Masters of Expressionism.

Egon Schiele

Jane Kallir

Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele produced a prolific body of work before his early death at the age of twenty-eight in 1918. The oeuvre is comprised of a few hundred oil paintings and thousands of drawings and watercolors.

Schiele’s oils have often been reproduced and are well recognized. However, limited access to the fragile works on paper and dispersion among several collections have made for an unbalanced representation of his work as a draftsman.

This book assembles drawings and watercolors from public and private collections and reproduces work from every year of the artist’s career, beginning with the juvenilia and early academic studies. The focus means that work that is rarely reproduced is represented extensively, providing a unique opportunity to study the rapid artistic development of Schiele over the course of his brief twelve-year career.

The book is organized chronologically and divided into year-by-year sections. Each section includes a text that discusses the major events in Schiele’s life and the interrelation between the artist’s drawing and developments in his oil painting. Features a previously unpublished Schiele watercolor and several works that have never been reproduced in color. Over 350 color illustrations.

ISBN 0500511160