The artwork “Reclining Female Nude” by Egon Schiele, created in 1908 in Vienna, Austria, embodies the characteristics of Expressionism. This watercolor on paper is part of the nude painting (nu) genre and measures 21.9 cm by 42.4 cm. Presently, it resides in the Kunsthaus Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork depicts a female figure in a state of repose, with her body stretched across the composition in a relaxed posture. The work is characterized by Schiele’s distinct style, which includes a bold contour line and a rough, almost incomplete application of color that lends a sense of raw emotional intensity and immediacy to the figure. The use of watercolor allows for a transparency and delicacy in the areas of the figure that are colored, standing in stark contrast to the otherwise spare use of pigment. The tone of the paper serves as the foundation, filling in the volumes of the figure’s form and the space around her. Noteworthy is the decidedly sparse background, which provides no context or distraction from the exposed subject, a choice that emphasizes the vulnerability of the figure. The color palette is restrained, with earthy tones dominating and a notable absence of exuberant color, which aligns with the more somber emotional overtones commonly associated with Schiele’s oeuvre. The treatment of the anatomy is stylized, with elongated limbs and an intimacy inherent in the portrayal of the body, characteristic of Schiele’s exploration of human form and expression.
