The artwork “Sitting Woman” by Egon Schiele is a notable piece from 1914, encompassing watercolor on paper, and it belongs to the Expressionist movement. With dimensions measuring 46.2 cm by 31.5 cm, this sketch and study type work is currently held within a private collection. Executed in Vienna, Austria, Schiele’s creation is an exemplification of the distinctive style and fervent emotion characteristic of the Expressionist period.
The artwork depicts a female figure in a seated position with a complex pose, which creates a sense of dynamism and tension within the composition. The use of line is bold and unforgiving, as Schiele often employs contour lines to define the form. Watercolor is applied with a nuanced touch, giving life to the figure with subtle shifts in color. A strong emphasis on the psychological state of the subject is evident through the expressive quality of the figure’s form and the dramatic use of color.
The colors in the artwork are limited yet impactful, with green and red tints highlighting certain aspects of the figure against the muted background. The figure’s face is abstracted and overlapped with layers of color and line, adding to the intense expressionistic nature of the piece. Schiele’s ability to convey raw emotion through straightforward elements of line and color is on full display in this work, which stands as a powerful example of his artistry within the context of the Expressionist movement.
