EGON SCHIELE

With his graphic style, figural distortion, and defiance of conventional standards of beauty, Egon Schiele (1890-1918) was a pioneer of Austrian Expressionism. Mentored by Gustav Klimt, Schiele dabbled in a glittering Art Nouveau style before developing his own confrontational aesthetic of sharp lines, lurid shades, and mannered, elongated figures, favouring erotic or unsettling poses and thrust their genitalia into the foreground. His models are at times skeletal and sickly, at other times strong and sensual. In 1912, the artist was briefly imprisoned for obscenity. Of special interest to us are the striking 'Crucifixion with Darkened Sun', 'Four Trees', Sunflower II, Agony, The Embrace (Lovers II), Double Self-Portrait and Triest Harbour with its lapiz lazuli colours and watery perfection. Concise biography, over 100 illus in colour. 288 pages, 18cm square.