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Lot Essay
In 1910 Schiele became increasingly interested in the study of the nude figure along with a heightened form of expressive gesture. Along with this new subject matter came a dramatic shift in style. As Jane Kallir has observed, 'Though the Expressionist breakthrough is heralded in some 1909 drawings, the speed and extremity of Schiele's development in 1910 are such that his work leaves all previous efforts far behind. There is no precedent for the radical, garishly twisted nudes that appear almost at the very start of the year.' (op. cit., p. 391)
Männlicher Rückenakt is part of a series of watercolour studies of male nude figures executed in 1910. Though the majority of these sitters remain faceless, it is believed that Schiele modeled for some if not all of the works. Using colours applied separately the vibrant reds and bright oranges contained by the exquisite charcoal lines and placed against an empty background force the viewer to focus on the exaggerated pose of the figure. The elongated anatomy and almost impossible position of the figure display both the vigour and dynamism of the nude and vital warm energy of human life.
Männlicher Rückenakt is part of a series of watercolour studies of male nude figures executed in 1910. Though the majority of these sitters remain faceless, it is believed that Schiele modeled for some if not all of the works. Using colours applied separately the vibrant reds and bright oranges contained by the exquisite charcoal lines and placed against an empty background force the viewer to focus on the exaggerated pose of the figure. The elongated anatomy and almost impossible position of the figure display both the vigour and dynamism of the nude and vital warm energy of human life.