The artwork “Houses with Laundry (Seeburg)” by Egon Schiele dates back to 1914 and was created in Vienna, Austria. This oil on canvas cityscape is rendered in the Art Nouveau (Modern) style. The original piece is currently part of a private collection.
The painting portrays a scene that appears to be a village or a small town. There are several houses depicted, with a prominence of earthy tones and geometric shapes creating an almost fragmented appearance. Characteristic of Schiele’s style, the outlines are prominent and the colors are applied in a way that gives depth and texture to the structures. The roofs of the houses are dark, contrasting the lighter walls. The scene includes a clear portrayal of laundry, adding a vibrant array of colors through the various articles of clothing hanging on lines in the foreground, creating an intimate glimpse into the daily life of the town’s inhabitants. The laundry lines crisscross in the lower section of the piece, contributing to the lived-in feeling of the scene.
The overall atmosphere conveyed is one that feels both still and lived-in, with a sense of quiet routine. Schiele’s unique line work and color palette imbue the artwork with a dynamic energy that is typical of his approach to art during this period.
