The artwork titled “Self Portrait in Lavender and Dark Suit, Standing” was created by Egon Schiele in 1914, amidst the burgeoning Expressionist movement in Vienna, Austria. This self-portrait, rendered in watercolor on paper, encapsulates the raw emotional intensity characteristic of Expressionism. Presently, the piece is housed in the Albertina, a museum located in Vienna, Austria, which is home to one of the largest and most important print rooms in the world, with a collection that spans from late Gothic to contemporary art.
In this striking self-portrait, Schiele presents himself in a stark, confrontational manner that is typical of his self-representations. His body is elongated and his hands, in particular, are rendered with exaggerated, bony fingers that grasp at his thighs. The use of lavender to represent his bare torso contrasts sharply with the dark, almost black suit. His face is gaunt, with bold, recessive eyes and a hint of red on his cheeks and lips, contributing to an overall appearance of vulnerability and introspection. The figure stands against a plain, unadorned background, which further emphasizes the starkness and the focus on the emotional state conveyed through the physical form. This self-portrait not only exemplifies Schiele’s style but also encapsulates the essence of the Expressionist movement’s focus on raw human emotion and psychological depth.
