Stillleben mit Gebäckteller c. 1905

Egon Schiele made this watercolor, Still Life with Plate of Pastries, around 1905. Look closely, and you’ll notice the crisp lines and flat application of the watercolor. Schiele’s confident brushstrokes define the curves of the pastries, the simple plate, and the blue and white checkered tablecloth. His rendering captures the textures of each object; the glossy sheen of the baked goods is set against the smooth surface of the porcelain plate and the woven fabric. Think about the tradition of baking, and how the skilled labor of the baker is so different from the artist's. Both forms of making depend on practiced movements and sensitivity to materials. With this still life, Schiele transforms everyday objects, elevating them to high art through his meticulous rendering. Paintings like this invite us to consider the value we place on different forms of making and the ways in which artists can blur the lines between craft and fine art.