Squatting Woman

Squatting Woman is a powerful drypoint print created by Egon Schiele in 1914. This artwork stands as a definitive example of Austrian Expressionism, illustrating the movement's focus on raw psychological states and intimate, often confrontational, figure studies. Schiele utilized the drypoint technique, where a sharp stylus incises directly into the copper plate, creating a burr that captures ink and yields a distinctly velvety line when producing the final prints. This graphic approach allowed the artist to translate the swift, visceral immediacy of his drawing style directly into a reproducible format.

The subject matter, a nude woman contorted in a stark, angular posture, is characteristic of Schiele’s unflinching examination of the human body. Unlike earlier academic traditions that sought idealized representation, Schiele renders the figure with an abrasive emotional realism, emphasizing vulnerability and emotional exposure through elongated limbs and exaggerated contours. This focus on the expressive potential of the body, particularly the challenging portrayal of women in psychologically charged moments, was central to Schiele’s output during the period preceding World War I.

The composition underscores Schiele's mastery of line work, using minimal detail to maximize emotional impact. The work demonstrates how the artist conveyed alienation and intense personal feeling, themes that defined the Viennese artistic landscape of the era. Dated shortly before his tragic death, this piece cemented Schiele's reputation as a key figure in modern European art. While digitized images of these early 20th-century prints are sometimes available through public domain initiatives, this specific impression of Squatting Woman is housed in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it serves as a crucial reference point for the study of Expressionist graphic arts.