Rising to prominence in Vienna alongside Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka in the turbulent years around the First World War, Egon Schiele (1890-1918) is one of the most important artists of the early 20th century and a central figure of Austrian Expressionism. He produced some of the most radical depictions of the human figure created in modern times - so radical that in 1912 Schiele was imprisoned for two months for exhibiting his 'offensive' nudes. At the trial the judge is alleged to have burned some of the artist's drawings in open court with a candle flame.
Accompanying the first ever museum show in this country devoted entirely to the artist, this publication will explore in detail one of Schiele's most vital and original subjects - his extraordinary drawings and watercolours of male and female nudes. It will bring together an outstanding group of the artist's works to chart his ground-breaking approach during his short but urgent career. Schiele's technical virtuosity, highly original vision and unflinching depictions of the naked figure distinguish these works as being among his most significant contributions to the development of modern art. This sharply focused catalogue will be provide an opportunity to examine more than thirty of these radical works, assembled from international public and private collections for the exhibition.