Landscape with Houses 1917

Egon Schiele made this drawing, Landscape with Houses, using graphite on paper. Schiele was an Austrian Expressionist painter known for the intensity and raw emotionality of his work. His life and work was profoundly shaped by the social and political upheaval of early 20th century Europe, including the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the rise of new, often radical, artistic movements. Schiele's landscapes often mirror his psychological landscapes. They're rarely just pretty scenes, instead, they explore themes of isolation and alienation, reflecting a fractured sense of self and society. In this work, the houses huddle together, yet remain isolated by the stark lines that define them. This gives an uncomfortable feeling which is further enhanced by the barren foreground. Schiele said: "The new artist must be a living protest against a world that seeks to mechanize humanity." This piece invites us to consider how our environments shape our inner lives, reflecting both the beauty and the unease of human existence.