Gertrude, Melanie and Egon Schiele, 21st Jun. 1899

This photograph, taken on 21st June 1899, shows the eldest sister Melanie (1886–1974) in the center, with the youngest, Gertrude (1894–1981), to the left, and the nine-year-old Egon (1890–1918) to the right. Only the youngest child is looking directly into the camera, while Melanie and Egon are looking past the viewers to the right wearing a hardly visible smile. Melanie and her brother shared an artistic talent: she loved to show off unusual poses – as illustrated by several photographs – and especially her own hat creations. Nevertheless, it was Gertrude who played a more decisive role in Schiele’s life. She was a faithful companion to her older brother throughout their childhood, and this bond remained unbroken until his death.

MA, 2023