Egon Schiele on His Deathbed, 1918

Egon Schiele (1890–1918) died of the Spanish flu on 21st October 1918, only three days after the death of his wife Edith Schiele, who was six months pregnant. The 24-year-old photographer Martha Fein (1894–1942), who had a studio in the 13th District of Vienna, captured the artist, who had died at the apartment of his in-laws at Hietzinger Hauptstraße 114, in two photographs, see also *Egon Schiele on His Deathbed *. Emaciated and with his hair cut short, the deceased is lying on his deathbed with a peaceful and relaxed expression. His bent left arm is resting on the cushions on which he is reposing, his hand is tucked below his head; his right hand is positioned below his chin. It almost appears as if Schiele were merely sleeping soundly. His progress in life ended just as he began to be considered a major success as an artist with his participation in the Secession Exhibition and shortly before he could start a family. Colleagues, collectors, patrons and friends were deeply saddened by the exceptional artist’s sudden demise.

KJ, 2023