The artwork entitled “Little Girl with Blond Hair in a Red Dress” was created by the renowned artist Egon Schiele in 1916 in Vienna, Austria. This piece is a portrait, characteristic of the Expressionism movement, and as of the time of my knowledge cutoff in April 2023, it is housed in a private collection.
The artwork is a striking depiction of a young girl rendered with the distinct, expressive lines and emotive contours typical of Schiele’s work. She stands against a neutral background which serves to highlight the vivid red of her dress. The child’s pose appears slightly turned, with her body facing one side while her gaze is directed off-canvas, giving a feeling of contemplation or introspection. The dress is detailed with ornate white lace and ribbon at the collar and cuffs, contrasting with the otherwise dominant red. Her curly blond hair, adorned with what appears to be a green ribbon or bow, adds a playful and innocent quality to the portrait. The color palette is relatively limited, focusing on the contrast between the warmth of the dress and the cooler tones of the subject’s flesh. Schiele’s signature can be seen at the bottom right, marked in a square which stylistically blends into the composition. The overall effect is both enchanting and haunting, a testament to Schiele’s unique ability to capture the human soul and its complexities through his art.
