Self-portrait Austria-Hungary (1868-1918)
André Kertész, born Andor Kertész, was a Hungarian-born photographer known for his groundbreaking contributions to photographic composition and the photo essay. In the early years of his career, his then-unorthodox camera angles and style prevented his work from gaining wider recognition. Kertész never felt that he had gained the worldwide recognition he deserved. Today he is considered one of the seminal figures of photojournalism.
Egon Leo Adolf Ludwig Schiele, an Austrian Expressionist painter, is a figure whose work stands out for its raw intensity and exploration of sexuality, including a remarkable series of self-portraits that often featured nudity. Born in 1890 in Tulln, Lower Austria, Schiele's early life was marked by a fascination with trains and a troubled relationship with his family, especially following his father's death from syphilis when Schiele was just 15 years old. This event propelled him into the care of his uncle, who recognized Schiele's artistic talent despite his lack of interest in traditional academia, leading to Schiele's education at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.
Schiele's artistic journey was deeply influenced by his mentor Gustav Klimt, who introduced him to the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte, enriching his art with elements of Art Nouveau and paving the way for his distinct style that evolved beyond the influence of his mentor. Schiele's art, characterized by its emotional and sexual honesty, utilized figural distortion to challenge conventional ideals of beauty, making his work groundbreaking for its time.
Throughout his career, Schiele focused on self-portraiture, the human body, and sexuality, often leading to controversy due to the explicit nature of his work. Despite his brief life, cut short by the Spanish flu in 1918 at the age of 28, Schiele's body of work left a lasting impact on the art world. His contributions are celebrated in numerous museums and galleries worldwide, with the Leopold Museum in Vienna housing the most extensive collection of his works, featuring over 43 paintings and 200 watercolors, drawings, and prints. Schiele's work remains influential, offering a stark, introspective look into the human condition and the existential crises of his time.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Schiele's work offers a profound exploration of expressionism, culture, and the avant-garde movements of early 20th-century Europe. His legacy is a testament to the power of art to challenge societal norms and to explore the depths of human emotion and sexuality.
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