Egon Schiele

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With his unique drawing style, distorted figures, and rejection of conventional ideals of beauty, Egon Schiele (1890-1918) was a pioneer of Viennese Expressionism and is considered one of the most impressive portrait painters of the 20th century. Under the influence of his mentor Gustav Klimt, Schiele began with the glittering Art Nouveau but soon developed a rough and provocative aesthetic characterized by harsh lines, bright colors, and emaciated figures. His portraits and self-portraits shocked Viennese society with their erotic poses and an unprecedented psychological and sexual intensity. Often, he or his models, who are sometimes gaunt and sickly, sometimes strong and sensual, crouch on the ground with spread legs and visible genitals, staring at the viewer. Many contemporaries found his works not only ugly but also morally reprehensible, leading to a brief imprisonment for "dissemination of immoral drawings." Today, Schiele is celebrated for his revolutionary representation of humanity and his unmistakable, feverish drawing style. The book introduces Schiele's short but intense career through selected works and highlights his enormous influence on modern art, which is also reflected in the work of contemporary artists like Tracey Emin and Jenny Saville.