Egon Schiele’s 1911 painting, “Self-Portrait with Outstretched Arms,” depicts the artist in an expressive and revealing pose. The portrait demonstrates Schiele’s fascination with subjective experience and self-reflection. The color scheme is limited to browns, with only certain areas of the body tinted red. Schiele often painted figures in his work which were emotionally charged, jarring, and unapologetic.
The pose of the self-portrait is suggestive of the crucified Christ, with Schiele’s outstretched arm awkwardly bent at the elbow. This nod to religious symbolism adds depth and meaning to the painting. Interestingly enough, this piece was part of a series that depicted Schiele alone, emphasizing his introspective themes.
