Girl (Mädchen) from The Graphic Work of Egon Schiele (Das Graphische Werk von Egon Schiele)

Girl (Mädchen) from The Graphic Work of Egon Schiele (Das Graphische Werk von Egon Schiele) is a significant lithograph created by Egon Schiele in 1918, during the final year of his life. This print, classified under the category of fine art prints, was one of eight works assembled for a major portfolio documenting Schiele's graphic output, which was formally published posthumously in 1922. The complete collection comprised six drypoints and two lithographs, underscoring the artist’s sophisticated engagement with varied reproducible media.

As a leading figure in Austrian Expressionism, Schiele consistently focused on the human figure as a vehicle for intense psychological exploration. This particular work, known simply as Girl (Mädchen), exemplifies his mature technique. It utilizes the delicate, often raw qualities of the lithographic process to render the subject through precise, yet emotionally charged, contour lines. The composition eschews ornamentation, forcing the viewer to confront the figure’s direct and unadorned vulnerability, a characteristic thematic element of Schiele’s style.

The creation date of 1918 situates the piece within a period of profound cultural shift in Austria, reflecting the atmosphere of introspection and existential anxiety prevalent during the conclusion of World War I. Schiele’s work profoundly influenced subsequent generations of European artists. The subsequent 1922 publication of the portfolio Das Graphische Werk von Egon Schiele by Rudolf Rohrer established the lasting reputation of Schiele as a foundational modern printmaker. This impression of the work is preserved today within the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its continued availability for study and historical reference.