Nude Man with Raised Arms (recto)

Nude Man with Raised Arms (recto) by Egon Schiele is a powerful example of early modern Austrian drawing, executed in graphite in 1911. This highly focused work captures a starkly presented male figure in a dynamic pose, arms lifted above the head, emphasizing tension and exposed vulnerability. Schiele employed simple, decisive lines of graphite to define the contours of the body. There is little modeling or traditional shading; instead, the form relies entirely on the economical power of the drawn line, which often appears jagged or nervous, characteristic of the artist’s unique approach to anatomical studies.

Created during a crucial period in the artist’s career, the drawing reflects the intense focus on psychological introspection and physical distress characteristic of Viennese Expressionism. The immediacy afforded by the graphite medium allowed Schiele to rapidly record fleeting gestures and radical postures, distinguishing his art from the decorative norms prevalent in Austria at the turn of the century. Schiele’s prolific output of these intense figural drawings redefined the potential of line work as a primary means of artistic expression.

Classified as a fundamental piece of modern drawing, this work stands as a significant representation of Schiele's early mastery of the human form. The original artwork is maintained within the prestigious collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it serves as a key reference for understanding Expressionist draughtsmanship.