Nude Lying on Her Front with Propped-Up Arms

• Egon Schiele (1890–1918)
• 1913
• Pencil on paper
• Leopold Museum, Vienna

This work is a striking demonstration of Schiele’s mastery of drawing. The delicate, intersecting strokes create a lattice of lines. The model’s comfortable pose with her head tilted, chin resting in her hand, and the contemplative expression suggest a deep, inner reflection. Schiele captured the unstable state of her mind with erratic strokes. The rendering of the clothing’s folds showcases his attention to detail. Through precise, angular, and relatively short pencil lines, he conveys the texture and weight of the fabric.