Elisabeth Lederer, Seated With Hands Folded 1913

Egon Schiele made this portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, seated with hands folded, with pencil and watercolor. Schiele was a prominent figure in the Viennese Secession, a group of artists who challenged the conservative artistic establishment of Austria at the turn of the century. The Secession aimed to create art that reflected the realities of modern life, including its psychological and emotional complexities. Schiele's portraits often explored themes of sexuality, anxiety, and alienation. This work, with its bold lines and psychological depth, reflects the cultural and social anxieties of early 20th-century Vienna, a time of great social and political upheaval. The institutions and social structures of the time, such as the family, religion, and the state, were being questioned and challenged. By consulting historical sources such as letters, diaries, and contemporary art criticism, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and institutional context in which Schiele's art was created.