Woman Undressing 1917

Egon Schiele sketched “Woman Undressing” with raw emotion and stark lines during the height of the Expressionist movement. In early 20th-century Vienna, Schiele challenged the traditional, idealized representations of women. Instead, he focused on the body's vulnerability and psychological depth. The woman’s form is rendered with unflinching honesty. Her posture and the intimate act of undressing evoke a sense of exposure, both physically and emotionally. Schiele, known for his intense self-portraits, was deeply interested in exploring human identity through the body. This work raises questions about how women were perceived and represented in art and society during his time. Schiele once stated, "The body is the most revealing thing we have." Reflecting on “Woman Undressing,” we can consider the complexities of seeing and being seen, and the courage it takes to reveal oneself in a world that often demands conformity.