Crescent of Houses II 1915

Egon Schiele's “Crescent of Houses II” presents us with an angular, bird's-eye view of clustered buildings, rendered in oil with a palette of muted ochres, greys, and blues. The composition teeters between representation and abstraction, evoking a sense of unease. Schiele's distorted perspective and sharp lines disrupt traditional landscape painting, challenging our perception of space. The houses, almost collapsing in on themselves, become fragmented shapes, with each plane delineated by bold, dark outlines. This technique echoes the Expressionist movement's exploration of psychological states, and reveals the inner turmoil that shapes the outer world. The buildings are not merely structures; they are signs of a deeper disquiet, mirroring a society on the brink. The skewed angles and clashing colours further destabilize fixed meanings, inviting us to question the foundations upon which our reality is built. The painting becomes an invitation to contemplate the unstable nature of our existence.