Reproduction of the Painting Reclining Woman, 1917

Egon Schiele (1890–1918) was married to Edith Schiele (1893–1918), née Harms, from June 1915 until his death in 1918. This work photograph shows the 1917 painting Reclining Woman, for which his wife likely acted as model. However, the painter also used another model to alter the reclining woman’s facial features. According to the portrayed’s sister, Adele Harms (1890–1968), the artist did this to protect his wife’s privacy. Though the depiction is highly revealing, the crinkled sheet covers the model’s genitals. The curious clenching of the left hand stands in contrast to the otherwise relaxed posture of the reclining woman. The oil painting was first presented at the 49th Collective Exhibition of the Union of Austrian Artists at the Vienna Secession, which won Schiele the success he had hoped for.

AK, 2023