WRITE WESTMINSTER BLOG

KLIMT/SCHIELE, RA

For a while Ifound it difficult to re-engage withArt, and despite being surrounded by creatives and their work, Ifound that I was losing interest, fast. After spending months away from my sketchbooks and list of ‘exhibitions to visit’, my sister and I had a quick visit to the Royal Academy of Art where I found a listing for the Klimt/Schiele exhibition- two giants of Viennese Modernism.So, I took that chanceto book a date, as there’s no better way to reconnect with art than revisiting artists you discovered when you enjoyed it the most.

The exhibition gave an insight into the artistic relationship of Klimt and Schiele, the former whois 30 years senior of Schiele. When entering the exhibition, there was a ton of information printed alongside the framed pieces on the walls of the room. The first two rooms were of Klimt’s work, full of quick sketches of nude models to detailed sketches, which both exhibited his personal style. In the 1890s, Klimt made a series of half-length portraits of unnamed females, but despite spending a large amount of his career drawing portraits, he did not create many self-portraits.

Klimt, as a leader of the Vienne Secession movement, already had his own artistic identity. His work is construed as an allusion to sexual liberation and the human psyche, ultimately building his own artistic self-portrait with anatomical studies. It is no surprise that Schiele had a keen interest in his work, even as a supporter.

As a young teen, Schiele had already gained attention for his work- constantly being reminded of his artistic talent by people around him. Though Klimt was equipped with skills, Schiele and his modern movement of art styles had greatly influenced Klimt’s work when he arrived at Vienna’s foremost Art school. Whilst Schiele did not create many self portraits, Klimt had crafted multiple self-portraits, exaggerating his limbs to create abstract work like Schiele. He had also painted serveral nude portraits with his signature black lines, reflecting how both artists had intertwining interests for intimate imagery and erotic expressionism, making their curiosities very clear.

After walking around the exhibition twice, I left with a postcard of Schiele’s work and wanting to know more about their relationship which I had no knowledge of before. Their distinctive styles had a great impact on each other than I expected. Though it felt short, it was a great way to revisit artists that I enjoyed, and slowly overcome my creative block.