The artwork entitled “Self Portrait with Spread Fingers” was created by artist Egon Schiele in 1909 while in Vienna, Austria. Employing oil on canvas as his medium, Schiele’s piece is positioned within the Art Nouveau (Modern) art movement. The painting’s dimensions stand at 71.5 by 27.5 centimeters, and as a self-portrait, it presents a personal insight into the artist’s representation of self. Currently, this artwork is housed in a private collection.
In the artwork, the focus is drawn to the artist’s face and hands. The face emerges on the canvas almost wraithlike, gazing directly at the viewer with a penetrating expression. A heavy use of contour accentuates the features, creating a stark contrast against the dark background. The clothes are not discernible, further emphasizing the intensity of the facial expression and the expressive gesture of the hands. Schiele’s characteristic use of line and unsettling figurative depiction is evident, reflecting his unique approach to portraying the human form. The hands, stretched out with splayed fingers at the bottom of the canvas, are spectral in their rendering and break the otherwise vertical structure of the composition. The limited but bold use of color draws attention to particular areas—the flushed cheeks, the striking red of the lips, and the golden accents in the background—engaging the viewer in a silent dialogue with the artist’s psyche.
