Letter from Egon Schiele to Carl Reininghaus, 13th Feb. 1913

Transcription:

13th February 1913.
Dear Mr. Karl [!] Reininghaus! I am not surprised by your letter, because someone wrote to you a few days ago and you wanted some information about me. – This must be an evil, fraudulent person who looks at the world with blind eyes. – Someone in the newspaper Wiener Zeitung wrote something similar to what this person might have said about me, – how lifeless! – In December 1909, I had to make everything visible to him that he couldn’t see; I hoped to have found a living man, but now in February he proved to be one who vegetates in a burrow of books. Mr. Karl Reininghaus, I didn’t believe that you would change your opinion because of the statements of others, even it they were important men. I do not hold the important man and the great artist in such great esteem as the pure, righteous, ennobled human being. (Christ). – I came here out of love, I live with love for my fellow beings of all levels and want to depart from here out of love. – I know that there is but one out of a thousand who lives with love for humans, animals, plants and things, that there is but one out of a thousand who recognizes the organism of all things, who in the inner life of plants and in their countenance sees the living wisp of their face. – At the beginning, I satisfied myself with the attainment of a monumental line, and with the resulting body ornament. – The pictures that are now exhibited in the Secession I sent in only because the people there invited me. But I was named a member of the Österreichischer Künstlerbund [Austrian Artists’ Union], which is now putting on the first exhibition of selected artists in Budapest, the first former went there, etc. – I feel that your writing me in this way is completely unfounded, I am now 22 years old, up until now I have not been able to do the work I want to do, only occasionally have I been able to recover from my experiences. – Not one person has ever brought me joy, everyone has something against me, even if not much; with people I value I tried to find the reason and have found nothing of significance. – But that you are distant with regard to me truly grieves me and that you have not yet found the human in me is understandable, because you have not associated with me for so long, I became wary, why? I am true, and I say this only because I sacrifice myself for this and must lead a martyr-like life. – I will in any case remain true, and even if it were the most precious of treasures that were lost: this is why I hate these businessmen; I am constantly clashing with these liars! – But anyone who speaks badly of me is either an envious painter, or a critic who has spent his entire life studying art history, or a person in uniform. – I have experienced unspeakably bitter days, I have made the acquaintance of all people high and low, their passions, their weaknesses and propensities, their way of life, noble and harsh deeds, perceived and unnoticed. – There are a number who are going with me, who are determined to pursue everything that is new, regardless of the objections of others, – they believe! – But please do not deny me my humanity, try to believe your will! I will always hold you in high regard, your noble character. – Don’t let yourself be influenced. – If you ask your heart if you have been just to me, I believe you would have to think differently of me. Whatever doctor, professor, or councilor it was, he should be ignored; I would like to look through that person to see what remains of him? – The titles of the state? – Decide for yourself, this I ask you. Tell me the truth! Come to see me, or if you like, I will come to you. I extend to you my most heartfelt greetings!
Egon Schiele.
Vienna XIII
Hietzinger Hauptstr. 101