Self-Portrait with Open Mouth

Collector Heinrich Benesch described Egon Schiele thusly: “A thin young man of more than average height and with an upright, unaffected posture. A pale, though not sickly, narrow face; large, dark eyes; and luxuriant dark-brown, medium-length hair, which stood up on end from his head. His demeanor was a bit shy, a bit hesitant, and yet a bit self-confident.”

The young artist completed many self-portraits during his short lifetime. In these remarkable works, Schiele conveys the gamut of emotions, ranging from angst to pain, and from confidence to pleasure. Although varied in their mood, these depictions always convey an intense emotional charge. Sometimes the initial quick sketches in charcoal, crayon, and pencil were enhanced with color and occasionally with a white “astral glow” in an attempt to suggest a spiritual emanation. Through such studies, it is possible to follow Schiele’s journey of unrelenting self-examination.