Egon Schiele was an Austrian painter and a major figure of the early 20th century Expressionist movement. Born on June 12, 1890, in Tulln, Lower Austria, his father was the station master of the Tulln station in the Austrian State Railways. Schiele showed an early interest in drawing, and his talent was recognized at a young age. He was accepted into the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts at the age of 16, which was quite an accomplishment, as the Academy was known to be very selective.
Schiele was heavily influenced by the work of Gustav Klimt, the leader of the Viennese Secessionist movement. Klimt took a particular interest in the young artist, mentoring him and introducing him to the Viennese artistic elite. Schiele's early work was similar to that of Klimt, but he soon developed his own distinctive style, characterized by twisted body shapes, expressive line work, and often raw sexual themes.
In 1911, Schiele met Wally Neuzil, a young woman who would become his lover and the subject of many of his works. The couple moved to Neulengbach, seeking an inspirational and affordable place to live and work. However, their unconventional lifestyle and Schiele's provocative art led to his arrest for allegedly seducing a young girl. Although the charges were dropped, the scandal had a profound effect on Schiele's life and work.
During his short career, Schiele created more than 300 paintings and several thousand drawings. His work is marked by its intensity and its raw sexuality, which was shocking to contemporary audiences. His self-portraits, which are a significant part of his oeuvre, reflect his obsession with self-representation and the human condition.
Schiele's life was tragically cut short by the influenza pandemic that swept the world in 1918. He died on October 31, 1918, at the age of 28, just three days after his pregnant wife Edith succumbed to the same disease. Despite his brief career, Egon Schiele's work had a lasting influence on the development of Expressionism and modern art. His unique style and subject matter have continued to fascinate art lovers and collectors, and his works are held in major museums and private collections around the world.
