Egon Schiele

Egon Schiele, born on June 12, 1890 in Tulln an der Donau, Austria, was an important Austrian painter of the early 20th century. He is considered one of the most important representatives of Expressionism. Even at a young age, Schiele showed a remarkable talent for drawing, which eventually led him to the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. There he studied under Christian Griepenkerl, a conservative teacher whose traditional views Schiele soon found restrictive.

In 1907, Schiele met Gustav Klimt, who was already an established artist at the time. Klimt recognized Schiele's talent and became an important mentor for him. He introduced Schiele to the Viennese art scene and supported him by providing him with models and contacts. This connection was crucial for Schiele's artistic development and helped him to find his own, distinctive style.

Schiele's work is known for his provocative and often erotic depictions of the human body. His figures are often distorted and depicted in unconventional poses, making his work both fascinating and controversial. These depictions led to Schiele being arrested several times for alleged obscenity. Despite these challenges, he remained true to his artistic vision and created some of the most striking works of his time.

In 1915, Schiele married Edith Harms, who often served as a model for his works. During World War I, he was drafted into military service, but was able to continue working as an artist. During this time, he created some of his most important works, which show his maturity as an artist.

Tragically, Egon Schiele died of the Spanish flu on October 31, 1918 at the age of just 28, just days after the death of his pregnant wife. Despite his short life, he left behind an impressive artistic legacy that is admired to this day.