Egon Schiele and his times

Milan’s Royal Palace presents a retrospective on the work of Egon Schiele with more than 40 of his painting on exhibit until the 6th of June 2010. “Egon Schiele e il suo tempo,” (Egon Schiele and his times) an exhibit dedicated to the Austrian master, key figure in the development of expressionism and one of the founders of the Viennese secession. The exhibit was curated by Rudolf Lepold and Franz Smola with the goal of shedding light on the brief yet intense light of this master of 20th century painting.

Schiele (1890- 1918) was born in Tulln. This Austrian painter, contemporary and student of Gustav Klimt, is perhaps best known for his association with the Viennese secession and expressionism. This exhibit gives us a fabulous chance to get closer to the emotional tension and sensuality which he depicted. An unsettling anxiety predominates in his visual realm, showing the eternal conflict between rest and destruction. Frequently the protagonists of his paintings appear alone, with their faces or bodies contorted in pleasure, pain, fear or anger. The colours, lines and postures of his paintings are erotic and exquisite, saturated yet balanced; in the same manner that pleasure is tied to pain, and relaxation to tension.

During his life, his art inspired a fair bit of controversy. He would often use the children who stopped by his house as models, and sometimes the resulting paintings had a decided erotic air, or depicted models in postures which seemed obscene following the conservative morals of the day. Many considered his work to be pornographic. When he moved to his mother’s hometown in 1912 with his partner, his lifestyle seemed shocking to his neighbours, and the stay resulted in quite the scandal. He was accused of corruption of minors because of his girlfriend’s age, as well as the age of some of his models and the supposed “obscenity” of his work. In the end the case went to court, resulting in a short prison stay and the burning of one of his drawings. After all this, he returned to Vienna to once again form a part of the Austrian art world, thanks to the support of his friend Klimt

Egon Schiele died when he was only 28 years old 3 days after his pregnant wife Edith passed away as well. With only 28 years on the earth, he managed to leave his stamp on the world of art. Don’t miss this opportunity to form your own opinion about his work. Rent Apartments in Milan, and sink into his word of erotic tension and reflection. For more information about the exhibit, check out www.artpalazzoreale.it