The artwork titled “Seated Male Nude, Right Hand Outstretched” is a creation of the Austrian artist Egon Schiele completed in the year 1910. It hails from the era when Schiele lived in what is now the Czech Republic. Executed in watercolor on paper, this piece is a representative work of the Expressionism movement and falls within the nude painting (nu) genre. Currently, the artwork is held in a private collection.
In this compelling artwork, Schiele captures a male nude in a seated position with his right hand outstretched towards the viewer. The figure’s body is depicted with a vivid array of colors that delineate the contours and muscles with stark contrasts and intense hues. Schiele’s use of line is dynamic and expressive, contributing to the dramatic tension and emotional depth of the piece. The figure’s pose and the frontal extension of the hand give the artwork a direct and confrontational feel, as if he is reaching out of the canvas space. The background is minimally detailed, allowing the focus to remain solely on the raw and poignant presentation of the human form. The signature and inscription are clearly visible at the bottom of the artwork, adding a personal touch from Schiele and situating the work within his oeuvre.
