EGON SCHIELE

Egon Schiele (1890-1918) was a prominent Austrian painter and draftsman of the 20th century. He created over 3,000 works on paper and about 300 paintings, which are often considered shocking and offensive due to their explicit, unapologetic eroticism. His sharply drawn angular lines and combination of colors identify him as an early proponent of Austrian Expressionism, which rejected typical conventions of beauty and introduced ugliness and exaggerated emotions into art. He is the author of provocative nudes in contorted poses, cityscapes, and self-portraits. He was a pupil of Gustav Klimt. Some of Schiele's earlier works show similarities to Klimt's, for example, the pose in Schiele's "Cardinal and Nun (The Caress)" mirrors the position in Klimt's iconic "The Kiss." The two also shared lifelong mutual appreciation, friendship, and love for the same woman. He often stayed and worked in Český Krumlov, where his mother came from. Although he was active for such a short period, his work laid the foundation for the Viennese Expressionist movement and inspired other future movements, such as abstract expressionism.