Egon Schiele

My First Artistic Love: Discovering Egon Schiele

In high school, I was fortunate to have an inspiring art teacher, Mrs. Kuntz, who assigned us a project that would shape my artistic journey. We were to choose two artists and draw inspiration from their works to create our own piece. She places a stack of post card in a big pile on the table. As soon as I saw “Seated Nude”l by Egon Schiele, the choice was clear. At the time his work was everything i had been looking for but never has seen. His bold, expressive lines and raw depiction of human emotion resonated with me in a way that no other artist had before.

Egon Schiele, an Austrian expressionist, had a profound impact on me. His art was characterized by its bold lines and intense, often unsettling, portrayal of the human form. There was something incredibly captivating about the way he captured raw, unfiltered emotion with his distinctive line work. Schiele's figures seemed to pulse with life and angst, revealing the complexities of human existence.

The Postcard.

While the other artist I chose for the project was René Magritte, it was Schiele's influence that truly shaped my work. Schiele's ability to convey profound depth and emotion through simple yet powerful lines inspired me to explore my own capabilities as an artist. His work taught me that art doesn't have to be elaborate to be impactful; sometimes, the simplest lines can tell the most powerful stories.

Creating a piece inspired by Schiele was a transformative experience. I immersed myself in his world, studying his techniques and understanding his approach to capturing the human condition. Through this process, I learned to embrace the imperfections and rawness in my own art, allowing my emotions to flow freely through each stroke.

Schiele's life and career, though tragically short, left an indelible mark on the art world. He pushed the boundaries of expressionism, challenging societal norms and delving into themes of sexuality, identity, and existential angst. His dedication to his craft and his relentless pursuit of truth in art continue to inspire me.

In many ways, my high school assignment was the beginning of a lifelong journey in art. It was the moment I realized the power of art. And for that, I will always be grateful to Mrs. Kuntzz, Egon Schiele, and the world of art.