Pictures of

Egon Schiele

Obscene and Distorted

Egon Schiele was born on June 12, 1890, in Tulln, Austria. He was an Austrian painter and a central figure of Expressionism. Schiele showed exceptional artistic talent at an early age and began his training at the Vienna School of Applied Arts. He later studied at the renowned Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.

Already during his studies, Schiele developed his own style, which was characterized by an intense and expressive depiction of the human body. His works often featured distorted proportions, bold lines, and a clear emphasis on the emotional states of his models.

In 1911, Schiele and other artists, including Gustav Klimt, founded the "Neukunstgruppe" to distance themselves from traditional art institutions and seek a freer and more experimental form of expression. Schiele was particularly devoted to depicting nudes and self-portraits, which were provocative and taboo-breaking and often perceived as controversial.

Schiele's work was viewed critically by the society of his time, and he came into conflict with the authorities on several occasions over alleged obscenity in his works. Despite these challenges and opposition, however, he quickly gained recognition in artistic circles and found support from collectors and patrons.

In 1912, Schiele became a member of the Vienna Secession, an association of artists committed to modern and avant-garde art. His works were shown in exhibitions at home and abroad, and he received numerous awards for his artistic work.

The outbreak of World War I in 1914 interrupted Schiele's career, and he was drafted into military service. During this time, he was assigned as a nurse in a military hospital. This experience left a deep mark on his work, and his paintings often depicted the suffering, isolation, and transience of human life.

Unfortunately, Schiele's life ended tragically early. On October 31, 1918, at the age of only 28, he died of Spanish flu along with his pregnant wife Edith. Despite his short life and brief artistic career, Schiele left behind an impressive body of work that had a lasting impact on 20th-century art.

Egon Schiele's works are valued for their intensity, emotional expressiveness, and exceptional artistic technique. His depiction of the human body and the way he explored the human soul in his paintings were groundbreaking for modern art. Today, his works are exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide and are considered milestones of Expressionism.