Egon Schiele believed he could gain a deeper understanding of his inner self through painting. The distorted bodies, skull-like faces, and lines that seem frail and constricted in his works reflect his unsettling fear of death and of the fragility of his existence as an artist.

Schiele worked extensively in self-portraiture, leaving behind over 100 self-portraits. He studied his body in the mirror, experimenting with various poses and compositions. For Schiele, these self-portraits were more than a mere depiction of his appearance. They provided a tool for exploring his identity as an artist and subject matter that could showcase his unique style.