Portrait of Franz Hauer

The Portrait of Franz Hauer was created by Egon Schiele in 1914. This compelling print is executed in the demanding drypoint technique, a medium Schiele frequently utilized in his late career to achieve highly intimate and psychologically charged depictions of men. The drypoint process involves drawing directly onto a copper plate with a sharp needle, creating burrs of metal that retain the ink, producing rich, velvety lines that lend texture and depth to the resulting print.

Schiele’s graphic works from 1914 firmly place him within the vanguard of Austrian Expressionism, defined by raw energy and emotional candor. This particular portrait captures the sitter, Franz Hauer, with the characteristic angularity and penetrating gaze associated with Schiele’s mature style. The monochromatic scale emphasizes Hauer's contemplative demeanor and stark presence, focusing the viewer entirely on the individual's inner state rather than external trappings. As a master draftsman and specialist in portraying individuals with unflinching psychological insight, Schiele ensures this depiction of Hauer remains one of the key portraits from his final, pivotal years.

This exceptional example of early 20th-century Viennese prints is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The work demonstrates Schiele's exceptional skill in graphic art just months before the onset of World War I fundamentally reshaped his life and European culture. Today, important images like the Portrait of Franz Hauer are increasingly made accessible to scholars and the public through public domain initiatives and high-quality reproductions, supporting the continued study of this influential artist’s legacy.