Artwork
Portrait of Arthur Roessler

Portrait of Arthur Roessler is an ink print by Egon Schiele. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on verso, in graphite: 80 / 80 OK 1969
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Arthur Roessler, created by Egon Schiele in 1914, is a drypoint print on wove paper, exemplifying the Expressionist movement's emphasis on emotional intensity and formal distortion.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Arthur Roessler, characterized by a strong jawline and mustache, with hands clasped in his lap. The work conveys Schiele's penchant for psychologically charged and intimate representations of his subjects.
Technique & Style
Executed in drypoint, the piece features expressive, loose lines and a textured, almost nervous quality, achieved by scratching a needle into the paper. This method suits Schiele's distinctive style, marked by unconventional composition and emotive line work.
History & Provenance
Created in 1914, the portrait is a product of Schiele's prolific period within the Expressionist movement. While the subject, Arthur Roessler, is identified, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
Within the broader context of Schiele's oeuvre, this portrait aligns with his explorations of human psychology and the emphasis on capturing the inner state of his subjects, common in early 20th-century Expressionist art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Egon Leo Adolf Ludwig Schiele was an Austrian Expressionist painter. His work is noted for its intensity and its raw sexuality, and for the many self-portraits the artist produced, including nude self-portraits. The…

















