Reclining Model in Chemise and Stockings

Reclining Model in Chemise and Stockings by Egon Schiele, created in 1917, is a poignant example of the Austrian Expressionist's final period, executed with characteristic intensity using charcoal on paper. The work captures a solitary female figure who is simultaneously exposed and introspective, continuing Schiele’s career-long exploration of the psychological and physical vulnerability of women.

Characteristic of his unflinching observational approach, Schiele portrays the model partially clad, wearing a sheer chemise and dark stockings. The pose is deliberately asymmetrical and uneasy, avoiding the idealized repose typical of classical studies of the human figure. The composition emphasizes the drawing’s immediate, stark quality, defined by Schiele's signature nervous, angular line work. These jagged contours quickly establish the figure’s form while conveying a palpable sense of emotional tension.

This drawing was completed just one year before the artist's death in the Spanish flu epidemic, during the final waning days of World War I, reflecting the profound psychological anxiety prevalent in Vienna at the time. The immediacy of the charcoal medium lent itself perfectly to the raw expressionism favored by Schiele. Today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this significant piece in its permanent collection, offering viewers deep insight into the artist's mature technique. High-quality prints derived from the museum's holdings are widely appreciated, helping to distribute the legacy of this important work globally.