This book highlights the intimate relationship between landscape and portraiture in the work of
the Austrian Expressionist artist Egon Schiele (1890-1918). Plants natural
environments and townscapes determine the spaces Egon Schiele created in his paintings and
they also reflect the rich symbolism he employed that is centered around the human condition.
In particular plants are often endowed with an allegorical meaning. Flowers and trees assume
the role of portrait subjects and convey an almost human appearance. Schiele's landscapes
always represent more than their apparent subject matter. His portrayal of nature and his
rendering of towns and trees epitomize the life cycle and the human condition. This
catalogue accompanying a spectacular exhibition on view at the Neue Galerie New York will
investigate the importance of landscape in the artist's work. The contributing authors are
internationally distinguished experts on Schiele's landscapes and representatives of museums
and universities in Europe and the United States.
