“Levitation” is a symbolic painting completed in 1915 by the artist Egon Schiele in Vienna, Austria. This artwork is executed in oil on canvas and is a representation of the Expressionist movement. It currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork captures the essence of Expressionism, distinguished by its use of intense, non-naturalistic colors and distorted forms. It features two central figures that appear to be floating or levitating amidst a backdrop that seems to pulse with movement and energy. The predominant colors are earthy tones, with touches of reds and whites that emerge from the background, possibly indicating flowers or other natural elements. The figures are depicted with elongated limbs and hands, and their faces show exaggerated features with a focus on their intense, somewhat disquieting gazes.
Their postures and the space between them suggest a complex relationship—a narrative that is open to various interpretations but clearly imbued with emotional tension. The surrounding landscape is abstracted, and the strokes are free and dynamic, further contributing to the feeling of disorientation and emotional turmoil. The scene is dreamlike and may invoke themes of human connection, the subconscious, or existential struggles, characteristic of the angst-ridden works that define Schiele’s oeuvre and the wider Expressionist movement.
