Egon Schiele
Egon Schiele (June 12, 1890 – October 30,
1918), an Austrian painter, son of Marie and Adolph Schiele, was
born in Tulln, a small town on the Danube.
When Schiele was 15, his father died of syphilis, and he became
a ward of his uncle, who, though distressed by Schiele's lack of
interest in academic studies, recognised his passion and talent
for art. Schiele was accepted into the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts
at the age of 16.
Due to various troubles he left the Academy in 1909. However, Schiele was already participating in public exhibitions and was well acquainted with Gustav Klimt, who was both an inspiration and a friend to him throughout his life.
Once free of the constraints of the anachronistic and conservative Academy, Schiele began to explore, through his work, not only the human form, but also human sexuality. At the time, many found the explicitness of his works shocking.
Wally Neuzil, one of Schiele's models, became his close friend and eventually his lover. Together they moved to Neulengbach, 35 km west of Vienna, seeking inspirational surroundings and an inexpensive studio in which to work. Their unconventional lifestyle, however, was not appreciated by the more conservative townspeople. Schiele was imprisoned for 24 days after being falsely accused of seducing a minor. The charge was eventually dropped, but he was found guilty of "disseminating pornographic art" to children.
In 1915, Schiele married Edith Harms, a woman who lived with her parents across the street from his studio. This change necessitated the termination of his 4-year relationship with the faithful Neuzil.
In spite of World War I, Schiele was able to pursue his artistic endeavors. His output was prodigious, his work reflecting the maturity of an artist in full command of his talents. The Vienna Secession Show of 1918, where Schiele exhibited in the main hall and for which he had designed the poster, brought him great success. During the last year of his life he also had successful shows in Zurich, Prague, and Dresden.
