Portrait of a Woman

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Portrait of a Woman*, created 1910 by Egon Schiele in collaboration with the Wiener Werkstätte, captures the vibrant spirit of Vienna's avant-garde scene at the turn of the century. Schiele, a leading figure in Austrian Expressionism, was renowned for his raw, psychologically charged portraits that distorted forms to convey inner emotion. The Wiener Werkstätte, a pioneering design collective blending fine art with crafts, produced this color lithograph—likely as a postcard or intimate print—reflecting their commitment to accessible, high-quality modern design amid the Secessionist movement's push against academic traditions. Measuring just 5½ x 3½ inches, the work exemplifies lithography's versatility: multiple layers of color applied by hand allowed Schiele's signature angular lines and intense gazes to shine in a reproducible format. This small scale made such bold Expressionist imagery available beyond elite circles, democratizing art during a time of cultural ferment in pre-World War I Europe. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece—transferred from the Library via museum accession—highlights Schiele's graphic prowess and the Werkstätte's influence on modern decorative arts. Visitors will appreciate its poignant portrayal of femininity, a recurring theme in Schiele's oeuvre, inviting reflection on identity and expression.