Sleeping Girl (Melanie Schiele)
1908
Before Egon Schiele became the 'bad boy' of Expressionism known for his jagged, contorted figures, he drew this incredibly tender portrait of his sister Melanie sleeping in 1908. Notice how soft the lines are compared to his later, more aggressive work—the peachy wash on her hair and the gentle curve of her closed eye feel almost like a lullaby. The rest of her body fades into faint pencil outlines, suggesting the artist was more interested in capturing the mood of the nap than finishing the details. It’s a rare glimpse of the artist’s quiet side, capturing a peaceful moment before he dove into the intense psychological drama that defined his career.
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