Sorrow

Sorrow by Egon Schiele, created in 1914, is a powerful example of the artist’s engagement with the print medium during the height of Austrian Expressionism. This work, classified as a drypoint, showcases Schiele’s characteristic technique of scratching directly into the plate, producing the rich, velvety line quality (or burr) that defines the emotional intensity of his graphic output.

The composition centers on two intensely rendered human figures entangled in an embrace that suggests both profound isolation and shared melancholy. Schiele used his notoriously stark and exposed draftsmanship to explore themes of anxiety and sadness, common subjects in his work leading up to World War I. The agitated lines and sharp angles of the figures emphasize their vulnerability and psychological exposure, conveying the deep sense of suffering inherent in the title Sorrow.

This significant print reflects the raw psychological introspection that made Schiele a pivotal figure in modern art. The piece is preserved within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ensuring its accessibility for scholarship and public viewing. Schiele’s continued relevance means that high-quality prints and reproductions of works like this are widely accessed today, often benefiting from their status in the public domain, depending on jurisdictional copyright laws. The expressive depiction of existential anguish cemented Schiele’s legacy as a master interpreter of the human condition.