Egon Shiele

Self Portrait 1911, Albertina, Vienna.

Schiele originaly began wearing a long caftan or Painter's smock in emulation of Klimt's
characteristic garb. However, the costume also melded well with Schiele's allegorical concerns,
helping him cast himself as a holy figure.

Although Egon Schiele is often grouped with the german Expressionists, his key influences were predominantly Austrian. In 1890, when Schiele was born, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was near it's Artistic and economic apogee. The Second half of the nineteen century had seen an industrial boom that created a new class of wealthy capitalists. Emulating the prerogatives of the hereditary aristocracy, many members of this new class became avid art collectors and patrons, who stimulated the market for art in a nation that had previously been more appreciative of Music and Theater.



Egon Schiele was born in the provincial town of Tulln on the Danube..



"The Highest Sentiments are found in religion and art. Nature is the goal; God resides there, and I feel Him strongly, most strongly.
I believe there is no " modern " art ; there is only one art, and art is eternal"

Egon Schiele



At 1 a.m. on october 31 - All Saint's Eve- Schiele died. He was twenty-eight years old.