#00932 Egon Schiele (1890-1918)

The drawing presents a male figure viewed from behind. The subject is positioned centrally within the composition, his body angled slightly towards the viewers left. He appears youthful, with a slender build and relatively short hair that seems windswept or agitated.
Here we see an emphasis on the musculature of the back and shoulders; the artist has rendered these areas with visible strokes and tonal variations to suggest underlying tension and movement. The skin tones are not naturalistic but rather utilize a palette dominated by yellows, oranges, and greens, creating a sense of heightened emotionality or even fragility. These colors contribute to an overall impression that is less about anatomical accuracy and more about conveying a feeling or state of being.
The figures arms are raised, one reaching back towards the shoulder with a gesture that could be interpreted as either stretching, warding off something, or simply expressing vulnerability. The posture suggests a degree of introspection or perhaps even discomfort.
The background is a flat, uniform yellow-beige tone, which serves to isolate the figure and intensify his presence within the frame. This lack of spatial context further contributes to the sense that this is not merely a portrait but rather an exploration of human form and emotion. The artists use of color and line suggests a focus on internal states rather than external appearance; it evokes a feeling of melancholy or unease, hinting at themes of isolation and introspection.

The drawing’s subtexts seem to revolve around the vulnerability inherent in the human body and the emotional complexities associated with youth and self-awareness.