Tuesday Art ATTACK- Egon Schiele "Woman Sitting With Legs Drawn Up"

Woman Sitting With Legs Drawn UpEgon Schiele was born in Tulin, Austria in the year 1890. During his early childhood Schiele spent a lot of his time with his Father, this included accompanying him his work at the Austria State Railways. While he would wait for his Father, Shiele would draw the trains in and around the station. When he was in grade school he did poorly in most every subject except for drawing and athletics. When Schiele was 15 years old his father became sick and died. The young Schiele became a ward to his uncle, Leopold Czihaczec. Like Shiele's Father, Uncle Leopold was a railway official and would have liked to see his nephew follow become a railway man as well, but he was able to recognize Schiele's artistic talents and arranged him to be tutored under Ludwig Karl Strauch. In the following year (1906) Schiele applied to the School of Arts and Crafts in Vienna, the same school that Gustave Klimt studied at. Within his first year of study he was urged by the majority of his faculty members to attend the more traditional art school in Vienna, The Akademie der Bildenden Kunste. At his new school Shiele's main teacher was Christian Griepenkeri, who's conservative style and close minded attitude aggravated Schiele enough to leave the school three years later. During his time at the Akademie der Blidenden Kunste, Schiele had set off on a side mission to befriend Gustav Klimt. Klimt took Schiele in and mentored him, exchanged work with him, set up modeling sessions for him, and introduces him to potential patrons. After Schiele left the Akademie der Blidenden Krunste he spent much of his time with Klimt. Free from the Academy's rules Schiele began an exploration of the human form and human sexuality. Klimt invited Schiele to exhibit with him several times and eventually Schiele booked his own solo show in Paris in 1914. Schiele met Edith Harms in 1914. She lived with her family across from the painters studio in Vienna. The following year Schiele chose to marry Edith. The two got married on the 17th of June 1915, the anniversary of Shiele's parents wedding. After the marriage Schiele's model, muse, and potential lover left Vienna and was never seen again. Her leaving prompted him to paint Death of the Maiden, arguably one of his most influential paintings. Schiele had been able to escape the draft of World War 1 for nearly a year, but 3 years after his wedding he was ordered to report for service. He was first stationed in Prague, Edith followed him there and they saw each other occasionally. While Schiele was in service he was still exhibiting around Europe and receiving successful reviews. Due to his excellent hand writing, Schiele was made clerk of a POW camp where he was allowed to talk with and draw the Russian Prisoners. In 1917 Schiele was through with service and back in Vienna to pursue his artistic career. He was invited to show in the Secession's 49th exhibit that was held in Vienna in 1918. The exhibit was a huge success, this escalated Schiele's status as an artist, increased the value of his works, and lead to an increase in private commissions. With the fall of 1918, came the Spanish Flu to Vienna. Edith contracted it first and died n the 28th of October. She was 6 months pregnant. Schiele would die of the same disease three days later, the 31st of October, at the age of 28. During his final three days alone he drew a series of beautiful sketches of his wife, these would be his last works.
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