Single Houses 1915

Curator: Here we have Egon Schiele's "Single Houses," a 1915 oil painting currently residing in a private collection. Editor: My initial thought? It feels like the houses are huddled together for warmth, all skewed angles and watchful windows. Kind of lonely, you know? Curator: The skewed angles are a crucial element. Notice how Schiele abandons traditional perspective, creating a sense of unease and instability. The formal construction is very much in line with Expressionist aesthetics. Editor: Unease, yes, precisely. But also a sort of vibrant decay, like these buildings have secrets etched into their walls. That rusty red facade on one of them… what’s that about? Curator: That’s a brilliant observation! Color is so important here. Schiele uses color to emphasize the emotional qualities of the buildings, giving them a unique sense of character, or maybe a better word here is identity. Notice also the compositional organization. Editor: Okay, unpack that. Identity? I’m with you. They are like characters in a play. It also reminds me of his portraits; they always feel so raw. It’s like he's painting their souls. Curator: Exactly. He transposes the psychological intensity of his portraiture onto these buildings. The brushstrokes, too, contribute; jagged and almost violently applied, especially in the rendering of the sky. Editor: Yeah, that sky looks like a nervous breakdown waiting to happen. But in a beautiful way, obviously! It really adds to this overall sense of tension and drama, don't you think? Curator: Most definitely. Through Schiele's singular vision, these structures transform from mere dwellings into emotional landscapes that challenge our perceptions. Editor: I'll say. Makes you wonder what stories those houses could tell, if they could only speak, maybe in harsh angles and rusty tones? What do you think?