Egon Schiele: Expressionist Innovator Austrian (1890-1918)

Egon Schiele, a protege of Gustav Klimt, was a profound Austrian painter known for his intense, raw expression of human emotions and sexuality. Born in 1890 in Tulln, Austria, Schiele’s work is characterised by twisted body shapes and expressive lines, making him an early exponent of Expressionism. His artwork often explored the depths of human psyche, featuring self-portraits and depictions of physical and existential suffering.

Schiele’s life was as tumultuous as his art. After his father’s death from syphilis, Schiele’s uncle became his guardian, pushing him towards a traditional education, which Schiele rejected for a more artistic path, attending the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. His rejection of academic norms continued throughout his life, leading him to found the Neukunstgruppe (“New Art Group”).

He frequently ran into trouble with the law due to the erotic nature of his work and his use of young models. Despite or because of his personal troubles, his art captured the tension and dynamism of the early 20th-century modernist spirit. Schiele’s brief life was marked by scandal and brilliance, and he died in the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 at age 28. His legacy lives on, influencing countless artists with his distinctive style.